View Full Version : Leica O
Are there any users of the Leica O? I'm thinking they're only being bought up by collectors; never seeing the light of day.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=workaround.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=351342&is=USA
Comes with a lens for the same low price =)
dovevadar
08-02-2009, 23:26
I havent got 1. But am considering.. the shutter speed is adjusted by widening the gap of in between them. quite interesting... and the redesigned lens is great too.
I have an O Series, the "gun sight" version. Absolutely fantastic lens and superb build quality. The small size makes it a pleasure to carry around.
You have to know the camera is quirky, which I find fun. Non-standard shutter speeds that have to be selected with the frame wound halfway. The need to cap the lens before advancing. The need to hold it out luke a P&S digicam to frame.
All that said, it's quite an experience to shoot with :)
Kent
dovevadar
08-03-2009, 00:06
haha. you are not helping man... I'll have to hunt for one now...
I have an O Series, the "gun sight" version. Absolutely fantastic lens and superb build quality. The small size makes it a pleasure to carry around.
You have to know the camera is quirky, which I find fun. Non-standard shutter speeds that have to be selected with the frame wound halfway. The need to cap the lens before advancing. The need to hold it out luke a P&S digicam to frame.
All that said, it's quite an experience to shoot with :)
Kent
The "absolutely fantastic lens" really has my heart racing now. One thing's for sure, you really have to "think" when you use a camera like this.
They should bring back the II and III while they're at it.
sepiareverb
08-03-2009, 03:51
The lens is wonderful- I would get one in M mount in a heartbeat. The camera is quirky to say the least, and can be a real test of patience when you realize you've shot three frames without capping the lens before winding on. My first impression was that I couldn't believe anybody thought this was better than sheet film! But it is very pocketable, and I pull it out every now and again for a roll or two. I like shooting ortho film with mine- to fully steep in the experience of 1920's 35mm shooting.
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff221/sepiareverb/tomgrilling.jpg
O-Serie on Adox Ortho
nikonhswebmaster
08-03-2009, 04:12
I looked seriously at the latest version, bery good price, but with that portrait on the back they just look too gaudy for the money. I just could not live with replacing the covering on a 1000 camera.
ray*j*gun
08-03-2009, 04:54
Whats the back look like? Do you have a pic?
Thanks.
nikonhswebmaster
08-03-2009, 05:01
the back ....... Yes it can be covered with black tape easily, and I am most likely being silly. But really WHY???
Dralowid
08-03-2009, 05:09
I may be biased (I am seriously baised) but I'd suggest getting a Leica I or even a Standard. Small and simple.
'Normal' ones are much cheaper than an 'O' even allowing for a complete CLA. None of that capping business and an absolute delight to use.
Michael
sepiareverb
08-03-2009, 05:14
I may be biased (I am seriously baised) but I'd suggest getting a Leica I or even a Standard. Small and simple.
'Normal' ones are much cheaper than an 'O' even allowing for a complete CLA. None of that capping business and an absolute delight to use.
Michael
The I and Standard take regular film cassettes right? The original O (way back when one) didn't- that and the lens/coatings are supposedly the only changes to the original design. And the lens is something special, what you're really paying for I think.
john neal
08-03-2009, 05:16
What Micheal said - I'm kicking myself for selling on my 1930 1A converted to 1C :bang:
john neal
08-03-2009, 05:19
The I and Standard take regular film cassettes right? The original O (way back when one) didn't- that and the lens/coatings are supposedly the only changes to the original design.
Yes they do - you may find that the film migrates towards the bottom of the film gate under gravity, so you get the sproket holes intruding into the bottom of the frame, but I find that pert of the charm.
If you don't like it, you can put some packing under the cassette (O-ring, or similar)
Dralowid
08-03-2009, 05:21
Indeed they do though it might sometimes be useful to make a small felt or cardboard washer to hold the cassette 'up' a tiny bit to centre the image on the film.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=71974&d=1249145455
Do we have a hope of seeing the Anastigmat in LTM or M mount?
yours
FPJ
Rich Pinto had them for $999
I almost called with my credit card number.
....V
sepiareverb
08-03-2009, 05:37
Do we have a hope of seeing the Anastigmat in LTM or M mount?
yours
FPJ
I'd absolutely get one. Gives the Elmar-M a run.
Dralowid
08-03-2009, 06:01
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=72021&stc=1&d=1249304384
As requested,
Michael
Do we have a hope of seeing the Anastigmat in LTM or M mount?
yours
FPJ
In LTM
RF coupled of course
I'll take two, thanks...
Aha! So some were converted to LTM.
yours
FPJ
Dralowid
08-03-2009, 06:28
Yes, when fixed lens cameras were converted to standard mount it was possible to have the original lens converted as well. This one came into my hands a few years ago. In terms of performance I always felt it wasn't really as good as an early Elmar though to be honest I am not the right person to make such a judgement.
Anyway, after verification in Wetzlar I sold it for an enormous amount of money.
Move on.
Michael
Yes, when fixed lens cameras were converted to standard mount it was possible to have the original lens converted as well. This one came into my hands a few years ago. In terms of performance I always felt it wasn't really as good as an early Elmar though to be honest I am not the right person to make such a judgement.
Anyway, after verification in Wetzlar I sold it for an enormous amount of money.
Move on.
Michael
Hello:
My Leica Pocket Book indicates that the new Anastigmat equals or surpasses the M Elmar. It would be interesting to see comparable images.
yours
FPJ
The lens is wonderful- I would get one in M mount in a heartbeat. The camera is quirky to say the least, and can be a real test of patience when you realize you've shot three frames without capping the lens before winding on. My first impression was that I couldn't believe anybody thought this was better than sheet film! But it is very pocketable, and I pull it out every now and again for a roll or two. I like shooting ortho film with mine- to fully steep in the experience of 1920's 35mm shooting.
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff221/sepiareverb/tomgrilling.jpg
O-Serie on Adox Ortho
Excellent!
yours
FPJ
Dralowid
08-03-2009, 07:58
FPJ,
Sorry I am creating a little diversion here! I am referring to the orignal Anastigmat from 192something. All part of trying to steer the discussion towards Leica I etc of which I am a great fan.
I am sure that the new Anastigmat is very much more refined. I have no idea as to whether it is the same formula as the original.
To confuse the issue, I have started using an uncoated early Tessar (f3.5) on my Contax I. I am not yet quite brave enough to say that I prefer it to a contemporary Elmar but I am getting closer........
I use the Elmar M a lot. It is my favourite and in a completely different ballpark from these original Leitz and Zeiss offerings.
Michael
Hello Michael:
No confusion. The ltm Anastigmat image was a great contribution.
yours
FPJ
easyrider
08-03-2009, 11:02
I may be biased (I am seriously baised) but I'd suggest getting a Leica I or even a Standard. Small and simple.
'Normal' ones are much cheaper than an 'O' even allowing for a complete CLA. None of that capping business and an absolute delight to use.
Michael
I totally agree. Why would ANYONE get a replica with that gaudy photo of Uncle Oscar on the back when you can get the real thing?
It's a bit like a replica kit car. But to each his own.
nikonhswebmaster
08-03-2009, 11:54
I totally agree. Why would ANYONE get a replica with that gaudy photo of Uncle Oscar on the back when you can get the real thing?
It's a bit like a replica kit car. But to each his own.
The I and Standard would be fun sure, but they should not be confused with an O, which none of us are going to be using on the street.
It is not a kit car, there is not a VW underneath an MG TD plastic body. It is really an O, replica only in the sense that it takes modern film cassettes, but it is a reissue actually.
But sadly an O, with a huge Oscar on the back, which really ruins it unless you have the covering changed.
sepiareverb
08-03-2009, 12:20
It is really an O, replica only in the sense that it takes modern film cassettes, but it is a reissue actually.
The lens has full modern coatings as well, and is slightly taller than the original, so a modern film cassette will fit.
Rolf Crema (one of the people behind the re-issue) has said: "It is a newly computed lens, based on the old four-element design. As far as optical performance is concerned the new lens corresponds to today's Leica standard."
Interestingly, the strap rollers and shutter curtain drums are exactly the same as used on the MP/M7.
CameraQuest
08-03-2009, 12:44
The lens has full modern coatings as well, and is slightly taller than the original, so a modern film cassette will fit.
Rolf Crema (one of the people behind the re-issue) has said: "It is a newly computed lens, based on the old four-element design. As far as optical performance is concerned the new lens corresponds to today's Leica standard."
Interestingly, the strap rollers and shutter curtain drums are exactly the same as used on the MP/M7.
Its a tragedy that many decision makers at Leica just don't understand what Leica is about. In this instance tradition and appreciation of 35mm history. To have gone so far as to make such a beautiful replica camera, and screw is up with a modern lens and out of place Barnack plate is an incredibly sad example of Leica screwing up a wonderful idea.
If the reissue had been an exact copy of the original lens, without the horrible Oskar pic on the back, it would honored Leica, both past and present.
Stephen
nikonhswebmaster
08-03-2009, 12:54
If the reissue had been an exact copy of the original lens, without the horrible Oskar pic on the back, it would honored Leica, both past and present.
Stephen
I would agree completely, an uncoated lens without that horrid plc would have made it impossible to resist. I can live with the lens, but I would have to peel off the pic, something I am not about to do.
Of course you could have Camera Leather replace it?
FrozenInTime
08-03-2009, 14:04
I'm quite happy with the first version - the one with the built in film type holder ;-)
http://www.donaldingram.com/ForumImages/Nullseries.jpg
sepiareverb
08-03-2009, 16:41
To have gone so far as to make such a beautiful replica camera, and screw is up with a modern lens and out of place Barnack plate is an incredibly sad example of Leica screwing up a wonderful idea.
Well, my version (fold-up viewfinder as directly above) has no "Head of Barnack" upon it, and the lens is quite simply stunning. I suppose I'd like a "real retro" version too, but to have my cake and eat it too is pretty darn fine by me.
My copy is well on the road to having the real vintage look too, paint scratched and brassed quite a bit.
nikonhswebmaster
08-03-2009, 19:31
Does anyone know, is the last version the only PiC model? Or do all the Jubilee models with the optical viewfinder have it? No on ever shows the backs on these cameras when they are for sale.
CameraQuest
08-03-2009, 19:42
Does anyone know, is the last version the only PiC model? Or do all the Jubilee models with the optical viewfinder have it? No on ever shows the backs on these cameras when they are for sale.
the fold up finder replica version has not the dreaded "Head of Barnack" but is cursed with the same damned modern lens.
the later optical version replica version is victimized by the "Head" yet was magnificently originally sold with wonderful achival 16x20 prints from Barnack negs taken with the UR Leica! Later this year the same camera was (is) sold as a close out without the prints. Buyers could have their choice of prints from 10 negs. I choose a Wetzler street scene.
Trivia: the Ur Leica was made by Barnack long BEFORE Leica started camera production. What what kind of lens did it have? Answer: a 42mm ZEISS! I defer to Tom A who knows all the details.
Stephen
The lens is wonderful- I would get one in M mount in a heartbeat. The camera is quirky to say the least, and can be a real test of patience when you realize you've shot three frames without capping the lens before winding on. My first impression was that I couldn't believe anybody thought this was better than sheet film! But it is very pocketable, and I pull it out every now and again for a roll or two. I like shooting ortho film with mine- to fully steep in the experience of 1920's 35mm shooting.
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff221/sepiareverb/tomgrilling.jpg
O-Serie on Adox Ortho
The real classic here is the Weber Kettle!
VS
vBulletin® v3.6.8, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.