Leica M Series

The Leica M system as we know it has been in existence since 1954 when the first model, the M3 was introduced. Since its introduction, little seems to have changed on the surface - but there are many subtle differences. The M3 turned the 35mm camera industry on end with several groundbreaking features for the time including the bayonet lens mount (which is still in use today) and a viewfinder with multiple, automatically changing framelines with parallax correction that was bright and clear. Over the years, the M system developed more on an evolutionary rather than revolutionary track. Small refinements and changes were added with each release:

This overview only covers the major bodies - excluding some of the variants such as the M2-MOT (1967), MD (1965), M4-MOT (1967), MDa (1967), MD-2 (1977) and the special editions which made their debut after the release of the M6 such as the M6J, etc. They might be added at a later time, but for now they can be summarized as follows.

The MD variants are essentially "Documentation" cameras and do not feature a rangefinder or viewfinder. Instead, they accept index strips - which required a special base plate with a light-tight slot. Used for photographically recording documentation and rather specialized. They could also be used with the Visoflex (an SLR attachment).

The M2-MOT and M4-MOT allowed for coupling to a (large) motorized winder. The compatibility became standard with the M4-2/MD-2 and M4-P onwards with both dedicated winders and the universal Leica Winder M and Motor M. While the size of these motorized winders shrank considerably over the years, the top speed never surpassed 3fps. They also operate at a slower speed of 1-1.5fps and can be triggered for either single or multiple exposures via the shutter button.

For the M1/M2/MD models, there was the Leicavit (very rare) and for the MP (original modified M3 and later 2003+ MP) models the Leicavit MP. This accessory replaced your baseplate with a manually operated lever that both advanced the film and cocked the shutter. With practice, up to 2fps were possible.

Early Leica M bodies had a cold shoe and offered M (flashbulb) and X (electronic flashgun) sync ports. These are not compatible with regular PC sync cords, though adapters are available. The hot shoe didn't make an appearance until the M5 (introduced in 1972) and it was a single contact up until the M6 TTL (introduced in 1998) which featured TTL flash metering and brought the count up to four (the shoe acting as a ground for both).
M3 (1954-1966)

The M3 is the quintessential M camera that started it all, defining the M system for the next 57+ years and was even featured in the James Bond movie, "Dr. No." It was a groundbreaking camera when it was introduced and many of its traits carry on through to the latest M cameras, including the bayonet lens mount and viewfinder features. It's a strictly manual (and mechanical) camera in every sense of the word. Many consider it among the finest cameras that Leica has ever produced and is a particular favorite among 50mm shooters because of it's high-magnification .90x viewfinder. The framelines available are 50, 90 and 135 and feature automatic parallax correction. The 50 is always visible - 90 or 135 become visible as well with the corresponding lens mounted.

The M3 was essentially in a constant state of development during its production (much to the delight of collectors). The first batches of the M3 didn't have the frame preview lever but appeared shortly thereafter in 1955 (as of #785891). The shutter speed dial was also calibrated to German standards of the time (e.g. 1/100s, 1/50s, 1/25s, etc.) until 1957 (from #854001) when the normal speeds we see today were introduced. Finally, early M3s were equipped with a shutter cocking/film advance mechanism that required two strokes of the wind lever (so-called "double stroke" or "DS" bodies, as opposed to "single stroke" or "SS"). The latter made its debut in 1958 (as of #915251).

About 225,000 M3s were produced.





The M2 is very similar to the M3 but differs in one key aspect; the viewfinder magnification was reduced from .90x to .72x (which would become the standard for all M bodies to follow) to allow the viewfinder to display framelines for the 35mm focal length. The framelines available are now 35, 50 and 90 and behave as all following Ms will - 50 is no longer fixed. The exposure counter is also different (and now requires a manual reset to zero). Notice the lack of bevels around the windows and a slighly changed top plate. This would define the look for bodies to follow. You'll also notice the illumination window for the framelines is now a fresnel lens, which improved light gathering - and made for brighter framelines.

Early versions of the M2 didn't have a self-timer and had a film rewind button instead of a lever (so-called "button rewind" bodies).

About 83,000 M2s were produced.




The M1 was sort of in between the M2 and the upcoming MD body that replaced it in 1965. It had a viewfinder, but no rangefinder and permanently displayed the 35/50 framelines (though it did have automatic parallax correction). Therefore it had no frame preview lever, and also lacked a self-timer. It was meant as a camera for scientific/technical and documentation use. The MD that followed had no viewfinder at all.

About 9,392 M1s were produced.


The M4 introduces further changes to the viewfinder, which now covers the 35/135, 50 and 90 framelines while still at a .72x magnification. Body controls (winder, self timer and preview levers) change to the more modern look and the film rewind becomes an actual crank, which sits at an angle now.

While actually making its debut with the prior M2R (or "military M2" body, not listed here) the M4 utilizes a new film loading system, which no longer requires a separate take-up spool.

About 58,000 M4s were produced.


The M5 is unique among the M cameras in several ways; some people like it while others loathe it. The body dimensions are quite a departure from the traditional, being both larger all around (except in thickness) and heavier. The TTL metering is unique among M bodies in that it features a match needle system, and it is because of this and the swing-in metering cell "paddle" that the camera took on its characteristic size and shape. To its credit, it featured a couple of "firsts" in the M system, including a light meter (which requires a battery), a hot shoe and shutter speeds visible in the viewfinder. Some unique features include the rewind crank, which is in the base plate and both horizontal and vertical strap lugs. Because of the uproar from the long-time M shooters and poor sales (It cost close to $1,000 when introduced), it was short-lived - and almost killed the M system entirely, as Leica started focusing on the R system.


The M4-2 marked a turning point for Leica - it was a return to the M system with cost-cutting as a major consideration. Production was moved to Midland, Canada. As a result of the cost-cutting, several things would change about the M. The changes included moving from an engraved "Leica" script to stamped, a lesser vulcanite, and removal of a condenser in the rangefinder mechanism (which introduced the potential for ghosts/flare, which persisted through the M6 model), loss of the self timer and a simplification of its internals.

To its credit, it still had brass top and base plates. The majority of M4-2 bodies were black chrome, though silver chrome was an option as well. From this (and the MD-2 from 1977) model forward, M bodies could now accept the Leica Motor and Winder M accessories - putting an end to the "-MOT" models.


The M4-P is quite similar to the M4-2. It introduced us to the now standard frameline pairs of 28/90, 50/75 and 35/135. Like the M4-2, the majority were produced in black chrome (silver chrome was also an option). Introduced with this model are the zinc top and base plates. The last 1,000 bodies were produced in Wetzlar, Germany as production of the M6 began.


The M6 is very similar to the M4-P but reintroduces electronics to the M system (since the M5) featuring a TTL (Through The Lens) meter, but a more modern implementation. It uses a silicon photodiode as compared to the M5's cadmium sulfide meter cell and covers a greater area of the scene (12mm vs. 8.5mm). Like the M4-P, the M6 features zinc top and base plates.

The M6 TTL differs from the M6 in a couple of ways and marks a new direction for the M bodies - namely, increased use of electronics. The meter from the M6 is now microprocessor controlled and allows for TTL flash metering and the viewfinder display also changed slightly (from "< >" to "> o <"). This last change corresponds to the new shutter speed dial direction, which many now call "backwards" in rotation (to the previous M bodies). The shutter speed dial is larger, as is the body itself - some 2.5mm taller and 60g heavier over the M6. Another new option with the M6 TTL was the availability of the .85 viewfinder magnification in addition to the standard .58/.72. While .85 viewfinders on the M6 exist - only 3,130 were made at the factory that way.

Compare the M6 (top) with the M6 TTL (bottom) - notice the larger shutter speed dial, improved rangefinder/viewfinder and taller top plate of the TTL:


The M7 continues the integration of electronics in the M with the addition of an aperture priority mode ("A") and an all-new viewfinder display for exposure. In addition to the manual metering of the M6 TTL ("> o <") it also offers an LED readout of shutter speed, which remains in use up through the latest M9-P. Early viewfinders were able to be updated to the MP version (which reintroduces the condenser removed starting with the M4-2) and is available in .58 and .85 magnifications besides the standard of .72 as with the M6 TTL. The DX reader could also be updated - the original was electromechanical whereas the revised reader is optical (in some cases problems were noted with the original). Later M7 bodies had both the updated MP viewfinder and optical DX reader. After 22 years, for the M7 (and the following MP) Leica returns to using brass for the top and base plates.

Another feature of the new electronics comes in the form of an electronically-controlled shutter in the M7 that's both quieter and more accurate. However, it now depends on a battery for operation outside of two fall-back speeds of 1/160s and 1/125s which become mechanically controlled should the battery die. This is an important distinction for some over the mechanically-controlled shutters of other bodies.