Leicina Special

Leicina Special
Leicina Special (sold as Leicina Spezial in German-speaking countries)
Specifications
Model	Leicina Special
Format(s)	Super8
Manufacturer	Leitz
Made in	Germany
Produced	1972-77
Lens(es)	Schneider Optivaron 1.8/6-66mm (62mm front filter thread), Macro Cinegon f1.8/10mm (39mm front filter thread)
Zoom	Auto/Manual
Macro	Yes
Frame rates	9, 18, 25, 54 + single frame
Exposure	Automatic (Leicinamatic module)
Focus	Manual
Film speeds (ASA/ISO)	please add
Shutter degree	please add
Sound (striped)	No
Sound (two-band)	Yes
Sound (optical)	No
Weight	please add
Dimensions	please add
Power supply	please add
Original price ($US)	please add
Original price (£)	£369 (body only)
Original price (DM)	3,200.00 DM (body + Optivaron lens)
Original price (Yen)	please add
Recent prices on eBay ($US)	please add
Recent prices on eBay (£)	please add
Recent prices on eBay (€)	EUR 489.90 (01/2006) EUR 301.00 (06/2006) EUR 352.10 (06/2006) EUR 382.00 (11/2006)

Additional specs

• Lenses interchangeable in M-bayonet mount:
  • The Optivaron was custom-made for Leitz with extra elements
  • The aperture can be fully closed on the Cinegon
• Some cameras run at a measured 48 fps on the 54fps setting
• Time exposure for single frames
• Flash contact
• Fades
• Lap dissolve

(Please upload individual pix to Super8wiki.com and add one to the infobox on the right)

Accessories

• ST-1 Electronic controller:
  • Intervalometer, sequence timer, sound synch tone generator, remote battery pack
• Right angle finder
• Shoulder stock
• Microscope attachment
• Endoscope attachment
• Mount adapters for Arriflex, Minolta, M42, Leica R lenses

Instructions and Repair

Instruction manual: download from Mondofoto

Disassembly: Leicina Special: Repair

eBay details

eBay Germany

• EUR 899 (+ EUR 8,00 shipping) in 08/2010 (for a camera plus Optivaron and m42 mount adapter and intervalometer)

• EUR 489.90 (+ EUR 7,00 shipping) in 01/2006 (for a camera plus an Optivaron 1.8/6-66mm motor-zoom lens)
• EUR 301.00 (+ EUR 8,00 shipping) in 06/2006 (for a camera plus an Optivaron 1.8/6-66mm lens without motor-zoom)
• EUR 352.10 (+ EUR 7,00 shipping) in 06/2006 (for a camera plus an Optivaron 1.8/6-66mm motor-zoom lens)
• EUR 382.00 (+ EUR 8,50 shipping) in 11/2006 (for a camera plus an Optivaron 1.8/6-66mm motor-zoom lens)

Comments

Built like a tank and in spite of its rare availability still very popular today, this camera was originally marketed as the documentary and scientific-purpose counterpart to its contemporary movie-effects sibling, the Leicina Super.

There is a rare high speed variant of this camera, the Leitz Leicina Special High Speed (1fps, 90-130fps).

Reviews

This camera takes the sharpest images with the optivaron 66mm and cinegon 10mm i have ever seen with super 8 cameras. Tested and compare it with the canon 1014xls and beaulieu 4008 and 7008, the special of leicina was much better.

You can easely use leica lenses.