Shanghai No. 2 Camera Factory Shanghai 58-I

Shanghai 58-I

The Shanghai 58-I is an early Chinese LTM rangefinder produced in 1958 by the Shanghai Camera Factory. It closely follows the Leica III body concept, with separate viewfinder and coupled rangefinder eyepieces, bottom loading and a cloth focal-plane shutter reaching 1/1000 second.

The camera predates the existing Shanghai 58-II profile. Its separate finder system and early body construction make it a distinct model rather than a minor 58-II variant. Contemporary and collector sources differ on whether the closest reference was the Leica IIIb or IIIf, but agree on its Leica-style 39 mm screw mount.

History

Development and Launch

A Shanghai camera-development group was organized in 1957, and the Shanghai Camera Factory was formally established in March 1958. Chinese historical reporting identifies the 58-I as the factory's first camera and an important early industrially produced Chinese 35 mm model.

Production Evolution

The 58-I remained in production for less than a year before development shifted to the combined-finder 58-II. Collector research records serials approximately from 58000 into the 5801xxx group and estimates fewer than 1,500 cameras, but surviving factory allocations are not available.

Special Variants

Examples are documented both with and without strap lugs. These are production changes within one Standard model entry, not separate editions. Lens packages and the 58-1 spelling likewise remain metadata or aliases.

Collector Notes

Verify the separate rear eyepieces, diopter adjustment, Shanghai markings, early serial style and correct L39 lens mount. The model's rarity has encouraged altered FED or other Leica-copy bodies, so engraving, controls, internal construction and provenance deserve close inspection.