This is a new section specifically created for rangefinder system users. I guess users of RF bodies/lenses users have a distinctive taste in their own. Most of all, they are a mix of collectors, photographers, historian etc. who may be having keen interest in the photographic equipment produced during the old days. But I guess most of allm, they are the elite group who are more to appreciative the excellence of mechanical / optical engineering presenting in the rangefinder system made during the older days. As it is rather hard to satisfy everyone intention when it relates to a website as each may have their own preferences on brands or types. Over the years, I have constructed quite a number of sites featuring a series of selective camera models and/or optics but they were all related to Single lens reflex (SLR) systems but not really focused on the rangefinder system yet. So,m technically, the RF-Nikon/Nikkor section is my first attempt. When I first started the site, I simply felt it is so unfair just to concentrate on the Nikon/Nikkor alone as there are so many good photographic systems with other major labels. So, other than my initail effort on the Nikon/Nikor, I am also taking the chance begin compiling some of the other information on other respectful labels as supplementary information for surfers. As there are already many excellent, established resources on the Network on the ame topic , probablyt I don't have to pursue one by one in details but simply confine my own effort within the early series of Nippon Kogaku and Nikkor only but I would also take the opportunity to introduce other equally good photograophic resources from comparing brands. This Message Board was created just for that purpose to patch things that I feel that might be missing in my own PIM site - as well as to provide a gateway for those that were not being featured yet. You may use it for whatever you think / deem suitable - regardless it is questions & answers (Q&A) or just make good use of it to share experience among one another on the rangefinder system. Lastly, as some of the remarks presented herein may be entirely personal and I do not wish to influence any decision prior to any potential purchases or disposal of your equipment. Naturally, you are always encouraged to make good use of this convenience of the MB here to present your own thoughts / views as well. Enjoy.

This site is specifically created for any rangefinder camera models and/or optical group of the system, its creator. Please don't mail me other than constructive suggestions or rectifying mistakes found in this site, thanking you. Since this is a non-profitable resource site - The developer of this site reserves the rights to censor or delete any inappropriate, unrelated, misleading or excessively hostile messages posted herein. If your intention is to dispose your Rangefinder camera(s), lenses or its accompanying accessories or looking for a used model or any of its system components, please use a separate section with a higher volume of traffic Free Trade Zone site instead. The Photography In Malaysia has no Guestbook on its own, because it is an integral part of the MIR site. But if you want to leave a note on your experience visiting this site, you may use the MIR's Guestbook at another new window by clicking on the Guestbook Link.

Add a Posting relating to Question(s), Issue(s) and/or Answer(s)
A kind reminder: Please do not misuse of this message board system.

Rangefinder camera models/RF-lenses indexes for various camera brands/labels:-
Leica/Leitz | Contax cameras / Carl Zeiss Jena Lenses | Seiki Kogaku / Canon / Senenar lenses
Nikon/ Nippon Kogaku Rangefinder cameras/Nikkor lenses
Note:- Here is an alternate MB for various labels on MF/AF SLR Lenses

The respective Message Boards are some of the HARDEST hit section of the PIM site, if at any one time, the traffic is high - the table/content may take a while to load the data, just be patience. If it stalls, just click on the 'Reload' or 'Refresh' button on your browser menu once to re-attempt. Thank you.

1. From : Gregorry Thames (privateuse@nospamming.com)
Url : http://none
Date : 01:25 AM Monday 18 August, 2008

On second thought, why don't the MP be separated out and highlighted with a link at the main page ? It is hiding in your sub-folder of the Leica M3 section. Leica MP series justifies a section on its own rather than categorized it under the M3 section ( I almost missed the link at the M3 page). It is just a suggestion - personally, I like the way you arrange the few with individual S/N that you had.

P.s. The Nomenclature for M3 is also nicely done, again I miss this out until my third visit. Hope these suggestion helps.GOOD job !

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2. From : Gregorry Thames (privateuse@nospamming.com)
Url : http://
Date : 01:19 AM Monday 18 August, 2008

I have to compliment you with the nice profile did on the Leica MP series. There are a few LE models had not being featured in your profile yet, but I do understand it is still at its infancy stage. I will talk to a few friends and see if they can provide you with some pictures/photos of their collection. Once again, thumbs up !

P.S. I also like your honesty in providing the original source.

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3. From : Kakaman (mail_will_bounce@mir.com.my)
Url : http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/Leica/index.htm
Date : 01:10 AM Thursday 14 August, 2008

I always thought amidst all the development during the '50 in the rangefinder system among various labels, leaving the Leica / Contax out is not very appropriate. So, here is an index page, the first camera that I am tying to provide a brief introduction is the the M-mount was a 1954 Leica M3 camera at:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/Leica/index.htm

As it goes along; I will try to create some related sites when I have more time for it/them. However, I can't go too detail into these (sorry, as I am not an expert into the two systems, but I am certain Rick is one...hehe..).

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4. From : rick oleson (rick_oleson@yahoo.com)
Url : http://rick_oleson.tripod.com
Date : 06:47 PM Tuesday 12 August, 2008

The M39 lens mount (39mm in diameter, 26 threads per inch) was started by Leica when they first started making their lenses removable in the late 1920s. Zeiss used a bayonet mount on the Contax rangefinders beginning in 1932 (actually 2 different bayonets, a small one for the 50mm lenses and a larger outer one for wide angles and telephotos). The Contax S SLR of 1948/49 introduced a new screw thread, 42mm in diameter and a thread pitch of 1mm. At about the same time, the KW Praktiflex, which had originally used a 40mm screw mount, changed to the M42 and was renamed "Praktica". This 42mm screw thread was later adopted by Asahi Pentax and a number of other German and Japanese makers to become known as the "Universal" or "Pentax" screw mount.

Meanwhile in Russia, the Zenit 35mm SLR was introduced around 1953. This used a 39mm screw thread essentially identical to the Leica rangefinder mount, but moved forward to allow clearance for the mirror. Many of the same lenses were made in both the Zenit M39 and in the Leica M39 mount (to fit Zorki and FED, Leica-copy rangefinders), so that if you're not careful it is possible to find a lens that has the right name and will mount on your camera but cannot be focused. Later, the Zenit changed from the M39 to the M42 mount.

Leica changed from the screw mount to a new bayonet with the M3 in 1954. The original Contax bayonet mount remained unchanged in all Contax rangefinders through the end of the IIa/IIIa series in 1962 (one prewar lens, the 35/2.8 Biogon, cannot be used on the IIa/IIIa due to obstructions inside the camera). When Leica introduced its SLR, the Leicaflex, in the early 1960s, it came with a new bayonet lens mount. Although it is now possible to find M39 adapters (originally made to adapt early Zenit lenses to later Zenit cameras), none of the SLR cameras were intended to accept rangefinder lenses or vice versa, and Leica and Zeiss did not make adapters for the purpose.

:)=

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5. From : hoon, Guangdong (curious@oldtime.com)
Url : http://
Date : 12:20 PM Tuesday 12 August, 2008

Dear Mr. Rick, you are encouraging me to ask a long pending doubt in my mind. M39 (Leica); Contax S mount is not the same with the Contax 1/II/III/x series ? The M39 was whose idea (meaning which firm has started it all ? Pentax ?). Can Leica uses the M42 lenses on their bodies ?). I know may be too demanding on these, but it remains as a spot in the dark corner of my mind. Too many references and I can't determine whose version is the most accurate. IF any of these is too troublesome, just skip. I am from China (sorry for my poor english).

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6. From : rick oleson (rick_oleson@yahoo.com)
Url : http://rick_oleson.tripod.com
Date : 11:35 AM Tuesday 12 August, 2008

Hi Ray:

The Contarex, Contaflex (postwar version) and Exakta are all 35mm SLRs. The Exakta was, in fact, the first 35mm SLR (although the Russian "Cnopm" (Sport) began at about the same time), back in 1936. Zeiss Ikon had no 35mm SLR cameras before WWII; the original Contaflex of 1935 was a Twin Lens Reflex with interchangeable lenses. After the War, the East German branch of Zeiss Ikon introduced the remarkable Contax S, with the first eye level pentaprism viewfinder and introducing the M42 "Universal" screw lens mount, in 1949. In the West, the Stuttgart branch of Zeiss Ikon introduced a new Contaflex, the first 35mm SLR with a leaf shutter, in 1953. This camera also had (I think) the first molded plastic Fresnel viewing screen in a 35mm SLR. The leaf shutter limited lens options, though, and 5 years later they introduced the Contarex, a much larger camera with focal plane shutter and fully interchangeable lenses.

We don't have a forum on this site for these very early classic SLRs, or others such as the KW Praktina and Praktica, the Pentacon/Contax S series, etc..... so, if you want to discuss or ask questions about them, go ahead and do it here. I'm sure the rangefinder fans won't mind.

rick :)=

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7. From : Ray. H. Gaecke (Q@contarex.com)
Url : http://none yet
Date : 01:22 PM Sunday 10 August, 2008

Mr. Rick Oleson (moderator) & leofoo (can't locate your email): May I ask the "Contarex" can it be categorized as a SLR or rangefinder camera ? What about the Contaflax (?) and the ST as well as the EXTAKTA (is this a SLR too ?) ? Any relationshop between all these seemingly German Zeiss products. I am using OM / Zuiko SLR all the while but I am starting to learn rangefinder basic and I notice your works (excellent !) at the OM board all along. Kinda confusing.

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8. From : Kakaman (mail_will_bounce@mir.com.my)
Url : http://www.MIR.my
Date : 08:21 PM Thursday 07 August, 2008

Site Progress update: Site PREVIEW on Zeiss IKON 15mm 1:8 HOLOGON ultrawide camera w/brief info on the original Hologon lens for LEICA-M, G-spec & a rare 110mm 1:8 for Linhof. This ection is separated into 6 parts. Any feedback(s) or rectification of content will be appreciated.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/RF-Nikkor/Contax_RF/Zeiss-Hologon/index.htm

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9. From : Kakaman (mail_will_bounce@mir.com.my)
Url : http://www.MIR.my
Date : 08:19 PM Thursday 07 August, 2008

Dear Mr. "Longhorn": thanks for the input. Site construction requires plenty of good materials (or else I will never started one). Takes time. Thanks for the lovely info on the Contax and kind words on the site.

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10. From : longhorn (bills@nomaill.com)
Url : http://
Date : 03:52 PM Thursday 07 August, 2008

By the way, it is great website on rangefinder oldies. I love it but the Zeiss/Leitz section could have been made better (if not for your primary interest in the Nippon Kogaku) for now. Well, it is new as I can see it, hope this is a new start for many better things to come in the future). But I have to salute your effort in your works to the photographic community. Carry on with your excellent works ! I am along time fan of your site on the few OM, LX and the Nikons.

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