Leica II with Summitar 5cm f2

5 frames with a 1933 Leica II

By Cem Eren

11 October, 2026

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Ilford Film ilford HP5+ Leica II
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I have got infected by BLV. Here you ask, “what’s BLV?”. I tell you, Barnack Leica Virus is real. Once infected, the only cure is to get a Barnack Leica, wait a second, may be two.

After I have got my Rolleiflex, I was planning to focus on medium format for my analog work. Rolleiflex is relatively compact and can produce high-quality images. Barnack Leica cameras represent a history how 35mm had gotten into the photography. I read a lot about the pros and cons of owning one, after a long-lasting acquisition syndrome, I have bought a Leica II and a Leica IIIf (seems to be originally IIIc upgraded to IIIf that is another story). In this post, I am presenting Leica II from 1933 paired with a Summitar 5cm f2 from 1940.

I took the 90-year-old pair to the field. Leica II does not have strap lugs, and I did not have a proper half case. So, I kept it at hand during the entire walk. If you want to feel a bit more relaxed, a half case is a must. Uncoated lens is prone to flares I was generally careful about it though 2 frames were not presentable due to flare, thought me a lesson, even if the sun is behind an object, do remember the rays hitting the lens on top.

I had the chance to compare Leica II and Leica IIIf in the wild, the range finder is much better on 20 years younger IIIf with the diopter adjustment. Hopefully, I will post another article covering Leica IIIf experience.

I quite enjoyed the photo-walk and am pleased with the results of Leica II and Summitar 5cm f2, overall satisfaction is high.

The film was Ilford hp5 400, processed with Ilfosol 3 and scanned with Epson V700 all at home.

Elderly man Elderly woman A female photographer shooting a tractor A strange combination of household fragments outside the house High angle view of a village

Together with the photography group of my local town Şile which is a town of the greater municipality of Istanbul, we frequently visit the villages and document the life, architecture and people. The above photos are from our latest expedition to one of the villages.

Thank you for reading.

You may contact me on Instagram.

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About The Author

By Cem Eren
I create photographic work that focuses on the relationship between people and place, documenting coastal towns, rural life, and the traces of time. For me, photography is a way of tracing the human condition beyond the direct representation of people. I seek to make visible the relationship my species has with the world, as well as its transience and fragility. Human Fragments, City Tunes, Village Tunes, and By the Shore, Off the Beaten Path are among the series I am currently working on.
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Comments

Ed on 5 frames with a 1933 Leica II

Comment posted: 11/10/2026

Hi Cem - thanks for this entertaining piece. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I had a very severe case of BLV during the year. I am in recovery now thankfully. These cameras are beautiful pieces of history aren't they. The engineering is superb and the aesthetic is timeless. I hope to tell my BLV story soon on 35mmc. I feel grateful and lucky to be able to hold and use these delightful cameras from nearly 100 years ago. Thank you for sharing your story. Ed
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 11/10/2026

Thank you Ed, I am glad that you enjoyed the post. Looking forward to reading your story here.

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Art Meripol on 5 frames with a 1933 Leica II

Comment posted: 11/10/2026

Is there no vaccine? Now that I read this I have BLV
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 11/10/2026

You know the cure :).

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Chuck on 5 frames with a 1933 Leica II

Comment posted: 11/10/2026

Cem：Old cameras work fine for me too. My favorite photos from your set are the portraits.
Chuck
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 11/10/2026

Thank you Chuck.

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Jeffery Luhn on 5 frames with a 1933 Leica II

Comment posted: 11/10/2026

Cem, Nice portraits!
My wife and I stayed in Turkey close to Ephesus about 20 years ago and enjoyed the historical sites and friendly people. The ancient sites are well preserved! We plan to go back. Thanks for your posting!
Jeffery
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 11/10/2026

Thank you Jeffery. The last proper visit of mine to Ephesus was in 1999 so long due for me too. Though I pass by every year, could not spare time, but it is on the list.

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Gary Smith on 5 frames with a 1933 Leica II

Comment posted: 11/10/2026

Great set of photos Cem! I'm glad my BLV wasn't severe, I was able to stop after the iiic. At this point, I think more film has flowed through my Rollei.
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 11/10/2026

Thank you Gary.

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Tony Warren on 5 frames with a 1933 Leica II

Comment posted: 11/10/2026

Great story Cem and some excellent illustrations. I guess that handling a Leica must be the point of infection as I have never handled one ever. My only contact with the marque is with the 90mm f4 Elmar I have which I used on a Canon 7. That, for all its modest reputation, is a startlingly good lens, which is what matters at the end of the day. Your Summitar here has the same very naturally looking smoothness and sharpness without the rather wiryness some lenses can produce.
Maybe, if i ever do get to hold a Leica I had better wear gloves.
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 11/10/2026

Thank you Tony.

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Geoff Chaplin on 5 frames with a 1933 Leica II

Comment posted: 12/10/2026

The portrait of the lady is excellent! The Summitar is a very capable lens - the ideal is the coated 10 blade version from about 1950. Personally I was never happy with the viewfinder on the iiif or earlier models, I much prefer the iiig. Good luck with your BLV from a former sufferer.
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 12/10/2026

Thank you Geoff. I am indeed planning to focus on portraits with a similar gear set (with IIIf and Summar 5cm which I will later post). I agree with you about IIIg.

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Gerard on 5 frames with a 1933 Leica II

Comment posted: 12/10/2026

Hi Cem,
What a nice story and dito photos. You clearly have anthropologie al aspirations, judging from the projects you're working on. As an anthropologist myself, I've always combined it photography and did similar research projects.
I too, cherish my Leica llla, though the Summar that goes with has a lot of haze, so I hardly use it unfortunately, though it is in excellent condition. As I've been infected with BLV, perhaps I should buy a good lens for it.
Look forward to more of your work
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 12/10/2026

Thank you Gerard. Hope you find a good lens to get more fun out of your Leica IIIa.

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Russ Rosener on 5 frames with a 1933 Leica II

Comment posted: 12/10/2026

I enjoyed the photos of what life is like in your town. I also have a Leica II (converted to Leica III standard) and a Leica IIIf. I keep returning to the Leica II because of the bigger view finder and better rangefinder! The Barnack Leicas are great because you can use so many Japanese and Russian lenses. I have the Summitar too, and prefer it over the more famous Summicron. Thanks for making this post and the pictures!
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 12/10/2026

Thank you Russ. You are right, I have one Industar 22 seems to be from "the last batches" according to the serial number. It is coated. Apart from the "weird to me" aperture setting ring on the front, it is quite a capable lens I enjoy too.

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Omar Tibi on 5 frames with a 1933 Leica II

Comment posted: 13/10/2026

Fotoğraflar çok güzel! A great piece and great portraiture, Cem. I haven't yet been to Şile, but your photos reminded me of how the Istanbul municipalities are almost like autonomous regions in of themselves. I haven't had the chance to go out of the city yet, but I am very interested in the photographic work of your local club :)

Regarding BLV, there's something to be said about these vintage rangefinders...my Contax IIa is so easy to carry around and the lenses are a delight to use, just like your Barnack with it's beautiful Summitar, plus they are very stylish. Usually it or my similarly sized Voskhod are at my side when I'm out, but now, I'm starting to feel the itch for a FED-2 or Zorki. Happy shooting my friend and looking forward to seeing more of your work!
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 13/10/2026

Teşekkür ederim :). Thank you Omar. Even within one town, there are so many different cultures from village to village you can't believe. Happy shooting to you too.

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Steve Barnett on 5 frames with a 1933 Leica II

Comment posted: 13/10/2026

Very nice work, keep going, the results are sympathetic to the content and suit film use perfectly.
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 13/10/2026

Thank you Steve.

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David Pauley on 5 frames with a 1933 Leica II

Comment posted: 14/10/2026

Hi Cem, great piece and photos! I especially enjoyed the portraits, which I think show off the gentle rendering of the Summitar to perfection. There's a soulfulness in old glass that is very appealing, and that comes through beautifully in the portrait of the woman. I also have and love a Leica III from 1933, a nicked and scarred black enamel version with nicke-plated fittings and lenses. It may be my favorite camera. I'm missing it today on a trip to Paris. I'd brought it to Paris last year this time (wrote a piece about it here) but brought along a bigger, heavier kit this time seeking a different look. My poor back is aching! Happy exploring and shooting. Please share more.
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Cem Eren replied:

Comment posted: 14/10/2026

Thank you David. Wish you a nice time in Paris.

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