Black Leica II, How much?

[bucs]

Thinking of buying a BP Leica II... How much would it cost to buy one with a matching elmar?

What are its variants? I see some with nickel fittings and others with silver chrome.

Thanks!

 

[Richard G]

I reckon $400-900 depending on condition and whether it must have a service. Don't buy the one in the classifieds here now, I suggest. The early ones had 11 o'clock Nickel Elmars, the focus stop later moving to the opposite side when the slow speed dial was introduced for later models. Some IIs are converted Is. One of the clues is the rewind knob. I bought an early II here and love it. The quality of the gloss paint finish is remarkable. The slowest speed is 1/20s. I've hand held a guessed 1/4s on the Z (B) setting with tolerable results. The only addition I've made to mine is to fix a 1950s 50mm finder on it.

 

[bucs]

Thank you! Judging by listings i've seen on the web that price range seems to be about right. I will have to wait and see if another one pops up in the classifieds as I reckon it would be more reliable buying here than anywhere else.

I'm not really looking for a perfect example. Brassing is fine and very much acceptable. I just need one with a bright rd patch with perfect shutter curtains.

I reckon $400-900 depending on condition and whether it must have a service. Don't buy the one in the classifieds here now, I suggest. The early ones had 11 o'clock Nickel Elmars, the focus stop later moving to the opposite side when the slow speed dial was introduced for later models. Some IIs are converted Is. One of the clues is the rewind knob. I bought an early II here and love it. The quality of the gloss paint finish is remarkable. The slowest speed is 1/20s. I've hand held a guessed 1/4s on the Z (B) setting with tolerable results. The only addition I've made to mine is to fix a 1950s 50mm finder on it.

 

[Luddite Frank]

You'll pay more for an early model with nickel trimmings and a period-correct "11 o'clock Elmar", PLUS, that early Elmar will not work on an early black-paint III, as the focusing lever hits the slow-speeds knob before it reaches the Infinity Lock. :/

Another consideration - pre-War Elmar lenses are not coated, and will offer lower contrast images, and tend to flare when shooting towards bright objects.

If this is the "look" you are going for, then all is well and good.

All that said, one of my favorite personal Leicas is a "good" 1932 Leica II, s/n 77xxx, with a nickle "11 o'clock" Elmar, s/n 99xxx, with matching snub-nose ever-ready case.

The camera is quite nice, with minimal brassing.

The camera needs a CLA ( lubes are gummy, and the shutter drags in cold weather ), and the lens has some internal haze.

If you're not in a huge hurry to have one, or don't mind buying the body and lens a la carte, cruise the classifieds and maybe place a Wanted to Buy notice, and you'll find what you're looking for.

😎

 

[Erik van Straten]

A Leica II with a Hektor 50mm is also very nice ...

Leica II black, Hektor 50mm f/2.5, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[HuubL]

Wow Erik. Your image quality is truly outstanding!

 

[bucs]

Thanks

Thanks

Noted! No issues on uncoated lenses as I previously had experience with an uncoated triotar on a rolleicord. Just a case of knowing when to use them, they are excellent for portraits 🙂

Will wait for one to pop up on the classifieds then. I am not really in a hurry and i can definitely wait until a reasonably priced kit shows up

Thanks again!

You'll pay more for an early model with nickel trimmings and a period-correct "11 o'clock Elmar", PLUS, that early Elmar will not work on an early black-paint III, as the focusing lever hits the slow-speeds knob before it reaches the Infinity Lock. :/

Another consideration - pre-War Elmar lenses are not coated, and will offer lower contrast images, and tend to flare when shooting towards bright objects.

If this is the "look" you are going for, then all is well and good.

All that said, one of my favorite personal Leicas is a "good" 1932 Leica II, s/n 77xxx, with a nickle "11 o'clock" Elmar, s/n 99xxx, with matching snub-nose ever-ready case.

The camera is quite nice, with minimal brassing.

The camera needs a CLA ( lubes are gummy, and the shutter drags in cold weather ), and the lens has some internal haze.

If you're not in a huge hurry to have one, or don't mind buying the body and lens a la carte, cruise the classifieds and maybe place a Wanted to Buy notice, and you'll find what you're looking for.

😎

 

[bucs]

Nice portrait erik!

Are hektors harder to find and are more valuable than elmars?

A Leica II with a Hektor 50mm is also very nice ...

Leica II black, Hektor 50mm f/2.5, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[Luddite Frank]

I think the Hektor tends to be rare and pricey, due to it's fairly short production run.

It was superceded by the f:2 Summar. I don't know if Leitz continued production of the 5 cm / f:2 Hektor into the Summar era or not.

Most folks ( Erik excepted 🙂 ) regard the f:2 Hektor as a collectible.

That said, if you run across one at an attractive price... 😉

 

[bucs]

hektor

hektor

I think the Hektor tends to be rare and pricey, due to it's fairly short production run.

It was superceded by the f:2 Summar. I don't know if Leitz continued production of the 5 cm / f:2 Hektor into the Summar era or not.

Most folks ( Erik excepted 🙂 ) regard the f:2 Hektor as a collectible.

That said, if you run across one at an attractive price... 😉

So i've read. I'll be fine with an Elmar. Off to hunt 😀

 

[Roger Hicks]

Well, the last one I bought was £20 (with matching lens). But that was in 1969...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I think the Hektor tends to be rare and pricey, due to it's fairly short production run.

It was superceded by the f:2 Summar. I don't know if Leitz continued production of the 5 cm / f:2 Hektor into the Summar era or not.

Most folks ( Erik excepted 🙂 ) regard the f:2 Hektor as a collectible.

That said, if you run across one at an attractive price... 😉

Typo: f/2.5, of course, not f/2. See also http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-84426.html

Cheers,

R.

 

[Luddite Frank]

Thanks Roger... so many lenses, so little brain... 😱

 

[Rob-F]

I have a II with nickel fittings, and a nickel Elmar. I can't remember what I paid for it, but it wasn't bad at all. I guess it's true, that, "The quality remains after the price is forgotten."

 

[E__WOK]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151536108573?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Less than $595.

 

[nikonosguy]

Send me a message, we'll talk about a kit for you