M3 Leica M3

1954, at the photographic equipment fair held in Cologne, West Germany at that time, Leica announced a camera that won historical honor in the future, that is, the famous camera "Leica M3" which is still very popular today. Of course, it has also developed into M7 with AE function and MP with photometry function, but after all, we can't forget the history of the M prototype.

In fact, M3 is an improved model after many shortcomings of Leica Banach model. The first is the improvement of lens bayonet, which changes screw hole (commonly known as L hole) into plug-in M hole to make lens replacement faster. The viewfinder is also changed from binocular to monocular, with 50MM, 90MM, 135MM viewfinder and automatic parallax compensation system. The viewfinder consists of tiny prisms glued together, and its optical structure is the most complicated among all the viewfinders of Leica cameras. It is precisely because of this feature that we have boasted that the viewfinder magnification is 0.9 1 times. Such a high magnification makes the main body in the viewfinder look bright and has high focusing accuracy, which is the greatest charm of M3.

However, for the sake of cost, the M-type Leica M2 after M3 inherits the structure of M3 viewfinder, but it is simplified.

The winding of M3 is also changed from the circular rotating type of BARNACK model to the handle type. The shutter knob is also unified into one. The further change is that not only the bottom cover is removed, but also a unique back cover different from the current SLR can be opened to facilitate film loading.

It can be said that the appearance of M3 has had a great impact on the world camera industry. It can be called "M3 shock wave". Zeiss, who has always been a competitor of Leica, therefore withdrew from the competition of 35MM paraxial camera. Japan, which has been trying to catch up with German cameras, has finally seen the gap in technical strength between itself and its rivals from M3. I deeply feel that I can't catch up with Japanese camera manufacturers in Germany on the side-axis machine, and I have given up the competition with Leica on the side-axis machine and developed SLR cameras instead. It was this change that led to the photography fashion trend led by the Japanese manufacturer SLR, which finally threatened the survival of Leica (of course, there were also reasons for the skyrocketing labor costs in Germany at that time), which is another story. It can be said that M3 fully demonstrated the technical level of Leica, and at the same time put the rope around Leica's neck, because Leica has never introduced a machine that can exceed M3.

M3 was manufactured from 1954 to 1966 12, with a total of 235,000 units (or 226,000 units at the end of 1968), of which the fuselage number specially produced in 1968 was 1206962- 1206999, and Leica also produced a batch of special orders in 1966. According to this calculation, it should be 13, because it has not been produced for 67 years, which I said according to the data. Most of them are produced in German factories, but some of them are produced in Canadian factories, with a ratio of about 30: 1. Black fuselage accounts for about 1.3%, with only nearly 3000 sets. Because it is rare, the price of the second-hand market is ridiculously expensive, which is 5- 10 times that of the ordinary model. According to Leica's records, a total of 143 vehicles were manufactured for the West German army, accounting for 0.06% of the total. Compared with M2, M4 and M5, M3 has the largest number of production units and is also the most popular.

Although it has been a long time since the production was stopped, M3 has maintained a strong popularity for a long time because it has been standing at the highest peak of the side axle machine. M3' s high-precision mechanical properties, smooth operation and exquisite chrome plating technology have surpassed the concept of camera as a tool. It can be said that handicrafts are preserved to make photographers like them. So someone must think I'm desecrating his artifact. I'm just talking nonsense. Don't take it too seriously. The body number of Leica M3 is exactly from No.700000 to the end of 1 164865 (this statement does not include the calculation of special customization. Actually, as I said above, after the end of' 66, we made a batch of special machines in' 68, with the serial number: 1206962- 1206999.

During the production of 12 (14), M3 also had many improvements. One of the most famous changes is the scroll handle. From the fuselage number 700000~9 15250, it is 2-pass, from 9 1525 1, the winding is changed to 1 pass, and now it is widely used in other m machines. The shutter speed has also been changed. At that time, the initial M3 was adopted internationally, namely: 1, 1/2, 1/5,110, 1/25 and 1/50. In fact, if M3 is roughly classified, it can be divided into the following three types: 2. Download, international shutter type; 2 under film, the shutters are equal; One shot.

Below IIIf, Leica Banach viewfinder can only use 50 mm lens. If other lenses are used, an additional viewfinder must be installed. However, M3 has built-in view frames of 50 mm, 90 mm and 135MM, so when different lenses are installed, the view frames will be automatically changed to match the lenses. And in order to understand the shooting range of the lens even without the lens, start with NO. 78580 1, a viewfinder switch handle is added to the front of the fuselage.

The large metal hook on the front of the strap has also been changed from 950000 to a small size, and the position has also been changed to the oblique side in front of the fuselage. This is true for all models except M5 after M2. This can also be said to be a major change in the appearance of M3.

If we want to make further subtle differences, the original M3 has three screws on the front and two screws on the back, but only 1 screw on the front. At the center of the initial round handle, the sign to confirm whether the film is installed normally is a slot cut horizontally, with the middle turning into a thick point and the back turning into two points.

After Leica M2 was sold in 1958, the part of M3 gradually became a common part with M2. For example, the rangefinder in the viewfinder is added with a sign indicating the shooting depth on M2, and the film return handle is also as miniaturized as the later modeling of M2. In addition, at the end of M3 production, the lens installation button, like M2, eliminates the surrounding metal ring.

According to foreign Leica enthusiasts, nearly 6,000 sets of black Leica (I think it is more accurate to say 3,000 sets) and a few military ones are all treasures of M3. Besides, the earliest horned tops didn't. 70 1300 is regarded as a treasure in M3. As I mentioned earlier in this article, M3 has changed a lot, which makes our choices more extensive. According to common sense, the new model with partial changes is more expensive and popular, but this common sense does not apply to M3. Some people like the initial dual chip, and some just like the single chip. If you haven't been exposed to M3 before, first learn about M3 of various specifications according to the information. If possible, take this machine to the camera shop to touch it yourself and find the one that suits your taste. This may be more difficult in China. In fact, you can find your favorite M3 from the information. If you have this process, you can learn something about Leica even if you don't become an M3 expert.

Here, I can only give you a brief introduction to the Japanese market based on articles in Japanese magazines. Welcome other places to add DX.

From the perspective of markets around the world, it can be said that Leica is the most expensive in Japan. It is precisely because of the Japanese's unreasonable worship of Leica that M3 was fired at sky-high prices in the market. The Japanese market, like other markets, is very different according to the appearance price. The cheapest is around 6.5438+0.5 million yen (above 6.5438+0.000 RMB), and the best is above 400,000 yen (above 27,000 RMB). If it is for practical reasons, you can consider the cheap appearance as long as it is passable, but you must find the one with good mechanical action. At that time, there was also a change in Leeds Company. Although the fuselage number is twice in the second-hand market, it has actually been changed to disposable. This modified product is much cheaper than the price set by the fuselage number.

As the disadvantage of M3, people often list that the view frame does not correspond to the wide-angle lens. When using a 35mm lens, do you want to buy a lens with an auxiliary viewfinder (that is, we often say glasses) or a separate auxiliary viewfinder? Basically, M3 is a body suitable for a 50 mm lens. If the 35mm lens is the main lens, it is more appropriate to buy M2, with built-in 35mm, 50mm and 90mm view frames.

In fact, there is another option, that is, you can buy Konica's Herxar RF. There are six kinds of viewfinders: 28, 35, 50, 75, 90, 135mm. All the M-series lenses of Leica can be used, even the L-type of Leica with a connecting ring can be used. AE automatic exposure can also be performed, and it can also be easily loaded. For details, please refer to my last post "Detailed explanation of Konica Hexar RF". After all, Leica fans like its lens, not its body. I thought the same thing.

There is another option, that is, Bessa -R2 introduced by Cocina. This machine also uses a body named VM port that can use M head, but there are only four kinds of view frames of 35, 50, 75 and 90 mm It seems that this machine is not as sensational as Konica's RF.

I started collecting information about Leica just to buy M3. After reading it, I understand. Well, this article has come out and is now on sale. Perhaps because I don't appreciate the charm of Leica culture, I still think RF is easy to use.

It's time to stop. The longer you write it, the longer it will become the ugly and long foot-binding cloth of the old lady. All right, here it is!

One more paragraph. Because M3 also needs an exposure meter, most people use Leica's head and RF as the fuselage. M3 is suitable for playing and shooting at home, which is a bit backward. M7 is ok. Everyone may have the same experience. After using AE machine more, the ability of relying on experience and visual inspection is not as good as before. It is a bit unscientific to emphasize exposure by experience now.