Red Flag 20
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| Shanghai Red Flag 20 outfit image by diegocentrico (Image rights) |
The Red Flag 20 (红旗 20; Hongqi 20) is a copy of the Leica M4 made in Shanghai in about 1971-77 (McKeown suggests 1971-76, but the serial number of the camera illustrated here suggests 1977, and serial no. 770179 was seen at a Leitz auction).[1][2] It has the Leica M lens-mount, and three lenses were made for it. The standard lens is a 50 mm f/1.4 Ref Flag 20, a copy of the Summilux; the other lenses are a 35 mm f/1.4, also a Summilux, and a 90 mm f/2 Summicron copy.[2][3]The viewfinder has frames for all three lenses.[4] The camera is supposed to have been made on the orders of the government. Less than 200 cameras were made; it was not intended for commercial sale.[3]
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| Shanghai Red Flag 20 outfit image by diegocentrico (Image rights) |
Notes
- ↑ McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). p807.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Red Flag 20 serial number 770179, with all three lenses, offered for sale at the 37th Leitz Photographica Auction, in November 2020.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Red Flag 20 serial no. 73001 with all three lenses, sold (for 60 000 Euro) at the 26th Westlicht Photographica Auction, in November 2014.
- ↑ Pont, P.-H. & Princelle, J.-L., 1990; 300 Leica Copies. Fotosaga, France. (cited by Karl Wolf in the first thread at photo.net listed below).
Links
- Discussion threads in the photo.net fora:
- Chinese Leica copies, a general discussion
- Red Flag, a discussion of this model, arising from an eBay listing with an improbable price
