The E. Leitz, Inc. New York X-Ray Leica
Longtime LHSA member Dr. Wayne Hull details the Leitz, New York X-ray Leica in the Viewfinder Volume 5, #1, Jan-March 1972. During World War II Leitz New York crafted a modified Leica housing for X-ray applications. Draftees were screened for medical evaluation. The camera and 5cm Xenon lens were fitted into an enclosure attached to the fluoroscope screen. The X-ray apparatus controlled the exposure time. The Leica’s thicker lens flange positioned the Xenon (set at 3.5 feet) to give a coverage of approximately 15x23 inches. A special Second curtain retard lever was positioned on the camera top. The curtain is retarded when the lever is down. The X-ray Leica was fabricated from whatever parts Leitz, New York could obtain.
In over 40 years of research I have yet to inspect all of the components fitting the camera and lens to the screen. Presumably this was a pyramidal shaped housing similar to that used with the Post Leicas for recording telephone counters. The illustrations show various X-ray Leicas. We can only guess how many units have survived. Share your X-ray Leica with the membership.
