shawn
Veteran
That looks like a I to II conversion. Like you said no slow speed dial, it also doesn't have strap lugs and doesn't look like it has an adjustable diopter on the RF winder. The other thing to look at is look through the RF window (the left window with your right eye) and open both eyes. The II had 1x magnification in the RF window so the image in that window should be the same size as what you see with your left eye. The III would have 1.5x magnification.
Shawn
Shawn
Dralowid
Michael
Yup, a proper I to II pre-war conversion, presumably by the factory. You can clearly see the two screws that used to hold the 'hockey stick of an early I so one can assume the vulcanite is original. Speed dial is of the early large type also. The Hektor looks good also.
I would describe it as "Leica II factory converted from 1929 Leica I" and emphasise the Hektor!
I would describe it as "Leica II factory converted from 1929 Leica I" and emphasise the Hektor!
flightdociniraq
Flightdoc
Thank you both!
Thank you both!
I appreciate the input. The image is 1:1 through the viewfinder, so it is a II conversion. I attached two additional images, I was limited to three on the first email. Unfortunately the vulcanite has broken into 4 pieces, a small one in front is missing, the other three are loose but present.
Chris
Thank you both!
I appreciate the input. The image is 1:1 through the viewfinder, so it is a II conversion. I attached two additional images, I was limited to three on the first email. Unfortunately the vulcanite has broken into 4 pieces, a small one in front is missing, the other three are loose but present.
Chris
Attachments
hap
Well-known
For me it would be nice to have the diopter conversion, but such is life.
Best
Hap
Best
Hap
Dralowid
Michael
The 1.5 rangefinder/diopter conversion can be found on post war conversions but I have never seen it on a I to II prewar.
On I to III it was normal and part of the package.
There are a few things for the OP to ponder.
If he is intent on selling then sentiment aside (which I do understand), I'd expect he'd get noticeably more splitting lens from camera, indeed I reckon the lens (if good) is really where the money is.
The value of conversions, unless something really special, is now roughly the same value as what model they are now. Apologies for the English but I hope you get the gist.
It is possible that the lens was converted at the same time as the camera and that originally it was all a Leica I with fixed Hektor. Possible but then they only made 1300 or so, therefore unlikely.
'Early lenses have no serial number' This applies to Elmars and earlier, think it may also apply to Hektors.
If the lens has got a serial number on it then being a conversion is unlikely.
Vulcanite. It is a shame that it is split. I've seen some excellent vulcanite repairs using black setting wax etc. If you re-cover the camera it will lose originality and therefore value...but the value is lost already because the vulcanite is split. As far as I am aware the last person to do real vulcanite re-covering has retired. Some choice!
If selling I'd sell in original state which would appeal more to collectors.
The shutter guard is not original.
Apologies for the long post, we are in Tier 4 lockdown and time is on my hands!
On I to III it was normal and part of the package.
There are a few things for the OP to ponder.
If he is intent on selling then sentiment aside (which I do understand), I'd expect he'd get noticeably more splitting lens from camera, indeed I reckon the lens (if good) is really where the money is.
The value of conversions, unless something really special, is now roughly the same value as what model they are now. Apologies for the English but I hope you get the gist.
It is possible that the lens was converted at the same time as the camera and that originally it was all a Leica I with fixed Hektor. Possible but then they only made 1300 or so, therefore unlikely.
'Early lenses have no serial number' This applies to Elmars and earlier, think it may also apply to Hektors.
If the lens has got a serial number on it then being a conversion is unlikely.
Vulcanite. It is a shame that it is split. I've seen some excellent vulcanite repairs using black setting wax etc. If you re-cover the camera it will lose originality and therefore value...but the value is lost already because the vulcanite is split. As far as I am aware the last person to do real vulcanite re-covering has retired. Some choice!
If selling I'd sell in original state which would appeal more to collectors.
The shutter guard is not original.
Apologies for the long post, we are in Tier 4 lockdown and time is on my hands!
Dralowid
Michael
Hektor prices from one of the most expensive dealers!
https://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en/leica/leica-screw-mount-lenses/hektor-nickel-2-5-50mm.html
II prices from a London dealer, add something for it being black which commands a premium these days
https://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/253...nt_model-ii&orderby=position&orderway=asc&n=2
https://www.leicashop.com/vintage_en/leica/leica-screw-mount-lenses/hektor-nickel-2-5-50mm.html
II prices from a London dealer, add something for it being black which commands a premium these days
https://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/253...nt_model-ii&orderby=position&orderway=asc&n=2
hap
Well-known
Nice of you to do the leg work....
Dralowid
Michael
You only get this level of service when there is nothing else going on!!! I will go back under my rock.
flightdociniraq
Flightdoc
Good morning, I thought I would share a few final photos before I separate these for auction on eBay. The lens filters seem unusual with their external mount, the cable came with the camera as far as I know. I looked at the Rangefinderforum auction site, my main goal is to find a nice home, maybe I should not use eBay. I appreciate your feedback.
Chris
Chris
Attachments
flightdociniraq
Flightdoc
Actually, the rangefinderforum website was very confusing for the auction option, and I have gotten some experience over the past month on eBay, so these are going live on eBay now in 4 lots. Thanks again for helping a novice decipher his dad’s pride and joy. Hope you have a healthy 2021. Chris
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
Well there are a lot of conversion nowadays offered (thanks to this thread?) - and there is even a Dutch dealer who offers more than 10 about the same conversions all in mint condition . Apparently someone bought a complete lot in the 50-ties and had them stored in a safe.
cassel
Well-known
Picked up #27484 this weekend
A little more brassy and not quite as smooth as the other two. Came with an un-numbered Elmar (maybe the original 1930 converted lens) which was REALLY hard to un-screw.
Sorry about the low-quality iPhone shots with the word "Text" here - whoops!
How do you like my bizarre body cap? "Longca" - anyone know the story on that?
A little more brassy and not quite as smooth as the other two. Came with an un-numbered Elmar (maybe the original 1930 converted lens) which was REALLY hard to un-screw.
Sorry about the low-quality iPhone shots with the word "Text" here - whoops!
How do you like my bizarre body cap? "Longca" - anyone know the story on that?
Shac
Well-known
My Leica II came with the diopter conversion but no strap lugs. So I bought a pair from DAG and got Horst to fit them. Very happy with the set up
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Gordon1123
Newbie
I have a 1937 90mm f4 Elmar which was converted by Leica to M mount in the 1960s. Unusually, I think, the adapter is held in place by 4 screws so possibly not reversible. The screws are 2mm flat blade but none of my Japanese Vessel screwdrivers fit. The taper of the 2mm blade is too bevelled to enter the slot. It looks as if you’d need a parallel sided screwdriver tip. Does anyone know if this factory conversion is reversible and/ or there is a screwdriver with these qualities?
David Hughes
David Hughes
Looking in an old magazine today (1938 I think) I noticed an advert for Leica conversions and what couldn't be done, of course.
One of the conversions offered was black to chrome...
Regards, David
One of the conversions offered was black to chrome...
Regards, David
Dralowid
Michael
Sacrilege!
Dralowid
Michael
Questions about the II syn
(in other words a post war factory conversion of I or II synchronised with a shutter dial with flash values etc)
Do they all have diopter adjustment?
Do they all have 1/1000th?
Do they all have strap lugs?
(in other words a post war factory conversion of I or II synchronised with a shutter dial with flash values etc)
Do they all have diopter adjustment?
Do they all have 1/1000th?
Do they all have strap lugs?
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Michael, I have a II syn. Really like new. I keep it wrapped in plastic. But:
It has the diopter adjustment.
It has the 1/1000th.
It has strap lugs.
It also has the modern logo, is in black paint and has M-type vulcanite.
Unfortunately I hate flash synch on these cameras. I would like to exchange this camera for the same one (also in the same condition), but then without flash sync.
Erik.
It has the diopter adjustment.
It has the 1/1000th.
It has strap lugs.
It also has the modern logo, is in black paint and has M-type vulcanite.
Unfortunately I hate flash synch on these cameras. I would like to exchange this camera for the same one (also in the same condition), but then without flash sync.
Erik.
Dralowid
Michael
Erik, so yours is like this then? Strange how they are often in very good condition.
IMG_2317 by dralowid, on Flickr
IMG_2318 by dralowid, on Flickr
..and then there was this but I sold it. A black and chrome II, quite a late one.
IMG_1371 by dralowid, on Flickr
and this might be the one you are looking for...but it is one of my favourites!
IMG_1336 by dralowid, on Flickr
IMG_2317 by dralowid, on FlickrIMG_2318 by dralowid, on Flickr..and then there was this but I sold it. A black and chrome II, quite a late one.
IMG_1371 by dralowid, on Flickrand this might be the one you are looking for...but it is one of my favourites!
IMG_1336 by dralowid, on Flickr