David Hughes
David Hughes
I can remember that the Leica was a production model because I recognised it. And I realised they were calling it a IV as they'd not seen one before. So my guess now is that it was a IIIc, which is obviously different. My heap of old magazines is about 3ft high so I can't quickly lay my hands on the article.
Many others of us have wondered why the model III designation continued after a new longer, die cast body was introduced; it seems very logical.
Regards, David
Coldkennels
Barnack-toting Brit.
It makes sense given the naming structure of the Leicas:
A Leica I: no rangefinder (and later no viewfinder either).
A Leica II: rangefinder and viewfinder, but somehow "economised" (no slow speeds, most notably)
A Leica III: the full-fat Leica experience with all the trimmings.
The IIIc represented a development of the III - a refinement - not a whole new model. Similarly, there was also the Ic and IIc; if Leica had named the IIIc a Leica IV, what would the Ic and IIc be?
This naming structure then stuck around when the Ms came out; although people love the M2, it's worth bearing in mind that it was considered the cheaper, lesser version of the M3, thus earning the model II designation in the new M lineup.
I also find it interesting that the proposed IV did actually represent a whole new feature on the Barnack platform: combined RF/VF and the modular VF to allow for changing of focal length. If Leica had gone ahead with that, I wonder if they'd have kept the I, II, and III going, and if we'd have ended up with a IIk and a IVk down the line - or even something further down the alphabet like a IIIp!
Räuber
Member
This German article about the Biotar writes about coating at Carl Zeiss Jena. It has some evidences that some lenses where coated later too.
JakobN
JakobN
I know this very informative site, but I had not seen the page about the Biotar.
Thanks for the link.
Jakob
Thanks for the link.
Jakob
Erik van Straten
Mentor
Shot with a nickel "black band" Sonnar 1: 1,5 f=5cm Carl Zeiss Jena Nr. 1628901. The lens seems to be uncoated, but the elements have a brownish sheen on them, a bit like Takumars from the 1960's. The camera used is a Contax 1 v4, presumable post war rebuild; very professionally done. The camera has a 3mm nickel flash contact on its right side but everything else seems to be original. Rangefinder base 10,5 cm (!).
gelatin silver print (zeiss jena sonnar 5 cm f1.5) contax 1 version 4
Erik.
gelatin silver print (zeiss jena sonnar 5 cm f1.5) contax 1 version 4
Erik.
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My newly converted CZJ 5cm F1.5 Sonnar T, using a KMZ J-3 mount. This is one of the first using lighter alloy for the barrel, and that had F22 marked.
