n 1932 Leica introduced the Leica II. This camera was the first real system camera. The lenses were interchangeable with 6 different focal lengths, all of which were indexed to the built-in rangefinder. Microscope attachments, close-up attachments, Copy stands, Visoflexes, and a host of bits and pieces could be screwed onto the Leica. Truly a camera for the ages, all of it duly patented and copyrighted...... Two years later, in 1934, hundreds, then thousands of copies were being produced in Russia without permission by Leitz and against all international copyright laws. Being the Soviet Union not much could be done about it. After World War II the Japanese Optical Industry was encouraged to convert to peace time products. Since Germany was on the losing side in the war, all copyrights held by Leitz (and Zeiss) were considered null and void by the allies. And so, the Japanese Camera industry as we know it was born. Most Japanese camera manufacturers got there start or were revitalized after the war by manufacturing Leica (or Contax) copies. There were over 300 different Leica copies manufactured in the 1934 - 1960 time period. Russia, China, Japan, Italy, Czechoslovakia, even the USA made Leica copies. Some of the Leica copies are of excellent quality, some are not. All are collectible. 3326 to 3331 1934 - 55 FED 1 derived its name from Felix Edmundovich Dzerzhinsky's initials, the founder of the Soviet Secret Police. The FED was made in Kharkov, Ukraine at a Youth Rehabilitation Commune. It is a copy of the 1932 Leica II. The lens, a FED f3.5 / 50mm, is also a copy of the Leitz Elmar of the same period. 3314 to 3319 1948 Zorki 1 was made by Krasnogorsk Mechanical Factory (KMZ) from left over pre-war FED parts. FED made Leica II copies before World War II in the Ukraine and after the war production of the Zorki began in Krasnogorsk. This camera is almost identical to the FED 1. The lens is an Industar-22 f3.5 / 50mm lens which is a close copy of the Leitz Elmar. 3297 to 3302 1949 Tower Type III was made by Nicca Camera Company, in Occupied Japan, for Sears Roebuck and Co. It is a copy of the pre-war Leica III. It is also the same as the Nicca III. The lens is a Nikkor-QC f1.4 / 50mm lens. 3309 to 3313 1950 Leotax DIV by Showa Optical Works was made in Occupied Japan (see bottom plate engraving). This camera is a copy of the Leica model III. It has a rangefinder magnification of 1.5X. No flash synch. The lens is a copy of the famous Leitz Elmar f3.5 / 50mm and is called a Simlar f3.5 /50mm by Tokyo Optical Co. 3303 to 3308 1952 Nicca III-S has the synch posts for FP and X on the front of the camera. This is a copy of the pre-war Leica III with flash synch added. This camera was also sold to Sears as the Tower III-S (with different top plate engraving). This example has the Nikkor-HC f2 / 50mm lens. 3320 to 3325 1950's Shanghai 58 - II was made at the Shanghai Camera Factory in Communist China. Not much is known of the history of these cameras. It is roughly based on a pre-war Leica III. The lens is a copy of the Leitz Elmar. A relatively rare camera outside of China. 3332 to 3337 1953 Minolta 35 Model II by Chiyoda Kogaku Seiko is not srtictly speaking a Leica copy but is loosely styled on the Leica design. Negative size is 24 x 34mm instead of the standard 24 x 36mm image. This is an early version with C.K.S. engraved on the top plate instead of the Chiyoda Kogaku Seiko logo. The Lens is a Chiyoko SUPER ROKKOR f2.8 / 45mm lens which came as standard. 3338 to 3343 1955 Tanack IV-S by Tanaka Optical Co., Japan. Despite being widely advertised in the USA, the price went from $104 in 1955 to $65 in 1960. However much it cost, the IV-S was well made. One nice feature not found on a screw mount Leica is the hinged rear door for easy film loading. The lens is a Sankyo Koki (Japan) W-Komura f2.8 /35mm wide angle.