Serial Number: Cam0077
Type:
35 mm SLR - Single Lens Reflex Camera
Manufacturer:
Leitz Wetzlar
Country of Origin:
Germany
Production Period:
1964 - 1976
Approximate Price:
USD 600.00 - 700.00
Reference:
camerapedia.wikia.com
Status: Display
Description:
Leitz was a reluctant entrant into the
SLR market. At the beginning of the 1960s, the only
still cameras they manufactured were 35mm
rangefinders, a camera design that its Japanese competitors (Nikon) were beginning to abandon. In view
of the steady shift in market share from rangefinders
to SLRs, Leitz introduced an expensive SLR, called
Leicaflex. This first Leicaflex model is generally
referred to as the original Leicaflex or Leicaflex Standard to distinguish it from the models that followed.
The Leicaflex lacked a few features present in the
most advanced products of its time. It has been
much critized for omitting a TTL lens exposure meter
of the type which had previously been incorporated
into the Topcon RE Super and the Asahi Pentax Spotmatic. It also lacked the interchangeable viewfinders
offered for in Miranda, Canon Canonflex, and Nikon F.
This original Leicaflex featured a finder which, while
offering which, while offering a very bright aerial
image, was not full focusing, offering only a small
focusing zone at the center. This model did offer
mirror lock-up, and shutter speeds up to 1/2000
visible in the finder. The camera introduced a new
three lug bayonet mount. This mount remains
substantially unchanged to the present day,
although, the mount has been developed in order to
accommodate increased levels of automation. Leica
had always offered amore limited range of reflex
lenses than its Japanese rivals. At the time of the
introduction of the Leicaflex, the range was limited to
35mm, 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm focal lengths of
moderate speed.
This original Leicaflex is readily identifiable from its
CdS meter window and battery cover on the from of
the prism housing just above the lens. It was offered
in chrome and black enamel finishes, the later being
rare. The first series had a fan-shaped exposure counter window and a tripod socket attached by three
screws, wheres, the second series had a round exposure counter window, a tripod socket integrated in
the bottom plate and a meter switch built in the
advance lever. In use, the two series are virtually
identical. 32,500 serial numbers were alloted to the
original Leicaflex.
The Leicaflex was the first series of 35mm single-lens
reflex (SLR) cameras manufactured by Leitz. The
Leicaflexes were fully mechanical cameras marketed
between 1964 and 1976. Their appeal was limited by
their failure to keep pace with the state of the art in
SLR design, their somewhat limited selection of
accessories, and their extremely high price in comparison with their Japanese competitors. They were
ultimately replaced by the R Series Leicas developed
by Leitz with the assisstance of Minolta under a cooperation agreement between two companies.
