How does a FOKOS fit ?

Can one one of you really knowledgeable types kindly tell me whether the FOKOS rangefinder comes with a foot attached or is it a separate item. I want to fit one to a Standard. Is this a case rather like a Mooly where the motor can be obtained but the lever is usually missing?

The FOKOS name is applied to more than one Leitz short base

rangefinder (excluding here the FOKUS model made for Speed

Graphic). The pre-war type is the version you need to look for, as

it was designed with the standard in mind. This type, which is

available in black or chrome has a pillar which fits into a special

shoe, and can be swivelled out of the way when changing

shutter speeds. Denis Laney, in his "Collectors Guide" says the

pillar fits into "a special clip supplied with the standard". The big

Hasbroeck volume merely notes the swivelling shoe but gives

no more details as to whether it was supplied with the camera or

with the FOKOS itself.

 

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There is also a later post-war version of the SBR with no pillar,

and which is designed to be mounted vertically on the Ic, If, and

Ig models for which it was intended.

 

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Hope this is of some help.

Tim..

Thank you indeed for a very clear explanation. Fortunately I have the

clip, so I need to find either a complete pre-war FOKOS or simply one

without its clip but which is for a standard.

I was given an old 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 Graphic which has a Leica

rangefinder on it. This model of rangefinder has a smooth

round pilar on it which slips into a fitting screwed onto the

camera.

 

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I've always wondered how this model differs from those used on

Leica cameras, if indeed it does differ. Apparently this is is a

FOKUS vs. a FOKOS? Any further comments on my rangefinder

will certainly be appreciated.

Tom,

According to Hasbroeck there is no difference between

rangefinders made by Leitz for the Leica and those they

produced for many different other cameras.

 

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In order to avoid the problems of recalibrating due to the

differences, these other models were engraved with a plus sign

and number to indicate the distance that had to be added to

obtain a correct reading.

 

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I've taken a keener interest in these items since buying a black

FOFER long base model to fix to my 0-serie repro. :o)