49786

[Dralowid]

Having posted a couple of weeks ago about my exploits with a Leica I, 10473, I have now moved on to 49,786....some of you will remember that I am a sucker for a conversion.

It is a Leica II that I bought some while ago for the lens, an excellent red scale Elmar that has found a home on something else. The cosmetics of the camera are truly awful and perhaps show that it once was stripped and repainted and now that layer is falling off. Someone also went to the expense of chromium plating the knobs in a shiny finish. It was alleged that the camera had once belonged to an FRPS or Associate, lady by the name of Houston, but I can find nothing about her.

I have thought of stripping the camera and chemically blackening the brass but am yet to experiment.

This picture flatters the camera. I've been using a truly average Summar.


IMG_1253 by dralowid, on Flickr

So having given up with the exposure meter I am now using 'Sunny 12.5'...well it is October. Remembering how much I dislike Summars this picture is fairly typical...


CNV00001 by dralowid, on Flickr

If nothing else it illustrates that both rangefinder and shutter are working correctly, indeed the camera appears to be very sound. Surprised? I was...

So trying to liven things up a bit I add an orange filter...so sunny 12.5 minus two stops for the filter, into the sun.


CNV00011 by dralowid, on Flickr

A bit more oompf. Don't worry, I am not a crazed nationalist!

So now, filter plus a nasty FIKUS and vignetting sets in


CNV00009 by dralowid, on Flickr

Haven't used a filter in years, I'm enjoying it but a little retrospective maybe.

OK, so something more modern, CV 21mm f4 and yellow filter (which vignetted a bit too)


CNV00027 by dralowid, on Flickr

And finally back to the Summar to end the day.


CNV00019 by dralowid, on Flickr

Bored yet? I'm not, I'm enjoying myself! Next it will be coated Summar and Summarit on another converted II

Michael

 

[Livesteamer]

Nice!. And not boring. I wish I had a Leica II in good user condition but it's not in the budget. Joe

 

[Erik van Straten]

Really nice, Michael! Leicas are for shooting, nothing else.

Erik.

 

[summar]

I wouldn't do anything to the finish. The brassing and other cosmetic flaws show that the camera was well used, as Leicas were meant to be. I'd love to have a beat-up-looking Leica II in good mechanical shape. (I also happen to like the Summar look, but that's just me.)

 

[Dralowid]

Thanks folks, these posts are simply me working to convince myself that I don't want to sell all my old gear and invest thousands in some digital M whose longevity appears to be a question of debate.

Michael

 

[HuubL]

Great shots Michael. It shows that Leica quality doesn't depend on the cosmetic state of the gear. BTW, I don't think that the flaking of the black paint indicates the body was repainted. I can see similar flaking on my Leica I (A). Apparently these old Leica's "brass" differently than later black paint. And that Summar isn't bad at all!

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Seems original but well seasoned finish to me. Would leave as it is. Nice photos!

 

[jlphoto]

Michael,
That's a fine user II, the kind I prefer. I've been shooting mine with an Elmar, but recently acquired a Summar for the up-coming dark days. I'm considering having it coated, so I'm anxious to see your next posts.
BTW, is your rangefinder tinted yellow?
JimL

 

[Dralowid]

JimL,

I know coating a Summar is theoretically possible and has been discussed elsewhere but I would really question whether it financially sensible. Also I would suspect that the front element at least would need to be re-polished...another cost...and I don't know what that would do (if anything) to the the optical set up.

This II hasn't got the yellow in the rangefinder which is a shame.

Michael

 

[jlphoto]

Michael,
Yes, I think you're right...probably wouldn't be sensible. Of course, I'm often not sensible when it comes to lenses! Anyway, I think I'll experience un-coated shooting for awhile-maybe I'll learn something.
JimL