Pecole Posted November 18, 2009 Share #1 Posted November 18, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) In a comment last May, Luigi Bertolotti said he found the Leica 250 one of the "most fascinating historical Leica". So, this illustrated thread is especially for him. The origin of the Leica 250 is to be found in Belgium where, late in 1932, a professional photographer and Leica user from the Antwerp region, specialized in photographing religious ceremonies like "confirmations". During these ceremonies, up to 200 boys and girls were individually blessed by the Cardinal in a quite rapid sequence, and the only solution for the photographer was to have several loaded cameras at hand. When talking to the Belgian Leica importer to whom he hired the supplementary cameras, he developed the idea of boosting the Leica film capacity in a way similar to the Seischab Esco camera. The importer then drafted a project and ordered two prototypes to Leitz, one black painted and one chrome. These were developed from Leica II and delivered in November (#114052, chrome) and December 1933 (#114051, black enamel). Both prototypes have been retrieved by Belgian collectors in the early 1980's : nº114051 by Jean-Paul Bachely, and nº114052 by myself. Unfortunately, the black one had been "upgraded" to FF standard at some stage, but "mine" was in the very original condition. Better than describing it, I attach the photos I made more than 20 years ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 18, 2009 Posted November 18, 2009 Hi Pecole, Take a look here Leica 250 Prototype. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
aesop Posted November 18, 2009 Share #2 Posted November 18, 2009 ...awesome post, Pecole - not your average Leica pocket camera, huh? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted November 18, 2009 Share #3 Posted November 18, 2009 Hello, Fabulous piece, even if some little pieces as R/F glasses are missing. Is it the one that gone to Italy ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabears Posted November 18, 2009 Share #4 Posted November 18, 2009 Very interesting! Thank you for sharing with us. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 19, 2009 Share #5 Posted November 19, 2009 Thanks a lot for your kind dedication, Pecole: I did not know at all the history that originated the 250 project: curios it started form an issue about religious ceremonies... The 250, as you have reminded, has always been a fascinating item , for me... ok, as Aesop says, is not pocketable, but when you keep one in your hands, you realize is not even so bulky, considering that it contains 10 meters of film; I never decided to buy one... ... the only time I was next to, the dealer made me notice that the s/n ("correct" in itself) COULD be not so "virgin" ...he would give it for a good price, but honestly told me he could not guarantee it was 100% original or, even worst, original but of fair provenience (stolen ?). Given my passion for chrome items, I like more the chrome 250s... even if I know well that the most "precious" 250 is the black version with electric motor coupling...from a camera coinceved to shot religious events, in a peace-minded Country, a version to shot war events was developed as times went towards mass carnages... . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecole Posted November 20, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted November 20, 2009 Hello,Fabulous piece, even if some little pieces as R/F glasses are missing. Is it the one that gone to Italy ? Right, Jean-Claude, I sold it to Crescenzi when I moved to Portugal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pecole Posted November 20, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted November 20, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks a lot for your kind dedication, Pecole: I did not know at all the history that originated the 250 project: curios it started form an issue about religious ceremonies...The 250, as you have reminded, has always been a fascinating item , for me... ok, as Aesop says, is not pocketable, but when you keep one in your hands, you realize is not even so bulky, considering that it contains 10 meters of film; I never decided to buy one... ... the only time I was next to, the dealer made me notice that the s/n ("correct" in itself) COULD be not so "virgin" ...he would give it for a good price, but honestly told me he could not guarantee it was 100% original or, even worst, original but of fair provenience (stolen ?). Given my passion for chrome items, I like more the chrome 250s... even if I know well that the most "precious" 250 is the black version with electric motor coupling...from a camera coinceved to shot religious events, in a peace-minded Country, a version to shot war events was developed as times went towards mass carnages... . It was my pleasure, Luigi. And as you'll see from my reply to jc_braconi, the "beast" is (or was) now in your country with the other Luigi. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 20, 2009 Share #8 Posted November 20, 2009 It was my pleasure, Luigi. And as you'll see from my reply to jc_braconi, the "beast" is (or was) now in your country with the other Luigi. Right, he also "published" it into an Italian proper magazine (Classic Camera). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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