Leica LTM Okaro/Orako

[Rhodes]

I have a doubt about the Okaro and Orako filters for enhancing contrast of Leica LTM rangefinders.

The okaro is orange (or red) and can only be use on II,IIIc and f and the orako is similar but to the early's II and III (III, IIIa and b)?

Or any one can be used on any model? And one use it on the rangefinder window or on the viewfinder window?

 

[FrankS]

Is there a difference in size of the RF windows, hence the different models of filters?

edit added:
ORAKO-CHROM (also, 65,922) in chrome mount 1936 - 1939
OKARO (also, 65,925/14058) chrome mount for IIIb, IIIc, IIIf, IIIg 1939 -
1962

 

[peter_n]

Or any one can be used on any model? And one use it on the rangefinder window or on the viewfinder window?

I used one on a IIIC and as I recall it was on the VF window. It worked really well.

 

[maddoc]

I have the OKARO (for my IIIf) and it is on the RF window. This way only the RF patch is orange and has more contrast, putting it on the VF window makes everything orange.

 

[maddoc]

IIIf with mounted OKARO:

 

[OldNick]

The windows on my IIIa and my IIIf are different diameters. I have the proper orange filter on each camera, but I can never recall which name goes with which camera.

Jim N.

 

[LeicaTom]

Is there a difference in size of the RF windows, hence the different models of filters?

edit added:
ORAKO-CHROM (also, 65,922) in chrome mount 1936 - 1939
OKARO (also, 65,925/14058) chrome mount for IIIb, IIIc, IIIf, IIIg 1939 -
1962

Hmmmm IIIG?

Why the IIIG has the focus enhancement built in, at least the one I had did?




Here`s the OKARO on my 1945 Leica IIIC K/IIIFBD Conversion ~ many people use these various ways on the IIIC, but this was the way I was shown how to use them, from the old timers in Germany.

The vintage screw mount Canon and Tower cameras also have the orange contrast dot in the middle of the finder.

I can focus seconds faster using this then using an unassisted window, I have one of these on ALL my LTM Leicas.

Tom

PS: After I had my 43' IIIC K Grey CLA'd and put one of these on, it was amazing, I focused like 10x faster than I ever did with a LTM Leica before

 

[Rhodes]

I always thought that the filter went to the RF window, beause the role was to enhence the contrast, but I began to see pictures with the filter on the VF so my doubt.

And since I was think of getting one and dagcamera had one okaro until few days ago,:bang:, so I began to look for another and finde one on
http://www.mwclassic.com/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_LEICA_FILTERS_10.html

but I realize that, the name was not the same and mwclassic stated this :"Leitz Orange Rangefinder Contract filter, chrome rim, for Leica 2, 3, 3a, 3b. ORAKO" .

I decide to ask here before doing same error!

Thank you all!

 

[Dralowid]

With the price of these things always on the up, getting the beam splitter itself replaced becomes a very real alternative.

I don't have either one anymore...I lost it. Be warned.

Michael

 

[Mr_Flibble]

That's the best price I've seen them for in the last 6 months. Have to wait for my pay-check before I invest in a pair


Maybe someone should start reproducing them for a low low price, if someone's not doing that already.

 

[John Lawrence]

I've used these filters on some of my Barnacks and they do make a significant difference to the contrast if the image is weak. One cheap alternative which used to be recommended years ago was coloured sweet paper cut to size and put over the rangefinder window.

 

[tjh]

I use one of these filters on a IIIc/IIIf BD ST conversion that has a weak central spot image. I found that the orange filter works best on the window nearest the rewind. If I put the filter on the window nearest the shutter speed dial, the central rangefinder spot image is just weakened and it is stiil hard to focus. If I put the filter on the window nearest the rewind knob, the brighter overall image in the rangefinder is weakened and becomes more near the brightness of the central spot, resulting in an easy to focus image. In other words, if the rangefinder beamsplitter has lost reflectivity, it is better to dim the "straight-through" path to match the reflected image than to dim the reflected image.

So, Tom's example with his IIIc works best for me. If the beamsplitter gives a strong reflected image then it might not matter which window is used. But, for an old, weak beamsplitter, dimming the overall image with the orange filter seems to work best for me.

 

[Rhodes]

That's the best price I've seen them for in the last 6 months. Have to wait for my pay-check before I invest in a pair


Maybe someone should start reproducing them for a low low price, if someone's not doing that already.

Guess what price dagcamera had the okaro? The same, that why I decided to buy, and also that why it was fast sold! The cheaper that I have seen before was 50 euros! Ritzcamera has one, but for 70 dollars. And leica store has them at 90 euros...

 

[LeicaTom]

I can remember back in the mid 1980`s when I saw bags and bags of these at camera shows in Germany (OKARO`S) for like 5 DM each (like $2.75 each) and I only bought like 3 or 4 of them.....I regret not buying all of them now

Tom

 

[lxmike]

just bagged one for my IIIf

 

[mobius981]

Technically speaking, I believe (could be wrong, pls correct me if so) that the ORAKO (which apparently stands for ORAnge KOntrast) was the later model, and the OKARO the earlier. I have ORAKO on my 1947 IIIc. And it does help!