Ploot

• Production era - 1935-1951
• Code names
  • PLOOT - Single unit, 5 x mirror reflex housing, with swing-in 30 x magnifier and rotating eyepiece (1935-1939)
• Evolution - after 1940 component parts were used to make two versions of Ploot:
  • PROON - housing only (1940-1951)
  • PLOOT = PROON + POOIM (1940-1951) - each side shown ghosted
  • ODULO = PROON + PAMOO (1940-1951)
• Type - Mirror reflex housing with 62.5 mm optical depth for screw mount (camera not shown)
• Operation - "The lens screwed into the cube-shaped body of the reflex housing which in turn screwed into the camera. . .The image was viewed through a 5 x magnifier and for critical focusing a built-in 30 x magnifier could be swung in by the projecting lever. The 5 x magnifier had to be removed if the 30 x one was in use, but its socket, which was not removable in early models, served as a light shield. The ground glass screen [vertical eyepiece] had to be used upright, but vertical pictures could be taken by loosening a locking lever at the side and rotating the camera. . ." - Laney
• Variants - Black body with nickel (rare) or chrome trim. Post 1940 versions had an accessory shoe and the mirror-release button could be locked down. Viewing screens were lenticular or flat. A micro version was introduced in 1950.
• Included cable release
  • POORQ - Double cable release with three control stops
• Available Ploot eyepiece /magnifiers
  • PAMOO - 90 degree 5 x eyepiece with reverse image
  • POOIM - Vertical 5 x eyepiece w/ swing-in 30 x magnifier
• Other Visoflex Accessories
• Source
  • Dennis Laney's Leica Accessory Guide (1st edition) page 45 courtesy of Mike Butkus

Comment

• Reviews and images
  • Marc James Small
  • MIR Image Library
  • JC's Ploot collection
• Forum discussion
  • [1] [2]
  • Fontenelle archive

Serial numbers

SN Start	SN End	Product	Year	Batch
0001	~8000	Ploot	1935-1951	unknown
TOTAL	ASSIGNED	SERIAL NUMBERS	1935-1951	unknown

Superseded by Visoflex I