Leica M2 + Leica Motor Camcraft N-5 *

Rare outfit with electric prototype motor “Camcraft N-5”, the motor drive unit is missing the original plaque and parts of vulcanite; the function is not tested, comes with a Leica M2 body no.1108588 LITERATURE James L. Lager (ed), Leica Illustrated History, Vol. III, 1998, p. 67, 175. Soon after the Leica M came out, attempts were made to design an electric motor drive for the new camera by Leitz Wetzlar. Earliest experimental units of motorized M3 cameras were completed by Leitz designer Werner Hilgendorf in 1957, which turned into the development of the motorized Leica MP2 by Adam Wagner in 1958. Neither ever went into commercial production. What was later sold as Leitz New York’s electrical motor drive for Leica M2-M and M4-M/MOT cameras from 1965 originated with Norman Goldberg in the early 1960s. Goldberg designed, manufactured and marketed his early motor called “Camcraft N-5”, based on a Leicavit-MP with a grip that contained the motor. Only less than 30 units of this version seem to have been completed. A more streamline version followed in 1964 and was sold to TPI in California, who announced it as REMODRIVE in spring 1965, before E. Leitz Inc. purchased all rights and formally announced the Leica Motor in late 1965.