RE: [Leica] Rangefinder Baseline

[Greg.Chappell@bankofamerica.com]

I meant (and anyones elses) of course.

After all, I was only speaking in terms of EFFECTIVE base (and isn't that
all that matters?) in my first post, and ONLY in regards to the M2, M4, M5,
and CLASSIC M6. Obviously others, including some of the newer M6's and the
M3 are longer. Since no one I know shoots or even has the opportunity to
purchase a proto-type, I forgot about it.

- -----Original Message-----
From: Marc James Small [mailto:msmall@roanoke.infi.net]
Sent: Friday, October 01, 1999 10:34 AM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: [Leica] Rangefinder Baseline


At 08:29 AM 10/1/1999 -0500, Greg.Chappell@bankofamerica.com wrote:
>I believe with the 1.5 magnification in the IIIf and IIIc rangefinder it's
>effective rangefinder base is actually LONGER than an M2, M4, M5, M6
>Classic. If it's not long enough, they never should have made one for the
>"M"! I cannot remember if the 1.5 magnification is in the IIIa.

Well, no.

The LTM cameras had a 38mm baseline with a magnification of 1.5X, so the
effective distance was 57mm.  The Leica IV -- the prototype for the M
cameras -- had a 60mm baseline with a magnification of 0.9X, for an
effective baseline of 54mm.  All of the M's have a real baseline of
69.25mm;  with the various magnifications used, the effective baselines are
between 49.86mm and 63.71mm.  

The real winner was the early Contax I, with an effective baseline of
92.7mm.

I am still seeking the dispositive figures for the Retina, Ektra, and
Prominent.

Marc

msmall@roanoke.infi.net  FAX:  +540/343-7315
Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!