Leotax Elite S2
The Leotax Elite S2 is a LTM-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1960. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- LTM
- Release Year
- 1960
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- Elite S2
- Serial Range
- Approximately 30667x to 31229x, observed collector range overlapping related Leotax bodies
Dimensions
- Weight
- 493g
- Length
- 32mm
- Width
- 140mm
- Height
- 72mm
Viewfinder & Shutter
- Framelines
- Reflected 50 mm bright-line frame with close-focus parallax marks, plus a limited outer field for approximate 35 mm composition
- Shutter Speeds
- T, 1 s, 1/2 s, 1/4 s, 1/8 s, 1/15 s, B, 1/30 s, 1/60 s, 1/125 s, 1/250 s and 1/500 s
- Shutter Type
- Cloth
Features
- Hot Shoe
- No
- Tripod Socket
- Yes
- Self Timer
- Yes
- Flash Sync
- 1/30 s
Leotax Elite S2
The Leotax Elite S2 is a late LTM rangefinder generally dated to 1960. Its lever-wind body, self timer, parallax-marked 50 mm bright-line finder and 1/500 second cloth shutter are mechanically the same as the TV2/Merite body [1].
Its commercial identity was linked to the supplied 5 cm f/2 Leonon-S lens and Elite S2 packaging. Automatic FP/X synchronization is retained, with electronic X sync at 1/30 second [1].
History
Development and Launch
The Elite S2 appeared after Leotax entered bankruptcy in 1959. Japanese sources commonly give 1960, and surviving evidence suggests that the model was sold by the mortgager using existing body inventory [1].
Production Evolution
Known serials overlap the TV2/Merite and T2L/Elite ranges. No body feature has been established that reliably separates an Elite S2 from a TV2/Merite without the original lens, packaging or papers [1].
Special Variants
Elite S2 is a documented commercial model identity, not a commemorative special edition. LeicaLensList should retain it as a Standard model while recording its Leonon-S outfit relationship.
Collector Notes
Authentication depends heavily on the original Leonon-S lens, box and documentation. A body alone may be impossible to distinguish from a TV2/Merite, and lenses may have been exchanged during later ownership.
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