Nanjing Optical Equipment Factory Nanjing
The Nanjing Optical Equipment Factory Nanjing is a M39-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1959. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- M39
- Release Year
- 1959
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- Nanjing 58-I, a collector designation also applied in Chinese references
- Serial Range
- Unknown
Dimensions
Viewfinder & Shutter
- Framelines
- None, combined viewfinder and coupled rangefinder
- Shutter Speeds
- B, 1/25 s, 1/50 s, 1/100 s, 1/250 s and 1/500 s
- Shutter Type
- Cloth
Features
- Hot Shoe
- No
- Tripod Socket
- Yes
- Self Timer
- No
- Flash Sync
- Unknown
Nanjing
The Nanjing is a low-production Chinese M39 rangefinder made by the Nanjing Optical Equipment Factory. Introduced as an improved successor to the Chang Jiang body, it follows the Soviet FED-2 concept with a combined coupled finder, removable back, L39 interchangeable lenses and a cloth focal-plane shutter [1][2].
Chinese camera records list a Nanjing 58-I with B and speeds from 1/25 to 1/500 second. The usual standard lens was a Nanjing 50 mm f/2.8 in L39 mount. Dimensions, weight, finder magnification and a reliable serial allocation remain undocumented [2][3].
History
Development and Launch
Collector histories date the improved Nanjing-named version to 1959, after the Chang Jiang trial and short production run of 1958. The camera was intended as a domestic alternative to the Shanghai 58-II [1].
Production Evolution
Approximately 2,000 Nanjing cameras are reported. Production ended when management directed the factory to concentrate on motion-picture equipment. The Chinese Camera Archive dates its Nanjing 58-I record to 1958, probably reflecting development or early manufacture, so 1959 is retained as the commonly cited launch year with that discrepancy noted [1][2].
Special Variants
Nanjing 58-I is treated as an alternate collector designation, not a special edition. Factory-name inscriptions, character forms and minor production changes should remain identification metadata unless a separate mechanical model is documented [1].
Collector Notes
The front carries 南京 光学 儀器廠, identifying the Nanjing Optical Equipment Factory, together with a Made in China marking. Verify these inscriptions, the combined finder, L39 mount and FED-2-derived removable back. Do not confuse it with the earlier 長江-marked camera or the Leica-derived Shanghai 58-I [1][3].
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