Pixiq

To this day, the fundamental characteristics of the very first Leica M cameras have been retained on all of the subsequent M models. Significant changes in size and weight occurred only once, with the Leica M5. Of course there are always some differences in the details of the various M models, as well as variations within a given model designation.

Collectors and photo-historians have been studying these peculiarities for years, but they rarely matter to the photographer. Leitz maintained product continuity through uniformity in the operation of the camera and compatibility with existing lenses and accessories.

The first two models of Leica M cameras—the Leica M3 and the Leica M2—differ mainly in viewfinder magnification and shutter advance mechanism. The magnification of the viewfinder of a Leica M3 is 0.9x and 0.72x in the Leica M2. That is why the selection of bright-line frames, which automatically appear in the viewfinder when a lens is mounted, is different in these two models.

In the Leica M3 the frame for the 50mm lens always remains visible and the 90mm or the 135mm frame is added when the respective lens is mounted. The Leica M2 is equipped with bright-line frames for 35, 50, and 90mm lenses and they appear when the respective lenses are used. With 35mm wide-angle lenses, the Leica M3 requires a viewfinder attachment in order to observe the correct field of view.

On the Leica M2 it is the 135mm lens that requires a viewfinder attachment for proper framing. Of course, a wide-angle lens with viewfinder attachment can also be used on a Leica M2. It will activate the camera's 50mm bright-line frame but the magnification of the viewfinder image will be reduced by the viewfinder attachment so that it delineates the correct field of view. Focusing continues to function properly.

The same principle applies to the 135mm lens with magnifying viewfinder attachment, which activates the 90mm frame on Leica M3 and Leica M2 cameras. Lenses that do not activate the proper bright-line frame can also be attached, and they will couple accurately with the camera's rangefinder. However, a separate bright-line finder for that lens' focal length must be inserted in the accessory shoe on the top of the camera in order to determine the correct field of view. The end of the film take-up spool in the Leica M2, unlike the one in the Leica M3, is designed to couple with a rapid film advance attachment that can be used in place of the base plate. The Leica MP, a limited special edition, corresponds to a Leica M3, but its take-up spool; permits the attachment of a rapid film advance.

There are many detailed books about vintage Leica cameras and lenses available at photo or book stores, which are of interest to collectors and historians. Also, the Leitz Wetzlar Information Service will be pleased to supply information. True experts in "Leica History" can be found in the societies that specialize in the history of the Leica. For more information visit www.leica-camera.com. For a nominal fee, original instructions for early Leica M models can be ordered from Leica.

LEICA M3 - Introduced in 1954

•    One-piece all-metal body housing with hinged back cover and lateral carrying-strap lugs. Bright chrome-plated brass top and base plates (black enamel version in 1959). 3/8" tripod socket.

•    Range-viewfinder system with automatic bright-line frames for 50, 90, and 135mm lenses (a 35mm field of view is generated by a 35mm lens with viewfinder attachment).

•    Automatic parallax correction.

•    Viewfinder magnification: 0.90x.

•    Field-of-view preview selector.

•    Shutter speed dial with click stops, which can couple to accessory exposure meters.

•    Rubberized cloth focal-plane shutter for 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 second plus "B" for time exposures of any length.

•    Automatic flash synchronization for flashbulbs up to 1/500 second and for electronic flash up to 1/50 second.

•    Separate contacts for flashbulb units (M) and electronic flash units (X).

•    Variable self-timer.

•    Rapid advance lever with ratcheted operation for winding the shutter and advancing the film.

•    Automatic frame counter with magnified read-out.

•    Film reminder dial.

•    Pull-up rewind knob.

•    Accessory shoe for special viewfinders and other accessories.

•    Removable film take-up spool.

Note: Early versions of the Leica M3 did not have the field-of-view preview selector and were equipped with a shutter winding and film advance mechanism that had to be operated with two strokes of the rapid advance lever. In addition, the shutter speed dial was calibrated in accordance with German standards: (e.g., 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 second, etc.).

Dimensions: Height 77 mm (3-1/32 inches), length 138 mm (5-7/16 inches), thickness 36 mm (1-13/32 inches).

Weight: 595 grams (1 lb 5 oz.).

LEICA M2 -Introduced in 1958

This camera is the same concept as the Leica M3 and therefore has similar features, with the following differences:

•    Range-viewfinder with automatically activated bright-line frames for 35, 50, and 90 mm lenses (the 135mm field of view is generated by 135mm lens with viewfinder attachment).

•    Viewfinder magnification: 0.72x .

•    Exposure counter must be manually reset to 0.

Note: Early versions of the Leica M2 were not equipped with a self-timer and had a film rewind release button, instead of a lever.

Weight: 580 grams (1 lb. 4.5 oz.).

LEICA M2-Mot -Introduced in 1967

This camera has the same technical characteristics as the Leica M2, except that it does not have a self-timer.

•    Equipped with a coupling for a Leica Motor.

LEICA M1 - Introduced in 1959

This camera’s construction is generally similar to that of the Leica M2, with the following differences:

•    Bright-line viewfinder with the frames for 35 and 50mm lenses permanently displayed; automatic parallax correction.

•    No rangefinder.

Dimensions: Height 77 mm (3-13/32 inches), length 138 mm (5-7/16 inches), thickness 36 mm (1-13/32 inches).

Weight: 545 grams (1 lb 3 oz.).

LEICA MD - Introduced in 1965

This camera body was designed for photographic documentation. Same technical characteristics as the Leica M2, except that it does not have a viewfinder or a self-timer.

•    Designed to accept index strips for recording documentation directly on the film negative. This requires a special base plate with a light-tight slot for the insertion of these strips.

Dimensions: Same as those of the Leica M2.

Weight: 495 grams (1 lb 1-1/2 oz.).

LEICA M4 - Introduced in 1967

•    One-piece all-metal body with hinged back cover and lateral carrying-strap lugs. Bright chrome-plated brass top plate and base plate;later a black enamel finish was added to the line. 1/4" tripod socket.

•    Range-viewfinder with automatic bright-line frames for 35, 50, 90, and 135mm lenses (the 35 and 135mm frames appear together).

•    Automatic parallax correction. Viewfinder magnification: 0.72x.

•    Field-of-view preview selector.

•    Shutter speed dial with click stops, can couple to accessory Leicameter  MR4 exposure meter.

•    Rubberized cloth, focal-plane shutter for 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 second plus "B" for time exposures of any length.

•    Automatic flash synchronization for flashbulbs up to 1/500 second, and for electronic flash up to 1/50 second Separate standard flash contacts for flashbulb units (M) and electronic flash units (X).

•    Variable self-timer.

•    Ratcheted rapid advance lever for winding the shutter and advancing the film.

•    Fast film loading system for all commercially available 35mm cameras and Leica cassettes.

•    Slanted rewind crank.

•    Automatic frame counter with magnified read-out.

•    Film reminder dial.

•    Accessory shoe for special viewfinders and other accessories.

Dimensions: Height 77 mm (3-1/32 inches), length 138 mm (5-1/6 inches), thickness 36 mm (1-13/32 inches).

Weight: 600 grams (1 lb 5 oz.).

LEICA M4-Mot - Introduced in 1967

This has the same technical features as the Leica M4, except that it does not have a self-timer. Equipped with a coupling for a Leica Motor.

Dimensions: same as Leica M4.

Weight: 610 grams (1 lb 5-1/2 oz.).

LEICA MDa - Introduced in 1967

This camera body was designed for photographic documentation. Same technical characteristics as the Leica M4, except that it does not have a viewfinder or a self-timer.

•    Designed to accept index strips for recording of documentation directly on the film negative. This required a special base plate with a light-tight slot for the insertion of these strips.

Dimensions: same as Leica M4.

Weight: 495 grams (1 lb 1-1/2 oz.).

LEICA M5 - Introduced in 1972

•    One-piece all-metal body housing with hinged back cover and carrying-strap lugs on one side (on both sides after bright chrome serial number 1355000 and black chrome serial number 1357000). Bright-chrome plated or black-chrome plated brass top plate and base plate. 1/4" tripod socket.

•    Range-viewfinder with automatic bright-line frames for 35, 50, 90, and 135mm lenses (the frames for 35 and 135mm lenses appear together).

•    Automatic parallax correction.

•    Viewfinder magnification: 0.72x.

•    Field-of-view preview selector.

•    Selective through-the-lens (TTL) metering. Built-in CdS exposure meter. Light meter needle and index point (match-needle) indicators in the viewfinder.

•    Film speed settings from ISO 6/9º (ASA 6/9 DIN) to ISO 3200/36º (ASA 3200/36 DIN).

•    Button cells: PX 13 or PX 625.

•    Measuring range with an f/1.4 lens: With a film speed of ISO 100/21º, from -1 exposure value to +20 exposure values.

•    Shutter speeds from 1/1000 to 30 seconds; settings visible on the shutter speed dial or in the viewfinder.

•    Exposure meter turns off automatically after shutter operates. (It is turned on by winding the shutter and advancing the film.)

•    Battery check.

•    Rubberized cloth focal-plane shutter for 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 sec (continuously adjustable intermediate times) plus "B" for time exposures of any length.

•    Automatic flash synchronization for flashbulbs up to 1/500 second and for electronic flash up to 1/50 second.

•    Separate standard flash contacts for flashbulb units and for electronic flash units (M and X contacts).

•    Accessory shoe with X contact (hot shoe) for special viewfinders and other accessories.

•    Variable self-timer.

•    Ratcheted rapid advance lever for winding the shutter and advancing the film. Fast film loading system for all commercially available 35mm films (with or without tongues).

•    Rewind crank in the base plate.

•    Automatic frame counter with magnified read-out.

•    Film reminder dial combined with circular computer for selecting equivalent shutter speed/aperture combinations in determining the exposure.

•    Film plane index.

Dimensions: Height 84 mm (37.6 inches), length 155 mm (6-3/32 inches), thickness 36 mm (1-13/32 inches).

Weight: 700 grams (1 lb 8-1/2 oz.).

LEICA M4-2 - Introduced in 1977

•    One-piece all-metal body with hinged back cover and lateral carrying-strap lugs. Black chrome-plated brass top and base plates. 1/4" tripod socket.

•    Range-viewfinder with automatic bright-line frames for 35, 50, 90, and 135mm lenses (the frames for 35 and 135mm lenses appear together).

•    Automatic parallax correction. Viewfinder magnification: 0.72x . Field-of-view preview selector.

•    Shutter speed dial with click stops, can couple to accessory Leicameter exposure meter.

•    Rubberized cloth focal-plane shutter for 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000 second plus "B" for time exposures of any length.

•    Automatic flash synchronization for flashbulbs up to 1/500 second and for electronic flash up to 1/50 second.

•    Separate standard flash contacts for flashbulb units (M) and electronic flash units (X). Accessory shoe with X contact (hot shoe) for special viewfinders and other accessories.

•    Ratcheted, rapid advance lever for winding the shutter and advancing the film. Fast film loading system for all commercially available 35mm films and for Leica cassettes. Slanted rewind crank. Automatic frame counter with magnified read-out.

•    Film reminder dial with DIN-ASA conversion scale.

•    Accessory shoe for special viewfinders and other accessories.

•    Mechanical coupling for all Leica Winders and for Leica Motor M.

Dimensions: Height 77 mm (3-1/32 inches, length 138 mm (5-1/6 inches), thickness 36 mm (1-13/32 inches).

Weight: 525 grams (1 lb. 2-1/2 oz.).

LEICA MD-2 - Introduced in 1977

•    Designed to accept index strips for recording of documentation directly on the film negative. This required a special base plate with a light-tight slot for the insertion of these strips.

•    Mechanical coupling for use with Leica Winders.

Dimensions: Same as Leica M4-2.

Weight: 460 grams (1 lb.).

LEICA M4-P - Introduced in 1980

With the exception of the top plate and the bright-line frames. The technical characteristics are identical with those of the Leica M4-2.

•    Top plate consists of 0.8 mm thick die-cast zinc, chrome-plated in silver or black; up to serial number 1620999 top plate was chrome-plated in black.

•    The bright-line frame indicators appear two at a time in the range-viewfinder: 28 and 90 mm, 35 and 135 mm, and 50 and 75 mm.

Dimensions: Height 77 mm (3-1/32 inches), length 138 mm (5-1/6 inches), thickness 36 mm (1-13/32 inches).

Weight: 545 grams (1 lb. 3 oz.).