Classic Camera 1. February 1997. Leica, Contax, et al. Edited by Paolo Namias.

Editrice Progresso, 1997.  Includes articles on the demise of the Rolleiflex;  Russian Leica; Contax and Kiev; 35mm Cameras Prior to the Leica such as the Simplex; Christie's auctions of cameras; Colorful Leicas including gold plated, one of which presented to Alfred Eisenstaedt; and other articles. 48 pages, fine except crimp top left corner.  First issue of this quarterly magazine published in both English and Italian. Summary:

• • "Russian Leicas" and "From Contax to Kiev": A deep dive into the fascinating history of Soviet copies and clones. The issue explores how the FED and Zorki cameras were derived from the Leica II, and how the entire Zeiss Contax production line was famously moved from Jena to Kiev after WWII to create the Kiev rangefinder series.

    "Colourful Leicas": This section focuses on the aesthetic and "luxury" side of Leica history. It features rare, non-standard finishes, including gold-plated models. Notably, it mentions the gold Leica presented to the legendary photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt.

  • "35mm Cameras Prior to the Leica": A historical retrospective on the early attempts at 35mm photography before Oskar Barnack’s "Ur-Leica" revolutionized the format. It highlights early pioneers like the Simplex.

  • "The Rectaflex Phenomenon": An examination of the Italian-made Rectaflex, one of the first 35mm SLRs to feature a roof prism and a bayonet mount, detailing its unique engineering and its eventual commercial struggle.

  • "Compur Summicron": Technical discussion regarding flash synchronization and the rare "Compur" leaf-shutter version of the 50mm Summicron lens, which allowed for higher flash sync speeds than the standard focal-plane shutter.

  • "End of an Era: Rolleiflex TLR": A bittersweet look at the decline of the classic Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) production at Rollei, marking the shift in the industry toward modern SLRs and digital horizons.