"RÖNTGEN" ("RADIO") LEICA
"Röntgen " (identified as "Radio " in Italy58 ) Leica referred to a specialized camera manufactured by Leitz from 1939 to 1940, designed for expansive health assessments of populations58 and for photographing fluorescent screens360 . This camera captured images in a compact 24 x 24 mm format, diverging from traditional X-ray imaging that typically utilizes 16" x 16" plates58 . 24 x 24 mm format was the most appropriate for photographing cathode ray tubes and allowed for 50 exposures per full roll of film360 . Instead, images were recorded on small strips of 35 mm film, significantly reducing both the financial burden of X-ray examinations and the requirements for file storage58 .
The body alone was designated with code RUXOO, whereas the complete outfit, which was comprised of a specialized 50mm f/1.5 Xenon lens, was labeled RYOOK58. The body of the camera was derived from the Leica Standard Model E type58. It incorporated covers where the viewfinder and accessory shoe were usually positioned58. To advance the film, a modified SCNOO rapid winder was attached360. In some cameras, the film advance was mechanically driven, so the wind-on knob connects to an automatic winding mechanism360. Film rewind was always done using a sturdy film rewind crank360. The winding knob was sourced from a later model, and the frame counter ring was devoid of numbering58. The exposure time-setting mechanism was marked only with the term "zu" (meaning "closed"), and must be manually adjusted as it lacked connectivity to the film transport mechanism58. Aligning "zu" with a small lever on the turret secures the shutter in a closed position, while pressing the lever opens the shutter, which remained open until released58.
The upper surface of the camera featured a minimalistic design, with serial number being denoted by "R" followed by a unique number58. An important distinction of this model was the lens mount, which utilized an external thread measuring 52 mm in diameter, contrasting with the conventional internal screw mount58. When deployed, the camera body must have been affixed to a specialized lens mount with a fixed-focus maximum aperture 50mm f/1.5 Xenon lens58.
Some known cameras included:
- Leica X-Ray (RUXOO) without serial number dated 1940 was sold for 7000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 5th Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 7, 2023424. The lot was described as "Special camera RYOOK for X-Ray Photography. First version with two cover plates for the holes of the attachment screws of viewfinder and accessory shoe. RSOOQ rapid winder in all chrome finish. In this version, the camera is shown in the original brochure. With special lens Xenon 5 cm f/1.5 No. 490650, delivered on February 06th 1940 with the note "Röntgen Geh. (X-Ray body)" to the then Italian Leitz importer Cattaneo in Genova. The camera in an incredibly beautiful, almost like new original condition. The optics with haze on one inner surface, the rear element a bit blemished. Only 68 units of the Wetzlar X-Ray camera were delivered. Provenance: Antonio Maresca collection..."424.
- Leica X-Ray (RUXOO) with serial number R5 was illustrated in Viewfinder 8(3) and it was owned by Gianni Rogliatti in 1975.
- Leica X-Ray (RUXOO) with serial number R27 existed and was featured in Dr. Ludwig Günther Groebe's Instagram page in August of 2026.
- Leica X-Ray (RUXOO) with serial number R28 existed and was featured in Dr. Ludwig Günther Groebe's Instagram page in August of 2026.
- Leica X-Ray (RUXOO) with serial number R40 dated 1940 was sold for 8575 Euros including buyer's premium at the 5th WestLicht Camera Auction on May 29, 2004419. The lot was described as "mint and extremely rare Wetzlar X-Ray Leica (RYOOK) with matching RSOOQ rapid winder (ex Newton collection)"419.
- Leica X-Ray (RUXOO) with serial number R42 was sold for 5400 Euros including buyer's premium at the 42nd Leitz Photographica Auction on June 9 and 10, 2023381. In the auction catalog, this camera was described as "an extremely rare X-Ray Leica RUXOO, designed as a part of the RYOOK outfit, made by Leitz to special order from the German Ministry of Health, a heavily modified body without a viewfinder, for fifty 24x24mm exposures, with special lens mount, RSOOQ rapid winder, lens cap. Only a few of these cameras are known to exist"381.
- Leica X-Ray (RUXOO) with serial number R45 dated 1940 was sold for 15625 Euros including buyer's premium at the 2nd-3rd WestLicht Camera Auction on May 23, 2003421. The lot was described as "extremely rare Wetzlar Röntgen-Leica (RYOOK) with base-plate winder RSOOQ, matching Xenon 1.5/5cm no. 490984..."421.
- Leica X-Ray (RUXOO) with serial number R49 was illustrated on page 73 of the "10 Jahre Leica HISTORICA: Beiträge zur Geschichte der LEICA" book in 1985595.
- Leica X-Ray (RUXOO) with serial number R52 dated 1940 was sold for 2400 Euros including buyer's premium at the 7th Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 11, 2025429. The lot was described as "Special camera RUXOO for X-Ray Photography. Second version with one-piece cover plate for the holes of the attachment screws of viewfinder and accessory clamp. For 24x24 mm exposures. Only 68 units of the Wetzlar X-Ray camera were originally delivered."429.
- Leica X-Ray (RUXOO) with serial number R54 was auctioned off on May 23, 2004 at WestLicht Camera Auctions. It was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014594.
- Leica X-Ray (RUXOO) with serial number R67 was illustrated on page 164 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book540.
- Leica X-Ray (RUXOO) with serial number R69 dated 1940 was sold for 6000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 6th Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 12, 2024423. The lot was described as "Special camera RYOOK for X-Ray Photography. Second version with continuous cover plate for the holes of the attachment screws of viewfinder and accessory shoe. RSOOQ rapid winder in black paint finish. With special lens Xenon 5 cm f/1.5 No. 491441. The camera in an incredibly beautiful, almost like new original condition. Only 68 units of the Wetzlar X-Ray camera were originally delivered. The here offered camera No. 69 had probably remained in the factory until after the end of the war..."423.
- Leica X-Ray (RUXOO) with serial number R74 was illustrated on: