- Leotax K3 Rangefinder Camera Body - 577493
- Industar 26M 5cm f/2.8 Standard Lens - 772728 - FREE
- Canon 135mm f/3.5 Portrait Lens - 91079
- All shutter speeds timing and aperture settings are accurate.
- Very clean and beautiful camera, despite its age.
- The glass is all very clean, and camera performance is flawless.
- It is among the most reliable manual/mechanical cameras available.
Leotax K
Serial Number Range: Leotax cameras from the mid-1950s typically fall into the 500,000–600,000 range for models like the Leotax F, K, and T.
Design Features: Based on your image, the camera has:
A die-cast body with a black leatherette wrap
A Leica-style top plate with viewfinder and rangefinder windows
No lens attached, but the mount appears to be Leica thread (LTM 39mm)
Branding that reads “Leotax Camera Co. Ltd.” with serial number “No 517439”
These features align closely with the Leotax K, which was a simplified version of the Leotax F, introduced in 1957. It retained the Leica-style layout but omitted some advanced features like slow shutter speeds and self-timer to reduce cost.
🗓 Release Date Context
Leotax F: Released in 1956, full-featured model
Leotax K: Released in 1957, budget variant of the F
Leotax T: Released in 1958, added flash sync and minor updates
Manufacturer History
Founder: Nakagawa Kenzō, a former engineer at Konishiroku (later Konica).
Original Name: Kyōei-sha (共栄社), established in Nippori, Tokyo.
Renamed: Became G.K. Shōwa Kōgaku later in 1938, and eventually Shōwa Kōgaku Seiki K.K. after World War II.
Brand Evolution: The company later adopted the name Leotax Camera to align with its most iconic product line.
📸 Leotax Camera Line
Inspired by Leica designs, Leotax cameras were 35mm rangefinders using the Leica Thread Mount (LTM).
Known for their high build quality, they were popular among Japanese photographers and collectors seeking Leica-style cameras at a more accessible price.
