Optima's are my biggest passion. I had Optima Elite 2 as a child and after more than ten years this summer I decided to start a typewriter collection. Now I have Optima Elite 2, M10, M12 with A4+, A3 and wallpaper carriage size, Optima M14, Daro Optima M16 A4+ and A3 carriage size, Optima M16, Daro 20, Robotron 20 A4+, A3 and wallpaper carriage size and Robotron 20 with A4+ and A3 carriage size. Elite 3 is Optima's last portable typewriter. In the early 70's Optima factory was bought by Robotron in Dresden and became VEB Optima-Robotron. VEB Robotron closed the Neumann factory and bought out the patent for Erika than moved the Erika production in Optima-Robotron factory. I guess that was the reason why Optima stopped designing portable models since Elite 3, they already have the production line for Erika which remained portable till the end. M12, M14, all the variation's of M16, Daro 20 and the Robotron 20, which are all twins and the Robotron 24 are all based on one inner frame and carriage which was initially developed for Optima M10 model. This is a 30 years continuing story that carried out almost all the Cold war era. I have a lot of videos for Optima and Robotron on this channel, still working on the remaining English reviews, but they will be recorded soon. As about the main differences. Optima M10 doesn't look like any other Optima and it's different than most of it's peers with it's sharp edges and it's only A4 wide. M12 it's a non portable version of Elite 3 with the same round exterior shapes, but the outer body is a little bit wider than what it is on M10 and the standard carriage is also a little bit wider than the outer body with A4 and a little bit of reserve space what I call A4+ carriage. From M14 through Daro Optima M16, Optima M16, Daro 20 and Robotron 20 the design is basically the same with a very small changes and Robotron 24 is completely different exterior body. Till now I have a video called Robotron - Optima DDR typewriter family - English review you can see some of the Optima-Robotron family there.
Plus one other thing: the quality and production value of your videos is outstanding. You put a LOT of work into these, and it shows. Thanks for what you do.
Hi Joe, congrats on this beautiful typewriter. One thing I’ve learned about typewriters is , never say never. I recently picked up an electric typewriter, I told myself I was never going to buy one of those, but after having one I wondered why I withheld the experience of owning one? I have to say it is becoming my favorite.( 1958 Smith Corona in Tan )
Hey Joe, congratulations to your new machine. I can totally unterstand, that you could not resist. Me being from former East Germany, those Optimas are not hard to find here - maybe I will own one of these one day. I hope you received my letter and that you are doing well - always a pleasure watching your videos! - Danny -
Hi Joe. I always enjoy your videos. As an author of eight published books, I have lately returned to using typewriters and am 70,500 words into a new work using an Olympia SM4. Today I added a Brother AX-230 electric typewriter (in pristine condition I might add!) to my collection and am delighted with it. Given the space, money and time, I would love to build up a collection of old typewriters and find your work inspirational in that regard.
I just received a Christmas present Optima Elite 2, 1952-3, from Germany, that I really like …. The styling is very pleasant and build quality is very good! Not a ‘top of the line’ machine, but very adequate! Also, of course, it’s a great feeling typer! Yeah, it’s a winner! Thanks
Me? NEVER! Maybe my relatives behind the old "IRON CURTAIN" in Poland perhaps but I didn't even know about thus machine until your presentation of it. A real "COLD WAR" relic. A truly HISTORIC collectable. Congratulations on your excellent "find".
This is just a beautiful machine. The smooth shiny tan with the chrome trim is really nice. This period of typewriters. ( Late 40s - Early 60s) are some of the best typewriters ever made.
Typewriters. Infinitely fascinating human solutions to one of our basic desires ie. "communication", in their diversity, performance and origins based upon the latter.
I have my grandfather's 50s/60s green Optima Super made in Germany. Damn thing is in remarkable shape and works flawlessly. It has keys for Spanish punctuation (that was why he bought it).
Very beautiful and well made machine. I have a 1955 Elite 3 version in exactly that same colors and I love its touch. In my country, Greece, Optimas are not hard to find.
Greetings from East Germany! I own some Optimas as well but a Super is still missing in my collection. Glad that you appreciate them. The Optima machines are pretty underestimated (even more than Groma machines) due to being from East Germany. the DDR logo on the back of the machine, with the "1", states that this machine fulfills all quality measures to be suitable for export. Other machines with little flaws didn't get that sign and their fate was to stay in East Germany for the own population to buy.
Interesting that I just picked up a 1961 (by serial number) that has a '1'/'!' key, I will need to upload it to the Typewriter Database as I have yet to see one with the '1' key. It is a cursive font. The typing is really nice, at least as good as an Olympia SM4 and possibly as good as my all-time portable type feel, my Remington "All-New".
Joe, i have this typewriter. All keys work and is in good shape. Except the ribbon does not rise when keys are struck. The spring underneath is very loose. Any recommendations on how to fix this?
Remove machine from base. Remove two screws from top of body behind platen. Underneath, remove both brackets on either side of space bar. Then remove two recessed screws above the two front feet. Then you have to move the margins out to the edges and move the carriage to one side while getting the body off, around one side of the carriage.
Until you explained it. I didn't understand the "stencil" setting. I completely forgot about that though as a kid in Catholic grade school in the early 70's I remember our teachers having to USE them.to make copies of test/handouts given to us. The "desktop" printer and PC have completely negated the need for such things. Thanks for reviving an old memory stored away DEEP in some neglected neurons Joe!
Mine is just like yours - color and all - and it's my favorite portable. Nice work, as always. -Duffy Moon Edit: except now I see a few subtle differences, including the name branding (mine says "elite 3").
My only experience with Optima machines is my Standard size Optima M16 (those were imported after Consul ended their production of standard size machines, here in the Czech Republic), it weights almost 40 pounds but it's probably the best typing typewriter I have ever used even though the keys are slightly heavier than I would prefer.
Very nice presentation! Optimas are present but rare in Canada. I agree that this typeface is crisp and dark, seems slightly thicker than commonly seen. Your OTP entry of yesterday was super clear! Do you use a scanner to capture your typed pages? Daniel
I haven't used my gorgeous pre-'58 Elite 3 (wide spacebar, detachable paper rest) very much in favor of my Kmart-branded Brother JP-1, but aside from a few ergonomic/design quirks that I don't care for it is the superior typer hands down, it's the epitome of mechanical precision and refinement. Perhaps I'm just hesitant to put any wear on it from normal use?
Even though this is a German machine it does not have the umlaut as does my Hermes 3000 (european model) which also has the French accents and a special key for the cedille. Apparently most Germans just type the oe in Goethe and such. My Hermes also has a qwerty keyboard as does the optima. It may have been possible to get the French azerty keyboard as well.
Remember Joe this was the same "country" which produced the "TRABANT". Basically a "COMMIE" VW. Nowhere near as reliable or revered as the "BEETLE" and much less reliable too. It ran, in a very utilitarian way. Not a very "sexy" vehicle at all or as resilient as its iconic "VW" counterpart. You can see tha design philosophy expressed in the typewriter you highlight in this episode too. It works. Not "SEXY" but it WORKS!
The most difficult aspect of keeping and using these great "old soldiers" of the literary arts is finding a qualified technician to service and repair them. Otherwise? They're nostalgic for us "BOOMERS" and not nearly as complicated or befuddling to us as the DIGITAL based solutions out there now.
I have this machine (Elite 3). Unfortunately it feels very clunky. Not so much the touch itself, but everything else. Very cheap and hollow feeling especially once you compare to something like an Erika. Very unfortunate. The carriage seems to have some play on its rails (which causes the hollow sound when typing), and the tabulator set/delete doesn't seem to work. I never really bothered to fix it. Very elegant design, although I prefer the earlier Elite 2. The Elite 2 I tried was very nice actually, but I sold that machine.
Optima's are my biggest passion. I had Optima Elite 2 as a child and after more than ten years this summer I decided to start a typewriter collection. Now I have Optima Elite 2, M10, M12 with A4+, A3 and wallpaper carriage size, Optima M14, Daro Optima M16 A4+ and A3 carriage size, Optima M16, Daro 20, Robotron 20 A4+, A3 and wallpaper carriage size and Robotron 20 with A4+ and A3 carriage size. Elite 3 is Optima's last portable typewriter. In the early 70's Optima factory was bought by Robotron in Dresden and became VEB Optima-Robotron. VEB Robotron closed the Neumann factory and bought out the patent for Erika than moved the Erika production in Optima-Robotron factory. I guess that was the reason why Optima stopped designing portable models since Elite 3, they already have the production line for Erika which remained portable till the end. M12, M14, all the variation's of M16, Daro 20 and the Robotron 20, which are all twins and the Robotron 24 are all based on one inner frame and carriage which was initially developed for Optima M10 model. This is a 30 years continuing story that carried out almost all the Cold war era. I have a lot of videos for Optima and Robotron on this channel, still working on the remaining English reviews, but they will be recorded soon. As about the main differences. Optima M10 doesn't look like any other Optima and it's different than most of it's peers with it's sharp edges and it's only A4 wide. M12 it's a non portable version of Elite 3 with the same round exterior shapes, but the outer body is a little bit wider than what it is on M10 and the standard carriage is also a little bit wider than the outer body with A4 and a little bit of reserve space what I call A4+ carriage. From M14 through Daro Optima M16, Optima M16, Daro 20 and Robotron 20 the design is basically the same with a very small changes and Robotron 24 is completely different exterior body. Till now I have a video called Robotron - Optima DDR typewriter family - English review you can see some of the Optima-Robotron family there.
Thank you for the detailed comment! I appreciate your expertise, I’ve subscribed to your channel.
Plus one other thing: the quality and production value of your videos is outstanding. You put a LOT of work into these, and it shows. Thanks for what you do.
I have the same in iceblue. Found in Holland with English keys @. Very special indeed. Thank you for the review.
I LOVE all the justification of your purchase at the end Joe! Am totally in agreement too! 😊
Hi Joe, congrats on this beautiful typewriter. One thing I’ve learned about typewriters is , never say never. I recently picked up an electric typewriter, I told myself I was never going to buy one of those, but after having one I wondered why I withheld the experience of owning one? I have to say it is becoming my favorite.( 1958 Smith Corona in Tan )
Hey Joe, congratulations to your new machine. I can totally unterstand, that you could not resist. Me being from former East Germany, those Optimas are not hard to find here - maybe I will own one of these one day. I hope you received my letter and that you are doing well - always a pleasure watching your videos!
- Danny -
Hi Joe. I always enjoy your videos. As an author of eight published books, I have lately returned to using typewriters and am 70,500 words into a new work using an Olympia SM4. Today I added a Brother AX-230 electric typewriter (in pristine condition I might add!) to my collection and am delighted with it. Given the space, money and time, I would love to build up a collection of old typewriters and find your work inspirational in that regard.
Thank you! Good luck on your work, let me know when it hits the presses.
@@Joe_VanCleave I will do that! Thank you. 😊
I just received a Christmas present Optima Elite 2, 1952-3, from Germany, that I really like …. The styling is very pleasant and build quality is very good!
Not a ‘top of the line’ machine, but very adequate!
Also, of course, it’s a great feeling typer! Yeah, it’s a winner! Thanks
Me? NEVER! Maybe my relatives behind the old "IRON CURTAIN" in Poland perhaps but I didn't even know about thus machine until your presentation of it. A real "COLD WAR" relic. A truly HISTORIC collectable. Congratulations on your excellent "find".
This is just a beautiful machine. The smooth shiny tan with the chrome trim is really nice. This period of typewriters. ( Late 40s - Early 60s) are some of the best typewriters ever made.
Typewriters. Infinitely fascinating human solutions to one of our basic desires ie. "communication", in their diversity, performance and origins based upon the latter.
"COMMIE" OPTIMA? Not bad. This is a TRUE collector for sure!
You can never say never 😋 and that sure is a beauty!! I wish I vould find one here
I have my grandfather's 50s/60s green Optima Super made in Germany. Damn thing is in remarkable shape and works flawlessly. It has keys for Spanish punctuation (that was why he bought it).
Very beautiful and well made machine. I have a 1955 Elite 3 version in exactly that same colors and I love its touch. In my country, Greece, Optimas are not hard to find.
That's a beautiful typewriter! I bought the 1945 Sterling last week :) Glad to see I wasn't imaging things when I tried it out.
Congrats!
Greetings from East Germany! I own some Optimas as well but a Super is still missing in my collection. Glad that you appreciate them. The Optima machines are pretty underestimated (even more than Groma machines) due to being from East Germany.
the DDR logo on the back of the machine, with the "1", states that this machine fulfills all quality measures to be suitable for export. Other machines with little flaws didn't get that sign and their fate was to stay in East Germany for the own population to buy.
Interesting that I just picked up a 1961 (by serial number) that has a '1'/'!' key, I will need to upload it to the Typewriter Database as I have yet to see one with the '1' key. It is a cursive font. The typing is really nice, at least as good as an Olympia SM4 and possibly as good as my all-time portable type feel, my Remington "All-New".
Joe, i have this typewriter. All keys work and is in good shape. Except the ribbon does not rise when keys are struck. The spring underneath is very loose. Any recommendations on how to fix this?
Well, the first thing is to check the bichrome setting, make sure it’s not set to the stencil position.
how to remove the body, any idea?
I want to repair same machine but don't know how to remove the body
Remove machine from base. Remove two screws from top of body behind platen. Underneath, remove both brackets on either side of space bar. Then remove two recessed screws above the two front feet. Then you have to move the margins out to the edges and move the carriage to one side while getting the body off, around one side of the carriage.
@@Joe_VanCleave Actually i did everything but didn't try the last part 😆 Thanks a lot
Until you explained it. I didn't understand the "stencil" setting. I completely forgot about that though as a kid in Catholic grade school in the early 70's I remember our teachers having to USE them.to make copies of test/handouts given to us. The "desktop" printer and PC have completely negated the need for such things. Thanks for reviving an old memory stored away DEEP in some neglected neurons Joe!
Mine is just like yours - color and all - and it's my favorite portable.
Nice work, as always.
-Duffy Moon
Edit: except now I see a few subtle differences, including the name branding (mine says "elite 3").
My only experience with Optima machines is my Standard size Optima M16 (those were imported after Consul ended their production of standard size machines, here in the Czech Republic), it weights almost 40 pounds but it's probably the best typing typewriter I have ever used even though the keys are slightly heavier than I would prefer.
Very nice presentation!
Optimas are present but rare in Canada.
I agree that this typeface is crisp and dark, seems slightly thicker than commonly seen.
Your OTP entry of yesterday was super clear! Do you use a scanner to capture your typed pages?
Daniel
I take a photo with my older iPhone! But I do so under bright, even lighting.
Optimas are quite good, I’d say excellent typewriters
I haven't used my gorgeous pre-'58 Elite 3 (wide spacebar, detachable paper rest) very much in favor of my Kmart-branded Brother JP-1, but aside from a few ergonomic/design quirks that I don't care for it is the superior typer hands down, it's the epitome of mechanical precision and refinement. Perhaps I'm just hesitant to put any wear on it from normal use?
while watching this video I found out that there is a type writer for musical note ... interesting
Even though this is a German machine it does not have the umlaut as does my Hermes 3000 (european model) which also has the French accents and a special key for the cedille. Apparently most Germans just type the oe in Goethe and such. My Hermes also has a qwerty keyboard as does the optima. It may have been possible to get the French azerty keyboard as well.
I think that's a congress pica
Thank you!
Remember Joe this was the same "country" which produced the "TRABANT". Basically a "COMMIE" VW. Nowhere near as reliable or revered as the "BEETLE" and much less reliable too.
It ran, in a very utilitarian way. Not a very "sexy" vehicle at all or as resilient as its iconic "VW" counterpart. You can see tha design philosophy expressed in the typewriter you highlight in this episode too. It works. Not "SEXY" but it WORKS!
OLYMPIA? Yes! I inherited one. OPTINA? Nope! Never owned or seen one.
The most difficult aspect of keeping and using these great "old soldiers" of the literary arts is finding a qualified technician to service and repair them. Otherwise? They're nostalgic for us "BOOMERS" and not nearly as complicated or befuddling to us as the DIGITAL based solutions out there now.
I have this machine (Elite 3). Unfortunately it feels very clunky. Not so much the touch itself, but everything else. Very cheap and hollow feeling especially once you compare to something like an Erika. Very unfortunate. The carriage seems to have some play on its rails (which causes the hollow sound when typing), and the tabulator set/delete doesn't seem to work. I never really bothered to fix it. Very elegant design, although I prefer the earlier Elite 2. The Elite 2 I tried was very nice actually, but I sold that machine.
Excuse the "type o"!!! OPTI"M"A not OPTI"N"A!!! Fat fingers, "senior" eyes, tiny cellphone screen and "keys" NOT a good mix! Ugh.
2:36 Wil-helms-ha-ven (nicht Wil-helm-sha-ven)