Great Price: Leica Series 0 with Barnack Pic $1195! [Archive]

CameraQuest

08-16-2009, 10:21

check out this seller's closeout prices of the Leica Series 0 Type II complete with archival prints made from Barnack Negs! $1195 which is incredibly low.

http://shop.ebay.com/leicaplace/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

Original price $4,000 in 2004 as I recall.

Notice you get a choice of pics, there were about 10 different choices originally.

The Leica special edition Oskar Barnack 1879-2004 Jubilee Edition Set marks the 125th birthday of Oskar Barnack (1879-1936), the designer of the first 35mm Leica camera. In homage to the inventor of the 35mm system, the set comprises the true-to-detail new edition of a historic camera type, the LEICA O series 'Prototype 2', which Oskar Barnack developed as a second camera after the 'Ur Leica' and tested in practice. The LEICA 0 series 'Prototype 2' is in full working order and demands intensive study of all photographic parameters and concentration on each step of exposure. Barnack himself used this small masterpiece of craftmanship to make outstanding photographs that still set photo-aesthetic standards today

Stephen

raid

08-16-2009, 10:30

What an awesome camera set.

35mmdelux

08-16-2009, 10:43

They sell for $1200 new at B&H.

raid

08-16-2009, 10:57

So the prices are going down and down. Must be the economy.

Erik van Straten

08-16-2009, 16:36

What an awesome camera set.

Maybe, but you must be aware that there is a very ugly portrait of Barnack on the back of the camera.
The first model of this camera looked better, however that one was fitted with an unusable viewfinder.
I also suspect - but I can not prove it - that these 0-series cameras were made somewere in the former USSR.

Erik.

Roger Hicks

08-16-2009, 16:41

. . . I also suspect - but I can not prove it - that these 0-series cameras were made somewere in the former USSR.

Erik.

Dear Erik,

Traditionally they were made by apprentices to show that they could build a mechanical camera.

What is the basis for your suspicion? I'm not saying you're wrong: merely that I'm surprised.

Cheers,

R.

Erik van Straten

08-16-2009, 16:41

A model I in good shape is cheaper and generates more fun.

Erik.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3439/3762341887_ac8fc23d2d_b.jpg

Vickko

08-16-2009, 16:43

Yeah, I've been lusting after one at $999 at Rich Pinto's PhotoVillage. But now the object of my lust is the Bessa III.

I think the Bessa III would be a much more practical spend of my money.

....Vick

Roger Hicks

08-16-2009, 16:45

A model I in good shape is cheaper and generates more fun.

Erik.
Dear Erik,

I'll heartily agree with that, having tried both A and Nullserie. I hadn't realized that As were cheaper, though.

Cheers,

R.

Erik van Straten

08-16-2009, 16:47

Dear Erik,

Traditionally they were made by apprentices to show that they could build a mechanical camera.

What is the basis for your suspicion? I'm not saying you're wrong: merely that I'm surprised.

Cheers,

R.

First: when the camera was made in Portugal or Germany it would not have been profitable, due to the smallness of the series. Second: the Russians produce very good copies of the simple Leicas.

Erik.

Roger Hicks

08-16-2009, 16:55

First: when the camera was made in Portugal or Germany it would not have been profitable, due to the smallness of the series. Second: the Russians produce very good copies of the simple Leicas.

Erik.

Dear Erik,

I'm not sure it was supposed to be profitable, if (as I thought I had understood) it was a training exercise (with full quality control). Next time I'm in Solms I'll ask.

Cheers,

R.

CameraQuest

08-16-2009, 16:58

Maybe, but you must be aware that there is a very ugly portrait of Barnack on the back of the camera.
The first model of this camera looked better, however that one was fitted with an unusable viewfinder.
I also suspect - but I can not prove it - that these 0-series cameras were made somewere in the former USSR.

Erik.

Sorry Erik, that's just nonsense. Leica went to great pains to make these sets as accurate as possible within Germany. Besides, the Ruskie technology to make rangefinder cameras went kaput when the factories closed -- the early 70's as I understand it.

Stephen

CameraQuest

08-16-2009, 17:02

BTW, I think I've found the perfect solution for Barnack's ugly mug on the back of the Series 0 Type 2 camera. I will know in about a month once I am able to test my theory.

Stephen

Keith

08-16-2009, 17:06

A model I in good shape is cheaper and generates more fun.

Erik.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3439/3762341887_ac8fc23d2d_b.jpg

Totally agree! :D

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/wheelie52/RFF%20Storage/mtnebo_12.jpg

Erik van Straten

08-16-2009, 17:07

Sorry Erik, that's just nonsense. Leica went to great pains to make these sets as accurate as possible within Germany. Besides, the Ruskie technology to make rangefinder cameras went kaput when the factories closed -- the early 70's as I understand it.

Stephen

Stephen, with all respect. OK, the parts where produced with CNC-machines, but an assembly line in Germany for these cameras...forget it.

Erik.

Erik van Straten

08-16-2009, 17:12

Besides, the Ruskie technology to make rangefinder cameras went kaput when the factories closed -- the early 70's as I understand it.

Stephen

Russian production of rangefinders continues until this day. They also produce very good faked Leica I's Anastigmats. One look on eBay and you are convinced.

Erik.

Roger Hicks

08-16-2009, 17:17

Stephen, with all respect. OK, the parts where produced with CNC-machines, but an assembly line in Germany for these cameras...forget it.

Erik.

Not if they were 'masterpieces' for apprentices (in ther old sense of 'showimg you are a master craftsman). Come to that, programming a CNC cutter is quite a skill.

Cheers,

R.

Erik van Straten

08-16-2009, 17:23

Dear Erik,

Traditionally they were made by apprentices to show that they could build a mechanical camera.

Cheers,

R.

In Germany there are three persons that put top covers on and are covering every month about 150 mechanical M-Leicas that where pre-produced in Portugal. They check them too. There are no apprentices in Solms.

Erik.

Roger Hicks

08-16-2009, 17:27

In Germany three persons put top covers and covering every month on about 150 mechanical M-Leicas that where pre-produced in Portugal. They check them too. There are no apprentices in Solms.

Erik.

Um...

No.

Ever been to Solms?

Cheers,

R.

Erik van Straten

08-16-2009, 17:30

Not if they were 'masterpieces' for apprentices (in ther old sense of 'showimg you are a master craftsman). Come to that, programming a CNC cutter is quite a skill.

Cheers,

R.

I very much enjoy this discussion. Mr. Hicks, I am a fan of you since I've read your book "A history of the 35mm still camera" in about 1986. I've read it many times. It is a very good and original book.

Erik.

Erik van Straten

08-16-2009, 17:35

Ever been to Solms?

No, but I am close to someone who was an apprentice in the Leitz-factory in 1958. He knows many people of Leitz who still live in and around Wetzlar. He visited the factory recently.

Erik.

CameraQuest

08-16-2009, 17:45

Stephen, with all respect. OK, the parts where produced with CNC-machines, but an assembly line in Germany for these cameras...forget it.

Erik.

Erik,

It's of no interest to me what your personal beliefs are. What I do care about is misinformation in the RFF forum. I know the people at Leica. No offense, but speculation the Series 0 replicas were made in Russia is way beyond ridiculous. It would be more believable to think they were produced by Barnack's ghost.

Stephen

Erik van Straten

08-16-2009, 17:51

Erik,

It's of no interest to me what your personal beliefs are. What I do care about is misinformation in the RFF forum. I know the people at Leica. No offense, but speculation the Series 0 replicas were made in Russia is way beyond ridiculous. It would be more believable to think they were produced by Barnack's ghost.

Stephen

It is your personal belief against mine, I think. No problem.

Erik.

Roger Hicks

08-16-2009, 18:02

No, but I am close to someone who was an apprentice in the Leitz-factory in 1958. He knows many people of Leitz who still live in and around Wetzlar. He visited the factory recently.

Erik.

Dear Erik,

Fair enough. I have watched M8s being assembled, but not MP or M7. On the other hand they showed me what purported to be the MP/M7 production line, and I have no reason to believe they were lying.

They did not say (nor did I ask) where apprentices were trained, but they could work as well in Portugal as in Solms. My understanding is that the heavy 'metal bashing' (including eg CNC milling of top plates) is done in Portugal and the assembly in Solms. These would be different apprenticeships but I certainly saw young trainees or apprentices at Solms.

Someone who was an apprentice in 1958 is talking about 51 years ago. Are you sure that (a) you are representing his memories correctly and (b) that there is no bias in what he tells you? We all have selective memories, and believe what we want to believe, and I do not exclude myself.

Thanks for the kind words about 35mm Still Camera.

Cheers,

R.

35mmdelux

08-16-2009, 18:06

For Leica to clone the Barnacks in Russia is photographic suicide. They were already on the ropes wit Midland and the Portugese connection. The Cosina factory is more believable.

Erik van Straten

08-16-2009, 22:56

Just look this video carefully.

Erik.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/special_leica_mp_m7.php?langid=2

Erik van Straten

08-22-2009, 02:43

I knew these Italian cameras existed, but now at Westlicht Auctions in Vienna an Italian Leica 0 seems to have been auctioned. Is this the answer of the question where the Leica 0 cameras, marketed by Leica, come from?

http://www.westlicht-auction.com/ind...60851&_ssl=off (http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=160851&_ssl=off)

Does ayone knows what's happening here? Certainly Leica did take a good look at this one, mr. Head Bartender.

Erik

1jz

10-01-2009, 19:55

Can anyone confirm how the newer finder, not the flip up one, is attatched to the top plate. Is it held on by screws and can it be removed?

Erik van Straten

10-22-2009, 15:29

It is secured by screws, 1jz. It can therefore be removed, but you'll have to fill the screwholes in with wax otherwise your film will be fogged by the light coming through them.

This is with a Leica I with an Elmar 50mm f/3.5 on Tmax400 printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2655/4032691786_6071d667b9_b.jpg