Littman 57 single: 5x7!

Nathan Smith · Apr 27, 2005

Just noticed this on the Littman site.

(click on the line: WE ARE PROUD TO INTRODUCE THE NEW L45s III APRIL 2005 to read about the L45sIII click here.)

"We are also Pleased to announce the L57 single. Will be introduced in 1 year and will be identical to the L45s but slightly larger and at similar weight

The worlds only coupled rangefinder/ parallax 5x7 camera which is now patented and related patent application still pending.

We are accepting limited deposits for the first 20 prototypes of the L57 single at a discounted rate.

the lenses will most likely be 150mm 180mm and 210mm"

Don't know how much that'll cost but I'm sure I can't afford it.

Nathan

bobfowler · Apr 27, 2005

I hadn't looked at the Littman site in a while. What I really like is if you click on the "Can you convert my camera?" link, the question isn't answered, you're just bombarded with threats about patent infringements...

A Crown Graphic is a hell of a lot better, and cheaper, solution to handheld 4X5. A parallax corrected rangefinder is hardly worth the amount of money one of those recycled Polaroids cost...

noseoil · Apr 27, 2005

Are those prices in pesos or US dollars? Seems kind of spendy to me to get a recycled camera. I'd rather have an Ebony for the money.

Nathan Smith · Apr 27, 2005

bobfowler said:
I hadn't looked at the Littman site in a while. What I really like is if you click on the "Can you convert my camera?" link, the question isn't answered, you're just bombarded with threats about patent infringements...

A Crown Graphic is a hell of a lot better, and cheaper, solution to handheld 4X5. A parallax corrected rangefinder is hardly worth the amount of money one of those recycled Polaroids cost...

Yup, I'm with you. I'm curious though because I have an old Altura 10x15 cm camera that I want to put a 4x5 back onto. Some previous owner had CUT off the back and glued the ugliest 2x3 back you can imagine on with some particle board in between, so no chance of restoration anyway. But like most of the direct polaroid conversions, the 4x5 back is going to hang off on either side a bit.

Nathan

celluloidpropaganda · Apr 27, 2005

I have a packfilm-converted 110a (similar to the Littman body I believe), it's a little easier to handhold than my Crown Graphic but not by much.
The biggest problem I have handholding either is that their straps are on the left and I can't get comfortable holding a camera with the 'wrong' hand. Can't change it on the 110a but I've been meaning to look at moving the strap on the CG.

bobfowler · Apr 27, 2005

noseoil said:
Are those prices in pesos or US dollars? Seems kind of spendy to me to get a recycled camera. I'd rather have an Ebony for the money.

"Kind of spendy"? I equate those kinds of prices with classic Leicas, not an old reworked 'Roid...

bobfowler · Apr 27, 2005

celluloidpropaganda said:
I have a packfilm-converted 110a (similar to the Littman body I believe), it's a little easier to handhold than my Crown Graphic but not by much.
The biggest problem I have handholding either is that their straps are on the left and I can't get comfortable holding a camera with the 'wrong' hand. Can't change it on the 110a but I've been meaning to look at moving the strap on the CG.

A top rangefinder Crown - the most comfortable of the bunch!

JG Motamedi · Apr 27, 2005

I played with it at Photogizzmo, and it is a pretty nice camera: It feels nice in the hand, and focuses quickly.

I found the most questionable thing about that camera not so much price, but Littman himself. His behavior on photo.net is tasteless and aggressive, and even odder, in order to buy the camera, you must sign an agreement, when you purchase the camera, which prohibits you from reselling it on eBay.

removed account4 · Apr 27, 2005

SNIP:

JG Motamedi said:
...even odder, in order to buy the camera, you must sign an agreement, when you purchase the camera, which prohibits you from reselling it on eBay.

sounds like a landlord i had once who told me that i couldn't let anyone know where i was living or invite anyone over ... she also thought she owned all the plumbing & fenestration until a judge told her otherwise ..

celluloidpropaganda · Apr 27, 2005

It seems like the no-resale agreement would be hard to legally enforce. He's not working with secret materials that competitors might reverse engineer, how could he govern my use of my property?

I'm not sure he wants to anger too many people. Someone with enough money or time might start challenging his patents on a basic process that's existed for decades.

bobfowler · Apr 27, 2005

JG Motamedi said:
I played with it at Photogizzmo, and it is a pretty nice camera: It feels nice in the hand, and focuses quickly.

I found the most questionable thing about that camera not so much price, but Littman himself. His behavior on photo.net is tasteless and aggressive, and even odder, in order to buy the camera, you must sign an agreement, when you purchase the camera, which prohibits you from reselling it on eBay.

Yeah, I've read threads that he's particpated in where it got REAL ugly, real fast... Still, I'd rather spend the money on a top RF Crown with a good lens or two and have a lot left over for other important stuff... like 2 months of mortgage payments!

The only binding agreement I've ever signed when purchasing something was when I got my first home mortgage. It was a GI Loan and the agreement was that I would live there and not use the property as a rental. Beyond that, anyone who expects THAT kind of agreement is a friggin' wacko...

BTW - If I were so inclined to buy his camera, I wonder... If I gave it to someone as a gift , could THEY sell it on ebay...?

hehehe

blansky · Apr 27, 2005

Bob it seems you have an agenda here. If you don't like/want/need the camera then don't buy one. If you don't know/like Mr Littman then don't buy one.

Why all the emotion.

He make a great product for a nitch market and couldn't mass produce them anyway. Granted he tries very hard to protect his patent???/methods but why do you care.

All his internet stuff was really about the Aussi and ask Aggie about her experiences with him.

My experience with William Littman was positive and professional as is his camera.

End of story. Enjoy your Crown Graphic.

Michael

bobfowler · Apr 27, 2005

Nope, no agenda and no emotion. I guess the smiley wasn't enough...

carsten · Apr 27, 2005

I saw and handle a Littman at PhotoGizzmo lately and it is a very well built camera.
Lou told me that mr Littman was going to prepare the 5x7 version and here we are.
I think that is a quite expensive camera but we are in a free market and it is a very good feeling to hold it and focus and so on. Does not look like a old piece good for museums. Me too I have no horses in this race and I have no Littman in my hands...
Carsten

Littman 57 single: 5x7!

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