Thomas H Burnside's Page

Hello Thomas,

Very interesting to hear about your motor racing use for your Leica 250 Reporter - IRONICALLY I bought this one, as a pre war motor racing historian, to photograph vintage motor/motorcycle racing - as my old friend won the very first Grand Prix in Enland for Scuderia Ferrari at Donington Park in 1936 ............. and I have been the Chairman of the Donington Par Pre War Racers Association for the last twelve years - organising monthly outings/lunches for them.

My 250 Reporter, is presently ALSO fitted with a Visoflex II to enable the use of telephoto lenses! BUT on investigating further - I'm reluctant to use it, if it perhaps turns out to be a prototype, and part of Leica history ........ so in a way I will be happier if it's NOT because then I can then use it.

BUT it is so well made - it's something of an enigma. See my latest photographs/comments for Michael Prichard's reference.

Were you a professional motor racing photographer?

I have obviously known some of the pre war racers, but have met some of the post war racers through my connections with today's Donington Park - Tony Brooks, Stirling Moss etc

and also have connections with contemporary Formula One racing (my late old friend (94) mentioned on 'My Page' ref: biography of George Brough/Lawrence of Arabia' was a great friend of Murray Walker's father, Graham )........... and a couple of the F1 teams.

Thanks for taking the trouble to contact me - the 250 Reporter is a bit of a handful BUT better than missing shots - while changing films!! I should like to hear more of your experiences with the 250 Reporter.

Best regards,

Alan.