Sperling brand reflex bellows for L39

[Stephen]

Found on Ebay, a Leica fit Sperling Brand Bellows, made in US sector Occupied Berlin, from the label, which is rather interesting as it is fitted with a reflex viewer box. It operates via a duel release, one fires the camera and one raises the mirror out of the way, a sort of visoflex for bellows. There's a manual knob as well to raise the mirror, on some it cocked a spring to allow instant raising when released.

A new front silvered mirror may be needed, seller says it's bad, but the rest looks in good condition. The back adaptor is Leica m39, the adaptor for the front appears to be there, but easily replaced if not.

Also good to use with tele lens, and macro, the brand must be unknown to most, as no other bids. They made them in other fits as well, but as reflexes became the norm, the model vanished.





Stephen

[philbirch]

A kind of visoflex for M39?

[Stephen]

Yes, with the top styled like Exakta. There is a glass screen, the image wrong way round, the knob cocks it, the cable releases the mirror. Novoflex did a similar one, Leica had the Visoflex, which could be used with bellows. Must date from the 1940's after the war, as it has Occupied Berlin on it. When the mirror is up it seals the light from the viewfinder off. I suspect a spare Zenit mirror would fit, or an offcut of a Polaroid mirror.

Stephen.

[Stephen]

The Sperling, of Berlin, bellows unit arrived in good order, far better condition than the photos on eBay.

The mirror is only damaged at the bottom edge, barely affects the view. All works well, the mirror flips up under the spring power, released by the cable release socket on the side.

About to do some shots of it, it will, of course work with Leica, Periflex, or M3/4. The Periflex can be used to set up the screen, which is adjustable.
With M4/3 it really does not need the mirror box of course.

The front and back have interchangeable mounting plates, the back on with a L39 mount in it, the front with a machined thread for L.39.

Other makers were done, there is a shot on the net of a Voss Diax fitted on to the same bellows unit.

Also the Maker was wrongly shown as Spelling by the Ebay Seller, it is Sperling of Berlin.

Stephen

[Stephen]

In excellent condition for about 65years old, light tight bellows, focusing/magnify motion very smooth. Mirror is usable as is.

Stephen

[Stephen]

Checked over the mirror action, and lubed the pivots, now near silent operation, cleaned and polished the mounting plates, which screw on via a very fine thread under the rim. These were tight, but a spot of key lubricant has worked, with smooth operation. Each ring locks an adaptor into the barrel end, and allows levelling of the camera or vertical orientation. M4/3 operation via a Leica adaptor, with mirror up, or operating.

Must have been a relatively expensive unit, made during the US Berlin occupation according to the label, which means between 1946 and 1990 officially, so does not date it, but items with such labels were generally prior to 1954/5. It is prior to the rise of the reflex by 1960 onwards.

Very usable item for £20

Stephen.

[Stephen]

I thought I recognised the Sperling name, they made Prisms, screens etc., for Exaktas in the early 1950's. The type of bellows folding is the same as Exakta, coincidence? What happened to them appears unknown on the net.........
Stephen

[Stephen]

Isn't it like they say about London Buses, there will be another along soon...... another Sperling Bellows on Ebay eBay item number:121382668658, £40 and one day to go...no comment as to the paint work.



Stephen

[Stephen]

Forgot to add the Sperling Bellows came with genuine Leitz body cap, and pre-war back cap in nickel plate, probably worth as much as the bellows are, knowing Leica prices demanded on Ebay.....

Stephen