Leica LTM Is this real?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
I'm not an expert on Leicas, but to me it screams fake. Just way too many decorations.
 
Let's see...

Flat top deck around the rewind knob, ergo this purportedly is a model II.

There's the middle screw missing on the rim where the top plate is held onto the shell at the back, quite unlike with a true II

The bulge around the front viewfinder window is rectangular, while a II has a weird shape like a square with a small 'tail' where the screw sits.

I'll let you guys draw your own conclusion..
 
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It's a Zorki-1.

The dealers of these fakes never let you see the most tell-tale indications of a non-Leica, the rangefinder cam inside the lens mount throat and inside of the bottom plate.

The accessory shoe depression and shutter release collar say Zorki-1 to me.

-Paul
 
That's something I never "got." I understand collecting, and I would suppose that 'real' memorabilia from the WWII German era (aka "Nazi") accoutrements would be historically interesting to a collector of that era - but why is is so popular otherwise? What on earth would anyone want a reproduction of a Nazi flag or a Nazi dagger or a Nazi camera for?

Would someone use the camera to take photos with? I'd be embarrassed to be seen with such a camera in public.

The swastika, although it was an ancient symbol used innocently by many cultures until the Nazis appropriated it for their own uses, is mostly recognizable as a symbol of hatred nowadays. So why on earth would anyone want something so decorated? I would not pay a dime for such garbage, and if I discovered I owned something like that, I'd smash it flat with hammer and dispose of it in a landfill.

I just don't get it.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks
 
(Off-topic)
Bill,
If you think that's disturbing, have you seen these?
http://www.militarytour.com/DragonFigures/German/GermanL-X/rommel2.htm
http://www.militarytour.com/DragonFigures/German/GermanL-X/germanL-X.htm

These Nazi figures, incredibly detailed as they are, are really popular. While they don't have a swastika, they do come with everything else -- attack dogs, guns, banners, badges, etc. WHat next -- a concentration camp play set?
(And weirdly, these Chinese-made companies only make one or two Japanese WWII figures.)

This guy comes with a Leica:
http://www.war-toys.com/shoppingcart/extendedimage.asp?id=10577
 
Michiel said:
If you guys think that's disturbing, here in Taiwan most of the younger people don't understand what the swastika stands for (or even who's symbol it was). Everyone drives scooters here, guess what's a really cool helmet to have? A replica german war helmet with swastika and everything.

Scared the shit out of me the first time I saw it. Seriously.
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Actually I used to own one without the mark, seriously, untill I was pulled over and told that the helmet did not meet safety regulations.

The mark, if flipped horizontally and turned 45 degrees, is actually a symbol in Buddhism, pronounced "wan" (卍) in Chinese, "Srivatsal aksana" in Sanskrit.
 
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The word swastika derives from the Sanskrit Svastika ("Well-Being") and the sign itself was sometimes referred to as "the Lotus in the Buddha's Heart". In most northern cultures it signifies the seasons - probably reflecting the movements of the Great Bear constellation.

So, a symbol of benign cosmic order, defiled by the Nazi touch. Just like these fine old Zorkis.

I don't get it either, Bill.

Ian
 
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In 1972, I attended the Leica School in Wetzlahr for seven days. I stayed with one of the engineers and his family, he had been at the factory during the war and we discussed markings on military Leicas. One thing came over strongly, Dr Leitz would not allow any engraving of Nazi symbolism to be done in the factory under any circumstances. Indeed one of his daughters was imprisoned by them for anti-nazi activities. It makes me both sick and sad when I see such tripe being sold. The Zorki looks fine just as it was made.
 
leafy said:
The mark, if flipped horizontally and turned 45 degrees, is actually a symbol in Buddhism, pronounced "wan" (卍) in Chinese, "Srivatsal aksana" in Sanskrit.
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In Buddhism, both were used, not just the one that starts on the left top. Due to sensitivities, it's now a new myth that only the one you mention is used in Buddhism. I don't have a source for this at hand, unfortunately, but I have not only seen both sided swastikas on temples, I also remember reading about it.


Peter.
 
Patman said:
"When go to that site i get a Yahoo page in Japanese!"
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Ditto. No matter.

And agreed, Bill and others, I don't get the attraction either. And true, the insignia wasn't born with Hitler.

However, I seriously doubt if we will ever see a "Buddha Leica Copy" run across the Bay. A swastika on a fake military Leica is ALWAYS going to symbolize one thing, and that has nothing to do with the ancients or Buddha. Great time and effort has been made to engrave the swastika on butchered and baked FSU cameras for the sole purpose of remembering the hatred. . . because that sells.
 
The svastika whose name is derived from the Sanskrit and the Nazi one have their, well, feet pointing in different directions. Also, while the first is supposedly auspicious, the second was indubitably a symbol of hatred. There have been and are neo-Nazis and their kind all over the place. For those, Bill, you're welcome to borrow my hammer; but for cameras and other useful things, I'd recommend that you use a file or just stick on a bit of tape or paper.
 
Acutally, as pictured with this toy action figure set, is a Arriflex 16, which is arguably the greatest 16mm film camera ever made (I've used them too). They are still in use today and their sound blimped, and 35mm modern-day derivatives are still used for big screen productions today.
 
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