What the HECK are these codes? I'm sure they must be product identifiers, but I haven't been able to find the Leica Rosseta stone that translates them. Any links out there than can be of help?

-- Bob (bobflores@attbi.com), May 28, 2002

Answers

We can tell you, but only if you know the secret handshake ;-).

-- Rolfe Tessem (rolfe@ldp.com), May 28, 2002.

Bob:

These are product codes Leica assigned to many of its products, but not all. There is a little book called Leica Accessories that list them all. It's published by Hove Press in Great Britain. They're very nice to have...sometimes you can find them on eBay.

Ben

-- Ben hughes (ben@hughesbros.com), May 28, 2002.

Yes - these are old Leica product codes used until 1960 when Leitz changed over to numeric catalog numbers. I'm not aware of a Web site that lists them (there MUST be one somewhere). I usually look them up in one of the many Leica reference books - Lager, Laney, Hove price guides, etc.

Specifically: no such thing as a SNOOKY. There is a SOOKY, which is an old screw mount close-up attachment. Perhaps a SNOOKY is a close- up attachment for a billards que.

No such thing as a OZWTB-SOOKY either. At least my references never heard of them. There is an OZWTO, which is a double cable release. Logically then, a OZWTO-SOOKY would be a close-up attachment with a double cable release - a bizarre contraption if I ever heard of one. I suppose anything is possible though.

Patience - it's all part of the Leitz/Leica culture. ;-)

-- Ken (kennyshipman@aol.com), May 28, 2002.

The answer lies in how orders were transmitted to factory from around the world in the 1920's , 30's , etc. They are a short way to send by cable (telegraph) a clear description of all the order in as short a method as possible (therby saving on telegram cost). In the very early catalogues they were described as such a code.

-- Peter J. Hanlon (peter.hanlon@3web.net), May 28, 2002.

Every part or componet has a number or product code. Just go into an auto parts store. Leica's system using all letters gives the impression those random letters may even be secret words since they are pronoucable. Probably only so to help the clerks and dealer's around the world.

-- Bob Haight (rhaigh5748@aol.com), May 29, 2002.