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II D or not II D...


bill

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So, the II (D) I liberated from eBay http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-collectors-historica/42321-leica-ii-model-d-slightly-confused.html got it's first outing on Saturday, up in London, fitted with my "Earley Elmar" (5cm 3.5)

 

These are the first results, and first impressions.

 

[ATTACH]68820[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]68821[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]68822[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]68823[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]68824[/ATTACH]

 

The slowest shutter speed is 1/20, the highest is 1/500, but this didn't prove to be a problem with my usual Kodak 400CN on a sunny Winter's day. I estimated exposure as usual, and shutter speeds seemed pretty accurate. The shutter runs smooth and clean, and there was no evidence of light leaks. The shot in the Underground was taken wide open (f3.5) at 1/20, and came out better than expected.

 

The II is slightly smaller in the hand than my IIIc, and has no strap lugs, so it's either use it (as I did) as a true pocket camera, or get one of Luigi's half-cases with built-in strap - for now I shall go commando, I think.

 

The biggest problem I found was that the rangefinder is clouder than a glass of lemon barley water. It was hard to focus with any degree of confidence. Therefore, it's off to Luton for a wash and brush up tomorrow.

 

Verdict? This is a deeply satisfying camera to use, even with the cloudy rangefinder. Cleaned up it should be a dream. I really liked the compact handling, and unsophisticated ease of use. I think this is about as far "back" as I practically want to go, though.

 

I only hope I can perform as well when I am 78... :D

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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x

nice pictures Bill,

lots of questions:

what film did you use, what scanner did you use, how many dpi and

did you work on the pictures using a imagin-software?

or is it just darkroom? what paper ist it than?

thanks OLAF

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nice pictures Bill,

lots of questions:

what film did you use, what scanner did you use, how many dpi and

did you work on the pictures using a imagin-software?

or is it just darkroom? what paper ist it than?

thanks OLAF

 

Yes, lots of questions!

 

As I said, I always use Kodak 400CN. It's developed and scanned in an hour for a fiver at my local Sainsburys. I use Photoshop to adjust levels and contrast, convert to b/w and duotone, and size for web. It's a straightforward workflow, and means I don't spend any more time than I absolutely have to faffing around over a keyboard, or (heaven forfend) in a darkroom. ;)

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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sounds good to me, how many dpi do you scan wih?

thnaks, OLAF

 

Don't ask me, Olaf, I'm a photographer not a programmer. I don't do the scanning. It's whatever the scanny thing in the shop is set to.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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Bill,

 

You really must stop this unhealthy obsession with old cameras! :D

 

Looks a nice one and good to see the Elmar being put to use! I really like the shot in the underground.

 

Oh, the alternative to a Luigi half case is a period Leica case which also has the strap attached to it.

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Hi Bill: Great pics! Another alternative to a Luigi half case is a wrist strap that screws into the tripod thread in the base. Out of your side jacket pocket, loop it around your wrist and Bob's your Auntie...

 

Best,

David

 

...Now THAT is a good thought...! Thank you David, and welcome!

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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I recently bought a Leica II (just before Xmas), it's my first 'real' Leica (as opposed to the Leica Digilux). What a camera!

 

For years I've preferred the heft of an SLR and always gone for large cameras that I could really grip well. But the Leica II is so small and far from not liking this aspect of it, it's now my daily shooter. In fact, I even rewound (mid-roll) the film in my Nikon EM to put it in the Leica II.

 

It's also my first real attempt at using a rangefinder camera (I've used a Fed-2 before occasionally) and I've taken to that as well. In fact, having two windows to check actually helps. For me, it means that I set the distance using the markings on the lens and then, rather than check the focus in the rangefinder window, just look through the viewfinder for composition. In the past, I've found that even with the distance set on the lens, once you look and see that the focussing appears to be 'out', I then spend a few seconds 'correcting' it - rather than just trusting my original setting and depth-of-field. With this two window setup, I can only use the viewfinder window to compose with.

 

Inserting film in it was a slight worry before I got it - in reality, it's really not a problem at all.

 

I'm so glad that I finally took the plunge to purchase my Leica II, it's a great camera!

 

David.

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...........The biggest problem I found was that the rangefinder is clouder than a glass of lemon barley water. It was hard to focus with any degree of confidence. Therefore, it's off to Luton for a wash and brush up tomorrow..........

 

Bill, before sending the camera away, try cleaning all rangefinder windows (front and back) with a O-tip (cotton swab). The windows are quite small and dirt tends to accumulate there.

 

Best,

 

Jan

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Bill, before sending the camera away, try cleaning all rangefinder windows (front and back) with a O-tip (cotton swab). The windows are quite small and dirt tends to accumulate there.

 

Best,

 

Jan

 

Hi Jan,

 

I tried that, but the problem is on the inside. I'm not comfortable taking a screwdriver to it myself, so it has gone here:

 

<center>( Leica ) CAMERA REPAIRS & RESTORATION - LUTON , ENGLAND <p> <center> Wish you all a Peaceful Xmas & Prosperous New Year 2008

 

- Terrible website, good service.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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Hi Bill and All:

 

While I suppose it is a possibility that the thread on a wrist strap attached to the tripod bushing could undo itself, it is also possible that an eyelet could pull out of the camera body, or the buckle on the strap could open, all causing a nasty accident. I have found my (homemade) wrist strap to be quite reliable and secure in the tripod thread. Part of this I think is due to the fact that I put a thick leather washer around the thread of the bolt screwing into the tripod bushing. This not only serves to protect the bottom plate from the bolt head, but acts as a friction pad when the bolt is tightened into the thread. I've never thought for a minute that the bolt would work loose. Good luck with that II (D) of yours.

 

I have a 1939 model in chrome, which, if one believes the serial number, was upgraded from a Leica Standard bought new out of the box from Leitz in London - September 1939. When the upgrade was done (post war judging by the slightly different engraving), a flash sync was installed right between the two eye pieces. I'm pretty sure it was done by Leitz. I have the original Elmar 50mm f=3.5 (a 1933 lens). The front element looks as if it was sanded with 400 grit sandpaper. Despite this it still yields incredibly sharp images. A clean example must really blow one's hair back.

 

Best,

David

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