Leica M2 Serial Numbers



A visual library on selective
LEICA M-Series
rangefinder cameras
This site is a work from all. With a century-old tradition behind the proud trade name, attempting to tee off even a simple profile on Leica / Leitz cameras/optics may not be an easy task. This site will never be possible if not for the contributions from the respective online stores, personal enthusiasts of Leica system as well as individual collectors. My task is just doing the task of compiling them orderly in the form of an online visual library. This site, along with the Contax/Zeiss is a MUST before attempting to feature development history of other labels. In the photographic world of rangefinder photography, Leica/Leitz - easily can be regarded as the most respectable Icon in this segment of the market & has always remained as the ultimate reference in this rangefinder medium.

THIS SITE WILL BE UNDER CONSTANT CONSTRUCTION

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RELATIVE (Rangefinder System Resources):- Contax/Zeiss | Nippon Kogaku/Nikon | Seiki Kogaku/Canon; MIR Photographic Resources: | Main Index Page |
Recommended External Links: Reference Books on Leica/Leitz; Leica M-lenses coding in PDF (84k) Download by Leica, AG); Leica Camera/Leitz Lenses S/N check (requires registration) at Owners Support@LEICA camera, AG (prototypes or odd variants check not possible) Serial Number Ref. (Cameraquest): LSM lenses 1923/1965 | Leica M 1954/1999/Leica M/R-mount RF/SLRs Serial Number; a good article on Leica AG's path from privately held entiry to IPO in 1996. Online Magazine on LEICA system: Leica Photographie International ('LFI')

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A quick Survey for feedback on option for site construction process:
I am not sure if it is a good idea to use some good pictures from volunteering contributors to brighten up the pages.
Something like what I have done with these sites:
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/NikonF5/exposure/index.htm
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/eos/EOS-1n/Focusing/index.htm
Advantage(s): offers exposure for Leica Artists, not so boring to read between the lines but (disadvantage(s)) such inclusion will slow the download time on relevant pages and I have no time to ask around for contributing (good) photos by individual artist(s). Last - don't know how to reject a less than desirable submission judging from qualitative aspect.

Copyright 1998~2008, leofoo®™ All Rights reserved. MIR-Global web development team|aboutthis site

Credit:- Co-developed with my web buddy Rick_Oleson. THANKS to all the contributors, in particularly Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®; Mr. Liu Zan of DigifanCN®, Mr. Kelvin LI & camera$@Ebay in the form of images/pictures acquiring as well as content for their sales which had made up the basis of this visual library. NOTE: certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures, sales manuals or publications published by LEICA AG over the years and/or individual contributions from surfers who claimed originality of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from dispute except rectifying them after verification.'LEICA', 'Leitz', 'E.Ernst Wetzlar', 'Velostigmat' & other related trade names used herein are registered trademarks of Leica AG, SOLMS, Germany. Site made with an Apple G5 IMac.

Leica

E. Leitz G.M.B.H.

Wetzlar

Black Paint M4 is relatively new compared with M2/M3 and there is a chance that bubbles are not as obvious or not showing yet especially those with serial number beyond 1 2XX XXX. Furthermore, there are not many fake Black Paint M4 out there because there are plenty of authentic ones, the cost of which is more or less the same as a chrome M4. Page 18 In addition to its name, every LEICA lens also carries its own serial number engraved on the front mount. Make a note of this number, as well as of the serial number of your LEICA; it may prove to be of great help in case of loss. Page 19: Lens Hoods The Ever-ready Case protects the LEICA M 2 yet keeps it ready to shoot at all times.

West Germany

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

Serial Numbers Office

Leica M2 Serial NumbersFocal-plane, speeds 1 - 1/1000, B. Speeds are varied by delaying the second blind. Flash synchronisation.
Construction:
Vulcanite covered metal body.
Format:
Leica m2 serial numbers year of manufacture36, 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, 50 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, 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).
  • f3.5, 65 mm Elmar, iris diaphragm to f22 with click-stops. Lens head for use with Visoflex II via OTZFO focusing mount, focus to 13.2' with OTZFO. E41 filter size. Fits onto Bellows II 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).
  • f4.5, 13.5 cm Hektor, iris to f32. Focus to 4' 6'. Depth-of-field scale. E39 filter size. Rear cap. Serial no. 1647308 (1959).
  • Close-focus eye-piece for Summicron. In case.
  • Lens cap for Summicron.
  • Amateur Outfit case.
  • 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.
  • Eldia contact printer. Red box.
  • 'Leica Survey Catalogue & Price List' d. March 1960. London. 'Leica M2 for photographic perfection' - pamphlet d. May 1964. 'Kurzanleitung' - instruction book 11-36, d. 1958.
  • Visoflex
  • Visoflex II. 90 degree, 4x magnification, prism viewing head.
  • Vertical finder, 5x magnification.
  • Helical 'Universal Focusing Mount' (OTZFO) for 65 mm Elmar and 13.5 cm Hektor on Visoflex II. In box.
  • Helical focusing mount (OUAGO) for 9 cm Elmar on Visoflex II. 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 II.
  • Connector to fit 5 cm and 35 mm lenses to Visoflex II. Gives 1:1 with 5 cm lenses and 1.4:1 with 35 mm lenses.
  • Extension tube for close-focus with the Universal Focusing Mount. (OTRPO).
  • 15 mm extension tube for 20 cm on Visoflex II.
  • 9 mm extension tube (OTQNO) for 9 cm lens and OUAGO.
  • 'Visoflex II' - pamphlet c. 1963. 'Visoflex II Instructions' - pamphlet.
  • Bellows
  • Bellows II. 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 II.
  • 'Focusing Bellows II for Visoflex II and III' - pamphlet.
  • Focoslide
  • 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, for use with Focoslide. Aperture setting ring for f2.8 Elmar, scaled f2.8 - f16.
  • Filter ring for E39 filters on Aperture setting ring.
  • 'Focoslide-M for Lieca M' - instructions c. 1958. 'Focoslide' - pamphlet c. 1958.
  • Copying stand
  • Copying stand - BOOWU-M. For A4, A5 and A6 sizes.
  • Bayonet mount to attach the lens head of the rigid Summicron to the BOOWU-M.

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.

Free serial numbers

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

The copying stand (BOOWU-M) comprises four extensible legs and three collars to which the legs and camera fit, the lens fits to the underside of the collar.

Leica Serial Numbers Body

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 II. OTXBO - 90 degree finder for Visoflex. OTVXO - Vertical finder. OTZFO - Focusing mount for 65 mm and 13.5 cm lenses on Visoflex II. OUAGO - Focusing mount for 9 cm lens on Visoflex II. OTSRO - Connects 13.5 cm lens head to OTZFO. OUBIO - Connector for 20 cm and 13.5 cm lenses in short mounts to Visoflex II. OUFRO - Connector for 5 cm and 35 mm lenses with Visoflex II. OTRPO - Extension tube for the OTZFO. MOOSP - Close-up tube for 20 cm on Visoflex II. 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 II. 16558 - Main adapter ring. DMUOO - Adapter to fit lens head of 5 cm Summicron to Bellows II. UOORF/16508 - Tube to attach lens head of Summicron to BOOWU-M.
References & Notes:
Hasbroeck, Leica.