The Answer to Nazi Zorkis and FEDs!

[ZorkiKat]

I read somewhere that the Leitz family was very sympathetic to Jews especially their employees and even stationed some of them to foreign offices i.e.Leitz NY just to avoid Nazi persecution.

BTW, I also have a IIIa, from '37 🙂

Joseph

Joseph and lushd:

There ls a touching story about the Leitz Freedom Train here:

http://www.jsonline.com/onwisconsin/arts/oct02/86006.asp

and

http://www.phsc.ca/gilbert.html

Ernst Leitz II and his daughter Elsie Kuhn-Leitz have been labelled as the Schindlers of photography.

Jay

 

[ZorkiKat]

...and one more here:

http://www.nemeng.com/leica/005eb.shtml

 

[Jocko]

I knew nothing about that - the Leica is indeed a camera for angels!

Yet oddly enough, whilst thinking about this, I saw a parallel to the "Nazi FEDs". Some VW Beetle owners like to call their cars "KdF Wagens" ("Strength Through Joy Cars) - the original Nazi name. I'm sure that all seems very jolly and post-modern, but it is also ignorant and sick. It's the same tragic stupidity which makes these ravaged FEDs and Zorkis so sad.

 

[Jocko]

Does anyone have a historical source for Leica in the period 1933 to 45 that deals with the political and social issues?

This is going to be the worst source reference ever... but... around 1991, the Oxford University Press [I think - might have been Cambridge] published a huge history of photography, itself the English edition of [I think!] an originally French book. This contains a discussion of Nazi photography and the Nazi promotion of the 35mm camera.

 

[ErnestoJL]

I think that the only reason why those fakes are made is just a commercial, o possible extra profit for some people with enough skills to do the job, nothing related directly to political or other issues, mostly thinking they are made in what was the former USSR, not in Germany.
If they are still made (the fakes), it´s because some people are still buying it, disregarding which is the reason to buy it.
They (the craftsmen) in Russia are plenty of old Zorkis and Kievs to start with, making it very easy to buy them at a very reduced price and, with some effort, raising its value tenfold (or more).
After sixty years of WWII end, it´s at least suspicious that those cameras (in case they were the real ones) are emerging just now. It doesn´t make any sense.
Why are the fakes mostly Leicas?
I think it´s very simple. Here in Argentina I can buy a Kiev 3 or 4 /4a for USD 50 to 100 depending on camera condition, and a Contax II or III for almost the same price, so it´s not worth faking a Contax.
But for Leicas, it´s different. An original Leica III series would command selling prices from USD 150 to USD 500 or more but any old Zorki wouldn´t be higher than USD 100 even in mint condition and perfectly working.
Buyer´s motivations can vary a lot, but I guess those cameras, if bought, are not for shooting film but to be shown as a rarity.

Best regards
Ernesto

 

[Mike Kovacs]

Are you saying the Leica and Contax cameras were used as recruiting bait in these ads? I don't know if there's a way, but I'd sure like to see them.

Remember, the Contax II w/ 50/1.5 lens cost about $4000-5000 in today's money. Not for the average person for sure. The Leica was also expensive, but less so.

 

[Evgeny S]

I think that the only reason why those fakes are made is just a commercial, o possible extra profit for some people with enough skills to do the job, nothing related directly to political or other issues, mostly thinking they are made in what was the former USSR, not in Germany.
If they are still made (the fakes), it´s because some people are still buying it, disregarding which is the reason to buy it.
They (the craftsmen) in Russia are plenty of old Zorkis and Kievs to start with, making it very easy to buy them at a very reduced price and, with some effort, raising its value tenfold (or more).
After sixty years of WWII end, it´s at least suspicious that those cameras (in case they were the real ones) are emerging just now. It doesn´t make any sense.
....
Buyer´s motivations can vary a lot, but I guess those cameras, if bought, are not for shooting film but to be shown as a rarity.

Best regards
Ernesto

Ernesto, you're completely right!!!

 

[lushd]

The Leica Freedom Train - fantastic story and I am really glad I found out about it. Thanks.

 

[darkkavenger]

I downloaded a video trailer about a movie regarding this freedom train... quite moving. You'll find it if you search through the forementioned links.

max

 

[ruben]

Joseph and lushd:

There ls a touching story about the Leitz Freedom Train here:

http://www.jsonline.com/onwisconsin/arts/oct02/86006.asp

and

http://www.phsc.ca/gilbert.html

Ernst Leitz II and his daughter Elsie Kuhn-Leitz have been labelled as the Schindlers of photography.

Jay

Very mooving story indeed. And it adds the absurd dimension to the modern nazification of Leicas. Poor sellers.

 

[ruben]

Ot

Ot

ruben, I hesitated about posting about your kiev that it was very fetish-looking, but now seeing from your avatar all becomes clear! 😉 😀 ** me likes that cute thing **

HI,
From the aesthetical point of view, the fine chrome Kiev/Contax is in my view just unsurpassable, no doubt. But by the same coin it attracts attention as a wrinkling police light.
Painting my Kiev 4AM black and covering it with black leather had nothing to do with fetishism but with camuflaging the crude finish of this model, and making it more unconpicuous.
I liked Jocko's terming it as Catwoman Kiev, first because it kept me laughing for long minutes, and then becasue Catwoman's story is that of a humble girl transformation into a power woman, something of which I tryied to do with the camera's limitations.
Nevertheless, a point can be made about my non-awareness about the fetish look both of my Kiev and Catwoman...
Rgds,
Ruben