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 [1].
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 [1].
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 [1].
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 [1].
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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