geezer Posted May 24, 2009 Share #1 Posted May 24, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) New member with a question. I have a rangefinder. It is simply a rangefinder for early Leica cameras that did not have the rangefinder built-in, I guess that would be the M series. So the rangerfinder pre-dates the M series. I haven't been able to find any pictures of it on the web or really any information. It is a black enameled, square metal tube 12 mm on a side and 104 mm long. It has a dial on the front that reads from 1,00 m to infinity. I have measured the cloest it can rangefind: 812 mm It is black and has an engraved decal on the right side with E.LEITZ in the top of the decal and WETZLAR underneath that. There are two spots n the bottom of the tube, underneath the dial where the enamal has been worn through and the underlying brass is visible. Also two spots on the top above the dial. I purchased the rangefinder in Philadelphia in 1976 or 1977 on a whim for about $20.00. I have carried it in my camera bag with my M4 ever since. I have had a few people express interest in the rangefinder, but have not been interested in selling it. I decided to do a search online and see if I could discover any information on it and maybe what the current value is. The closest I have been able to find is a picture of a Leica 1 with the separately purchased rangefinder on top of the camera inserted in the flash shoe. The rangefinder I have has no provision for insertion in the flash shoe. Does anybody have any online source of information on the rangefinder and possibly it's current value? Did some more searching and found this page. The specs given for the rangefinder exactly match mine and the picture could be a picture of mine except the one in the picture appears to have a LOT more wear on it.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 24, 2009 Posted May 24, 2009 Hi geezer, Take a look here E.Leitz rangefinder. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
EJohnE Posted May 24, 2009 Share #2 Posted May 24, 2009 If I remember correctly, the rangefinder will fit in the accessory shoe, but not horizontally as one would expect, but vertically with the viewfinder of the RF at the bottom position. The ends are made wide enough to fit snugly in the shoe. If you do use it, set both the lens distance scale and that of the rangefinder to the same distance and move towards or back to focus properly. You'll be there all day if you try measuring the distance and then set it on the lens. Check that the rangefinder images coincide properly at "Infinity" - a couple of hundred meters or more. If the focussing is not correct, I think there is a screw for adjustment, but I could well be wrong, so don't go merrily graunching screws to try and correct any error. (I have thought of buying a Fotoman rangefinder for use with my Olympus E-1 when using Leica-R lenses on it. Focussing with 35mm or shorter lenses on the E-1 is hit and miss, and with the 2x crop of the 4/3rds camera and the consequent "doubling" of the focal length, the DOF won't cover much in the way of errors). John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geezer Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted May 25, 2009 Hadn't tried fitting it vertically in the flash shoe. I have calibrated the rangefinder and found it to as accurate as I can read it. There are no adjustment screws. I imagine it would be possible to take it apart and adjust the internals, but I sure wouldn't attempt it unless I would have to write it off if I didn't. I've never really tried using the rangefinder for photography. I bought it simply on a whim. I have used it a few times when it was easier to take the rangefinder out rather than rather than something else when I wanted to know the distance to an object. For that it is really pretty handy, accurate and small enough to easily carry in a shirt pocket and very easy to use. Not as accurate as a laser rangefinder, but then it doesn't require batteries and is smaller and lighter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppp Posted May 25, 2009 Share #4 Posted May 25, 2009 You may find some information in the folloowing address: https://www.leicashop.com/vintage/leica-accessories-rangefinders-c-1000_1012_101201.html regards Paulo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJohnE Posted May 25, 2009 Share #5 Posted May 25, 2009 You didn't mention if the rangefinder actually does fit vertically in the accessory shoe. Just curious about that. If so, it was probably designed that way so as not to cover the shutter dial etc. Unless of course, a retired U-boat commander felt a lot of nostalgia. Cheers, John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geezer Posted May 26, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted May 26, 2009 You may find some information in the folloowing address: https://www.leicashop.com/vintage/leica-accessories-rangefinders-c-1000_1012_101201.html regards Paulo Thanks - lot of good information there on prices. You didn't mention if the rangefinder actually does fit vertically in the accessory shoe. Just curious about that. If so, it was probably designed that way so as not to cover the shutter dial etc. Unless of course, a retired U-boat commander felt a lot of nostalgia. Cheers, John. Just tried it on my M4. It slides vertically into the flash shoe very nicely. Makes it easy to use the rangefinder on the camera that way. I've found that there are rangefinders made to fit horizontally into the flash shoe, but they have a much shorter axis so that they don't cover the dials on the top of the camera. I've read that using the rangefinder vertically tends to degrade it's accuracy over time. Something to do with knocking the mirrors out of alignment I think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flatfour Posted May 26, 2009 Share #7 Posted May 26, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Leicas have all had built in rangefinders since the early 1930s. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve B. Posted May 26, 2009 Share #8 Posted May 26, 2009 Here is the FOKOS version of your rangefinder fitted to my model Ic -- Regards, Steve Busch 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 Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/85791-eleitz-rangefinder/?do=findComment&comment=911743'>More sharing options...
EJohnE Posted May 28, 2009 Share #9 Posted May 28, 2009 Steve B: Looks really good on the camera. Flatfour: Not all Leicas from 1930 odd have had built-in rangefinders. The "1" versions (as in 1c to 1g) were without r/f, as was the M1 and MD. They were cheaper, and suitable with microscope adaptors, Visoflex, copying thingumies etc. The LTM models could also be fitted with rangefinders and/or slow speeds for the difference in price between the r/f models and the basic cameras: at least for a time long gone. John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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