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Leica ii


fatharry

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Now you've got me all worked up. Not to start a riot but here's the way I actually shoot it, UV filter and hood, with 5cm viewfinder. I think it looks better than the big ol' 3.5cm viewfinder--more balanced--and the 5cm viewfinder is easier on my trifocals. I can see my subject clearer and have the delicious anticipation that I'm going to get more scenery on all sides (but don't know exactly how much). Still need proper period case to put on cover of some mag.

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I get a good one but it's a 3/8" tripod lug, need to figure a way to replace with 1/4".

 

Wimberly and I'm sure other companies make a 3/8" to 1/4" adapter. Their adapter will fit into the older Leica bodies but it's a little too long. It's made of brass and I'm sure can be filed down shorter. Their part# is BS-100 and costs $3.00.

 

Len

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No problem, thanks for the suggestion, Leonard. I've purchased a box-full of old cases on eBay and plan to experiment on a couple of the worst of them by carefully slitting the threads around the bottom corner which has the tripod socket and seeing if I can replace a 3/8" with a 1/4" and put it back together again without it looking too amateurish. Doubt it.

 

The other idea I've come up with is getting one of those circular drill bits like you use to cut out a doorknob hole in a door. If I can find one that's, say, 1/2" or 5/16" in diameter I might be able to center and drill out from the bottom a 3/8" tripod hole/lug, do the same with a 1/4" hole/lug and fit it in and fasten it to the old 3/8" tripod thumbwheel arrangement on the bottom of classic Leica cases. This could work if I did it right, and be least traumatic for the case.

 

My third alternative is to purchase baseplates with 3/8" tripod lugs for my ii, iiif, iiig. That way these cameras of mine will fit in the nice cases I got that have that size lug, and then use the 1/4" adapter on the case tripod hole if I decide to use it on a tripod, just like you suggested.

 

I haven't been able to get--or swap--for any 3/8" hole baseplates, so that's where I am on that.

 

What I like is the style with the high top and long nose so I can carry and put to bed my camera with Summarit and viewfinder/meter mounted--which for 50 years I've had for my iiif until, when I was showing it off to some digital camera salesmen, the threads disintergrated before my very eyes and the nose fell off!

 

Investigating this situation I've decided I like the idea of the front covering of the case to be detachable, ending up with a half-case, but I want to be able to snap the other half on it for storage.

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Luigi,

I didn't know they made a 35 for the LTM, I seen some 50 Sumilux before but never the 35 Sumicron.

Don,

Looks like you are all set on rebuilding a bunch of cases, If you get stuck and need some pointers I can help you out.

You will want to get some saddle soap or Leather New, those old cases are probably pretty dry and could use a bit of live back in the leather before you work on them.

Peter

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Thanks, Uli and Peter,

Yup, you saw right through me, I'm a total beginner when it comes to leather work, thanks for any tips. I like Luigi's cases but, like I said, I'd like a full wraparound case, kind of "classic" or "period." And above all, *inexpensive*. :)

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Don,

This should get you going on how to hand stitch :)

WIld Rose Trading Co - Leather Sewing

Except since there is the stitch holes already you can use a round awl since you only have to open the holes to get the needles trough. Before you start pull out all the old broken pieces of thread it will make for a much nicer job.

When get into it you should see how the screw is held in the case, shouldn't be to hard to swap them out.

Keep us updated on how you make out :)

Peter

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  • 2 weeks later...

I bought my first Leica about this time last year - a 1937 Leica II, and it's a joy to use. Like you, when I first bought it I used an Industar lens on it until I could afford an 50mm f3.5 Elmar - but I went for the Red Scale.

 

Just the other day I received my newest lens for it - a 1934 uncoated 90mm f4 Elmar which I can't wait to try out.

 

Enjoy your camera, they are still emminently usable, excellent value and fit in a pocket!

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