Leitz, Leica II, 35mm Rangefinder Camera, 1932, image gallery

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The desire to try the early Leica led to a number of ill advised decisions. I wanted to try the original Leitz cannister, I only had 50ASA bulk film, it was dark, I only loaded a short length and at least half the roll was shot using a later chrome plated 35mm Elmar. Then I processed it in a period tank of dubious quality.

22 out of the 24 roll confirmed that the camera is free of leaks and that the shutter speeds are okay. Well the ones I used, given the film speed and lighting conditions I managed to get myself into I was mostly using the lens at the maximum aperture at 20th or 40th sec. A corner of the stair well at he National Gallery, London.

This was on B setting, hand held for roughly half a second. I just liked all the different geometric shapes formed by the architectural features. The camera is light tight, the Leitz cannister works fine so that's two major hurdles out of the way.

View towards St pauls, London from South Bank

Killing time, waiting for a performance of Hamlet in the National Theatre to start and concluding the series of long exposures was this one minute exposure along the Thames, stopped down a bit this time... but I forget what I chose.

Looking west into november sun across The Solent

This time the shutter finally got a proper airing at 1/100th. The lens used here is a chrome 35mm Elmar, and I don't think it's matched to the body well as it seems to have focussed short, but shot at f/16 disguises it quite well. A correct era Leitz yellow filter was attached for this.

Compared to many contemporaries from the early 1930s, this Leica II is a Joy to use, and has to be judged in that context, it's quick to set up and shoot, compact, light and capable. Precisely what the designer intended.

Same lens and filter combination with f/16 chosen again but reduced exposure by going to 1/200th. Altering the aperture with a filter screwed to the front is a faff due to the aperture setting ring being inaccessible. Although the 35mm Elmar only goes down to f/19.

Next time out I'll try some regular daylight with the standard lens, I suspect the 35mm Elmar is best suited to the Leica III or the Chrome Leica II.

Anyway it looks promising, I processed the film on the contrasty side knowing that most of the film was shot under low light and the resulting images here are pretty much as I envisioned.

I was captivated by this low cloud as it drifted northwards up The Solent on 14th November 2025 and waited for it to enter the light patch behind with all those streaks producing a strong triangular composition.