Leotax T2L / Elite
The Leotax T2L / Elite is a LTM-mount film rangefinder camera, introduced in 1959. Leica camera price index →
Reference maintained by Thomas Boots
General
- Mount
- LTM
- Release Year
- 1959
- Type
- Film
- Model Number
- T2L, later marketed as Elite
- Serial Range
- T2L approximately 30052x to 30663x; Elite approximately 30172x to 31500x, observed overlapping collector ranges
Dimensions
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
- 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
- No
- Flash Sync
- 1/30 s
Leotax T2L / Elite
The Leotax T2L is a lower-specification 1959 derivative of the FV and TV2. It keeps lever winding, the parallax-marked 50 mm bright-line finder and automatic FP/X synchronization, but omits the self timer, T setting and 1/1000 second speed.
Later examples were marketed as the Elite, normally with a 5 cm f/2 Leonon lens. T2L and Elite bodies are mechanically the same profile, with the sales name closely tied to the supplied lens and period packaging.
History
Development and Launch
Leotax introduced the T2L in 1959 as a lower-priced lever-wind model. Elite branding followed with the Leonon standard lens and separate brochure and box treatment.
Production Evolution
T2L examples commonly use Topcor-S, Topcor f/2.8 or Fujinon lenses, while later Elite outfits predominantly use the plain Leonon. The observed serial ranges overlap, indicating no clean production cut-off.
Special Variants
T2L and Elite are alternative marketed identities for the same camera body. They should remain one base profile with aliases, not separate records or special-edition tags.
Collector Notes
Confirm the lack of self timer and T setting, 1/500 maximum speed, lever wind and 50 mm frame. For bodies without their original lens, box or papers, assigning T2L versus Elite may remain uncertain.
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