Leica Copy Stand and Canon IIIc with 1.8/50 Lens

     
     If you want to copy a document in today's technologically oriented world, you can easily do so by using a photocopy machine or a scanner. But in earlier times, doing so wasn't such a simple matter. Back in the days when film still ruled the roost, copying photos and documents required the use of what today would be considered archaic and cumbersome devices. That said, why would anyone want to take the trouble to recreate the process when modern techniques make it so much easier? Maybe it's because some people  enjoy the doing so, while others like to rise to the challenge. Or maybe it's just fun  for many photo hobbyists.

     The venerable Leica Copy Stand was foremost among the many basic copying devices in use during the 1950s and earlier. It was available in two models: BOOWM for M mount lenses and BOOWU for LTM mount lenses. Although these devices were designed for use with Leica cameras and lenses, I have used the BOOWU model successfully with a Canon IIIC body and Canon 1.8/50 lens.

Leica IIIC + Canon 1.8/50 Lens A6 Mount

      Less complicated  in design than an old fashioned egg beater, the Leica Copy Stand consists of four lens extension mounts and four adjustable legs. That's it. What could be simpler? It's a minimalist's delight.

      The four adjustable legs are click stopped and marked to correspond  to the mounts, which are labeled A6, A5, and A4. To photograph something the size of a postcard using the BOOWU unit and an LTM lens, attach the lens to the A6 mount, attach the mount to the camera, and attach the four legs to the mount without extending then.
      For octavo sized objects you would use the A5 mount with the units legs extended to their A5 markings, and for quarto sized objects you would select the A4 mount with the legs extended to their A4 markings.

Copy of 3.5 X 5-Inch  Photo, A6 Mount

      With the BOOWM unit you would unscrew and insert only the optical unit of a f/2 Summicron lens into a UOORF bayonet adapter before you attach it to the extension mount. If you're using a collapsible 50mm lens, however, you won't need the UOORF mount. Other lenses designed for the BOOWM unit include the 50mm Elmar, Summar, Summitar, and Summarit.  With a lens and extension mount in place, the procedure for using the BOOWM is identical to that of the BOOWU.

     If you want to take a journey back in time using an antique copy stand, you'll discover no lack of these units for sale on the Internet. If you're lucky, you'll even find one with instructions. But be sure to shop carefully. Some of these stands are quite reasonably priced. But others are way up there in the "you gotta be kidding me" range.

Canon III with Auto Up Attachment

Canon III with Canon Auto Up

     I scored a Canon III and a superb Canon 50/1.8 lens on  Ebay for just $90 and $60 respectively. Then, for just $25 I acquired a Canon Auto Up close up attachment. At $175 for the set I figured I'd gotten a bargain.

    The "III" designation refers to three types of the same Canon rangefinder camera that were manufactured between 1951-1953. Because it bears the serial number 86383 and has a red P on its top plate next to the word "Japan," this camera is probably the most recent third type (IIIC). It was most likely manufactured in 1953. If I'm mistaken, please let me know.

     One of the nice things about this camera is its three-position viewfinder switch. When you set the switch to "F," you'll see a 50mm view in the finder. At 1x, you'll see a a 100mm view, and at 1.5x the view is equal to 135mm.  The 1.5x setting helps with critical focusing. And it can be used when you have a 135mm lens mounted on the camera.

   Like its Leica cousin, the Canon III is a bottom loader, a fact that creates difficulties for some users. But I found plenty of information that helps to solve this problem by Googling "Canon III Film Trimming." Alternatively, Canon has provided a helpful graphic image on the inside of the camera's bottom cover.

    The Auto Up attachment is effective from 40"-22". After you attach the unit to the camera's lens, you can frame and focus on the object to be photographed as you usually do. But you do have to compensate for parallax if the object is closer than 39" from the film plane. To help you make adjustments, the unit shows a small arrow in the upper right-hand corner of its viewfinder. You'll find more specific instructions at https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/01460/01460.pdf

Actual Image Size Is Six Inches

       With the Auto Up in place and the camera approximately 22" from the jar shown in this photo--the closest distance allowable--I captured the image at f8, 1/2 second on Kentmere Pan 100 film.
       After I developed the film, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that because I had used the 1.5x viewfinder, I didn't have to correct for parallax. The image was nicely centered in the frame.
       I printed the photograph full frame, only cropping enough from its sides to create a square. Then, using my ancient Canon LIDE 20 scanner, I scanned the print to my computer.
       Using the Canon Auto Up mounted on a vintage Canon rangefinder camera isn't for everyone, especially those who enjoy the ease and convenience of digital photography. But if you enjoy the challenge of stepping back in time to the days when  rangefinder cameras and film were still king, doing so might be right for you.

     Finally, note that there are three versions of the Auto Up (I, II, III), each of which is designed for a specific Canon LTM lens. These lenses are the 1.5/50; the 1.8/50; and the 1.9/50. I used the Canon 1.8/50 lens and the Canon Auto Up I (specific to the 1.8 lens) for this exercise.

Leica M3 with Jupiter 8 2/50 Lens

  

     Although I already own a Jupiter 2/50mm lens, when I saw an Ebay listing for one that claimed to be new old stock at $75, I made an offer of $55 and won. After the lens arrived, I was pleasantly surprised because this Soviet made copy of the prewar Zeiss Sonnar 2/50mm lens was indeed pristine.
       Because the Jupiter has a Leica Thread Mount, I had to buy second LTM-M adapter before I could mount it to my Leica M3. I also bought a generic lens shade and cap, as well as a 40.5mm DHQ UV filter and a gold colored soft release, all of which are available for very little cash on the Internet.
        In the photo (above) you will see, also, a Butter Grip, which is a 3D printed camera hand grip that I've found to be an extremely helpful accessory. It also helps to note that at just $20 or so, you won't have to sell the farm to buy this grip.
        Of course, you can read many reviews of this lens that are quite technical, but I never paid any attention to them. Based on my earlier experiences with the Jupiter 2/50, I knew that under decent lighting conditions it would produce the sharp, snappy black/white photos I enjoy printing in my darkroom.
        Here are a few examples.The "Sunny 16" rule was my guide for estimating exposures on
 Kentmere Pan F ISO 100 film which I developed in D-76 1:1. I printed the images on Kentmere VC Select RC glossy in Dektol 1:2.