Leica copies
After World War II, the Allied countries made all German patents in their country available to the public free of charge. Ernst Leitz had no patents registered in the USSR. Cameras introduced later would not cause patent rights infringements as far as the early Leica models are concerned. [1]
The Leica
The Leica camera using the 35mm perforated film was launched by Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar in 1925. The design was carried out by Oscar Barnack, beginning in 1913 by building a camera for 24×36mm negatives that by now is called the Ur-Leica; but Ernst Leitz did not decide to manufacture it until 1924. Once started, the Leica production volume doubled each year; in 1929, some 16.000 cameras were produced. In 1930, an improved model with interchangeable lens was introduced, followed a year later by the fully developed Leica II with standardized film to lens flange distance, and in 1932 the basic Leica Standard; the Leica concept was established. This camera's features are the basis for defining a Leica copy. [2] [3]
The set of specifications chosen to define a screw mount Leica copy
As described by HPR: [1]
Leica copies
Some 500 individual camera models that were produced by a large number of camera manufacturers since the introduction of the Leica fall into this category. These originate from about 21 original Leica inspired cameras. However, some of these never made it past the prototype stage, and some came on the market only in very small quantities. Those who made it to the market by more than a few thousands were:
(Only the first model by each manufacturer is mentioned, while the indicated period encompasses the entire range of models until the end of production)
- 1934 - 1990: The FED manufactured in the Kharkov labour commune in USSR [4]
- 1940 - 1961: The Leotax manufactured in Japan by Showa Kogaku, Tokyo [5]
- 1947 - 1959: The Minolta-35 manufactured by Chiyoda Kogaku, Osaka (24×32mm at first). [6]
- 1947 - 1954: Kardon manufactured by Premier Instrument Corp., New York, USA [1]
- 1948 - 1959: Nicca manufactured in Japan by Nippon Camera Co. Ltd, Tokyo [1]
- 1948 - 1977: Zorki manufactured in USSR by KMZ, Krasnogorsk. [4]
- 1951 - 1968: Canon III manufactured in Japan by Seiki Kogaku, Tokyo, but see discussion page[7]
- 1953 - 1959: Tanack IIC manufactured in Japan by Tanaka Optical Co., Tokyo [5]
- 1953 - 1961: Periflex manufactured in England by K. G. Corfield Ltd. Wolverhampton[8]
- 1958 - 1963: Shanghai 58-I manufactured in Shanghai China.[9]
- 1959 - 1960: Yashica YE manufactured by Yashica as a continuation of the Nicca range [1]
Note: Some 35mm rangefinder cameras were also partly inspired by the Zeiss Ikon Contax.[10] Among these belong the 1935 Canon and the 1948 Nikon rangefinder camera.[11]
References
- ^ a b c d e HPR (1994). Leica Copies. Classic Collection Publications, London. ISBN 1874495054.
- ^ Brian Long (1997). 35mm Cameras. The Crowood Press, Wiltshire. ISBN 9781861269485.
- ^ Dennis Laney (1992). Leica Collectors Guide. Hove Collectors Books, Hove. ISBN 1874707006.
- ^ a b Jean Loup Princelle (1995). Russian and Soviet Cameras. Hove Foto Books. ISBN 1874031029.
- ^ a b K. Sugiyama, H. Naoi and J.R. Bullock (1985). The Collectors Guide to Japanese Cameras "The Rosetta Stone..". The Quarter Planning Co., Ltd. Tokyo. ISBN 0870117432.
- ^ A.R. und J. Scheibel (1990). Minolta's Kamera Technik - Von der Nifcalette bis zu Riva und Dynax. G+G Urban-Verlag, Ahrensburg. ISBN 3925334475.
- ^ Peter Dechert (1985,1989). Canon Rangefinder Cameras *1933-68. Hove Foto Books, Hove. ISBN 0906447305.
- ^ John F. Lewis (1985). The Periflex Story. Erisen Lewis (Publications) Norwich UK. ISBN 0951021109.
- ^ Douglas St Denny (1989). Cameras of the peoples republic of China. Jessop Specialist Publishing. ISBN 0951439200.
- ^ Dr. A. Neill and Ivor Matanle (1974 … 1980). The Collector's Checklist of Contax and other Zeiss classic miniature cameras, lenses and accessories. Camera Collector Books, Sussex. ISBN n.a..
- ^ Robert Rotoloni (1983). Nikon rangefinder camera. Hove Foto Books, Sussex. ISBN 0906447259.