{"product_id":"leica-m3-1155542-regular","title":"Leica M3","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThe Leica M3 is where the Leica M story really begins.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIntroduced in 1954, it established the M-mount rangefinder system that Leica continues to build around today. This particular models \u003cstrong\u003eserial number is 1155542\u003c\/strong\u003e, dating back to \u003cstrong\u003e1965\u003c\/strong\u003e and it comes \u003cstrong\u003eboxed with paperwork\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eEverything about the M3 is mechanical. There's no built-in light meter, no automatic exposure and no battery. Focus is handled through its coupled rangefinder, while shutter speed and aperture are set manually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe standout is the \u003cstrong\u003e0.91× viewfinder\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the highest-magnification finders fitted to a Leica M. It provides dedicated frame lines for 50mm, 90mm and 135mm lenses, making the M3 particularly well suited to photographers who favour a 50mm lens or longer M-mount glass. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eBy 1965, the M3 was also well into its later production period. This model uses the later \u003cstrong\u003esingle-stroke film advance\u003c\/strong\u003e, rather than the double-stroke mechanism found on early M3 bodies. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIt's a significant camera historically, but it's also still an entirely usable photographic tool. Load a roll, meter your scene, set the exposure and focus through that beautifully simple rangefinder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003eBest for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeica collectors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeica M photographers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e35mm film photography\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e50mm photography\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStreet photography\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePortraits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDocumentary photography\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eManual photography\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhotographers wanting a battery-free mechanical camera\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors looking for a later-production boxed M3\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003eWhat to expect\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThere is \u003cstrong\u003eno internal exposure meter\u003c\/strong\u003e, so exposure needs to be determined with a handheld meter, external shoe-mounted meter or your own judgement. Once set, the camera itself is completely mechanical and requires no battery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIts \u003cstrong\u003e0.91× viewfinder\u003c\/strong\u003e is the real attraction. The 50mm frame is permanently visible, with 90mm or 135mm frames appearing when the corresponding lens is fitted. A frame-selector lever also lets you preview those fields of view. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe mechanical cloth shutter covers \u003cstrong\u003e1 second through 1\/1000 sec plus Bulb\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eOne limitation worth knowing is that the M3 does \u003cstrong\u003enot have a native 35mm frame line\u003c\/strong\u003e. Photographers wanting to use conventional 35mm M lenses generally need an external finder or an appropriate lens with viewfinder \"goggles.\" \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003eDeveloping\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe Leica M3 uses standard \u003cstrong\u003e35mm \/ 135 film\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eProcessing depends on the film loaded:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour negative:\u003c\/strong\u003e C-41\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTraditional black and white:\u003c\/strong\u003e Standard black and white processing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour reversal \/ slide:\u003c\/strong\u003e E-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eFilm advance and rewind are manual, and because the M3 is completely mechanical, no battery is needed to operate the camera.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Client Transfer SS8","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47701194375222,"sku":"848150J","price":4500.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0776\/4590\/5974\/files\/LeicaM3-4_daaea0b9-ed76-4ec6-aaf0-91470a5db626.png?v=1790084896","url":"https:\/\/www.sydneysuper8.com.au\/products\/leica-m3-1155542-regular","provider":"SS8","version":"1.0","type":"link"}