LTM Macro/Repro adapter for Elmar 5cm?

[nitroplait]

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This macro/repro(?) device came with other known items. It is made of nickel plated brass. What exactly is it?
 

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[alan mcfall]

ZWTOO

[nitroplait]

Thanks. 

I tried to google a little and follow the link to the OORES from the Leica Wiki without becoming much wiser on how & what this was actually used for. It apparently allows focusing from close to infinity, the latter doesn't make much sense in a repro context.

I wonder how one would determine correct focus with a ltm camera? The ZWTOO offers only numbers from 0-20 on the scale.

The only modern use for this device I can imagine, would be on a mirrorless camera, which would allow for closer focusing as well as normal photography up to infinity - but I have yet to try.
In this usage scenario, one would have to be careful that the Elmar doesn't fall out, as it is only attached in the rear group bayonet lock as far as I can see, and would fall right off if loosened.

[TomB_tx]

Some Leitz copy stands used a shuttle where camera body and ground glass viewer shuttled back and forth - focus on magnified ground glass, switch to Leica body for photo.

[UliWer]

The OORES was a rotating focussing mount. With the adapter ZWTOO you could fix a 50mm ELMAR lens and with a second adapter a different focal length, e.g. 90mm Elmar. You could fix the whole device with your camera on a tripod and focus exactly with the aid of a magifiying device looking through the lens (LOOCG with 5x magnification, though there were different magnifiers as well). Then you rotated the device and had the lens in front of your camera with exact focus. So you could use it for reproduction with close focus but also for different aims (though I can‘t think of many besides military ones) with long focus. 

[luigi bertolotti]

16 hours ago, nitroplait said:

...
In this usage scenario, one would have to be careful that the Elmar doesn't fall out, as it is only attached in the rear group bayonet lock as far as I can see, and would fall right off if loosened.

The lock through the bayonets of the Elmar lens' tube is indeed very stable and secure (with original Leitz devices, of course) ; a typical usage is in the well known NOOKY near distances focusing device (and its variants) : a brilliant design still fully functional and usable, with RF coupling, on any RF Barnack. ZWTOO and NOOKY are clearly related designs. 

 

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Edited January 12, 2024 by luigi bertolotti

[nitroplait]

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6 hours ago, luigi bertolotti said:

ZWTOO and NOOKY are clearly related designs. 

Yes, indeed. I first thought it was a NOOKY with missing parts.

6 hours ago, luigi bertolotti said:

The lock through the bayonets of the Elmar lens' tube is indeed very stable and secure (with original Leitz devices, of course)

To be stable it would probably require that the Elmar aperture is moving effortless and that the lens-tube bayonet isn't worn. Unlikely a problem when new, but I have experienced extracted Elmar tubes releasing from the bajonet when changing aperture on some vintage lenses.
On a camera, not a big problem because the focusing helicoid keeps it from dropping. The ZWTOO or NOOKY offers no such assurance.

For me, it doesn't matter though. I see no practical use for it, but it was nice to know what the device was intended for.

Thanks all.