PetaPixel

Russian Leica Clone Converted to Digital

 

Russian Leica Clone Converted to Digital leicadigital

There was quite an outcry back in September when we shared the iCannon 4 project, where some guy gutted his Canon film SLR to use it as a shell for an iPhone 4. The frankencamera shown above is a bit cooler – it was created using a Russian Leica imitation and a Sony DSC-WX1 digital compact. Both cameras were disassembled, with the rangefinder contributing the outer shell and then Sony cam offering the inner workings. What’s amazing is that the resulting camera looks like a nicely designed retro digital compact – similar to the new FujiPix X100.

Here’s a video showing the frankencam in action:

There’s also a very detailed behind-the-scenes writeup of how the project was done (sadly, it’s in Japanese).

Update: Here’s a different (but similar) project that fuses a 1938 Leica camera with a Panasonic FX70:

 
 

Similar posts you may enjoy

Add a Lens Code to Your Leica Lens with Black and White PaintAdd a Lens Code to Your Leica Lens with Black and White PaintLeica Announces the M Monochrom Black and White Digital RangefinderLeica Announces the M Monochrom Black and White Digital Rangefinder
Leica Filed a Trademark Application for 'M11' in May of This YearLeica Filed a Trademark Application for 'M11' in May of This Year
«
»
 
  • http://twitter.com/kost Andrew K

    It is not a russian Leica clone — it’s a real old german Leica. There is no any russian word on the camera, all in german. On this photo you can see the fascist eagle with swastika: http://www.bea.hi-ho.ne.jp/bokuto/kosaku/digibarna2/32.jpg

  • http://twitter.com/rawsta rawsta

    and above the display is the line “Luftwaffen Eigentum” (Airforce property)
    but anyway… looks really nice

  • http://twitter.com/GrrAargh .

    Andrew K, there are fake clones designed to look like real Leicas.

  • http://twitter.com/eastendimages Kris

    It’ a Russian Fed 1. There’s quite few people in Ukraine making them.

  • http://luastoned.com LuaStoned

    Awesome how it says Luftwaffen Eigentum :D

  • Summicron16
  • Summicron16
  • http://www.facebook.com/people/CS-Muncy/588933597 C.S. Muncy

    Leica never made any cameras with Wermacht or Luftwaffe insignia. Occasionally, soldiers or airmen would carve their own markings onto the camera, but aside from those only Russian copies have those kind of markings. It’s a fake.

  • john

    Bit of a Leica tragic here – I recon they had such impact in their day that I love them in all their forms; originals; clones and digital hybrids (wow) Thank you for your note that Leica never made any cameras with Wermacht or Luftwaffe insignia, extremely helpful to those of us exploring a purchase..

  • bob

    I think there were some Luftwaffe Leicas but I don’t know how they were marked?