ravid905
Established
I am waiting for one of these to come over from the UK at the moment, but obviously no instructions come with it. Would it be operationally similar to one of the Barnack cameras, or is there anything about this camera in particular that I would need to know before using it? I've found manuals online for the IIIc and IIIf, would reading through one of them be basically the same thing?
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
the Leotax F is a copy of the Leica bottomloader so yes operating it and film loading would be the same as the Barnack Leica.
it has the flash synch x or fp selector lever on the front where most people expect the selftimer lever to be.
it has the flash synch x or fp selector lever on the front where most people expect the selftimer lever to be.
ravid905
Established
Thanks for the info. I was pretty sure of that, but thought it safer to ask than to use it without knowing for sure.
David Murphy
Veteran
I own one and it behaves almost exactly like a Leica III series bottom loader, the only exception being the lever that selects between B and X sync. I don't know what the sync speed is -- probably 1/25. I shot some photos with mine recently here and posted them here:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70060
It's a nice camera, although of the three Leotaxes I've seen, the D model impressed me the most.
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70060
It's a nice camera, although of the three Leotaxes I've seen, the D model impressed me the most.
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hilltime
Well-known
Leotax F Instructions
I actually have an original instruction book for my Leotax F. For a few$ shipping, I'd be glad to make you a copy. It won't be quite as fancy as those $10 scan jobs. Actually, the text translation is a real hoot. English translation back in 1955 wasn't on the par it is today.
Gary
I actually have an original instruction book for my Leotax F. For a few$ shipping, I'd be glad to make you a copy. It won't be quite as fancy as those $10 scan jobs. Actually, the text translation is a real hoot. English translation back in 1955 wasn't on the par it is today.
Gary
furcafe
Veteran
Well, given some of the impenetrable manuals I've read recently, Japanese-to-English translation still has a ways to go! 
ravid905
Established
Thanks for all the replies, it actually wasn't too difficult to get the hang of. Mostly I was looking to find out if I needed to wind the shutter before changing the shutter speeds or if it could be done anytime. The rest i sort of picked up on my own.
Bill58
Native Texan
"if I needed to wind the shutter before changing the shutter speeds" --yes, always.