Leica M2r User manual

Hold the LEICA Correctlyt
         First of all get used to holding the LEICA' cor-I      rectly. This is most important for quick and
        reliable shooting, and for high quality, pin-
       sharp pictures.
       Grip the LEICA so that it rests in the palms
       of both hands. The right thumb rests lightly
       against the transport lever (2), while the right
       index finger just touches the release button (1).
      Use the left hand to focus the lens (9). Keep
      your eye as close as possible to the finder
      eyepiece (18). Support the camera   f irmly
       against the forehead: the camera, your head,
      and your hands should form a rigid unit. The
       purpose of all this is to give the LEICA a solid
      support during exposure. This will avoid
      camera shake and yield negatives with that
        ultra-sharp definition characteristic of LEICA
         pictures.

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 Try exposing at first with a shutter speed of llao second
 or faster. After some practice you'll find yourself able to
 use slower speeds without shaking the camera during
 exposure. lf you find it more convenient you can, of
 course, equally well use your left eye for viewing and
 focusing.
To switch from horizontal to vertical pictures, turn the
LEICA upright. The grip of the hands does not change
appreciably: hold the camera in much the same way -s
for horizontal shots. Alternatively, you can bring the
 right hand down for vertical shots, and release the
shutter with the thumb. ln this case hold the LEICA so
that the tip of the thumb lies against the release button,
and the   f ingers press against the camera   f rom the
bottom. Use the left hand to focus the lens. Rest the
upper part of the camera against your forehead. With
this hold you can release really smoothly.
Whether taking vertical or horizontal shots, you do not
have to take the eye from the finder - a useful pointwith picture sequences, for the LEICA controls aie all
ideally located for ease of operation.


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Setting the Shutter Speed (3)
The numbers on the shutter speed dial in-
dicate fractions of a second. For example,1000 is 1/rooo SOCond, 125 iS 1/rzs second, 4 is                          {€
'/n second, and 1 is 1/r, or one full second.The dial engages at each speed; you read the
setting next to the small index line on the
accessory shoe. When set to B, the shutter
remains open as long as the release button
is depressed. The red symbol of a lighting
flash indicates a shutter speed of 1/so second
for synchronizing electronic  f lash. Intermediate
shutter speeds can also be set within the
range of 1 to t/a second, between l/ts and 1/n
second, and between 1/oo and r/rooo second.
The shutter release button will take a standard
locking cable-release (LEITZ order No. 14067)                                         The Film Counter (17)for time exposures. Use a tripod for these.
                                                  automatically indicates the number of
The shutter speed dial can be coupled with the     frames exposed. When loading a new
LEICAM ETER @ exposure rneters.                    film set the counter disc to No. 0 (see
(See separate meter instructions.)                  also page 23).

The Lens Aperture (11)
Turning the lens aperture ring opens or closes the iris diaphragm. This may easily be
observed by looking into the front of the lens. Like the pupil of your eye which opens or
closes to adapt itself to weaker or stronger light, the lens diaphragm is used to regulate the
amount of light reaching the film. To cut down very bright light we "stop down" to a small
lens aperture. In very dim light, on the other hand, we "open up" to a larger lens aperture
which transmits more light to the film.
The aperture f/numbers (stops 1.4 - 2 - 2.8 - 4 - 5.6 - I -                                                      11 - 16 - 22 - 32') follow aninternationally recognized scale. This scale has been designed in such a way that closing
down the aperture one stop cuts the light passing through the lens to one half. Conversely,
                                       opening up one stop doubles the amount of
                                                 light that will reach the film. One aperture
                                                     interval on the lens corresponds to one shutter
                                     speed interval on the shutter speed selector
                                                             dial.
                                  Remember: The larger the f/number, the
                                           smaller the aperture.

                                                            - The length of this scale depends on the lens type.

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The Depth of Field Scale (8)
The sharpest parts of the image correspqnd to objects at the exact distance (in a plane parallel
to the film) at which the lens is focused.This maximum sharpness gradually ialls off in front of,
and behind, the focused distance. There is, however, a certain zone of acceptable sharpness,
known as the "depth of field". lts extent depends on the subject distance, the focal iength
of the lens, and the lens aperture used.
Stopping down increases thezoneof sharp-
ness, while the full aperture of high-speed
 lenses yields only limited depth of field.
The depth-of-field scale of every LEICA lens
shows what depth you have available. At
any aperture two index lines of the same
aperture number indicate the limits of the
sharp zone. lf for instance (see illustration)
you have set the 50mm SUMMICRON@  f/2
lens to 15 feet, the available depth of field
with an aperture of t/4 extends from about
121/z to 20 feet. lf, however, you stop down
to t/11, the depth ranges   f rom about 9 to
40 feet. The depth of field can also be esti-
mated with the rangefinder (see page 13).




7

The brilliant viewfinder field frames
of the LEICA M 2 R automatically frame the subjects covered
by the lens in use. The frames correspond to focal lengths of
35mm, 50mm, and 90mm. As the LEICA has an optical direct-
vision finder, you see the subject all the time - even at the
instant of exposure. The film records everything within the
bright-line-f rame.
The brilliant frame is coupled to the focusing movement, and
automatically shifts to compensate for parallax errors over the
entire focusing range. Shots with "cut-off" heads or feet are
therefore a thing of the Past!





                 Thls ls what you see lhrough the LEIGA M 2 R's comblned  \
                               range-vlewllnder when a 50mm lens ls used. /

The Automatic      Whenever any 35-, 50- or 90mm LEICA lens is inserted into the M 2 R
Finder Adjustment   camera'S bayonet mount the correct focal frame automatically appears
for 35-, 50-, and       in the viewfinder. The area outlined by these frame-lines shows exactly
90mm lenses.       what will be on the negative, and the surrounding image field serves to
                  keep the photographer aware of what's going on so that he is prepared
                     for instant action with fast-moving subjetcs. As you focus note that the
                    highly illuminated field-frames shift to afford continuously automatic
                      parallax compensation at all focusing distances.
                The integrat finder magnifier of the 135mm ELMARIT@ t12.8 petmits this
                    lens to be used directly with the LEICA M 2 R range-viewfinder, giving
                  a life-sized viewfinder image.

Vertical lever position:
Field of view for 50mm
lenses.
                         The Finder Frame Selector (10)
                             With this small lever you can at any time switch from the finder
                           frame of the lens in the camera to either of the other two
                              frames. You can therefore judge in advance which lens will
                          produce the best result, without having to change the lens
                                           itself. Then, when you have made up your mind, it takes only
                           a few seconds to fit the required lens.

The Distance
       can be set directly on the distance scale of the lens, or with the aid of the rangefinder.

       Some lenses lock in the infinity position. Depress the infinity catch to release this lock for focusing at closer
          distances. Remember also to extend and lock the barrel of collapsible lenses (see page 15). The old way of
         focusing by scale is, however, less important with the LEICA, as you set the distance much more rapidly
        and accurately with the built-in rangefinder.

       The LEICA's coupled rangefinder is the fastest, easiest and most efficient focusing method.
              It requires a little practice to master, but this is easily aquired and a great deal of fun.

I          First set the lens to infinity. Now observe, say, a window a few yards away through the range-
          finder. Watch the bright sharp rectangle in the center of the finder area: this is the range-
         finder field. Hold the LEICA so that the vertical window bar cuts through the rangefinder field.
         Inside the field you will see a double image, in other words a second image of the window
        bar or edge which appears to the left of the main one. This indicates that the lens is not
         correctly focused on the window. Now adjust the focus while still looking through the finder:
       the second image in the rangefinder field moves to the right, until it coincides with the
         stationary outline. You have now accurately set the distance by the coincidence method.

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With vertical lines it is often easier to set the distancewww.butkus.usby the split-
image method. Here you watch the displaced section of the vertical
 line in the rangefinder field. This section moves along the horizon-
 tal boundaries of the field as you turn the lens, until the image be-
comes continuous down the whole finder area. At this point the
 lens is set exactly to the correct distance.

The Optical Depth-of-Field Indicator in the Rangefinder
The rangellnder of-your LEICA M 2 R also ena-bles you to cfred< whether a subject in front of, or behind, the         sharpeslsharpest                focusfocuspolntpolnt ofof                           willwill bebe acceplablyacceplably                                        sharpsharp                                                            useuse_tlie_projeclions'at                                                     ForFor thisthis youyou                                                                                              tlie                                                                                      thethe                                                                                                top'andtop'and                                                                                  projections al                                         Qror not.not.bottomb_ottom.                       rangeflnd.err-angeflnder      edgesedges               ofof thethe                                                               projectionprojections                                      lieldlield rectangle.rectangle.                                        TheseThese                                                     show                                                                                             ddptli-of-field                                                                    the                                                                                                   lor                                                                     a standard50mm50mm lens,lens, thethe lowerlower forfor thethe all-aroundall-around apertureaperture ofof f/5.6,f/5.6, ihe-upperihe-upper for t/16. After iocuslnqlng onon thethe subjectsubiect ofof
major imp-orlance-_the approprla_te projeciion is superiniposed'bn other subjeCts Leiore-anolor  oerriirc ltrlpoint          focus.        ol                               lf the                        separallon                                                     Oblect                                                               outside^,,rci,r6 rtanlh_nr_{iarz{depth-of{ield      double            lmage                       outllnesof   lhe                                                stlll                                                         ^hianr
lieslies withinwithin thlsthls  projeclion the           The double image lieses withinwithi  the wide upperimage will be acceptably  sharp.                mark:mark: ObiectObject isis stillstillll renderrenderedrendered sharpsharp atat f/'16f/'l
ToTo useuse thisthis specialspecial devlcedevlce mostmost                         Plane of sharp focuseffectively  lt ls advisable lo test
only the edges of lhe loreground
or bad<ground  subjecls.





                                        The double image lies within the narrow lower     5328o-ll                                            mark: Objects is still rendered sharp at f/5.6

ry,              ---





Changirrg Lenses
To remove the lens, press the catch (13), turn the lens to the left, and lift it out of the bayonel
mount. Grasp the lens at its base, close to the camera body.
To insert the lens align the red dot on the lens mount opposite the red dot on the camera
body and turn to the right until the bayonet lock engages with an audible click.

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     The Intercfiangeable                        The Collapsible Lenses
     Lenses of the LEICA M 2 R
                                       Some of the LEICA lenses (e.9., the 50mm
     Your choice of focal lengths ranges from     ELMAR and the collapsible 90mm ELMAR)
      21- to 560mm with apertures as fast as     can be collapsed when not in use by turn-
       t/1.2. With this wide variety of togicalty       ing to the left and pushing the barrel into
I     selected focal lengths, from super wide-      the camera body. For picture-taking,  fully
      angle to extreme long-focus,you can select      extend the lens barrel and lock by turning
     any viewpoint and have complete control       to the right as far as it will go. The 90mm
      over subject field and perspective.                 collapsible ELMAR@ can only be focused
                                          when properly extended and locked.

       ln a nutshell, the LEICA M 2 R with its large
      family of interchangeable lenses is limited
      in application only by the photographer's
    own imagination.
   A few words of caution: Avoid changing
     lenses in strong direct light. When neces-
      sary, turn your back to the sun and use
     your body to shield the lens-opening.

q                ? ,rruo,l



The 50mm Dual-Range SUMMICRON
This version of the 50mm SUMMICRON has two focusing ranges:
1. The normal range from infinity to 40" (1 meter);
2. The close-up range from about 35 to 19 inches (88 to 48cm).
   This is measured from the film plane to the subject.

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Focuslng In the Near Range
Set the lens to 3t/zteet (1 meter) as shown in illustration 1. Pull the focusing ring fonnard,
and turn it past the end stop into the 35 inch (88cm) position (illustration 2). The lens remains
locked in this position until the optical finder attachment is pushed home into its special
fitting. This releases the focusing movement for the close-up range (illustration  3). You can
shoot with the camera held in the hand or mounted on the tripod. You focus the lens auto-
matically with the coupled rangefinder. The finder image frame is still coupled with the
focusing movement in the near range for parallax-compensated focusing and viewing.





As the depth of field decreasses rapidly at
close subject distances, it is advisable to
work with a small stop, say tl9 or l/11.


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Coated Lenses       Modern coated LEICA lenses exhibit a colored sheen on their glass
                       surfaces. This coating acts to reduce internal reflections, thereby en-
                     hancing the optical quality of the lens as well as increasing its light
                       transmission. The outer lens surfaces are specially hard-coated, and
                             will therefore stand up to normal cleaning.
                        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.
Take Care of your Lenses
                    Always protect the front surface of the lenses against dirt of any kind.
               A colorless ultraviolet filter (LEITZ UVa) left permanently on the lens,
                           will protect the surface against outside influences (e.9., against sand
                    or salt-water spray at the seaside). The lens hood, too, guards the
                       lens against accidental contact with your fingers and against rain, in
                       addition to its main purpose of preventing unwanted light-rays from
                      entering the lens. Remove dust from the lens surface with a soft
                      camel's hair brush;  if nothing else is available, use a clean soft linen
                     rag that has been previously laundered with pure soap. Remember:
                                      It is better to keep the lens clean than to keep cleaning  it!

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                        Lens Hoods
                           protect the lens against stray light (whictr might cause flare), and
                           also against rain and snow.
                        Hold the lens hood so as to press in the two spring clips, place  it
                           over the lens, and let it engage.


                               Filters
                    screw into the front of the lens. In
                          special cases two filters can be mount-
                      ed on top of each other.



The Ever-ready Case
protects the LEICA M 2 R yet keeps it ready to shoot at all times.
The lid of the ever-ready case is pivoted so that it hangs down
and out of the way, even for vertical shots.

l9

Loading the LEICA
Although daylight film cartridges
are light-tight, avoid loading or
unloading the camera in brilliant
light. Out of doors the shade of
your own body will provide re-
asonable protection. Do not
leave exposed or unexposed film
cartridges lying about. Keep
them safely in their cases or
wrapped in black paper, until
you are ready to develop them.

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Before opening the camera; make sure that it isn't loaded. To do this, pull up the rewind
knob (6) and turn it gently in the direction of the arrow. lf you feel a resistance there is a
film in the camera. Rewind the film and unload as described on page 24. Turn the key in the
base plate, and  lift off the base plate. The film cartridge can now be easily wtihdrawn. Open
the hinged camera back, and place the camera in front of you with the open base upwards,
and the lens facing you.
(For illustrative reasons the camera is shown here with the lens facing away from you.)

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 Start the cartridge into the left-hand chamber, at the    Be sure to attach the film very se-
 same time drawing out only enough film to reach the     curely to the cartridge spool.
 three prongs you will notice in the right-hand cham-          lf you should tear the film out of  its
                                                                                                                                          last ber. Press the cartridge and film-end straight into the      frame,cartridgethebyfilmadvancingwill windafteritselfthearound LEICA. lt is only necessary to note that the film-end     the loading prongs, and rewindinq will
                                                                                                           a lies between two of the three loading prongs. Close      completelybe impossible.darkenedOpenroom.the LEICA-inWith base-back panel and replace and lock baseplate. A disc      plate removed, and LEICA bottom facino
on inner side of baseplate will press the film into      Ieverdownward,and releaseslowly thestrokeshutterthe transpor-tuntil'thecorrect position.                                             wound--up lilm emerges by itself. Be
                                                                          careful! The film is nbw wound with its
Complete loading by making two blank exposures;       sensitive emulsion side facing outward.
then set the frame counter at ,,O,, and the LEICA     Storecan, orcarefullyprocess inimmediately.a suitable-light-tight
M 2 R is ready for action.
Check that the film advances properly. The red dots
on the shaft of the rewind knob must rotate while the                                      rt                                                                              ,6,  t ;';.1
film is being wound on.                                                                                                          . q';'.
Notes for bulk-film users: Remember that film for the                          \i
LEICA M 2 R must have a tongue similar to that cut
in factory-loaded films.

Unloading the LEICA
         when you have exposed the whole film, the transport lever can no
            longer be moved. This indicates that the film must be rewound
              into its cartridge. Set the reversing lever to "R" (15) and leave  it
            there while you pull up the rewind knob (6) as shown on the
               illustration on page 20. Turn the rewind knob in the direction ofr          the arrow until no further resistance is felt.
                                                                                                               is            This indicates that the film has been completely rewound. lf it
            desired to leave the film end protruding from the cartridge, stop
             turning as soon as reduced resistance is felt. otherwise, give a
           few extra turns so that all film goes into the cartridge. A partially
           exposed film can be removed from the LEICA, and then re-loaded.
           Note frame number of last exposed picture, rewind film, and be
             sur to leave film-end protruding from cassette as explained above'
         when re-inserting, proceed as with an unexposed film, but cover
             the lens with its cap, and keep releasing the shutter and advancing
             the film until counter indicates 2 frames more than the number of
              previously exPosed Pictures'





                                                                                                   21

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                       To Set the Film Type Indicator (24)
                                   in the camera back, press one finger lightly against the center,
                      and turn the disc to mark the type and speed of the film
                          loaded in the LEICA. Symbols indicate black-and-white  film,
                                daylight color film (sun on a red background) or artificial light
                           color film (lamp on a red background). One of the three
                              pointers, next to the appropriate symbol, should point to the
                                 film speed in ASA or DlN.



The Delayed Action Self-Timer (14)
The self-timer works with all shutter speeds from 1 to t/rooo s€c,
and can be set either before or after the shutter is tensioned.
For self-timer exposures use the small chromed button indicat-
ed by an arrow in the picture above. Do not use the shutter-
release; this will by-pass the self-timer mechanism. When
pulled down all the way, as shown above, the delay will be
about 10 seconds; half-way gives a delay of about 5 seconds.

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