kenneth Posted August 30, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 30, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) The camera serial number is 297066 and according to the list I looked at it says that 296901-297100 II, Model D 1938 The body is chrome and looks like the photographs seen of a II, Model. Regarding the lens that is with the camera it is a Summar f= 5.cm1.2 s/n 421788 also in chrome with infinity lock. As far as aperture settings are concerned I am used to model Summicrons as used with my M6's but I have a chance to shoot a roll or two of film in this camera so I loaded a roll of Pan-F Plus 50 asa and need to understand the aperture numbers which are 2, 2.2, 3.2, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.5 so does a sunny 16 at asa box speed become a sunny 12.5 at asa box speed or do you suggest I use my spot meter. I was hoping to guesstimate to free myself from carrying clutter- thanking you in advance. I normally post on the film and customer sections of this great forum Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 Hi kenneth, Take a look here Identifying screw mount leica II, Model D?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
luigi bertolotti Posted August 30, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 30, 2009 The f stop scale is the standard "old" scale with the usual SQRT(2) progression but different values... there is all a story about that old standard... Anyway the significance is the same as the "modern" scale 2,8-4.5,6 etc... : the Summar has a top aperture of f2 as a Summicron, and closes a bit less than f16, that's all. If you are accustomed to a M6, you'll surely notice that also the TIMES follow a different scale, and this makes it someway difficult to use a "modern" meter (at the times, meters with the "Leica" scales did abound). Using a 50 ASA film exposure is rather critical... but the "f16 rule" states 100-11... and you have 100,12,5 and no click stops on your combo... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted August 30, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted August 30, 2009 The f stop scale is the standard "old" scale with the usual SQRT(2) progression but different values... there is all a story about that old standard... Anyway the significance is the same as the "modern" scale 2,8-4.5,6 etc... : the Summar has a top aperture of f2 as a Summicron, and closes a bit less than f16, that's all. If you are accustomed to a M6, you'll surely notice that also the TIMES follow a different scale, and this makes it someway difficult to use a "modern" meter (at the times, meters with the "Leica" scales did abound). Using a 50 ASA film exposure is rather critical... but the "f16 rule" states 100-11... and you have 100,12,5 and no click stops on your combo...Thank you very much Luigi and kindest regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted August 31, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 31, 2009 All the standard values of the old 'German' aperture scale are simply 1/3 of an f-stop slower than those of the present scale. F:4.5 is 1/3 slower than f:4, 6.3 is 1/3 slower than 5.6 and so forth. If you are shooting negative film, then the difference is pretty negligible. The old man from the Age of Zeiss Ikon (they used the modern 'continental' scale all along) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 31, 2009 Share #5 Posted August 31, 2009 As far as aperture settings are concerned I am used to model Summicrons as used with my M6's but I have a chance to shoot a roll or two of film in this camera so I loaded a roll of Pan-F Plus 50 asa and need to understand the aperture numbers which are 2, 2.2, 3.2, 4.5, 6.3, 9, 12.5 so does a sunny 16 at asa box speed become a sunny 12.5 at asa box speed or do you suggest I use my spot meter. I was hoping to guesstimate to free myself from carrying clutter- thanking you in advance. I normally post on the film and customer sections of this great forum Kenneth you kept this quiet, moving over to the realm of us 'real' Leica users You use B&W film so you should have a fair bit of latitude. I use Sunny16 and/or my Minolta meter. Take the reading as normal and set the aperture in between the markings i.e. at f8 somewhere in between 6.3/9. I don't worry about the shutter speeds, take 100 for 125, it really won't make any difference, bearing in mind that older mechanical shutters are never spot on in any case. It's all second nature to me now, I don't 'think' about it in practice. As for the Summar, its a really special lens. You need a nice clean example of course but if that's what you have you will be surprised by it I'm sure. I love it with colour film too, lovely muted tones. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted August 31, 2009 Kenneth you kept this quiet, moving over to the realm of us 'real' Leica users You use B&W film so you should have a fair bit of latitude. I use Sunny16 and/or my Minolta meter. Take the reading as normal and set the aperture in between the markings i.e. at f8 somewhere in between 6.3/9. I don't worry about the shutter speeds, take 100 for 125, it really won't make any difference, bearing in mind that older mechanical shutters are never spot on in any case. It's all second nature to me now, I don't 'think' about it in practice. As for the Summar, its a really special lens. You need a nice clean example of course but if that's what you have you will be surprised by it I'm sure. I love it with colour film too, lovely muted tones. James it is not my camera. A friend of mine inherited it and kindly allowed me to borrow it to shoot a film through. AS far as shutter speeds go- do I set the speed before winding on or after? In the long term I would quite like to get hold of a screw Leica camera. Which model do you recommend me seeking out- thank you James Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 31, 2009 Share #7 Posted August 31, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) James it is not my camera. A friend of mine inherited it and kindly allowed me to borrow it to shoot a film through. AS far as shutter speeds go- do I set the speed before winding on or after? In the long term I would quite like to get hold of a screw Leica camera. Which model do you recommend me seeking out- thank you James Kenneth, wind on first then set the shutter speed, otherwise the speed will be incorrect (and pretty impossible to set without winding on). You will notice that the shutter dial turns as you wind on and spins as you fire the shutter - keep fingers away from it when taking a photo. A lllf red dial was my first Leica and I will never part with it. For functionality/value the lllc or lllf are best IMO. The earlier models had a different body construction (separate parts on the top plate and less die cast parts inside) and the lllg although lovely is generally much more expensive. That said I'd quite like one of the earlier models too. I think you will find it quite addictive once you get over the initial learning curve. Don't forget to trim the leader to load the film too! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted September 1, 2009 Share #8 Posted September 1, 2009 In the long term I would quite like to get hold of a screw Leica camera. Which model do you recommend me seeking out- thank you James Just to give an alternate view to James, I started out with a IIIc and really enjoyed using it - it would not be an exaggeration to say that it revitalised my photography at a time when I was feeling more than somewhat jaded. About a year later I pulled the trigger on an eBay auction for a II(D) - at the time I ilked the idea of going "even older" and didn't think that I would miss the slower shutter speeds. My particular II is actually a I that has been factory modified - it originates, according to the serial number, in 1930, and was then upgraded in 1934. So, it is as old as sellotape and frozen food... But I digress. There are two handling differences that resulted in me ultimately selling my IIIc and focussing on my II - firstly, the lack of slow speeds indeed was not a problem, and I preferred the handling without the dial on the front. Secondly, and perhaps slightly oddly, I prefer the more widely spaced range- and view-finder windows, which I found easier and more positive to switch between. I had my II CLA'd by CRR in Luton - it took 3 weeks and was worth every penny, to get rid of accumulated gunk and grease. To this day It is by far my favourite camera to just pick up and use - it is capable of great results, but does so with a sense of theatre that is missing in more modern camera equipment. You can read more about it here: Rangefound: Unplugged... Let us know how you get on, Kenneth. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted September 1, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted September 1, 2009 I am not sure the rangefinder lines up or maybe it is my eyes anyway I am planning to shoot some film with the Summar 5 cm 1.2 lens on my M6 as I have a 50/75 screw to bayonet adaptor that I use on my 75mm CV lens. I will let you know the outcome. I still think I would like to get a 50mm Elmarit 2.8 collapsable M if I can find a good one. At which point I will consider trading my 50mm Summicron M lens. Thank you all for your help Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 1, 2009 Share #10 Posted September 1, 2009 Kenneth, a couple of examples to be getting on with. 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/94979-identifying-screw-mount-leica-ii-model-d/?do=findComment&comment=1014063'>More sharing options...
kenneth Posted September 2, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted September 2, 2009 Kenneth, a couple of examples to be getting on with. Cheers James. I put the lens on one of my M6's loaded with Pan-F Plus today and visited the beautiful spa town of Harrogate where our daughter lives. We are so lucky to live so close to such a lovely town which is really very photogenic. Unfortunately, my health problems intervened and we had to cut our trip short but is was wonderful whilst there- thanks again James Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 2, 2009 Share #12 Posted September 2, 2009 Kenneth, sorry to hear you had to cut your day short, hopefully you can finish your film soon and see how you find the Summar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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