Fontenelle archives 17 : the ALOS system for "Post" cameras

[Pecole]

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Most Leica collectors know that the M3 "Post" (there has never been an "MD Post"!) was developed for the Swiss ALOS company, based in Zurich, and has served as a model for the later development of the MD/MDa by Leitz. But quite surprisingly, illustrations of the complete system allowing the shot of photos of the telephone exchange boards with the camera, are extremely rare, and many collectors owning "Post" models do not even know about the system.

Here are four photos of the Alos "Funnel" which are self-explanatory. The camera with fixed focus lens was mounted (upside down) on the end of the "thing" which was applied with its four "feet" on the desired section of the board. A cable linked the release to the grip, and another linked the flash socket to the built-in flash-ring in the funnel. A power cable secured a permanent supply, either from a battery or a local power plug.

The only direct operation of the camera was the film advance, and owners of a used M3 or MDa Post have probably noticed a "dent" on most of the fixed speed dials, corresponding to the angled end of the returning advance lever.

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[luigi bertolotti]

Exactly as you said... most of us do know the ALOS name related to the Leitz "postkameras".. but the complete set you dispaly was, I think, never seen by most of us... thanks for the illustration... very funny to see a fine Leica attached to such a "strange" device.