Tomioka Lausar 3x4cm ‘Leica copy’
Tomioka Lausar 3x4cm ‘Leica copy’
last week I got very lucky.
An eBay seller posted a camera that looked to have an Elmar like Tomioka lens on it. I figured it was some kind of Leica copy
And send him an offer of $100.
He accepted.
After that, I did some further research, and hardly found anything. I did then find two references on the Internet stating that it’s a prototype camera that only 10 were ever made, and only 2 have been known to survive so far.
There is one reference on collectiblend, which I also found on westlich auction archives.
The camera sold in 2012 for $7000 with a 3.5cm 4.5 lens without the Tomioka marking, unlike mine. This one was also stated as not working. Collectiblend has it listed for around that price based on that sale
Well, today I received the camera!
I was curious if it was m39 Mount, but strangely enough, it starts to screw on but doesn’t screw on flat on a Leica screw mount or adapter. So it must be 39mm Mount but with some variation.
Does anyone have more info on this camera? Why is my lens labeled Tomioka 3.5 as opposed to just Lausar 4.5?
What would you suggest the value of the camera is today? What would be my best avenue of selling it without going eBay route?
And lastly, the shutter doesn’t fire and the lens needs cleaning.
I have a very good technician, but I was wondering if it would be smarter to leave camera as is or have him restore it and get it running? Would I be better off leaving it as is and selling it as such?
Lastly, here’s a few pictures of the camera!
Nvm, apparently I don’t know how to upload pictures?