Leica II

Leica II
Type 35 mm rangefinder camera
Lens mount M39 lens mount
Focus manual
Exposure manual
Flash cold shoe

The Leica II is a rangefinder camera introduced by Leica in 1932. They were the first Leica cameras with a built-in rangefinder. Several models were produced over the years, in parallel with the Leica III series from 1933.

The Leica II uses a coupled rangefinder distinct from the viewfinder. The viewfinder is set for a 50mm lens; use of shorter or longer lenses requires installing an alternate viewfinder on the accessory socket.[1]

A mere four copies of the gold-plated Leica Luxus II were made. In 2013, one sold at auction in Hong Kong for $HK4 million, after featuring on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow programme.[2][3] The whereabouts of the other three models are not recorded.[3]

Leica II models
Model name Manufacturing dates Features or improvements
Leica D (Leica II) 1932–1948 like III but without slow speeds on frontal dial
Leica IIc 1948–1951 Die-cast body like the IIIc
Leica 250 DD – Leica II-based Leica 250 Reporter
Leica IIf 1951–1956 Similar to the IIIf, without the slow speed dial

Notes and references

The popular Soviet camera FED 1 was the clone of Leica II.

References

  1. ↑ Unification of the rangefinder and the viewfinder occurred with the introduction of the Leica M3, allowing quick framing and focusing in a single operation. The M3 viewfinder is also able to display viewlines for 50, 90 and 135mm lenses
  2. ↑ Antiques Roadshow, BBC 1, 29 December 2013
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Rare Leica camera fails to set record at Hong Kong auction". BBC Online. 2013-11-22. Retrieved 29 December 2013.

External links

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