What model is it ?

My friend from overseas just inherited a Leica camera and she asked me for advice on how to use it, here are some

pictures of it <a href="http://picasaweb.google.pl/olusiowata/Leica?

authkey=y00YXl6Q6CQ"target="_blank">LINK</a> . I only know newer M models so I would like to ask what model

is it and where I could find a manual for it. The only thing that I'm not sure about is double viewfinder; I'm guessing

one is for composing and the other one for adjusting the focus. Everything else looks straightforward but I want to

make sure there are no secrets one needs to know to not damage the camera while using it. I would appreciate

any advice. Thank you.

This is a Leica model 2, (written as Leica II also called model "D").<P>You will need to trim the film leader longer before loading the camera from the bottom, and the shutter speed is set after winding the film, by lifting the shutter speed dial and turning it to the desired speed. Other than these, I don't think that anyone familiar with the M Leicas should have any problem.

A manual for the IIf is available at the following site: www.butkus.org You need to navigate to the Leica section.

that is a leica II [model D], from 1936-1937, but it appears to have a shutter-speed dial from a III. the rangefinder window is

on the left - this is where you focus the lens; the viewfinder is on the right, for composing. there are manual to models very

similar, here: http://cameramanuals.org/

There is a neat device made by leica and copied by others that lets you trim the leader perfectly to the right shape. It's two pieces of chromed brass with a hinge so one folds over the other. You open it up, put the film leader in, close the other side and then trim the leader to match the chromed brass shape of the device. You can get along without it, but it's handy.

 

Leica IIs are hard to load even for people used to Leica IIIs. At least I thought so. Have a little patience and give yourself some time so you don't get frustrated. Also, the metal eyelet you look through for the rangefinder and the viewfinders can scratch eyeglasses. Some people put a little ring of felt over the eyepiece to protect their eyeglasses.

 

The old Elmar lenses are easy to scratch so they might be already scratched or fogged and might need servicing. Also a lens hood is usually a good idea if you can find one. Leica doesn't make M39 screwmount lenses these days (not much anyway) but Cosina/Voigtlander does and their lenses are usually reasonably priced and of good quality.

thank you very much all for all the advice, I really appreciate it.

 

Tom

This is the little gadget you'll need to trim the film leader properly. They come up on ebay frequently, and are worth

their weight in gold when it comes to loading an early Leica.It's called a ABLON (sorry I'm not allowed to link to an

auction).<P>The correct lens hood size for

this lens is 36mm (not 39mm). Lens hoods are frequently listed on ebay.<P>The Leica II is a wonderful camera. It

may be my favorite Leica of all!

There might be a problem with the Elmar lens on this one; if its screwed all the way in, the infinity stop should be at the 11 o-clock poition;

Tomasz.

 

Also, that early lens will probably not be coupled to the rangefinder. I believe its from a Leica I© which was the first to have interchangable lenses but had no coupled rangefinder. If this lens has a three digit number on the sloping face of the focus mount, then it was matched to a particular I© body and won't focus correctly on any other camera.

 

That still doesn't account for the stop being in the wrong orientation - if, in fact, it is.

The camera is a normal Leica II made in 1939

Thank you all again, she has it working now :-)