a folding 2.8cm viewfinder c 1934 SUOOQ
Toronto. Taking advantage of the rangefinder (no need for mirror clearance) Leitz marketed a pocket watch size extra wide field of view 28m lens – the Hektor 2.8cm f/6.3 ‘HOOPY’ in 1934. This little lens allowed for ultra wide outdoor landscapes.
Since the squinty little built-in 5cm viewfinder did little to properly frame the scene viewed by the lens, an accessory – a special foldable viewfinder ‘SUOOQ‘ was marketed the same year as the HOOPY.
To match the camera body, the viewfinder was offered in both black enamel and in satin chrome (as shown here). When folded, the tiny marvel was like other single focal length viewfinder accessories for longer focal length lenses. Folded, it likely could be left on the camera even enclosed in a standard eveready case.
My copy (satin chrome) with its own tiny leather case was purchased in April, 1982 along with a much newer HOOPY in a bakelite case from another PHSC member. Drop in to our events and you might find a sample of this viewfinder for the Leica or other 35mm cameras.
