Fontenelle archives 83 : OOFRC remote film advance and shutter release accessory

[Pecole]

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It took me quite a lot of time to add this sophisticated accessory in my Fontenelle collection ! The OOFRC, introduced in 1935 and last catalogued in 1939, allowed the remote operation of a Leica with the aid of two cords. I pesonally used it once to take pictures of a bird's nest more than three metres above the ground. I first had to climb on a ladder, secure the camera with its OOFRC and an Elmar 105 lens to the tree's trunk after having focused, then sit on a chair with the two cords in hand ... and wait for the bird to come back to feed its progeny.

After this first and last experience, I decided that the OOFRC was definitely and exclusively a collection item !

The accessory consists of a spring-loaded "drum" fitting the camera's winding knob, and a rounded casing secured to the camera's right side by a screw engaging the tripod thread. This casing supports an articulated arm to actuate the release button, and two pulleys to guide the cords, one at the top for the winding, one at the bottom for the release. In fact, this round side casing is basically an equiped VESUK protection shield.

Here are some photos.

 

First, the complete OOFRC accessory with its red box, and a VESUK protection shield for comparison.

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Now two photos illustrating the spring-loaded head or "drum" (left) to be fitted on the camera's winding knob, and the casing with its fastening screw, the articulated arm for the release, and the two pulleys.

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Two photos of the OOFRC mounted on a Leica II and a TOOSF table top tripod, first from front, then from rear.

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Close-ups of the mounted OOFRC, also front and rear

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The spring loaded head or "drum" fitted to the camera's winding knob, and its guiding pulley

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Detail of the pulley at the bottom of the casing, guiding the cord linked to the release arm.

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And finally, the "thing" on a memorable test.

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[jc_braconi]

I have one of this and you are right : not so easy to find one.

[iphoenix]

The things photographers used to do to get their pictures!! Also, the facilities created by Leitz to enable them to do it. I think that's why I have started to collect Leicas. Full marks Leica and thank you Pecole for both done it and having shown us.