Differences between O-series cameras?

[msweeney]

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I've seen a few Barnack o-series replicas for sale on eBay recently which look more like a Leica model A to me. I guess it's called "prototype 2"? But then I've also seen an o-series that has a little flip-up viewfinder, like the old Nikon sports finder for the F3. What's the difference between these two cameras, did Leica make two separate o-series? Here's a couple of pictures I saw on the internet to show you what I mean:

 

 

~ Mike

[aesop]

I've seen a few Barnack o-series replicas for sale on eBay recently which look more like a Leica model A to me. I guess it's called "prototype 2"? But then I've also seen an o-series that has a little flip-up viewfinder, like the old Nikon sports finder for the F3. What's the difference between these two cameras, did Leica make two separate o-series?

 

 

 

...the first version of the Leica "O" Series replica camera was fitted with a foldable crosshairs-and-needle type finder (prototype 1), but a subsequent version was kitted with a permanent optical viewfinder (prototype 2). I have no idea what sort of numbers were produced for either version.

 

A copy of the text from the original Leica press release can currently be found here. Enjoy.

[christoph_d]

Hi Mike,

 

Of the first version 4000 units were produced in 2000.

Of the second version with viewfinder, 1000 units were produced in 2004, to commemorate the 125th birthday of Oscar Barnack.

I believe that, apart from the viewfinder both cameras are technically identical.

The main difference thus will be in the use. The first version should be held approximately 30cm in front of the eyes, and the crosshair in the glass aligned with a little gun sight - "takes getting used to" and looks rather like using a compact digital camera. The use of the viewfinder in the second version is selfexplanatory.

 

Best regards,

 

Christoph