Great Price: Leica Series 0 with Barnack Pic $1195!

[CameraQuest]

check out this seller's closeout prices of the Leica Series 0 Type II complete with archival prints made from Barnack Negs! $1195 which is incredibly low.

http://shop.ebay.com/leicaplace/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

Original price $4,000 in 2004 as I recall.

Notice you get a choice of pics, there were about 10 different choices originally.

The Leica special edition Oskar Barnack 1879-2004 Jubilee Edition Set marks the 125th birthday of Oskar Barnack (1879-1936), the designer of the first 35mm Leica camera. In homage to the inventor of the 35mm system, the set comprises the true-to-detail new edition of a historic camera type, the LEICA O series 'Prototype 2', which Oskar Barnack developed as a second camera after the 'Ur Leica' and tested in practice. The LEICA 0 series 'Prototype 2' is in full working order and demands intensive study of all photographic parameters and concentration on each step of exposure. Barnack himself used this small masterpiece of craftmanship to make outstanding photographs that still set photo-aesthetic standards today

Stephen

 

[raid]

What an awesome camera set.

 

[35mmdelux]

They sell for $1200 new at B&H.

 

[raid]

So the prices are going down and down. Must be the economy.

 

[Erik van Straten]

What an awesome camera set.

Maybe, but you must be aware that there is a very ugly portrait of Barnack on the back of the camera.
The first model of this camera looked better, however that one was fitted with an unusable viewfinder.
I also suspect - but I can not prove it - that these 0-series cameras were made somewere in the former USSR.

Erik.

 

[Roger Hicks]

. . . I also suspect - but I can not prove it - that these 0-series cameras were made somewere in the former USSR.

Erik.

Dear Erik,

Traditionally they were made by apprentices to show that they could build a mechanical camera.

What is the basis for your suspicion? I'm not saying you're wrong: merely that I'm surprised.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Erik van Straten]

A model I in good shape is cheaper and generates more fun.

Erik.

 

[Vickko]

Yeah, I've been lusting after one at $999

Yeah, I've been lusting after one at $999

Yeah, I've been lusting after one at $999 at Rich Pinto's PhotoVillage. But now the object of my lust is the Bessa III.

I think the Bessa III would be a much more practical spend of my money.



....Vick

 

[Roger Hicks]

A model I in good shape is cheaper and generates more fun.

Erik.

Dear Erik,

I'll heartily agree with that, having tried both A and Nullserie. I hadn't realized that As were cheaper, though.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Dear Erik,

Traditionally they were made by apprentices to show that they could build a mechanical camera.

What is the basis for your suspicion? I'm not saying you're wrong: merely that I'm surprised.

Cheers,

R.

First: when the camera was made in Portugal or Germany it would not have been profitable, due to the smallness of the series. Second: the Russians produce very good copies of the simple Leicas.

Erik.

 

[Roger Hicks]

First: when the camera was made in Portugal or Germany it would not have been profitable, due to the smallness of the series. Second: the Russians produce very good copies of the simple Leicas.

Erik.

Dear Erik,

I'm not sure it was supposed to be profitable, if (as I thought I had understood) it was a training exercise (with full quality control). Next time I'm in Solms I'll ask.

Cheers,

R.

 

[CameraQuest]

Maybe, but you must be aware that there is a very ugly portrait of Barnack on the back of the camera.
The first model of this camera looked better, however that one was fitted with an unusable viewfinder.
I also suspect - but I can not prove it - that these 0-series cameras were made somewere in the former USSR.

Erik.

Sorry Erik, that's just nonsense. Leica went to great pains to make these sets as accurate as possible within Germany. Besides, the Ruskie technology to make rangefinder cameras went kaput when the factories closed -- the early 70's as I understand it.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

BTW, I think I've found the perfect solution for Barnack's ugly mug on the back of the Series 0 Type 2 camera. I will know in about a month once I am able to test my theory.

Stephen

 

[Keith]

A model I in good shape is cheaper and generates more fun.

Erik.

Totally agree! 😀

 

[Erik van Straten]

Sorry Erik, that's just nonsense. Leica went to great pains to make these sets as accurate as possible within Germany. Besides, the Ruskie technology to make rangefinder cameras went kaput when the factories closed -- the early 70's as I understand it.

Stephen

Stephen, with all respect. OK, the parts where produced with CNC-machines, but an assembly line in Germany for these cameras...forget it.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Besides, the Ruskie technology to make rangefinder cameras went kaput when the factories closed -- the early 70's as I understand it.

Stephen

Russian production of rangefinders continues until this day. They also produce very good faked Leica I's Anastigmats. One look on eBay and you are convinced.

Erik.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Stephen, with all respect. OK, the parts where produced with CNC-machines, but an assembly line in Germany for these cameras...forget it.

Erik.

Not if they were 'masterpieces' for apprentices (in ther old sense of 'showimg you are a master craftsman). Come to that, programming a CNC cutter is quite a skill.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Dear Erik,

Traditionally they were made by apprentices to show that they could build a mechanical camera.


Cheers,

R.

In Germany there are three persons that put top covers on and are covering every month about 150 mechanical M-Leicas that where pre-produced in Portugal. They check them too. There are no apprentices in Solms.

Erik.

 

[Roger Hicks]

In Germany three persons put top covers and covering every month on about 150 mechanical M-Leicas that where pre-produced in Portugal. They check them too. There are no apprentices in Solms.

Erik.

Um...

No.

Ever been to Solms?

Cheers,

R.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Not if they were 'masterpieces' for apprentices (in ther old sense of 'showimg you are a master craftsman). Come to that, programming a CNC cutter is quite a skill.

Cheers,

R.

I very much enjoy this discussion. Mr. Hicks, I am a fan of you since I've read your book "A history of the 35mm still camera" in about 1986. I've read it many times. It is a very good and original book.

Erik.