For Sale Leotax F Rangefinder - Superb Condition - Recent CLA

Trader history for davela (12)

davela

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Jan 3, 2008
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Satellite Beach, FL
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I am selling a Leotax F Leica thread mount rangefinder body. The condition is exceptional. The camera is just back from the shop with a fresh professional CLA (receipt included). The camera and all functions are in good condition.

This is a very collectible camera, and not often seen in such good condition. Sold as shown.

Price: $350 plus insured shipping
 

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BrianL

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Feb 17, 2010
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Toronto ON C
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Medium Format
New one on me. I can only imagine if Leica had gone after all the companies that ripped off their design for infringement as so many companies do today. They probably have remained independent and financially solvent.. Yours looks closer to the Barnack than many I've seen and looks to be of decent quality on the outside. What country was it produced in?
 
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davela

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Jan 3, 2008
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Satellite Beach, FL
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Brian,

Leotax as made in Japan. The word Leotax is a contraction of the words "Leica" and "Contax". I believe that Leica pre-war patents were opened up after the war as part of war reparations and this was the reason for the plethora of direct Leica post-war copies. These patents were vigorously defended before the war. Interestingly, the main beneficiary of the German photo patents seems to have been their axis partner, Japan. I don't claim to be a historian of any sort, but I recall reading this somewhere.
 

georg16nik

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Aug 3, 2010
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davela, You are spot on.
Germany patents portfolio was ruled invalid and became public domain.
I think Leotax is probably the best of the Japan's Leica siblings, the company that made Leotax was founded by a Konika former engineer, so Leotax was top notch by any standards and not many were made, so its collectible as well as excellent shooter camera.

Congratulations to anyone who buy it!
 

Guillaume Zuili

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Aug 3, 2005
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Los Angeles
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French made Foca as well. In UK you also had some produced after WW2.
Soviet Union.... Most of the cameras come from that.
Japan benefited from this with the benediction of the US in Japan
 
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