What do we have here?  Why, it is the Leica MBROO and EFGOO of course!

⁠Leica products of a certain age are known for their distinguishing code words.  Leitz implemented the five character codewords in 1928 because they were easier to translate via telegraph than product numbers.  Of course, once the use of telegraphs declined in around 1959, Leitz switched to five digit product numbers.  Before that transition, you had the MOOKY and the HESUM and the IGEMO (that last is the codeword for your Leica M3, by the way).  What you end up with is almost it own language, describing bits and bobs and various wonderful Leica gear.  It kind of reminds us of the modern company, What Three Words, which has mapped every 3 meter square of the world with three word grouping that, while supposedly random, can have a certain sense instilled in their assignations.  ⁠

⁠The MBROO, on the left there, is an aluminum ever-ready case for your valued Leica threadmount camera, up to the IIIf.  The u-shaped lever on the front clamps down and locks the top and bottom pieces together, sealing the camera in and protecting it from moisture.  Some call this a tropical case because it would be excellent for carrying that Leica around a humid jungle.⁠

⁠The EFGOO, meanwhile, is a high top ever-ready case designed to protect your Leica when it has an accessory viewfinder mounted.  Maybe your preferred focal length is the 35mm.  Early Leica viewfinders only showed framelines for 50mm lenses, so an extra viewfinder would be attached to the top of the camera.  The EFGOO left room for that viewfinder, while keeping the camera safe and instantly ready.⁠

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What's going on with this Leica IIIG, you ask?  This is an early Visoflex, with an LVFOO accessory.  The Visoflex is a nifty contraption that turns your Leica rangefinder into an SLR camera.  That's right, through-the-lens viewing and focusing.  Of course, it also turns any standard lens into a macro-only lens; due to the distance, the mirror box moves the lens away from the camera.  There are certain lenses that can be used with a Visoflex and still retain infinity focus, as well.

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This Kilfitt accessory is similar to the Leitz Visoflex, though the Kilfitt manages to be simultaneously much more stylish and cumbersome.  Seen on the Leica IIIg and modeled by our former staff member, Michael Stoltenow.

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As nice as a Leica IIIG looks with its chrome and curves, you'll also notice the addition of the modern Voigtlander VC II Meter.

While it can be mounted to virtually any camera with a hot shoe, it was designed to match with most classic rangefinders in aesthetic and function - see how at home it looks on this Leica?   Sure, get one for your Nikon or your Canon, or it could be nice to pair up with a medium format camera... even your Holga (though it costs four times what your Holga did).

The VC II is pretty simple and straight-forward in its operation.   Ultimately, it's just a meter.  A really, really pretty meter.  

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The Leica M39-mount series of cameras revolutionized photography.  They reached their pinnacle in 1957, with the Leica IIIg.  The IIIg was a transitional camera, meant to bridge the gap between the old style of thread-mount Leica with the new M series, which had kicked off in 1954 with the M3.  While you are much more likely to find a IIIf on the market, because the IIIg was produced for only three years from 1957-1960, if you manage to lay hands on an IIIg, take full advantage of the opportunity.  These are very fine cameras. ⠀

Initially, were only using this IIIg to show off a Voigtlander VCII meter we had in stock but, as is usually the case, we were so appreciative of the beauty of the camera that we decided to make a photo of the camera itself.

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