A
wonderful camera for its time.
Equiped with a Variogon 8-48 f1.8 zoom lens, it gives very contrasty
and sharp images. The color resolution is exceptionally good
- yielding
a very "wet" or saturated look.
Focusing down to three feet, the camera is a very versatile one to
take with you on your next outing. It uses 4 "AA" batteries
and one 1.35 volt PX-13 battery which can be replaced with a PX-625
1.5
volt battery. Slight compensation is required so as to avoid underexposing
your film.
The camera offers
automatic light metering with ASA settings of 6 through 400! There
are also setting for 0, 2X, 4X do help when using filters in front
of the
lens (i.e. for B&W film filters).
Remote release is also possible as is single frame. The camera has
an two speed settings (16, 24fps) and a very interesting "RT" return
speed. RT allows the camera to perform lap dissolves. To use this feature,
fade out your first scene with the ASA dial while counting
off seconds in your head. [Sorry, no variable shutter]. Switch the
setting to RT and rewind the film counting of the same number of seconds
- be
sure to place a lens cap over the lens and close the rear viewfinder.
Then begin filming your next scene with a fade-in of equal length.
There
is also an internal battery check but I have yet to figure out
how to use it!
The viewfinder gives you the current f-stop setting but the camera does
not allow for manual overrides. So be careful if you pan. There is also
an internal gauge to let you know how much film is left. Very easy to
interpret. Diopter control is also built in.
My only complaints with the camera are the lack of manual f-stop override,
a skinny handle that shows the designers had never contemplated the
word "ergonomic," and a zoom control that sometimes moves
while you are setting the focus (or vise-versa). The camera is heavy
but that goes with the 8mm territory and can be considered a plus.
If you come across one of the three or four Leicina 8mm models, jump
on it if the price is right. They really are a jewel from the early
days of film and show what was to come in a couple of years once Super
8mm was introduced.
Oh, if anyone has an instruction booklet for this model, I would love
to see it!
In the meantime, check out what my April 1962 Leica Catalog has to say
about the Leicina 8S - featuring removable lenses:
Automatic Diaphragm
The Leicina's completely automatic electric-eye diaphragm sets itself
for perfect exposures with any 8mm film, indoors or out, in bright light
or dim. You frame the scene by looking directly through the Leicina's
fast f/2 lens by means of a brilliant reflex finder system. As you frame
the scene, the viewfinder shows you the diaphragm scale of the lens
and a footage indicator which tells you how much film you have used
and how much remains to be shot.
Two Fast Lenses
The Leicina comes with two f/2 Dygon lenses - a 9mm for normal work
[4 element, 37 degree field, $32.00] and a 15mm [6 element, 22 degree
field, cost with camera: $235.00] for extra image size and "reach" for
photographing medium-distance action.
Electric Motor
The electric, battery-powered Leicina motor is a marvel of unvarying
accuracy. Its 16 fps speed never dies in mid-scene, never slows down,
as with spring-driven motors, to produce unwanted speed-up of action
on the screen. Four penlight cells, obtainable anywhere, power the motor
for shooting at least 10 rolls of film, and a built-in meter lets you
check battery condition every time you load or unload the camera.
