Ken rockwell leica m3. This 7-element lens was first introduced for screw-mount cameras like the stunning LEICA IIIf, and also available in the new bayonet mount for the LEICA M3 starting in 1954. January 2009 Rangefinder vs. Optics are spectacular, and ergonomics are the best yet. /206g, about $300), is a perfectly fine lens, and especially sharp in the center. I understand M3 has frame lines for 35 but Ken Rockwell says 35 needs a mask over the viewfinder/rangefinder and M3 is better suited to 50mm ? In its day the the Nikon S3 wasn't much compared to LEICA's M3, but today as LEICA's offerings have withered away for cost-savings (and as LEICA's prices have risen ridiculously without competition), the Nikon S3 offers many advantages as a great rangefinder camera today for not much more than a dirty little plastic Voigtländers or a clattery This LEICA SUMMILUX-M 35mm f/1. This TTArtisan 50mm f/1. NEW: LEICA M-E September 2012. The M7's basic operation is the same as the LEICA M3 of 1954, which is the basis of most modern 35mm cameras. größer. In short, the Summicron DR is a marvel of engineering and design. 5 by Leitz (1925-1961, A36 filters, later E39, 3. /460g, about $3,700), is better than the previous SUMMILUX, but still not as sharp as the SUMMICRON. 8 ASPH set to f/5. 4 mk2). LEICA Lenses LEICA M Cameras LEICA Screw-Mount Cameras LEICA SL Cameras LEICA Compact & Q Cameras LEICA SF-24D Flash LEICA TRINOVID Binoculars LEICAMETERs LEICA Filters LEICA Lens Recommendations Just Use It more LEICA Articles Reviews of lesser brands LEICA Photo Galleries The Yosemite in Springtime with the LEICA M3 16-18 May 2014 The LEICA ELMAR 50mm f/3. Recommendations top Stick with the LEICA M3. 4, has a deep depth-of-field. These are the best The LEICA SUMMICRON-M 35mm f/2 (46mm filters, 9. LEICA 28mm f/2. Vergrößern. The 50mm is ideal for most use, and optimum for images with one subject. If buying an M3 you would want to check this. The M7's metering pattern was taken from Nikon SLRs of the 1960s. Private Daten. The M9 is noisy and clunky compared to the smooth-as-silk LEICA M3. Ken. Lens Hood: IROOA, later 12 571 J (1961), 12 585 (1964), 12 526 (2009). The LEICA SUMMICRON-M 35mm f/2 (46mm filters, 9. This is an extraordinary lens. 4 ASPH on LEICA M7 0. It works on every film and digital LEICA M made, from the 1954's LEICA M3 though today's LEICA M7 and LEICA M9. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken. LEICA Lenses LEICA M Cameras LEICA Screw-Mount Cameras LEICA SL Cameras LEICA Compact & Q Cameras LEICA SF-24D Flash LEICA TRINOVID Binoculars LEICAMETERs LEICA Filters LEICA Lens Recommendations Just Use It more LEICA Articles Reviews of lesser brands LEICA Photo Galleries The Yosemite in Springtime with the LEICA M3 16-18 May 2014 If I dare compare the LEICA M3, the LEICA M2 (1957-1967), the "poor mans's LEICA," used a lower-magnification finder with a simpler, cheaper and inferior rangefinder system. TTArtisan 50mm f/1. The LEICA SUMMICRON has always been the world's standard for performance, and my tests of this newest version prove that this reputation is earned, not given. LEICA Lenses LEICA M Cameras LEICA Screw-Mount Cameras LEICA SL Cameras LEICA Compact & Q Cameras LEICA SF-24D Flash LEICA TRINOVID Binoculars LEICAMETERs LEICA Filters LEICA Lens Recommendations Just Use It more LEICA Articles Reviews of lesser brands LEICA Photo Galleries The Yosemite in Springtime with the LEICA M3 16-18 May 2014 Explore a detailed comparison between Leica's iconic M2 and M3 rangefinder cameras, highlighting their viewfinder magnifications, frame lines, design, and performance. The LEICA M3's ultrasmooth, quiet, solid and precise mechanics are much better than the LEICA M9. LEICA Lenses LEICA M Cameras LEICA Screw-Mount Cameras LEICA SL Cameras LEICA Compact & Q Cameras LEICA SF-24D Flash LEICA TRINOVID Binoculars LEICAMETERs LEICA Filters LEICA Lens Recommendations Just Use It more LEICA Articles Reviews of lesser brands LEICA Photo Galleries The Yosemite in Springtime with the LEICA M3 16-18 May 2014 The LEICA M3 has never needed any special editions; every LEICA M3 is extraordinary. (380. This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Every 35mm lens, even at f/1. The LEICA SUMMICRON-M 50mm f/2 is 100% compatible with every LEICA M camera from the LEICA M3 of 1954 through today's LEICA M7, MP and the LEICA M9. Search LEICA Reviews LEICA M3 and SUMMILUX 50mm f/1. But I’d by lying if I said I wasn’t motivated to try a “vintage” M-mount Leica. The change in methods of building and construction materials that started with the M4-2 seems – at lea Aug 14, 2025 · Explore a detailed comparison between Leica's iconic M2 and M3 rangefinder cameras, highlighting their viewfinder magnifications, frame lines, design, and performance. Your results will vary, these are with my samples as note to myself. Zuiko ED 90mm f/3. Jan 12, 2024 · Launched in 1954, the Leica M3 sold over 226,000 units before it was discontinued and replaced by the M4 in 1967. Thus we see that LEICA's screw mount cameras, including the very first in 1932, have more precise rangefinders than anything available today in the M9. Complete professional review follows The LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1. Compatibility top The LEICA M6 and M6 TTL are completely compatible with all LEICA M lenses ever made, and with a simple adapter, even with LEICA screw-mount lenses made since 1930. One was a beater from 1955, with a worn 50mm f/2 collapsible lens. & Mrs. 1953-1960: Collapsible LEICA SUMMICRON 5cm f/2 LEICA SUMMICRON 5cm f/2, Collapsible. Get only the LEICAMETER MR-4 for the LEICA M4, LEICA M4-2 or LEICA M4-P because its reading button is designed to stay clear of these camera's rewind crank. He is certainly unqualified to discuss Leica or Leicaflex cameras or lenses. Specifications top Intro Specs Performance Recommendations LEICA 28mm/2. Sample Images top Sample Images Introduction Specifications Accessories Unboxing Performance Compared User's Guide Recommendations More The LEICA 90mm f/4 MACRO-ELMAR-M works perfectly on every LEICA M camera, from the M3 of 1954, Minolta's CLE, and of course today's LEICA M7, LEICA MP and LEICA M9. For actual photography, this is still the best 50mm f/1. Same as the M9, for just $5,500. The only slight gotcha is that you'll need an external shoe-mounted 35mm finder for the M3 (or CL or CLE), otherwise every other LEICA has a 35mm finder built-in. 4 ASPH (floating element) works perfectly on every LEICA M camera, from the LEICA M3 of 1954 through today's LEICA M7, LEICA MP and LEICA M9. The LEICA M typ 240 offers a much quieter shutter than the M9, as well as LEICA's first option for an external electronic viewfinder (EVF), the LEICA Kodak Konica LaCie LaCrosse Laowa LEICA Lexar Linhof Logitech Lumintop Lupine Luxli Lighting MacCase Mamiya Megadap Metabones Microtek Minolta Moment iPhone lenses Moshi Nikon Nitecore BB2 Electronic Blower NB20000 Ultralight Power Bank NiteCore BlowerBaby Noktor Oben Tripods Oberwerk OM SYSTEM Olympus OWC SSDs, Cards, Readers & Docks If buying an M3 you would want to check this. Sep 8, 2025 · An index to complete professional reviews of all LEICA cameras and lenses from 1934 to today. 8 on a LEICA M7. LEICA M9 User's The Leitz Minolta CLE (Compact LEICA Electronic) is a manual and automatic exposure, manual focus rangefinder camera that is an important part of the LEICA system. Some of these are illustrated on Ken Rockwell's page about the M3: LEICA M3 (1954-1967) LEICA: SL2 SL2 S Q3 43 Q3 Q2 Q2M M11M M11 M10-R M10M M10P M10 M240 M-E M9P M9T M9 M7 M6/TTL CLE M3 IIIf IIIa Lenses OM SYSTEM: OM-1 Mark II OM-1 M. The lens was worn. 4 ASPH has a LEICA M mount. The CLE is the world's first LEICA M camera with TTL automatic exposure. This guide assists photographers and collectors in choosing the model that best suits their shooting style and lens preferences. I got my 50mm SUMMILUX used at eBay (How to Win at eBay) or you can get the new 2025 edition. The Leica M3 vs Olympus 35 SP would be a closer contest if I'd shot both cameras at f8. Oct 14, 2013 · According to Ken Rockwell, the M3 is the best that Leica has ever made (makes sense that it's Leica's best selling model of all time), and is considered by many as the world's best camera ever. intro: 01 June 1967 Specifications with commentary top Intro Specs Performance Usage Recommendations late 70s: M3, M2, M4 and M5 finders optimized at close focus diatnce; 39" for 35, 50 and 90mm, 5 feet for 135mm. M2 lens in polystyrene container: SIMOM, later 11 306 Y. That's right: the googly-eyed versions work perfectly even with the newest digital cameras; the eyes reduce the wide 35mm field-of-view so that it fits inside the 50mm framelines of every Leica, which are selected Ken Rockwell has a nice write-up on the Summicron DR here if you are curious to know more. fernhalten! nicht betreten! 1955 after gus 30 oct-13 Nov 2010 roll 7093 focus tests. I waited for the sweet satisfaction that comes with capturing the decisive moment. If you wish to isolate your subject with selective focus, use 50mm or longer lenses. This LEICA SUMMICRON-M 90mm f/2 works perfectly on every LEICA M camera, from the LEICA M3 of 1954, Minolta's CLE, and of course today's LEICA M7, LEICA MP and LEICA M9. Ryan und LEICA M3 im Display der LEICA Q2. Die grössten Brennweiten benutzen ein Reflexgehäuse. 1g), or about 2/3 the weight of other Leicas. With the LEICA M3, every time I hear the second curtain delicately slide home, I know I have just created another perfect photograph that will remain immortal for all time. He never dithers; he instinctively grabs just one lens and makes it work. The M3 has the best finder for the 35mm, 50mm, 90mm Search LEICA Reviews LEICA M3 and SUMMILUX 50mm f/1. I believe the 35 SP Olympus is at it's best at f8 (from looking at Ken's images). LEICA 90mm f/4 Bloodline top Details ELMAR, ELMAR collapsible, ELMAR-C, MACRO-ELMAR-M. I’ve written about using the Summicron DR with a Leica M3 for 35mmc here. LEICA 35mm f/2 ASPH on an M4P. It cannot mount on any LEICA screw-mount camera. Summary I bought two LEICA M3s from total strangers through this link to the M3 at eBay (see How to Win at eBay). M3 lens and caps in foam and velvet-lined cardboard box as shown: SIMWO, later 11 106 Q. 4. LEICA Q2. SLR cameras Leica Camera Reviews Leica Lens Reviews Recommended Leica Lenses How to Afford Anything Contax G System Introduction Boxed LEICA Leitz SIMWO 35mm f/2. /263g, about $3,000), is LEICA's best ultrawide lens at any price. Performance top Intro Specs Performance Usage Recommendations Usage top Intro Specs Performance Usage Recommendations Recommendations top Intro Specs Performance Usage Search LEICA Reviews LEICA M3 and SUMMILUX 50mm f/1. 4 ASPH (2010 ~ today). Some of these are illustrated on Ken Rockwell's page about the M3: LEICA M3 (1954-1967) According to Ken Rockwell, the M3 is the best that Leica has ever made (makes sense that it's Leica's best selling model of all time), and is considered by many as the world's best camera ever. Get either the LEICAMETER MR or LEICAMETER MR-4 for a LEICA M3, LEICA M2 or LEICA M1. I buy only from these approved sources. 4 oz. The only gotchas are the usual: it won't meter with HOLOGON 15mm f8, SUPER-ANGULON 21mm f/4 or f/3. November 2024 More LEICA Reviews LEICA Lenses Recommended Lenses NEW: LEICA M240, LEICA M9, Fuji X100S and Nikon D600 Image Quality Comparison 11 March 2014 NEW: LEICA M typ 240 Quieter and far better JPG images than the M9, but poorer DNG highlight rendition. Summary top The LEICA man is who he is because he makes solid decisions quickly. The Leica M4 in many people's eyes is the last of the classic Leica rangefinder and even holds the prize with many as being the ultimate Leica M camera. Mr. . It worked, but it was gritty. /111g, about $350 used), is the world's first interchangable lens for a 35mm camera, and stil performs well today. Die LEICA M3 ist 100% kompatibel mit jedem LEICA M Objektiv (1954-heute), und mit einem einfachen Adapter 100% kompatibel mit jedem Objektiv mit Schraubgewinde (1933-heute). April 2012 LEICA Reviews LEICA Lenses The LEICA M-E is the LEICA M9 in a different color, without the needless USB port and viewfinder-frame preselector lever — for a $1,500 discount from the other M9! See my LEICA M9 Review for an in-depth review, all of which applies to the LEICA M-E. I have a Leica iiia, so it would be unfair on it to claim I wished to try a “vintage” Leica. This, as all SUMMICRONS, was very popular. Back when the CLE was introduced I ignored it because it I’m considering buying a single stroke M3 but plan to get a new Voigtlander lens rather than vintage Leica. With the viewfinder adapter (eyes), the SUMMILUX works on every Leica M, from the M3 of 1954 through today's M9, M7 and MP. The M3 has the biggest viewfinder, the sharpest and most contrasty rangefinder, and the most complete and uncluttered set of genuine frame lines. For the hundredth time in the few months I’d been shooting the camera, I waited a few moments for the rush of physical and spiritual fanfare that one expects to feel, if we believe what we read from Ken Rockwell and Instagram repost accounts, when shooting a Leica. The LEICA M3 (1954-1967), Leica's best camera, period. Ken Rockwell, Ryan and Katie. LEICA 28/2. 9 oz. I'd get mine at Adorama in silver, Adorama in black, B&H in silver or at B&H in black or at Amazon in silver. enlarge more. 405 oz. The LEICA 28mm f/2. enlarge. Focus and metering work perfectly on every LEICA M camera, from 1954's LEICA M3 through today's newest LEICA M-A, LEICA MP, LEICA M10 Monochrom, LEICA M10-P and LEICA M10-R. LEICA created this M9 variant to let them drop the real price, while retaining the appearance of keeping the prices of the M9 and M9-P unchanged Intro Sample Images Lenses Specs Performance Compared Usage Recommendations More The LEICA M typ 240 is the world's second full-frame mirrorless camera. 6. 4, or the ELMARIT-M 28mm f/2. 5 IS LEICA M10 (23. The M3 has the best finder for the 35mm, 50mm, 90mm The LEICA M9, Leica's newest camera, and the world's best digital camera. - New 1963 M3 serie 1 072 RF does not quite go to inf w/ 35/2 serie 2099, before Gus After Gus Fall 2010: LEICA M3 1963 RVP50 29 Sep 2010 Roll 4160 No filters EI40 first Search LEICA Reviews LEICA M3 and SUMMILUX 50mm f/1. 3 oz. 8 ASPH on LEICA M3 mit LEICAMETER MR-4. 4 lens ever made by anyone until LEICA outdid themselves in 2004 with the ASPH version. The CLE is super lightweight: only 13. LEICA Lens Serial Numbers & Dates 1931-2012 LEICA SUPER-ELMAR-M 21mm f/3. It's taken me about two years get to reviewing the LEICA M3, because trying to review the LEICA M3 is about as meaningful as trying to review any other immortal masterwork, like Beethoven's 9th Symphony or the Mona Lisa. /662g with battery and card, about $7,295) with 50/2 APO-SUMMICRON. 85×. Keep out. Our man Ken Rockwell reviews M: LEICA M typ 240 Review "In spite of all the fun I'll poke at the LEICA M typ 240, the resulting images are so good that it's all worth it. 8 up to serial number 2314921. The LEICA SUMMITAR 50mm f/2 (1939-1953, 7. 8 Summaron. bigger. Leica hat Objektive von 16mm bis 400mm für die M3 gefertigt. Even if other cameras might work better, no one makes lenses as sharp as LEICA, and if you put LEICA lenses on another camera like the Sony A7, they won't be as sharp. It is the successor to the world's first full-frame mirrorless camera, the LEICA M9 of 2009. If ultimate image sharpness is your quest, the LEICA SUMMICRON-M 50mm f/2 is better than any LEICA SUMMILUX. Screw mount lens in polystyrene container: SIMOO and later 11 006 P. Despite its name, the M3 was the first Leica M series camera to be introduced following a redesign of Oskar Barnack’s popular screw-mount Leica cameras. It gets softer in the sides. 1933-1964: LEITZ ELMAR This tiny lens came out in 1933 for screw-mount cameras. The early LEICA M3, with scientific shutter speeds (1-2-5-10 dial), may be set to any speed between 1 and 1/5, and to any speed between 1/50 and 1/1,000 (per LEICA manual, 1955). According to Ken Rockwell, the M3 is the best that Leica has ever made 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. 4 ASPH (46mm filters, 16. Ken Rockwell 'knows' only what he has heard third or fourth-hand from people who have only a vague understanding of what they are talking about. There is a lot said online about the joys of early brass-component Leicas. The old LEICA Q from 2016 sells used for about $2,750 if you know How to Win at eBay. 2 oz. The M6 and M6 TTL's finder is not anti-reflection coated as is the finder of the M7 and M9, but so what, the finder of the M3 isn't coated, and the M3's finder is the best finder LEICA has ever made. I can't vouch for ads below. I prefer 35mm to 50 (Nockton 35/1. 8 ELMARIT-M, many times larger than life. The LEICA 50mm f/2 SUMMICRON with Near-Focusing Range (1939-1953, 7. Other Really Insignificant Variables: Film speed format indicator on rear door, strap lug type, and the asthetic look of the top of the film rewind knob. zgwb, 2ybdr, mkf4b, fafoy, 1dgjk, yp4q, p6imh, lhua, 57zv, v0gu,