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LEICA II MODEL D

The nomenclature for early Leica models differed markedly between Europe and the USA, with European iterations designated as "II" and American versions labeled as "D"313. 

The construction of Leica II Model D consisted of approximately 400 individual parts595.


Prototypes

Camera number 72401

This camera dated 1931 was sold for 20000 Euros at the 5th Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 7, 2023426. According to the lot description, "This camera was discovered only recently and represents quite a sensational find...There are two prototypes of the new Leica model with built-in coupled rangefinder with higher serial numbers, but delivered much earlier, still in 1931: cameras No. 72088 and 72401. Camera No. 72401 offered here was delivered as "LEOMU, neue Ausf. (new model)" on November 14th 1931 to Dr. Henri Dumur, the then general director of the Leitz Company. 72088 followed a month later, on December 12th 1931 to Dr. Ludwig Leitz, as "LENEU, neue Ausf. m. Kuppl. (new model with coupling)". The codeword LYKUP for the Leica II model D only appeared from spring 1932. So, viewed in chronological order, camera No. 72401 seems to have been the earliest Leica II. It shows some significant technical differences to the serial production version, particularly the unusual topplate with its different shape to the right of the viewfinder window, as well as the lack of a "D.R.P." engraving. The upper main board with four screws is engraved "Leih-Kamera (loaner camera)" on the rear. Inside, the camera is engraved with serial number 16676. We assume that the topplate No. 72401 was used at Leitz, upgrading that former model A "Loaner" camera with the built-in coupled rangefinder. Interestingly, camera No. 72401 is illustrated in many original Leitz literature of the time, such as the camera brochures and instructions. Then, with the "D.R.P." engraving."426.


Early Prototype with Long Exposure Mechanism

An unnumbered prototype of Leica II Model D with early long exposure mechanism (with museum sticker "M529"), dated 1931, was described and illustrated on page 33 of the "10 Jahre Leica HISTORICA: Beiträge zur Geschichte der LEICA" book595.

This initial prototype with a built-in long exposure escapement differed from the later mass-produced cameras in the arrangement of the escapement mechanism595. In this prototype, the escapement was located beneath the viewfinder shoe, with a switch visible from the back of the camera595.


Serial Production

Following five years of development, Leica II Model D was launched in February of 193222. 

This model represented a significant advancement over its predecessors, being the first Leica to incorporate a built-in rangefinder21. The Leica II Model D also heralded the introduction of the prism viewfinder, a notable innovation in its lineage100. The Leica II Model D was designed to work seamlessly with a range of standardized interchangeable lenses27. Notably, it was the inaugural model to feature the engraved name "Leica"29. 

The camera had shutter speeds from 1/20 to 1/500 of second and Z (bulb)358. The rewind knob could be lifted up for greater convenience in rewinding358 and to clear rangefinder housing534. 

Some early Leica II Model D cameras had built-in yellow rangefinder filter534.


Code Names

Before 1934, Leica II Model D had several code names depending on its configuration365. When sold without a lens, the black body was referred to as LYKAN365. If it included an Elmar f/3.5 lens, the code name changed to LYKUP, and with a Hektor lens, it was called LYHEK365. For chrome models, the letters CHROM were added to the end of the codeword365. 

In 1934, the code names were updated and remained unchanged until 1948365. The Leica II Model D in black finish without a lens was renamed AIROO, while the model with an Elmar f/3.5 lens was called ABOOT if it was black, and CHROM was added for the chrome-plated version365.

Apparently, codewords were not changed in U.S.A in 1934 when they changed everywhere else534.


Finishes

Chrome finish was introduced in 1933534 as an option with this model358. The production ratio of black to chrome bodies for the Leica II Model D was approximately 2:1, with chrome finishes gaining traction among affluent consumers in the early 1930s187. The trend was reversed for the Leica III Model F, making chrome Leica II Model D cameras relatively rare187.

Between 1937 and 1939, Leitz Wetzlar also introduced models of the Leica in a "black lacquer and silver chrome" finish268. James L. Lager asserted that there were 450 black models "almost certainly fitted chrome hardware", manufactured in 1938-1939540. However, the compilation by Willi Hahne, titled "Leica Historica - Band I Gewindekameras 1925-1960", cataloged these Leica II Model D variants, revealing that the production was limited to only 1,050 units overall268:

  • 100 Leica II Model D cameras in serial number range of 247501-247600 manufactured in 1937 were in black paint and had chrome knobs and dials268
  • 100 Leica II Model D cameras in serial number range of 251201-251300 manufactured in 1937 were in black paint and had chrome knobs and dials268
  • 200 Leica II Model D cameras in serial number range of 252001-252200 manufactured in 1937 were in black paint and had chrome knobs and dials268
  • 100 Leica II Model D cameras in serial number range of 259501-259600 manufactured in 1937 were in black paint and had chrome knobs and dials268
  • 100 Leica II Model D cameras in serial number range of 263801-263900 manufactured in 1937 were in black paint and had chrome knobs and dials268
  • 100 Leica II Model D cameras in serial number range of 293401-293500 manufactured in 1938 were in black paint and had chrome knobs and dials268
  • 100 Leica II Model D cameras in serial number range of 300201-300300 manufactured in 1938 were in black paint and had chrome knobs and dials268
  • 100 Leica II Model D cameras in serial number range of 303701-303800 manufactured in 1938 were in black paint and had chrome knobs and dials268
  • 100 Leica II Model D cameras in serial number range of 315001-315100 manufactured in 1939 were in black paint and had chrome knobs and dials268
  • 50 Leica II Model D cameras in serial number range of 318201-318250 manufactured in 1939 were in black paint and had chrome knobs and dials268


Conversions

Whenever new features were introduced in existing models or when new models were released, Leitz provided the option to update existing cameras or convert them to the latest model. Conversions for screwmount Leicas remained available until the late 1950s313.

It was possible to convert the Leica models with serial number below 360000 (and installing full synchronization to the cameras with serial numbers above 160000)313. The following conversions were possible:313

  • One could convert from “Leica I Model A” to “Leica II Model D”313
  • One could convert from “Leica I Model C” to “Leica II Model D”313
  • One could convert from “Leica Standard Model E” to “Leica II Model D”313
  • One could convert from “Leica II Model D” to “Leica II Model D syn”313
  • One could convert from “Leica II Model D” to “Leica III Model F”313
  • One could convert from “Leica II Model D” to “Leica IIIa Model G”313
  • One could convert from “Leica II Model D” to “Leica IIIa Model G syn”313
  • Repairs for the old Leica I Model A and Leica I Model C were no longer covered under warranty due to the lack of available spare parts313. Leitz recommended converting these models to the Leica II Model D313. Conversions to the Leica Standard Model E were only performed in special circumstances313.
  • Cameras with serial numbers below 360000 couldn’t be converted into the Leica IIIc and Leica IIIf cameras for technical reasons313.
  • Cameras with serial numbers below 160000 required separate price quotation for the addition of the synchronization313.


Variations

Earlier units had a rear body housing cover screw akin to Leica I Model A, which was essential for calibrating the lens-film plane distance39. 

Early cameras had the screws for attaching the baseplate with 3mm diameter, while later ones (from serial number 109001) had the screws with 5mm diameter579.

The "leather" (Vulcan) covering on earlier models had a finer, smooth-grained texture, and the engraving layout of "D.R.P." (Deutsches Reichtspatent) was noticeably different39.


Other variations include:

Variant 1 had:

  • black body finish
  • with nickel fittings reminiscent of the Leica I Model A
  • "lavatory seat" (semi-circular base of the shutter speed dial) rangefinder cover plate
  • large speed dials (15.5mm in diameter534) reminiscent of those found on Leica I Model A
  • L-shaped viewfinder window frame with a bulge on one side

Variant 2 had:

  • chrome body finish
  • with chrome fittings
  • "lavatory seat" (semi-circular base of the shutter speed dial) rangefinder cover plate
  • large speed dials (15.5mm in diameter) reminiscent of those found on Leica I Model A
  • L-shaped viewfinder window frame with a bulge on one side

Variant 3 had:

  • black body finish
  • with nickel fittings reminiscent of the Leica I Model A
  • angular (resembling a five-sided polygon (a pentagon)) base of the shutter speed dial to accommodate slow-speed mechanism cams that aligned more with the Leica III Model F
  • small (13.5mm in diameter534) speed dials that aligned more with the Leica III Model F
  • L-shaped viewfinder window frame with a bulge on one side

Variant 4 had:

  • black body finish
  • with nickel fittings reminiscent of the Leica I Model A
  • angular (resembling a five-sided polygon (a pentagon)) base of the shutter speed dial to accommodate slow-speed mechanism cams that aligned more with the Leica III Model F
  • small (13.5mm in diameter534) speed dials that aligned more with the Leica III Model F
  • square viewfinder window frame

Variant 5 had:

  • black body finish
  • with chrome fittings
  • angular (resembling a five-sided polygon (a pentagon)) base of the shutter speed dial to accommodate slow-speed mechanism cams that aligned more with the Leica III Model F
  • small (13.5mm in diameter534) speed dials that aligned more with the Leica III Model F
  • square viewfinder window frame

Variant 6 had:

  • chrome finish
  • with chrome fittings
  • angular (resembling a five-sided polygon (a pentagon)) base of the shutter speed dial to accommodate slow-speed mechanism cams that aligned more with the Leica III Model F
  • small (13.5mm in diameter534) speed dials that aligned more with the Leica III Model F
  • square viewfinder window frame

Variant 7 was post-war Leica II Model D. Some of 350 post-war Leica II Model D cameras, produced between the World War II and introduction of Leica IIc in 1948579, had:

  • diopter adjustment lever540
  • metal plate covering the typical slow speed dial slot540 (covered with the same leatherette as the rest of the body579)
  • strap eyelets579
  • chrome finish
  • with chrome fittings
  • angular (resembling a five-sided polygon (a pentagon)) base of the shutter speed dial to accommodate slow-speed mechanism cams that aligned more with the Leica III Model F
  • small (13.5mm in diameter534) speed dials that aligned more with the Leica III Model F
  • square viewfinder window frame

 

Military

Some of the known military cameras included:

  • Camera number 80905 dated 1932 was associated with British Royal Navy534. The camera featured the "PATT 8572"534. The photograph of this camera was featured on page 29 of Dennis Laney's "Leica Collector’s Guide (2nd Edition)" book534.
  • Camera number 143728 was associated with the Swedish Army386. It was offered but remained unsold at the 37th Leitz Photographica Auction on November 21, 2020386. The lot was described as "A very rare, original Swedish Army Leica II, hand-engraved on the top plate with inventory number 'FOA2 84:16', with nickel Elmar 3.5/50mm no.149321, the camera has been delivered on 21.08.1934 to Breilann, Sweden, an interesting and mostly unknown part of the history of Leica"386.
  • Camera number 204486 was illustrated on page 77 of Shinichi Nakamura's "Leica Collection" (1991) book602. It was associated with the British army and was engraved with "W.D." (War Department) with an upwards pointing arrow between W and D602.
  • Camera number 292188 was associated with the British army602. The camera was engraved with "W.D." (War Department) and "№6" (likely a registration number)598. It was illustrated on page 77 of Shinichi Nakamura's "Leica Collection" (1991) book602.


Gifts and Special Editions

The camera with serial number 75000 was awarded to Professor Auguste Piccard in 1932 for his stratospheric explorations, while the one marked 100000 was bestowed upon Prof. Dr. Leo Frobenius in 1933, recognizing his contributions to Central African exploration48. 


Camera number 90023

This camera dated 1932 belonged to Robert Capa402. The camera was sold for 78000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 22nd WestLicht Camera Auction on November 24, 2012402. The lot was described as "A historic sensation is the discovery of Robert Capa's first Leica (received from Mr.Guttmann, owner of Hungarian Agency Dephot in 1932) - originating from the estate of Capa's mother Julie Friedman ('Mother Goose'), it comes with Elmar 3.5/5cm no.133594, case and a large quantity of original letters between Mother Goose and Austrian New York based photographer Lisl Steiner (she received the camera from Capa's mother in the early 1960s). Magnum photographer Robert Capa was born 1913 in Budapest and died in Thai Binh, Vietnam on May 25th,1954."402. In March of 2026, this camera was part of the Golda Darty Collection and was displayed at the Museum of the Liberation of Paris (author's note).


Deliveries

In 1932, there were 21952 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 71200 through 95000364. In 1933, there were 9887 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 95001 through 112500364. In 1934, there were 2568 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 107729 through 148950364. In 1935, there were 4090 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 149451 through 183600364. In 1936, there were 4090 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 185351 through 223000364. In 1937, there were 2950 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 234001 through 266750364. In 1938, there were 3200 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 271001 through 312000364. In 1939, there were 3000 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 314101 through 341300364. In 1940, there were 700 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 351101 through 352900364. In 1942, there were 128 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 354201 through 354328364. In 1943, there were 3 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 354348 through 354351364. In 1945, there were 16 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 354329 through 354344364. In 1947, there were 75 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 354076 through 356700364. In 1948, there were 150 Leica II Model D cameras delivered, with serial numbers from 358501 through 358650364.