The Leica M3 is a 35 mm rangefinder camera by Ernst Leitz GmbH, introduced in 1954. It was a new starting point for Leitz, which until then had only produced screw-mount Leica cameras that were incremental improvements to its original Leica (Ur-Leica). The M3 introduced several features to the Leica, among them the combination of viewfinder and rangefinder in one bright window, like on the Contax II, a bayonet lens mount, and rapid film advance lever. It was the most successful model of the M series, with over 220,000 units sold by the time production of the M3 model ended in 1966.
Single-stroke M3 with collapsible Summicron 50mm f/2.0 lens
Two M3s fitted with 50mm and 90mm collapsible lenses
Leica M3 chrome Single-stroke with Leica-Meter M, Booster and collapsible Elmar f=5 cm 1:2,8 M39 lens with M-adapter
"Leica goggles" of a 35mm lens. They adapt the 50mm base viewfinder to the viewfield of the 35mm.
Leica Camera AG is a German company that manufactures cameras, optical lenses, photographic lenses, binoculars, and rifle scopes. The company was founded by Ernst Leitz in 1869, in Wetzlar, Germany. The name Leica is derived from the first three letters of the founder's surname (Leitz) and the first two of the word camera: lei-ca.
The Leica M9
First image taken from the Ur-Leica by Oskar Barnack 1913, Eisenmarkt, Wetzlar, Germany
An advert in Time magazine for Leica's new Summar lens, March 5, 1934
Very rare Leica soft-focus Thambar lens from the 1930s with original leather case. In front, left to right: Rear cap, special dot filter, lens shade, front cap
