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Although both were introduced in the same year, they are very different cameras. The viewfinder and rangefinder apparatus utilize separate eyepieces - one for the rangefinder apparatus, which is magnified - and - a second optic that is centered between the two RF windows, which is used to compose the photograph.Ĭoincidentally, Zeiss Ikon introduced their first Contax in 1932. Form follows function on a Leica screw mount camera of this iconic design.
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The architecture and shape of the Leica II came to represent the essense of 35mm rangefinder photography for more than 20 years. The raised top cover for the viewfinder and rangefinder optics of the Leica II are what easily distinguishes it fromm a Leica I. It's rangefinder apparatus allowed the photographer to focus the Leica II without any guess work. Lenses now featured a focusing cam that protrude from their base to interact with rangefinder mechanism built into the camera. The Leica II of 1932 introduced a built-in rangefinder focusing apparatus that coupled to a removeable LTM lens. 28.8mm distance between the lens mount and the film plane.An 39 mm by 26 tpi screw mount, tpi = # of threads per inch.To review - the Leica screw mount is also called the Leica thread mount or LTM for short. The Leica I / Model C - was the third variant of Barnack's original 1925 design and the basic building block for the next camera, the Leica II - which early users referred to as a Model D. After 1931, the Leica I could accept any Leica LTM lens. In essence, the first 35mm system camera was born. In 1931 Leitz standardized the distance between the outer base of the lens mount to the film plane at the rear of the camera to 28.8mm. *) The Model C, which is normally referred to today as a Leica I, - featured a 39mm Leica thread mount - to allow for removal of the lens. In 1930 a Model C was introduced,(* shown above with a separately purchased rangefinder. While not the first to use 35mm motion picture film in a still camera, Barnack's innovation was that he turned the camera sideways, then widened the image frame from a standard 18mm by 24mm of the cine format to the 24mm by 36mm frame that we now know as the 35mm film format. The Model A featured a cloth focal plane shutter. Oscar Barnack's ultimate goal was to offer a small precision camera that could be carried anywhere. A Leica I fitted with a separately purchased rangefinder. The first Leica camera, the Model A, was publically introduce in 1925. Work began on a prototype camera as early as 1914 and subsequent development would take another decade. The original Leica screw mount was the creation of Oskar Barnack - who was the lead Leitz designer responsible for its development. Leitz of Wetzlar, the parent company of Leica. In truth, the success of 35mm film in becoming a serious photographic format was in a large part courtesy of a not so large German microscope firm, E. Although Leica has in the past made a wide variety of optical products - such as binoculars and microscopes - the name is also synomymous with rangefinder cameras. Leica is a name that is synonymous with the birth of 35mm photography. Leica Screw Mount Cameras - the 1930's through the 1950's - This page was written by Andrew Leica Screw Mount Cameras - the 1930's through the 1950's Leica Screw Mount - LTM Rangefinder Cameras
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