SamMc Posted May 22 Share #1  Posted May 22 Advertisement (gone after registration) Happened upon a cheap leica ii with a universal vidom finder that someone has had gold plated (no it’s not one of those leicas) I’ve confirmed to the best of my ability that it’s a genuine Leica I think a IId? But I’m not an expert. For the $180 usd I paid I think I did ok? Shutter fires at all speeds but I haven’t put any film through it yet so don’t know if/how accurate it is.  Here’s some photos. Was it worth my money and is it worth putting some time into?   Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/421431-so-i-bought-a-cheap-leica-ii/?do=findComment&comment=5805494'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 22 Posted May 22 Hi SamMc, Take a look here So I bought a cheap Leica ii. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
LocalHero1953 Posted May 22 Share #2 Â Posted May 22 Welcome to the forum! Are you sure the finder is gold plated? It looks the same colour as the brass camera, and that looks like it has had the black paint removed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted May 22 Share #3 Â Posted May 22 How often did Leica use cross-head screws in the 1930s? The front viewfinder looks wrong, as do the rounded shoulders of the viewfinder/rangefinder housing. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamMc Posted May 22 Author Share #4  Posted May 22 Both the camera and finder have spots where something is wearing/worn off I thought someone had sanded both down and plated them with something but could these area be the original (chrome) plating that’s still partially there? There is a slight colour shift in places like this Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/421431-so-i-bought-a-cheap-leica-ii/?do=findComment&comment=5805562'>More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 22 Share #5 Â Posted May 22 Too many odd details (included the flash sync connector) ... I doubt it's the rework of an original Leica body Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerzy Posted May 22 Share #6 Â Posted May 22 looks to me genuine however heavily modified, cold shoe screws have been replaced. Front viewer window is like on Leicas above 241xxx, curtain brake is OK, was never like this in russian copies. I cannot read serial, top cover is polished too much, it is possible that originally it was black painted. Can you read serial? Flash sync not done by Leica. Red Leica logo suggest a possibily that it was either III (slow speeds removed) or at least body shell is from III Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamMc Posted May 22 Author Share #7  Posted May 22 Advertisement (gone after registration) 19 minutes ago, jerzy said: looks to me genuine however heavily modified, cold shoe screws have been replaced. Front viewer window is like on Leicas above 241xxx, curtain brake is OK, was never like this in russian copies. I cannot read serial, top cover is polished too much, it is possible that originally it was black painted. Can you read serial? Flash sync not done by Leica. Red Leica logo suggest a possibily that it was either III (slow speeds removed) or at least body shell is from III Thanks for that info I have managed to read the serial with macro on an iPhone, 293405 when I search that online it says Leica II. I was wondering about it potentially being black as there is definitely some signs of black paint in places like this. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/421431-so-i-bought-a-cheap-leica-ii/?do=findComment&comment=5805583'>More sharing options...
SamMc Posted May 22 Author Share #8  Posted May 22 Here is also a photo with the body shell removed all looks correct far as I can tell? Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/421431-so-i-bought-a-cheap-leica-ii/?do=findComment&comment=5805584'>More sharing options...
SamMc Posted May 22 Author Share #9  Posted May 22 And other side Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/421431-so-i-bought-a-cheap-leica-ii/?do=findComment&comment=5805585'>More sharing options...
jerzy Posted May 22 Share #10 Â Posted May 22 293405 is inedeed noted as black paint II from 1938. And it was never a III as I speculated before, some parts necessary for III are missing, if they would have been removed than there would be blind holes in the frame Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamMc Posted May 22 Author Share #11  Posted May 22 Just now, jerzy said: 293405 is inedeed noted as black paint II from 1938. And it was never a III as I speculated before, some parts necessary for III are missing, if they would have been removed than there would be blind holes in the frame Perfect that makes sense, I’ve also figured out the coating it’s got on it, it’s been polished then clear coated, I found a corner where it’s worn off and rubbed a tiny bit of brasso on it and the uncoated portion polished up and the coated part stayed dull. And if I polish a part that is still well coated lightly the cloth doesn’t turn black and the finish stays the same. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted May 22 Share #12  Posted May 22 That's OK : heavy not well made rework, but not on a russian body 🙂 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-train Posted June 2 Share #13  Posted June 2 Some Russian bodies are ok Luigi! 😉😀 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
willeica Posted June 2 Share #14  Posted June 2 The round rangefinder cam is the first thing I would look for and this one has it. FSU copies have triangular cams. It's had a bit of work done, but if it's alright with Jerzy then it is alright with. Polished brass is about right. The 'red dot' looks wrong, but that is a matter of taste. William Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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