Leica II (D)
coupled range finder
A Leica II or Model D, this particular one was produced between 1937 and 1938, sadly it's starting to show its age.
The Leica II (Model D) was the successor to the Leica Standard, (or model E), In addition to the features which were standard on the Model E, the newer model D brought a major upgrade - the coupled range finder.
Previously you would have to either guess the distance to focus, or attach a rangefinder to the top of your camera in order to measure distance, upon finding range you would then have to transpose the distance to the lens manually using the distance scale on both the range finder and lens.
With the introduction of the model D, you now had an internal and coupled rangefinder. This meant that finding range and focussing the lens was done in one simple movement. However as you can see below the rangefinder and viewfinder windows are not integrated with each other.
The model D, had this quirkiness which carried through to the last thread mount Leica, the model IIIg, which was that the rangefinder and viewfinder were separate windows. You would focus with one, and then you would move your eye to the view finder to compose the image.
However this is also an advantage, unlike modern Leica's such as the M, having a separate rangefinder meant you could increase the magnification for easier focussing. The Leica II's rangefinder has a magnification of 1:1, so it is more like a telescope compared to a modern Leica with a magnification of 0.72.If you still find focussing difficult or you shoot in low light, you can attach a Leitz ORAKO filter to the rangefinder (pictured below is a black paint version, however a chrome version was also available.) It is an orange filter which increases contrast of the rangefinder patch.
This unit still maintains the 'O' stamped at the 12' O'clock position on the lens mounting flange to indicate that it has a standard distance of 28.8mm between the flange and film plane, this is a carry over from earlier models, most of which didn't have a standard distance.
Most Leica models were produced in higher quantities in a chrome finish rather than black laquer, but interestingly enough the Leica II (D) is one of the few models where black laquer units outnumber chrome. Hence, Chrome Leica II's normally command a premium price over black laquer. Of course they still look very nice in either finish.
Just like its older brother, the model D only had a single viewfinder with a single focal length in mind, the ubiquitous 50mm 'standard' focal length, ideally suited to the Elmar 5cm lens.
If you want to use a focal length other than 50mm, you would have to attach an external viewfinder, of which Leica made many different iterations for many different focal lengths.
For example if you wanted to use a 3.5cm Elmar or 3.5cm Nikkor (a very sharp lens), you could attach a Leitz WEISU finder (pictured below on a Leica If), due to their age (1930's) and rarity they often command a high price.
This WEISU is an earlier model with a 'flared' front, the later models were more streamlined.
