Leica M2

1958

E. Leitz G.M.B.H.

Wetzlar

West Germany

Lens:

f2, 5 cm Summicron, iris diaphragm to f16. Bayonet mount. Removable lens-head. Serial no. 1606206 (1958).

Shutter:

Focal-plane speeded 1 - 1/1000, B, T. Speeds are varied by delaying the second blind. Flash synchronisation.

Construction:

Vulcanite covered metal body.

Format:

36, 24 x 36 mm exposures on 35 mm film held in cassette.

Focusing:

Helical, scale to 3' 4" and 19" in close-up mode.

Attributes:

Coupled rangefinder, swing prism type, double image. Direct-vision (lens/lens) view-finder, frame outlines for 35 mm, 50 mm and 90 mm lenses.
Auto-stop on film-advance coupled to shutter. Film-advance tensions shutter.
Exposure counter. Removable close-up eye-piece for use when lens is in close-up mode.

Identification:

Early model with button re-wind setting and no delayed action.

Serial Number:

929487 (1958) .

With:

f3.5, 65 mm Elmar, iris diaphragm to f22 with click-stops. Lens head for use with Visoflex 11 via OTZFO focusing mount, focus to 13.2" with OTZFO. E41 filter size. Fits onto Bellows 11 via 16558 ring. Serial no. 2288367.
f4, 9 cm Elmar, manual iris to f32. Focus to 3 feet. Depth of field scale. E39 filter size. With Lens cap. Plastic case. Serial no. 1573156 (1958).
f3.5, 3.5 cm Summaron, manual click-stop iris. Focus to 3' 4". Depth of field scale. E39 filter size. Screw mount with screw-bayonet adapter. With Lens cap, rear cap. Plastic case. Serial no. 1519946 (1957).
Lens cap for Summicron.; Close-focus eye-piece for Summicron. In case.
Amateur Outfit case.; "Leica Survey Catalogue & Price List" d. march 1960. London.
Visoflex 11.; 90 degree, 4x magnification, prism viewing head for Visoflex.
Helical 'Universal Focusing Mount' (OTZFO) for 65 mm Elmar and 13.5 cm Hektor on Visoflex 11. In box.
Helical focusing mount (OUAGO) for 9 cm Elmar on Visoflex 11. Scaled Infinity to 3' 4".
Connector to fit 13.5 cm Hektor lens head to OTZFO. In box.
Connector to fit 20 cm and 13.5 cm lenses in short mounts to Visoflex 11.
Connector to fit 5 cm and 35 mm lenses to Visoflex 11. Gives 1:1 with 5 cm lenses and 1.4:1 with 35 mm lenses with Visoflex 11.
Extension tube for close-focus with the Universal Focusing Mount. (OTRPO).
15 mm extension tube for 20 cm on Visoflex 11.
9 mm extension tube (OTQNO) for 9 cm lens and OUAGO.
Pamphlet "Visoflex 11" c.1963.
Bellows 11. With main 16558 ring. Extension scale: 0 - 95 mm, Magnification scale for 9 cm lens: 0 - 1.; Exposure factor scale: 1 - 4. Incorporates a focusing stage.
Adapter to fit lens head of 5 cm Summicron to Bellows 11.; Pamphlet "Focusing Bellows 11 for Visoflex 11 and 111".
Focoslide. Late model for 51 mm "N" thread.
Four, 26 mm "N" extension tubes.
5x vertical magnifier for Focoslide. Version with shorter body, compact eye-piece optics and straight knurling.
Aperture setting ring for f2 Summicron. Scaled f2 - f16.;Aperture setting ring for f2.8 Elmar. Scaled f2.8 - f16.
Filter ring for E39 filters on Aperture setting ring.
Leica meter MC. Metrawatt. Nürnberg. Iris scale: f1.5 - f16. Shutter scale 120s - 1/1000. Film speed scale: 7 - 34 DIN, 6 - 1000 ASA.; Case.; MC meter booster cell.

The M2 was introduced as a cheaper option to the M3. This is an early model M2, later a delayed action was fitted and the rewind button was replaced by a lever.

The outfit case carries the camera with standard lens attached, a long focus lens of either 9 cm or 13.5 cm lens, a 3.5 cm lens, close-up eye-piece, 3 filters and other small items.

Code Names:

KNOOG - Camera.; COONH - Close-focus eye-piece.; METRA - Leica meter MC.; EDOOF- Leica meter case.; MBOOW-C - MC meter booster cell.; 14820 - Amateur Outfit case.; OCLOM - Visoflex 11.; OTXBO - 90 degree finder for Visoflex.; OTZFO - Focusing mount for 65 mm and 13.5 cm lenses on Visoflex 11.; OUAGO - Focusing mount for 9 cm lens on Visoflex 11.; OTSRO - Connects 13.5 cm lens head to OTZFO.; OUBIO - Connector for 20 cm and 13.5 cm lenses in short mounts to Visoflex 11.; OUFRO - Connector for 5 cm and 35 mm lenses with Visoflex 11.; OTRPO - Extension tube for the OTZFO.; MOOSP - Close-up tube for 20 cm on Visoflex 11.; OTQNO - Close-up tube for 9 cm lens and OUAGO.; OOTGU - Focoslide.; VWOOH - "N" extension tube.; LVFOO - 5x magnifier for Focoslide.; VTROO - Aperture setting ring for Summicron.; VTOOX - Aperture setting ring for Elmar.; 16614 - Filter ring for E39 filters .; 16556 - Bellows 11.; 16558 - Main adapter ring.; DMUOO - Adapter to fit lens head of 5 cm Summicron to Bellows 11.

References & Notes:

Hasbroeck, Leica.

Early Photography