Nanjing Optical Equipment Factory Nange / Chang Jiang
The Nanjing Optical Equipment Factory Nange / Chang Jiang is a M39-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1958. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- M39
- Release Year
- 1958
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- Chang Jiang, marked 長江; Nange is retained as a documented English collector alias
- Serial Range
- Unknown
Dimensions
Viewfinder & Shutter
- Framelines
- None, combined viewfinder and coupled rangefinder derived from the FED-2 layout
- Shutter Speeds
- Unknown
- Shutter Type
- Cloth
Features
- Hot Shoe
- No
- Tripod Socket
- Yes
- Self Timer
- No
- Flash Sync
- Unknown
Nange / Chang Jiang
The Nange / Chang Jiang is a scarce 1958 Chinese M39 rangefinder developed at the Nanjing Optical Equipment Factory. It was modeled from drawings of the Soviet FED-2 and used a coupled finder, removable-back body concept and L39 lens interface. The Chinese marking 長江 refers to the Chang Jiang, or Yangtze River [1][2].
English collector literature sometimes renders the name as Nange. LeicaLensList retains both names in one generic profile so that listings using either form can be linked without creating duplicate camera bodies [1].
History
Development and Launch
The camera was developed while Soviet specialists were supporting optical and motion-picture equipment production in Nanjing. An initial trial series of approximately 100 bodies was prepared in 1958, followed by a reported total of roughly 600 Chang Jiang cameras [1].
Production Evolution
The Chang Jiang served as the direct predecessor to the improved Nanjing-branded camera. Detailed surviving specifications, dimensions and serial allocations have not been located, so values from the later model are not automatically assigned to this entry [1][2].
Special Variants
Trial and regular-production bodies belong to the same Standard model profile unless a verifiable mechanical distinction emerges. Low production and historical importance do not make the camera a special edition.
Collector Notes
Confirm the 長江 marking, Nanjing factory construction and FED-2-derived body before identification. Do not merge the camera with the later Nanjing profile, and do not infer a serial range or full shutter scale from the approximately 600-unit production estimate [1].
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