King Kong Leica?

[narsuitus]

What can you tell me about the rangefinder camera used in the new King Kong movie? It looks like a Leica with a normal lens and a bunch of attachments.

 

[Fjäll]

It's a Leica M3 with a Leica Meter MC on top and a Summaron 35mm f/3.5 with goggles mounted.

 

[jamin-b]

It's a Leica M3 with a Leica Meter MC on top and a Summaron 35mm f/3.5 with goggles mounted.

Whew, for a second I thought the big ape stole my set up! Mine's the Summaron 2.8... 😉

Sent from my HTC 10 using Tapatalk

 

[SolaresLarrave]

These cameras get some exposure here and then... I wonder if it's good or just a sign of the times or a decision of the art director.

 

[narsuitus]

Thanks for the information.

Why would a photographer prefer a 35mm on an M3 with goggles instead of a 35mm on an M2 or an M4 without goggles?

A Google search turned up one description of the Kong Leica as a U.S. military version called a KE-7A. However, since this military version is an M4 and the M4 has 35mm frame lines, goggles would be unnecessary.

 

[Hatchetman]

Maybe you own multiple lenses?

 

[narsuitus]

In the movie, I only saw the photographer use the 35mm lens.

 

[Chubberino]

Probably because it's a movie and it's a key prop that they wanted to convey a certain look so they opted for that. Really simple actually.

 

[jaapv]

Thanks for the information.

Why would a photographer prefer a 35mm on an M3 with goggles instead of a 35mm on an M2 or an M4 without goggles?

A Google search turned up one description of the Kong Leica as a U.S. military version called a KE-7A. However, since this military version is an M4 and the M4 has 35mm frame lines, goggles would be unnecessary.

The KE-7A is completely different from this one. This camera is an early M3, built between 1956 and 1957. (Triangular strap lugs, long rewind lever, frameline lever)

 

[Doug]

Thanks for the information.

Why would a photographer prefer a 35mm on an M3 with goggles instead of a 35mm on an M2 or an M4 without goggles?

A Google search turned up one description of the Kong Leica as a U.S. military version called a KE-7A. However, since this military version is an M4 and the M4 has 35mm frame lines, goggles would be unnecessary.

I expect for the purpose of a movie prop, the gnarly sorta-steam-punk look has its charm.
And, actually, there *is* good reason for an M2/M4 to wear the Summaron with goggles, as this magnifies the 50mm framelines and you can truly see around the outside of the frame. So cool. 😀