chioubaccalovin
Newbie
I saw one of these things in a camera collectors shop in Beijing a few years back. It's appears to be a copy of an M3.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/iannorris/leica_copies/leica_copies_s/shanghairedflag.htm
The story behind this thing was kind of interesting. Chaiman Mao's wife was a photography enthusiast. She ordered Seagull factory in China to produce copies of a Leica M3. A Hassy 500c was also copied and produced under the name of Eastern Wind "Dong Feng". The pearl river 7 was a copy of a Rolleiflex 2.8F!
These weren't exact copies as they improved on the features of the originals. the lenses on the Eastern Wind had leaf shutters with speeds up to 1/1000sec
pretty interesting. these things are very very rare.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/iannorris/leica_copies/leica_copies_s/shanghairedflag.htm
The story behind this thing was kind of interesting. Chaiman Mao's wife was a photography enthusiast. She ordered Seagull factory in China to produce copies of a Leica M3. A Hassy 500c was also copied and produced under the name of Eastern Wind "Dong Feng". The pearl river 7 was a copy of a Rolleiflex 2.8F!
These weren't exact copies as they improved on the features of the originals. the lenses on the Eastern Wind had leaf shutters with speeds up to 1/1000sec
pretty interesting. these things are very very rare.
chioubaccalovin
Newbie
pic
pic
here's a picture of the red flag 20 + 90mm lens and finder
pic
here's a picture of the red flag 20 + 90mm lens and finder
mkyy
Established
how much did they sell it for?
einolu
Well-known
Im guessing these cost more than actual M3 now. Cool find!
chioubaccalovin
Newbie
it wasn't for sale. apparently it is illegal for these cameras to be sold as the government does not want the few that are still surving to leave the country.
I'm sure you could make the guy an offer he couldn't refuse and smuggle it out of the country.
I'm sure you could make the guy an offer he couldn't refuse and smuggle it out of the country.
Fedzilla_Bob
man with cat
With only 200 cameras made I can imagine that this would be a collectors dream. I wish we could see more of that camera. especially the shutter and the lenses.
Would the dealer allow you to take more images?
Would the dealer allow you to take more images?
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chioubaccalovin
Newbie
i got that picture off of a japanese website. I'm sure the store owner in beijing would let you take pictures. he looked bored being there until I asked him about the red flag and the dongfeng cameras.
you can find shanghai 58s in china for $60-$100. They are leica III copies and were mass produced.
you can find shanghai 58s in china for $60-$100. They are leica III copies and were mass produced.
Traut
Well-known
Its like finding a camera from a parallell universe.
doubs43
Well-known
The corners remind me of the early Canon RF's. It's a neat-looking camera and appears to be of rather good quality.
Perhaps it's good that the Chinese don't realize the potential market for a high-quality copy of a Leica M at a low price. It would likely be the final nail in leica's coffin.
Walker
Perhaps it's good that the Chinese don't realize the potential market for a high-quality copy of a Leica M at a low price. It would likely be the final nail in leica's coffin.
Walker
chioubaccalovin
Newbie
the production costs for the camera were $6000 in 1970, thats about $30,000 in todays dollars. the reason for such high costs are undoubtedly the low production volumes.
Seagull still exists, but they mainly manufacture affordable TLRs and minolta mount SLRs these days. maybe they still have some of dies they used for this camera.
Seagull still exists, but they mainly manufacture affordable TLRs and minolta mount SLRs these days. maybe they still have some of dies they used for this camera.