An interesting, but relatively unknown fact is that NASA initially had chosen the Leica M4 as the camera to be used on their lunar missions. The reason was weight. Of all the systems for the Apollo missions, one could never be tested because of the low gravity of the moon. That was the take-off module. To gain as much of a weight advantage as possible, NASA did everything they could to save as weight. That included the camera equipment. The Leica M4 with 35mm f/1.4 Summilux was definitely lighter than anything Hasselblad, their regular camera of choice, had to offer. Leitz modified several cameras and lenses to feature large levers to allow camera operation with the bulky gloves of the space suits. The astronauts chosen for the lunar missions all received extensive training in the use of the camera.
Yet, as is common knowledge, the Leica never made it to the moon. The credit goes to one engineer who figured out that the interchangeable film backs for the Hasselblad were lighter than the M4 with its Summilux lens. Subsequently NASA decided to use the Hasselblad after all. The Saturn 5 rockets had no problem delivering the payload to the moon. For the return trip it was subsequently decided to remove the film backs from the cameras and to leave the cameras on the moon where they still reside today. A total of 12 Hasselblad cameras are sitting in the lunar dust, ready to be picked up.
An intriguing question is if they might be still able to operate properly after all these years in the extremely harsh environment of the lunar surface.
For more info on the Leica-NASA
connection got to:
LEICA WITH SPECTOGRAPH USED
BY NASA
LEICA M3 ON ENDEAVOUR SHUTTLE
MISSION
NASA LEICA Ig
LUNAR LEICA – UPDATE WITH
PICTURES
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
No comments:
Post a Comment