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27-535: The M5 departed from the traditional silhouette of Leica rangefinders that had few changes since the M3 (1954). The height and width of the body were larger (H 84 mm x W 150 mm x D 36 mm), and the body heavier (ca. 50 g more than other M cameras). The film rewinding crank is recessed into the bottom plate. The self-timer arm and the field-of-view preselector (now on the M5 additionally with battery test function) are of

54-410: A 68.5 mm RF Base Length and 49.32 mm Effective Base Length (79% focus accuracy),. No other magnifications are offered with this model. The M5 is sometimes said to have the best viewfinder of the M series (others prefer the original M3, and the current MP is perhaps even better). It is fully adjustable using setting screws, and is not glued as in the later M-series. The M5 viewfinder does not have

81-460: A knob to advance the film. For fear of tearing the film, early M3s had a double stroke advance lever, like the Neoca 2s would. Later models (from model no 919 251) had single-stroke levers, which quickened up operation of the camera. Another type of variation is in the film pressure plate used. Early models used a glass plate to keep the film flat, whereas later models used a metal plate. Loading of

108-697: A miniature replica camera, the Digital Classic Camera Leica M3 , was made by Minox (by then bought by Leica). Mechanical |  Mechanical TTL   |   Electronic Controlled Shutter TTL   This article was originally based on " Leica M3 " in Camerapedia, retrieved on 7 May 2007 under the GNU Free Documentation License . Leica M6 The Leica M6 is a rangefinder camera manufactured by Leica from 1984 to 1998, followed by

135-409: Is capable of making double exposures. Leica originally placed the strap lugs in order to hang the camera vertically. This was met by resistance by users prompting the addition of a third lug (1973, as of serial number 1355001 for chrome and 1357001 for black chrome). The installation of the third lug is available for earlier cameras. As some users have pointed out, the vertical positioning of the camera

162-528: Is coaxial with the shutter button and overhangs the top plate, making for very comfortable and quick manipulation, adjustable without taking the camera from your eye. This ergonomic feature is often cited as one of the M5's paradigmatic advantages, and a non-coaxial variant was later reintroduced as of the M6 TTL (1998). The M5 is the only full-size M with shutter speeds visible in the finder. It allows reliable, linear intermediate speeds between full click stops from

189-438: Is displayed using a dual match needle system at the bottom of the viewfinder. An additional illuminator window at the top of the viewfinder illuminates the readout bar. The M5 exposure meter can be set from ISO 6/9° to ISO 3200/36°. The ASA/DIN film speed knob is designed to prevent inadvertent change. The meter's circuit is powered up by winding the camera, and shuts down when the shutter is released. The M5 exposure meter required

216-517: Is effective when the camera strap is across the chest, allowing the M5 to be brought to eye level quickly while remaining otherwise partially hidden and protected under the arm. This necessitates the use of the proprietary Leica flat shoulder strap. In 1975 a 50-year jubilee edition of 1750 units was produced. Leica M5 sales were very disappointing, and production was halted in 1975 after 33,900 units (from 1287001 to last serial number 1384000; 10750 chrome and 23150 black chrome bodies). Cost on issue for

243-559: Is slightly larger. There are two ways to select the 90mm or 135mm framelines: Viewfinder cameras do not show exactly the same image in the viewfinder and on the film, due to the distance of the viewfinder to the view axis of the lens. This parallax problem is compensated in the M3 by moving the framelines when the lens is focused. This full parallax compensation is limited to one metre; closer distances require special "Leica glasses" as described above. The Leica IIIf and its predecessors had used

270-420: The 1/1000 through to the 1/2 second setting. The speed dial is additionally engraved with "B" (Bulb) speeds from 1 to 30 seconds. These settings are coupled with the light meter , but the exposure time must be manually implemented using a cable release. The camera's internal exposure timing mechanism disengages below the 1/2 second setting. The shutter release button is threaded for a standard cable release. The M5

297-614: 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. It was succeeded by a number of later film M series cameras , including the Leica M-A film camera in 2014. The earliest Leica M3 pre-model that

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324-423: The M3 was sold), and a simple adapter also allows the use of screwmount lenses (whether from Leitz or other companies). The M3 has an exceptionally bright viewfinder when compared to any previous or subsequent model, including the modern M9. The M3 has a high magnification factor of 0.91×, which is useful in critical focusing, and especially with long lenses (subsequent Leicas would use 0.85×, 0.72× or 0.58×). It

351-604: The M5 body in today's currency (Consumer Price Index Integer) is c. US$ 4200. Leica reverted to the M4 and its iterations, until the coming of the Leica M6 which offered the features of the M5, albeit through the use of more electronic circuitry, while retaining the classic M design. The M5 is now a relatively uncommon type, and their price on the second-hand market is comparable to that of the M6. M5's were discovered by Japanese collectors in

378-485: The M6 "TTL" manufactured from 1998 to 2002. In 2022, Leica introduced a new version of the M6, based on the technology of the Leica MP, but staying true to the design of the M6. The M6 incorporates a light meter within the body dimensions established by the previous Leica M3 and Leica M4 models. The light meter was operated by depressing the shutter halfway, had no moving parts, and used LEDs to display readings in

405-451: The MP coated glass element will be installed at the same time; reported cost for both modifications c. US$ 500). The exposure meter uses a circular CdS cell 8.5 mm in diameter (coverage with 50 mm lens = 21°), and having a sensitivity of -0 (some estimates claim -1) - 20 Ev at 100 ASA (0.3-0.4 asb at f/1.4 to 200 000 asb; 0,06 to 32.000 cd/m2). Information from the exposure meter

432-540: The PX625 1.35 V mercuric oxide coin type cell which was banned because of its mercury content. The M5 continues to run on a number of alternatives including the Weincell MRB625. The battery compartment is located between the strap lugs. It is accessed by using a coin slot type threaded cap and is superior in design to that of the bayonet caps that surfaced as of the M6. The M5 has the largest M shutter speed dial. It

459-471: The blue tint of the earlier M2/M3. Its lens surfaces are multicoated, reducing flare. As with other .72 magnification finders, the M5 can suffer from RF 'white-out' (where the focus patch disappears in some flare-inducing lighting conditions), but this is less pronounced than on all following M-series until the coming of the Leica MP (2003, in which Leica added condenser lens, which was previously removed from

486-438: The camera rotated during firing). The M3 combined slower and faster speeds and the dial does not rotate during firing. Supposedly, this reduces vibrations in the camera. Early models used a non-geometrical series of shutter speeds. On later models this became the international standard of 1s to 1/1000s. Variants of the M3 were made for specific purposes. The Leica 24x27 was a camera with neither rangefinder nor viewfinder, made for

513-602: The film is done by removing the bottom plate, like on the Leica II and III series. A door flap on the rear of the camera can be raised, allowing for easier access to the film, thereby overcoming a problem associated with these earlier screw-lens-type Leicas. The film is inserted from the bottom of the camera after the user has pre-attached the leading end to the take-up spool. Special cassettes were also available. Previous screw mount Leicas used two separate shutter speed dials for slow and fast speeds (the fast speed dial on top of

540-433: The frame masking mechanism while M4-2 was produced, with a coated glass element to rectify the flare problem. Like the M4, the M5 viewfinder features bright-line frames for 35 mm, 50 mm, 90 mm, and 135 mm lenses. The 35 mm and 135 mm frames appear together as a pair. Uniquely, its viewfinder displays both metered area and shutter speeds. Leica M4-P framelines may be optionally installed (typically

567-511: The late '90s and their price experienced a sharp rise at that time. Mechanical |  Mechanical TTL   |   Electronic Controlled Shutter TTL   Leica M3 The Leica M3 is a 35 mm rangefinder camera by Ernst Leitz GmbH (now Leica Camera AG ), 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

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594-448: The postal service to photograph electricity meters. The M3 was supplemented by the M2 with a 0.72× viewfinder more suited to wide-angle lenses. The next model was the rangefinder-less M1 , intended as an interface with scientific instruments or with a visoflex. With the exception of the larger Leica M5 , subsequent Leica M-series cameras have a strong family resemblance to the M3. In 2002,

621-458: The same design as the Leica M4 (1967). The M5 was the last M to feature a mechanical self-timer (duration 5–10 seconds). The M5 incorporates an improved rapid film loading spool design over the M4. The M5 has a rapid transport lever which winds the shutter and advances the film and the frame counter in one single motion, or in a series of shorter motions. A marker for the film plane is engraved on

648-476: The top of the camera housing. The M5's redesigned horizontal travelling cloth focal plane shutter is reported to be the quietest of the M series. The shutter curtains travel at a relatively low speed which has as a consequence the 1/50 second flash sync speed. The M5's optical rangefinder / viewfinder mechanism is based on the M4 (itself based on the Leica M2 (1958). The M5 has 0.72 viewfinder magnification, with

675-738: The viewfinder. Informally it is referred to as the M6 "Classic" to distinguish it from the "M6 TTL" models, and to indicate its "Classic" M3 dimensions. The top and bottom plates were made from lighter, cheaper magnesium alloy rather than the heavier machined brass of the M3 and M4. The M6 and M6 TTL are mechanical cameras; all functions except the light meter work without batteries, unlike the succeeding M7 , which needs electrical power to operate properly. The Leica M6 has more special editions than any other M cameras as of 2013. The following list includes some, but not all Leica M6 Special Editions: Mechanical |  Mechanical TTL   |   Electronic Controlled Shutter TTL   This article

702-578: Was built, sold at auction in 2009 for €72,000. In June 2019 a pre series model from 1952/1953 was sold for €360.000 at the 34th Leitz auction in Wetzlar. This new bayonet mount, which has not been changed in the following half century, is called the Leica M-mount . Lenses are changed faster than with a screw mount, and framelines set automatically. Non-Leitz/Leica bayonet-mount lenses can also be used (although none were produced in any quantity while

729-443: Was the first Leica to combine rangefinder and viewfinder into one window. (Other cameras, such as the Contax II , already had this feature before World War II ; and other companies were making screwmount bodies with combined finders.) Framelines for 50, 90 and 135mm are shown, although none for any wider lenses. However, Leica solved this problem in two different ways: The 50 mm framelines are always visible. The viewfinder image

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