Leica II - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Leica II

1932

Early Black and Nickel model

E. Leitz G.M.B.H.

Wetzlar

Germany

Image of Leica II Early Black and Nickel model

Lens:
f3.5, 50 mm Elmar, iris diaphragm to f18, continental iris scale. Depth-of-field scale. Screw mount. Serial no. 95411 .

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1/20 - 1/500, Z. Speeds are varied by delaying the second blind.

Construction:
Vulcanite covered metal body.

Format:
36, 24 x 36 mm exposures on 35 mm cine film held in cassette, film is re-wound into cassette.

Focusing:
Helical, scale to 3.5 feet.

Attributes:
Coupled rangefinder, swing prism type, double image. Direct-vision (lens/lens) view-finder.
Auto-stop on film advance coupled to shutter. Film advance tensions shutter. Exposure counter.

Identification:
All early points listed below. 11 o'clock infinity release on lens.

Serial Number:
94102 (1932) .

Notes:
Produced in the first batch.

With:

  • Lens cap. Ever-ready case version without retaining screw. 2 cassettes one in tin. Red box for lens.
  • Filters, 19 mm screw fitting: Yellow 0. Yellow 1, in red box, white lettering.
  • Angular finder. Early type with large eye-cup.
  • "Directions for Model II" - instruction book d. Jan 1933.
  • Copying device for 1:1 reproduction (BELUN). Early model marked 'Elmar'. In box.
  • "Auxiliary Reproduction Devices" - pamphlet d. May 1932.

Code Names:
LYKUP - Camera. ESNAR - ERC. FILCA - Cassette. FIRHE - Yellow filter 1 (intr. 1931). FIXTA - Yellow filter 0 (intr. 1931). List 7280 - "Directions for Model II". BELUN - Copying device. (intr. 1932). List 7207 - "Auxiliary reproduction devices". WINTU - Angular finder. (intr. 1933).

Leica II

Later Black and Nickel model

1933

E. Leitz G.M.B.H.

Wetzlar

Germany

Image of Leica II Later Black and Nickel model

Lens:
f3.5, 50mm Elmar, iris diaphragm to f18. Depth-of-field scale. Screw mount. Serial no. 233453 (1934).

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1/20 - 1/500, Z. Speeds are varied by delaying the second blind.

Construction:
Vulcanite covered metal body.

Format:
36, 24 x 36 mm exposures on 35 mm cine film held in cassette, film is re-wound into cassette.

Focusing:
Helical, scale to 3.5 feet.

Attributes:
Coupled rangefinder, swing prism type, double image. Direct-vision (lens/lens) view-finder.
Auto-stop on film advance coupled to shutter. Film advance tensions shutter. Exposure counter.

Identification:
Small shutter dial. Angular speed dial housing. Large retaining pin to base.

Serial Number:
192871 (1936) .

With:

  • Ever-ready case.
  • Slow speed timer. For speeds of 1 - 1/8s. Black/nickel finish. In red box.
  • Panoramic head. Version with interchangeable ring. With 5 cm ring. For up to 10 exposures horizontal and 14 vertical. Nickel finish.
  • Tripod head with spring catch. Nickel finish.
  • Angle Bracket. Long base model with strap lug cut-out. Square accessory shoe.
  • Filter, 19 mm screw fitting: Yellow 1.

Code Names:
ABOOT - Camera. ESNAR - ERC. HEBOO - Slow speed timer (intr. 1935). FARUX - Panoramic head (intr. c. 1933). SDOOG - Tripod head (intr. 1936). FIAVI - Angle Bracket. FIRHE - filter.

Leica II

Later Chrome model

1933

E. Leitz G.M.B.H.

Wetzlar

Germany

Image of Leica II Later Chrome model

Lens:
f2, 50mm Summar, iris diaphragm to f12.5. Depth-of-field scale. Screw mount. Serial no. 419297 (1938).

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1/20 - 1/500, Z. Speeds are varied by delaying the second blind.

Construction:
Vulcanite covered metal body.

Format:
36, 24 x 36 mm exposures on 35 mm cine film held in cassette, film is re-wound into cassette.

Focusing:
Helical to 1 metre.

Attributes:
Coupled rangefinder, swing prism type, double image. Direct-vision (lens/lens) view-finder.
Auto-stop on film advance coupled to shutter. Film advance tensions shutter. Exposure counter.

Serial Number:
279229 (1938) .

Notes:
Distributors name engraved on base plate: Lutz Ferrardo & Cie. Rio de Janeiro. Sao Paulo. Import stamp inside base plate.
Album manufactured by F. Howard Doulton & Co. Ltd 73/75 Minories London. E.C.3.

With:

  • f4, 9 cm Elmar, iris diaphragm to f36. Helical focusing to 1 metre. Depth-of-field scale. Black plastic container. Serial no. 221169 (1934).
  • f4.5, 13.5 cm Hektor, iris diaphragm to f36. Helical focusing to 1.5 metre. Depth-of-field scale. Serial no. 415118 (1937).
  • Universal finder. Red box.
  • Reflecting (waist-level) finder. Late model with accessory shoe. Box.
  • Filters, large screw fitting: Yellow 1. Yellow 2. Green.
  • Orange view-finder filter. Three cassettes.
  • Lens hood for Summar.
  • Adjustable lens hood FIKUS for 3.5 - 13.5 cm lenses.
  • Delayed action release, giving delay of 12 - 15s.
  • Auxiliary Close-up device BEHOO. For 5 cm lens giving magnification ratios of 1:1.5, 1:2, 1:3, using extension tubes. Comprises: clamping ring, 4 legs, 3 extension tubes.
  • Intermediate ring. For fitting Elmar close-up lenses on a Summar.
  • Weston Leicameter. Model 650. Film speeds: 8 - 35 Scheiner. Apertures: f1.5 - f36. Shutter speeds: 64s - 1/1000.
  • "Auxiliary Reproduction Devices" - pamphlet d. March 1936. "Copying Equipment for use in conjunction with the Leica" - pamphlet d. March 1935. "Filters" - pamphlet d. Nov 1938. "Delayed Action Release" - pamphlet d. Sep 1938.
  • "First Principles for Leica Users" - pamphlet d. Nov 1935, James A. Sinclair retail label. "Directions Part I" - instruction book d. June 1937. "Handle the Leica" - booklet, E. Leitz London d. August 1938. "Leica Accessories" - pamphlet d. May 1937. Leica General Cat. 4th Ed. London d. 1938. "Special View-finders" - pamphlet d. Sep 1938.
  • Leica Negative Album. Leica logo on front cover, 108 film strip sleeves for 4 negatives with index sheets to record exposures.
  • Pigskin outfit case. For 3.5, 9 and 13.5 cm lenses, filters, Leicameter, lens hoods, cassettes and other accessories. This is a type of case sold by Wallace Heaton and others known as a Tray type.
  • Rotating Stage Plate
  • Rotating Stage Plate OORES. Fixings to allow two lenses to be fitted at the same time, slide-in fitting with locking stud for the focusing magnifier. The ground glass screen has a central clear circle with lines forming a square. This example is from around 1937, it has fixings for two lenses but still has the slide-in fitting for the magnifier.
  • Helical focusing mount for Summar when fitted to OORES, ZWOOTU-HESUM.
  • Short focusing mount for 13.5 cm Hektor when fitted to OORES, (COOHS intr. 1938).
  • Set of extension tubes for use with OORES: Intermediate rings B BOOXZ, M 1:2 MOOBG, M 1:1.5 MOODH, M 1:1 MOOGW.
  • Right-angle finder LOOGI.

Code Names:
ABOOT - Camera. HEFAR - 13.5 cm lens. FBXOO - Green filter (intr. 1935). FIOOC - Yellow 1 filter (intr. 1935). FAVOO - Yellow 2 filter (intr. 1935). SOOMP - Lens hood (intr. 1936). FIKUS - Lens hood. APDOO - Delayed action release. ORAKO - Orange view-finder filter. BEHOO - Auxiliary Close-up device. OORES - Rotating Stage Plate. LOOGI - Right-angle finder. BOOXZ - Intermediate ring B. MOOBG - ring M 1:2. MOODH - M 1:1.5. MOOGW - M 1:1. VMCOO - Intermediate ring. 7613 - "Filters". 7806 - "Delayed Action Release". 7485 - "Copying Equipment for use in conjunction with the Leica".

The Model II is the first coupled rangefinder Leica; it remained in production until 1948. The finish was either black and nickel, black and chrome or chrome. Early models show some variations compared to later models:

  • Large speed dial (15.5 mm diameter).
  • Yellow filter over one rangefinder window.
  • Indent around speed dial housing which is also curved rather than angular.
  • Additionally the early Elmar lens has an 11 o'clock infinity release catch.

The price in 1932 was £22.

Panoramic Head FARUX
The FARUX panoramic head replaced the earlier FIAMA. The newer model had interchangeable rings for different lenses. A number of accessories could be used with the panoramic head:

  • Angle bracket - FIAVI.
  • Case level (spirit level) - DOOLU or FIBLA.
  • Ball-jointed tripod head - FIAKU or KGOON.
  • Curved lateral holder, to protect the base plate of the camera - VEZUK.
  • Tripod head with spring catch - SDOOG.

Angle bracket FIAVI
The Angle bracket was used to align the lens over the centre of the panoramic head. The FIAVI was introduced in 1929, early versions had a rounded accessory shoe and a base length of 97 mm. With the introduction of strap lugs on cameras (1933) a cut-out was introduced in the base, the length remained the same. A longer base model, 110 mm, was later introduced. On some versions the alignment is not correct as the socket for the panoramic head is not in line with the lens.

Copying device for 1:1 reproduction BELUN
The BELUN was introduced in 1932 for use with the 5 cm Elmar. It comprised a base plate with a 36 x 24 mm cut-out, three supporting legs attached to a collar that fitted to the lens and an extension tube. Similar models were made for the 3.5 cm Elmar BEINS, 5 cm Summar BESUM and the 5 cm Summitar BELUN-HESUM.

Auxiliary Close-up device BEHOO
The BEHOO unit was especially useful when photographing books, coins and other flat objects. In use one of the 3 tubes is screwed between the lens and the camera. The clamping ring attaches to the front of the lens and the legs screw into the clamping ring. Around the ring are positions for the legs marked 1.5, 2, 3, V, these correspond to the tube in use (V was the position for using close-up lenses on the BEOOY). The legs have sets of yellow and white rings painted on them, yellow is for the Summar lens, white is for the Elmar and Hektor. The legs are extended to the appropriate ring, these are marked for each of the extension tubes, the 1.5 tube requiring the shortest extension.

Older models of BEHOO, then known as BEMAR, had only the white rings for the Elmar.

Rotating Stage Plate OORES
This allowed the image to be focused and composed using a ground glass screen, by rotating the plate the screen could rapidly be replaced by the camera. It was introduced in 1934 as part of the Universal Copying Device but could also be used on a dedicated stand or tripod. Accessories for use with the OORES were:
  • Stand SPOOV.
  • Focusing mount for 5 cm lenses ZWTOO and ZWTOO-HESUM.
  • Short focusing mount for: 7.3 cm Hektor COOAB; 9 cm Elmar COOED; 9 cm Thambar COOTL; 13.5 cm Hektor COOHS.
  • Intermediate tube for 20 cm Telyt MOORB.
  • Intermediate rings B BOOXZ, M 1:2 MOOBG, M 1:1.5 MOODH, M 1:1 MOOGW.
  • Focusing magnifier, slide-in fitting: 5x LOOCG; 5x with large field LOOFV; 30x LOOHW.
  • Focusing magnifier, slide-in fitting, eye-piece at right-angle, large field LOOGI.
  • Focusing magnifier, bayonet fitting: 5x LGCOO; 5x with large field LVFOO; 30x LWHOO.
  • Focusing magnifier, bayonet fitting eye-piece at right-angle LKIOO.

The focusing magnifiers and some of the other accessories were used with other Leica equipment.

Some (? early) slide-in finders have a circular fitting, others have a small sector cut off the rim, this matches a stud found on some models of the OORES. The finder slides in and is twisted to give a lose a lock.

Early versions of the OORES had a mount for only one lens, around 1937 an additional mount allowed two lenses to be fitted at the same time. Around 1938 the original slide-in fitting for the finder was replaced by a bayonet fitting.

References & Notes:
Leica shutter. BP 371252/1932. BP 379954/1932. BP 383233/1932. BP 383911/1932. BJA 1933, pp. 268, 514. Phot. Journal 5/1932, p. xix (drawing of lens). Leica Cat. 1933. Leica Cat. 1936. Leica Cat. NY, 1939. Hasbroeck, Leica. Minit&Cine 1938, p. 225, BJA 1938, p. 272 (Wallace Heaton outfit case).

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