When was this I converted to II?

[goamules]

I just got it. The seller put the camera in the leather case, and stuffed it into a tiny USPS letterbox size box. No bubble wrap, no nothing. Sheeze.

I'm pretty happy, the black paint is in much better condition than I thought, and the Hektor looks cleanable. It's too dark in my house to tell if it's got nickel or chrome fittings and lens. Both the camera and lens' serial numbers match up to 1930.

Terrible lighting in my house, but here's the first picture.

 

[Livesteamer]

Lovely. Glad you got it. Both collectable and useable. That looks like an early model II. I think Tom A. could tell us about the Hektor. The fittings should be nickle from that year of manufacture. I have a very similar Leica II of 1934 vintage but with the Elmar 50. Wonderful little cameras. Enjoy. Joe

PS Big fuss over your old high school. Reynolds wants to build a football stadium in Hanes park.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I'll second that "Lovely" but I don't think we'll need a vote on it. I bet you're still floating on air as we used to say...

Regards, David

 

[goamules]

Yes, I'm floating right now. It's a nice little machine from a very early time.

Livestreamer, I remember walking and doing sports in Hanes park when I was in 7th grade at Wiley AND later at Reynolds. Personally, if RJR has gone since 1924 without a football stadium, why build one now in a classic neighborhood? I mean, the advocates website cites a reason as "preventing having to drive kids to other locations" but parents have been doing that for RJR students since they did it in Model A Fords!

 

[Livesteamer]

One problem. My Leica II is almost as clean as yours and I'm a bit afraid to use it. I don't want to put wear and tear on it. I use a pair of old IIIc's mostly, with Leica M in reserve for when I need to be faster and more effective. I would like to find a chrome Leica II user without the focus adjustment on the rf but I don't really need one.

Other news from Winston Salem, Wake Forest University's Baptist hospital has announced 950 layoffs by June 30th. My wife is tenured faculty and even she is worried. Joe

 

[goamules]

I hear you about dropping one of these, without the strap lugs and all. It needs a CLA (jamming shutter) and I'm trying to decide if the money spent on one is worth it - when it will only get used on special occasions and eventually sold. My only other Leica is a IIIc that I got for $200 with 2 lenses, but then promply had to send it to Yousin twice, then another repairman and it's still got some problems. I'm now married to it because of the investment being more than the value, and I don't shoot it. I'm shooting a Tower/Nicca 5L lever right now - killer bright viewfinder.

I wish your wife and all her friends at Baptist the best. My sister is a nurse who worked there some 15 years ago. When the hostpitals are laying off, it makes you wonder...

 

[Livesteamer]

Put the lens on your other camera and give it a try. It is uncoated so be careful about flare. My uncoated Elmar likes Ektar. Makes lovely, gentle colors. One of my IIIc's came from e bay in a petrified condition and Sherry Krauter revived it but I get the impression she does not like working on screwmounts and that they may be more challenging than others. My Leica II is functional but sounds dry so it only does a roll or two a year. Joe

 

[goamules]

Two more in the morning light. You're right, it is nickel.

 

[Livesteamer]

Very nice. My paint is a bit cleaner but oddly the nickel on my wind knob shows lots of wear. Mine is #148015 and the Elmar has a black painted brass lens cap. I'm not sure what the proper cap would be for your Hektor. Don't sell that one. It will only go up in value. Joe

 

[Erik van Straten]

The Hektor 50mm f/2.5 is a fine lens.

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

Babruisk, 2001.

Erik.

 

[goamules]

Here's a quick one I took, first thing in the morning to try it out:

Blog about the lens, cam.

 

[goamules]

Just got it back from DAG, and running a roll of CN400 through it. Very smooth functioning. Hey, I noticed the aperture scale starts at F2 instead of F2.5, I wonder if that was done on purpose or an engraving error?

 

[Erik van Straten]

Hey, I noticed the aperture scale starts at F2 instead of F2.5, I wonder if that was done on purpose or an engraving error?

Yes, it is an engraving error. Very rare. Some collectors specialize in engraving errors on Leica equipment, so you have a collectors item. Congrats!
Very nice camera and lens, btw.

Erik.

 

[goamules]

I'm very pleased at how easy to shoot this old girl was. Hektor:

 

[Simon Bruxelles]

Those are beautiful images from a lens that often gets a bad press. Like the Summar which succeeded it as Leitz's top of the range standard lens I suspect that is partly because of age and mistreatment, as both sold for a premium over the Elmar which could not have been justified if the results were really that disappointing. Your overhauled Leica II is now a gem and i hope you'll grow to love it as much as I love mine.

 

[goamules]

Thanks Simon. I was surprised at the contrast and sharpness from the lens too. All the shots on the roll came out well, I was very pleased. I did shoot about half of the roll close to wide open too. I see no reason to use any other lens on this camera now.