DOF table on Leica a

[RichL]

I was playing around with a dealers 1931 Leica I (a) today and noticed a DOF table on the bottom plate. The font style was the same as Leica used for the serial number and the table was printed (?) with the same type of paint or whatever it was they used. In short to my eye and the dealers (camera dealer for the past 50+ years) it appears to be a Leica job but neither of us has seen such. My only guess was that possibly it was a N.Y. Leica special or some such.

Anybody ever seen another one like it? Any good guesses?

Thanks

Rich L

Added

Camera is an export model. 1/4 in tripod mount hole, ft. distance scale. The DOF table is marked -FT f/9- and the table gives dof for each marked distance on the lens.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Was it printed directly on to the bottom plate? Or was it a paper table?

If the latter, then probably from a little book published by Leitz. Look on ebay and you'll see them from time to time. My one is November 1937's and is titled "Lens Table for use with the Leica Camera". It's a bit too big to go in the little pocket in the ERC (unlike the exposure tables).

You often see similar pasted in the top of ERC's so that they can be read when the case is open and in use.

Years ago it wouldn't have been too difficult to silk screen the figures on to the bottom plate but how long they'd last is another matter...

Regards, David

 

[RichL]

David It is printed directly on the baseplate. The material used for printing has the same discoloration and 'bleeding' as the name and serial number. I say 'material used for printing' because it is actually built up perhaps a quarter mm or a bit less with very little wear showing. Rich L

 

[sevo]

The name and serial number are not printed, but engraved and filled. It would not be that hard to do the same with a DOF table. I can't find a reference to that having been a official Leitz product, but it is within the limits of things a service centre might have done on request.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Fascinating, isn't it?

Regards, David

 

[Dralowid]

Sounds very interesting, it would be great to see a picture. If it is engraving filled with 'woods metal (bismuth)' as per pre war Leicas it would indeed be something special

Michael

 

[RichL]

David It is interesting. It gets me to wondering if it was a gift from a photographer to her daughter or perhaps someone had it made up thinking they might be able to sell the idea to Leica. On the other hand it could be that....

Michael I'll try to get a decent picture of it next time I'm down that way. The table appeared to be silkscreened not engraved. As I said above, the coloring and bleeding leads me to believe it is bismuth (Thank you I was trying to remember that word.) but that's just a guess on my part.

 

[Luddite Frank]

It would be really great if you can grab some photos... never heard of this before on a Barnack. 🙂

 

[Roger Hicks]

David It is interesting. It gets me to wondering if it was a gift from a photographer to her daughter or perhaps someone had it made up thinking they might be able to sell the idea to Leica. On the other hand it could be that....

Michael I'll try to get a decent picture of it next time I'm down that way. The table appeared to be silkscreened not engraved. As I said above, the coloring and bleeding leads me to believe it is bismuth (Thank you I was trying to remember that word.) but that's just a guess on my part.

Woods Metal would require engraving so that would preclude silk screening.

Cheers,

R.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Just remembered that one of the Leitz standard up-grades was adding the DoF scale to older lenses with out them; making me wonder more about this camera.

So any chance of a photo, please?

Regards, David

 

[Dralowid]

Hi,

Just remembered that one of the Leitz standard up-grades was adding the DoF scale to older lenses with out them; making me wonder more about this camera.

So any chance of a photo, please?

Regards, David

Presumably you mean the lack of DOF ring on early Elmars and mebbe Hektors? Yes it would be nice if the OP's camera had no ring but a printed scale on the baseplate. If it has both? Dunno.

 

[RichL]

Here's a snapshot of the DOF table. Obviously my imagination was greater than my memory in what the font looked like.

It is silkscreened. Years ago the company I worked for silkscreened some prototype circuit boards using bismuth based ink and the ink used here looks as I remember our circuit boards looking.

 

[Luddite Frank]

Very interesting... 🙂


Thanks for coming back with a photo. 😎

 

[David Hughes]

Thanks; cheered me up no end.

Regards, David

 

[RichL]

Very interesting... 🙂


Thanks for coming back with a photo. 😎

You are welcome. I like the idea, never use DOF scales but like them none the less😀

 

[RichL]

Thanks; cheered me up no end.

Regards, David

Always happy to bring a smile to someones face.