Leotax Original
The Leotax Original is a LTM-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1940. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- LTM
- Release Year
- 1940
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- Unknown
- Serial Range
- Approximately 20xx to 2175, reported surviving range
Dimensions
Viewfinder & Shutter
- Framelines
- None, separate fixed 50 mm viewfinder and uncoupled rangefinder
- Shutter Speeds
- Z, 1/20 s, 1/30 s, 1/40 s, 1/60 s, 1/100 s, 1/200 s and 1/500 s
- Shutter Type
- Cloth
Features
- Hot Shoe
- No
- Tripod Socket
- Yes
- Self Timer
- No
- Flash Sync
- None
Leotax Original
The collector-named Leotax Original is an early Showa Kogaku LTM camera produced around 1940. It resembles a Leica II but uses an uncoupled short-base rangefinder with a focusing wheel recessed into the center of the finder housing [1][2].
The camera has no slow-speed mechanism, flash synchronization or self timer. Its main shutter dial uses the German Z marking for timed bulb operation and reaches 1/500 second [1].
History
Development and Launch
The surviving design followed an even earlier Leotax made in very small numbers around 1939. Chief engineer Eiji Suzuki revised the camera in late 1940, producing the version collectors now call Leotax Original [1][2].
Production Evolution
The rangefinder remained uncoupled. Later Special A and Special B cameras introduced coupled focusing and revised front-window arrangements [1].
Special Variants
The term Original is a collector convention and should not be confused with the earlier, largely undocumented first Leotax production design.
Collector Notes
Verify the central rangefinder focusing wheel, three front windows, Showa Kogaku engraving and early shutter markings. Few examples survive, so serial and component originality require specialist comparison.
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