This rare Shanghai 58-II 35mm film rangefinder camera is an early Chinese Leica copy. It comes with its original 50mm f/3.5 lens and will be shipped in its original leather case. The viewfinder is nice and bright with a clear yellow square visible to line up your shots. Shutter curtain is separated into two pieces and needs replacing. Its shutter works, but the speeds are inconsistent. Sometimes it doesn't operate at all. This is an indication that the camera needs a CLA, which should be done by an expert. There are a few scuff marks on its exterior (most of which are on its bottom panel) and a couple of small dents near the rewind knob. The lens has some minor cleaning marks on its front element (nothing that will impact photos). The lens glass is free of fungus, haze, or separation to its elements.
The 58-II has combined rangefinder and viewfinder, very similar to those found in the rangefinder/viewfinder mechanisms in Canon and FED/Zorki cameras. Comparing the internal mechanisms of the Shanghai 58-II RF/VF will reveal striking similarities, albeit with much simplification, with the Canon III/IV or the FED-2 RF/VF.The RF cam in the camera is patterned after the fixed teardrop cams found in FED-1 cameras, not the roller wheel found in Leica or Canon cameras.
The later versions were made without the strap lugs, and on the last version also the dioptre adjustment was eliminated, all in order to simplify production or perhaps to reduce production costs.
The "58" referred to the year 1958 - the year of the "Great Leap Forward" (大跃进) campaign of the People's Republic of China. The "58" was also used in other Chinese goods from that period, from watches to cars.
The 58-II has combined rangefinder and viewfinder, very similar to those found in the rangefinder/viewfinder mechanisms in Canon and FED/Zorki cameras. Comparing the internal mechanisms of the Shanghai 58-II RF/VF will reveal striking similarities, albeit with much simplification, with the Canon III/IV or the FED-2 RF/VF.The RF cam in the camera is patterned after the fixed teardrop cams found in FED-1 cameras, not the roller wheel found in Leica or Canon cameras.
The later versions were made without the strap lugs, and on the last version also the dioptre adjustment was eliminated, all in order to simplify production or perhaps to reduce production costs.
The "58" referred to the year 1958 - the year of the "Great Leap Forward" (大跃进) campaign of the People's Republic of China. The "58" was also used in other Chinese goods from that period, from watches to cars.
