Leica II

Leica II
Overview
Type 35 mm rangefinder camera
Lens
Lens mount M39 lens mount
Focusing
Focus manual
Exposure/Metering
Exposure manual
Flash
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 50 mm lens; use of shorter or longer lenses requires installing an alternate viewfinder on the accessory socket.[n 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.[1][2] The whereabouts of the other three models are not recorded.[2]

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

Leica II models
Model nameManufacturing datesFeatures or improvements
Leica D (Leica II)1932–1948like III but without slow speeds on frontal dial
Leica IIc1948–1951Die-cast body like the IIIc
Leica 250 DD–Leica II-based Leica 250 Reporter
Leica IIf1951–1956Similar to the IIIf, without the slow speed dial

Notes

  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 135 mm lenses

References

  1. ↑ Antiques Roadshow, BBC One, 29 December 2013
  2. 1 2 "Rare Leica camera fails to set record at Hong Kong auction". BBC Online. 2013-11-22. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.