Jump to content

How to use the Leica "Post" cameras


Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Several months after acquiring my first MD Post and MDa Post cameras, I was still ignoring how they were used. I finally got the explanation when finding an adequate ALOS "funnel" at a flea market in Switzerland in 1981, and contacting the firm in Zürich. The camera was attached upside down to one end of the "funnel" through the provided bayonet, the release thread and the flash socket connected to the available cables - there was a circular flashlight inside the "thing" - and a big third cables connected to a battery. Finally the open end of the "funnel" was applied to the selected area of counters to be registered, and the complete set was very simply actuated  via the butt's sear of the "funnel".

Digitalization has changed (and quite simplified) all that ... including photography. But if "Post" Leicas are relatively current in collections, I believe the "funnel" thing is less common.

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Link to post
Share on other sites

x

Outstanding Pierre! I have never seen this before, even though I have a couple of MD cameras in my collection. I don't think Jim Lager has ever seen this either. I knew the camera fit into some kind of bracket or holder, but I never would have pictured something like this!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Reminds me of the Canon x-ray cameras that were used to take photos of fluoroscopy images. Did Leica also make an x-ray model?

 

Frankly, no idea!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Reminds me of the Canon x-ray cameras that were used to take photos of fluoroscopy images. Did Leica also make an x-ray model?

Of course!

http://www.leica-historica.de/Vidom96.pdf

and a special lens too:

http://www.klassik-cameras.de/summar085_02.jpg

 

The here shown MDa is not a geniune "Post-Leica", these were specially engraved with film format

"24x27":

http://www.collection-appareils.fr/Leica/images/leica_mda_post_0001.jpg

or "24x36":

http://assets.catawiki.nl/assets/2015/9/7/4/1/9/4197bd0a-55af-11e5-9b94-18791248153f.jpg

 

others did also manufacture esp. for Postal & telegrafic usage:

ALPA:  http://ebayimages.foto-fina-shop.de/fantazuso/img1/7134-04.jpg

FOCA:  http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/camera-12377-Foca_PF1%20PTT.html

 

kind regards

Thomas

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Of course!

http://www.leica-historica.de/Vidom96.pdf

and a special lens too:

http://www.klassik-cameras.de/summar085_02.jpg

 

The here shown MDa is not a geniune "Post-Leica", these were specially engraved with film format

"24x27":

http://www.collection-appareils.fr/Leica/images/leica_mda_post_0001.jpg

or "24x36":

http://assets.catawiki.nl/assets/2015/9/7/4/1/9/4197bd0a-55af-11e5-9b94-18791248153f.jpg

 

others did also manufacture esp. for Postal & telegrafic usage:

ALPA:  http://ebayimages.foto-fina-shop.de/fantazuso/img1/7134-04.jpg

FOCA:  http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/camera-12377-Foca_PF1%20PTT.html

 

kind regards

Thomas

 

Interesting! Your image of the M3/MD Post of the very first batch 1067871-1068000 is especially interesting : no front "plate", but four protuberant screws : a modification? And images of other brands' "Post" cameras are fascinating. Finally, as Swiss firm ALOS seems to be pivotal in the initial design of "funnel photographic registering" of telecom counters, would it be possible to know if Leitz-Leica has played more than an accessory provider role?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...