LEICA IIF
Leica IIf was produced between 1951 and 195623 and replaced Leica IIc360. The camera came in 2 variations:
- The Leica IIf Black Dial has serial numbers between 451001-455000360 and 570001-574400360, with production years spanning from 1951 to 195223 and total production of 8400 cameras360.
- The Leica IIf Red Dial has serial numbers between 574401 and 822000, with production years spanning from 1952 to 195623.
Technical Specifications
Basically Leica IIf is similar to Leica IIIf camera, but without slow speeds171 and the accessory shoe and spring are fixed to the camera by only two screws, as opposed to four360.
The built-in coupled rangefinder of the camera magnifies 1.5x15.
Leica IIf was capable of later modification and conversion23. The conversion of the Leica IIf into the Leica IIIf was possible at the cost of 96.00 USD24.
The camera included a significant design advancement that enabled synchronization between the Leica shutter and flash equipment, especially the popular strobe23.
The Leica IIf Black Dial models had shutter speeds of 1/30, 1/40, 1/60, 1/100, 1/200, and 1/500 of a second, as well as a Bulb setting. In 1952, these speeds were updated to 1/25, 1/50, 1/75, 1/100, 1/200, and 1/500 of a second, plus the Bulb setting, on the Leica IIf Red Dial models. In 1954, starting with serial number 677501, a shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second was also introduced24.
The code for the Leica IIf Red Dial with synchronization is LOOSE171.
The code for the Leica IIf with 50mm f/3.5 Elmar lens was LOOEL171.
It's important to note that there was some overlap in the production of the two types of Leica IIf Red Dial cameras, which have maximum shutter speeds of 1/500th of a second and 1/1000th of a second, respectively360. Starting with camera number 590681, a film alignment prong was added to the baseplate360. This feature was also available as a conversion, so it can be found on cameras produced before the Leica IIf Red Dial model with the 1/1000th-of-a-second shutter speed360.
Price
The Leica IIf was moderately priced23 and offered the post-war camera buyer a money-saving alternative if the buyer thought slow speeds not necessary for their particular type of photography171.
Gifts and Special Editions
Leica IIf with serial number of 575000 was presented to Prof. Dr. Albert Schweitzer in 1951258.