flashover
John K
Can you identify this one looks like a Leica II and obvious elmar 3.5. Sell stated it was his grandfathers and is pre war. Has a crack in the right view finder where looking through it. He gave me the serl as 77965 but I couldn't make that number work. Where is the Elmar's serl number? Any Idea what it is worth. I punched up the brightness to bring up the details.
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Jocko
Off With The Pixies
Hallo John. Apparently quite a lot of earlyish Elmars don't have a serial number, or may have it written by hand on the black internal ring at the rear of the lens - but I merely quote the wisdom of others, not having one myself 
.
Cheers, Ian
. Cheers, Ian
Xmas
Veteran
The serial number would be on the ring inside the aperature lever arc of movement and the font size is small, mag glass if over 40.
The Elmar is distinguished from clones in that leitz has the iris 'behind' the front cell other people have the iris 'in front' of the rear cell.
Not got an early Elmar.
Noel
The Elmar is distinguished from clones in that leitz has the iris 'behind' the front cell other people have the iris 'in front' of the rear cell.
Not got an early Elmar.
Noel
Dralowid
Michael
77,XXX puts it in 1932, batch made Feb to October (thanks Mr Gandy). This was a batch of IIs so it has not been modified unless it has a flash socket on back. Black is the usual colour for the year.
The lens is the earlier Elmar version without infinity lock and with infinity at 11 oclock rather than 7.. These usually do not have serial numbers. Doesn't look too good though!
So what you have looks like a genuine early Leica II with the right lens, a significant camera in that it was the first with rangefinder, but not that rare.
Does it have a flat small round smooth 'patch' on the back?
As to value, (I am talking in the UK) the lens is worth no more than a normal nickel Elmar in the same condition, the camera's value depends on top and bottom plate condition, vulcanite looks OK, and obviously the state of shutter/blinds and view/range finder. You need to see at least top and bottom pics. On Ebay, anything from £150 to £230 in good condition and that lens really doesn't look good so I would worry about what it is like inside.
Having said all that, if it were in the UK I would buy it simply because the II is a very nice Leica and from what little one can see it doesn't look like it has been messed around much.
With apologies for a purely personal point of view,
Michael
The lens is the earlier Elmar version without infinity lock and with infinity at 11 oclock rather than 7.. These usually do not have serial numbers. Doesn't look too good though!
So what you have looks like a genuine early Leica II with the right lens, a significant camera in that it was the first with rangefinder, but not that rare.
Does it have a flat small round smooth 'patch' on the back?
As to value, (I am talking in the UK) the lens is worth no more than a normal nickel Elmar in the same condition, the camera's value depends on top and bottom plate condition, vulcanite looks OK, and obviously the state of shutter/blinds and view/range finder. You need to see at least top and bottom pics. On Ebay, anything from £150 to £230 in good condition and that lens really doesn't look good so I would worry about what it is like inside.
Having said all that, if it were in the UK I would buy it simply because the II is a very nice Leica and from what little one can see it doesn't look like it has been messed around much.
With apologies for a purely personal point of view,
Michael
flashover
John K
thanks for the model year info. I couldn't get the serial number and dates to jive. I think it may have issues but until I handle it you never know for sure. The lens could just be dirty (I hope). I made an offer we will see what happens
John Shriver
Well-known
I thought there was a crack in the same corner of my front viewfinder lens on my IIIa for decades. Then I finally did a CLA on it, and it turned out to just be dirt on the inside! Not that any of those lenses are hard to get replacements for.
That Elmar has a serial number, I can see that it's there right above the "r" in Elmar. Yeah, it sure is cloudy, only question is whether it can be cleaned.
Black II's sure are pretty. Compared to a III, you lose slow shutter speeds, and the RF is only 1X, not 1.5X, magnification.
That Elmar has a serial number, I can see that it's there right above the "r" in Elmar. Yeah, it sure is cloudy, only question is whether it can be cleaned.
Black II's sure are pretty. Compared to a III, you lose slow shutter speeds, and the RF is only 1X, not 1.5X, magnification.
Xmas
Veteran
John
IIs are pretty, I'd shelf it and buy a Zorki for shooting.
I'm embarrassed I did not see the number I can now.
Noel
IIs are pretty, I'd shelf it and buy a Zorki for shooting.
I'm embarrassed I did not see the number I can now.
Noel
Dralowid
Michael
Sorry folks, I missed the serial number also.
Blind as a bat!
Michael
Blind as a bat!
Michael
dee
Well-known
Tired - and emotional ?
I love it !
Have it serviiced and but a Jupiter 8 for it !
I love it !
Have it serviiced and but a Jupiter 8 for it !
Victor Randin
Newbie
John: Michael is correct. The lens seems to be matched to the Leica I (c). Do not try to find a SN since it is scratched on the inner block of the lens. The Leica II is relatively rare when comparing to III/IIIa/IIIc/IIF/IIIF. After a CLA and changing the right eyepiece you could command $500-600, IMHO. Hove says 600 - 700 for body only. Nice camera!
Victor
Victor
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
I had a pre war Elmar CLA'd by DAG and was rewarded by a fine performing vintage lens. So having one cleaned by a pro may give good results.
Bob
Bob
Ash
Selflessly Self-involved
Has anyone mentioned the possibility it's a Leica I/Standard factory upgraded to a II ??
Dralowid
Michael
Ash said:
With that serial number I doubt it is a conversion. There was a big batch of black IIs in 1932 and it falls within it.
One way of checking inolves removing the viewfinder/rangefinder cover.
A camera that started life as a II or III has the serial number also engraved between the rf and vf tubes on the top plate at right angles to the back (at least on earlyish ones).
A camera that started life as a Standard or I does not, it's original serial number is parralel to the front (unless the top plate has been changed).
I could go on and on and on but I won't, you will all be bored to tears. It's a nice camera whatever.
Michael