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.