MIKAS, MIKAS-M, micro ibso?

[Universalb50]

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I do not understand why these devices exist. Unless using a Leica (?), or other camera without focal plane shutter, and if using something like Ic, If, MD, or MDa, why the need for the leaf shutter of these devices. Also, why not just mount the camera with focal plane shutter on Visoflex with it's own integral viewing telescope, ie OTVXO, LVFOO, or some such?

Edited January 20, 2019 by Universalb50

[pierovitch]

Vibration reduction in photomicroscopy is necessary as the vibration from moving mirrors and blinds is magnified by the microscopes magnification. Leaf shutters rotary action causes less transverse vibration. In photographic terms a 1000x magnification optical microscope would be equal to a 50,000mm lens. Bolting the camera to a cast iron stand like an aristophot also helps damp vibration from inertia.

Cheers Pierre

[alan mcfall]

Some, a matter of timing. Some  a matter of choice.  The Ploot was not available until 1935, the Viso after the war. Before the leica roll film camera, the wood and then metal plate cameras were the standard.  Many users got used to these, and they did also incorporate a Metl 12 sheet film pack. The Macca was only about 4 times the area of 35mm film, so not so big.  The Makam was larger at 9 x 12cm.  Early film resolution for detailed micrographs may have necisited the larger photos.  The Mifilca 1925 introduced the leica roll film camera 35mm to microscopy photography.  In 1930/31 interchangeable lenses were introduced, then the Mikas was made available so you did not have to use the Mifilmca.  The slower  leaf shutter speeds, and lower vibration, at that time, were also necessary, as leitz did not have 1-1/20 second until 1933.  With the Ploot, leitz introduced a wide variety of close-up and other devices, The scientific catalogs of the late 1930's are amazing with the number of possible combinations shown.  With the roll film camera, something like the Mikas or Ploot was required if one wanted to see the image prior to the exposure.  The swinging prism of the Mikas was genius, IMHO. Just befor the war, the Aristophot system significantly expanded capability.  Exposure measurement was a following technical enhancement.  The Makam was available into the 1970's,  I guess people just liked the simplicity and large engative. Many labs moved to the poloroid option for their Leitz microscopes. The M cameras and Reflex leicas added close up and many other tools with much less work.  Laney, Collectors Guide, has what seems to be the best available evolution of this type of equipmentr.

[Pecole]

Once again, I think that illustrations could help. Here are some of a special MAKAM without markings (prototype?) I have, including details of cassette, and of MIKAS with the special CALOS release coupler. And I even add a photo of different engravings I discovered on two of my MIKAS.

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[alan mcfall]

Great photos.  The connecton thread( on the Makam) and the shutter (Mikas) in the first photo above, are post war types, so I am not sure if it is a prototype or just a factory missed engraving.  The shutter has the large eyepiece and a flash sync nipple, typical of post war systems.

Photos of my various Macca and Makam (metal plate leica cameras) were shown in a parallel thread titled "leitz photography before the leica".  Here it is interesting to focus further on the Mikas, introduced with the interchangable lens leica Model C in 1930. Some variations are shown in this photo:

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Lower left, early Mikas with normal 1/3x cone, unique eyepiece collar and retention screw for prism rotation cable.  Neither of these features are seen on normal Mikas units.  The early Mikas has the small telescope eyepiece and no flach sync nipple. Early version black crinkle paint is a much different texture that later units.  Next right is a normal early model Mikas, with engraving likely by the German owner. Next right is the 1/2x versions, not often seen, note thick collar at the top; and finally on the bottom far right, the 1x version of the cone on late Mikas.

Top left, a very short cone for the .32 to one ratio lens on the post war Mikas with large eyepiece and flash sync nipple. Lastly, top center is a special short cone for use with the Leitz rotating (OORES) or sliding copy attachments. No Mikas is used in this arrangement to use the leica for microscope photographs.  Viewing can be accomplished via the copy attachment itself.  At the bottom of the cone is the LSZOO light excluding rings.  If Leitz had any concerns about microscope photography vibration when using the roll film shutter, it is not apparent in their pre war literature.

The next photo is from later devices that seem to apear with the launch of the Aristophot (1939). Sorry, my Aristophot is not easily accessed and very heavy!

 

Shown is a Sp.-Reflex 1/3x lens and the so-called "Z" rings.  Two different varieties here both marked "Z" and enscribed with between piece or something similar.  I have forgotten what the red "C" on the lens stands for.  Any help here appreciated or on the Bruckner engraving in photo 1. If not clear in the photo, it is "Bruckner-Urmetzer, MAINZ.

[pbtann]

This was my father's business in the 1930's. William Brueckner. I just have more information about the business.