Leica III
Encyclopedia
The Leica III is a rangefinder camera
introduced by Leica in 1933, and produced in parallel with the Leica II
series. Several models were produced over the years, with significant improvements.
The Leica III uses a coupled rangefinder distinct from the viewfinder. The viewfinder is set for a 50mm lens; use of shorter or longer lenses requires installing an alternate viewfinder on the accessory socket.
Rangefinder camera
A rangefinder camera is a camera fitted with a rangefinder: a range-finding focusing mechanism allowing the photographer to measure the subject distance and take photographs that are in sharp focus...
introduced by Leica in 1933, and produced in parallel with the Leica II
Leica II
The Leica II is a rangefinder camera introduced by Leica in 1932. They were the first Leica cameras with an integrated rangefinder. Several models were produced over the years, in parallel with the Leica III series from 1933....
series. Several models were produced over the years, with significant improvements.
The Leica III uses a coupled rangefinder distinct from the viewfinder. The viewfinder is set for a 50mm lens; use of shorter or longer lenses requires installing an alternate viewfinder on the accessory socket.
| Model name | Manufacturing dates | Features or improvements | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leica F (Leica III) | 1933–1939 | like II but with slow speeds on frontal dial |  |
| Leica 250 Leica 250 Reporter The Leica 250 Reporter is a body variant of the Leica screw mount rangefinder. It was designed to take bulk film by rolls of 10 metres, allowing 250 exposures. The film was charged in special film cassettes .... |
1933–1946 | Leica III or IIIa with 250-image magazines (10 metres of film) |  |
| Leica G (Leica IIIa) | 1935–1940 | adds 1/1000 speed |  |
| Leica IIIb | 1938–1940 | rfdr. and viewer windows close together | |
| Leica IIIc | 1940–1951 | die-cast Die casting Die casting is a metal casting process that is characterized by forcing molten metal under high pressure into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is created using two hardened tool steel dies which have been machined into shape and work similarly to an injection mold during the process... body, slightly longer, redesigned shutter |
 |
| Leica IIId | 1940–1945 | Very rare, only 427 were built | |
| Leica IIIf | 1950–1952/53 | postwar improvements, and some have self-timer lever. Flash synchronisation. |  |
| Leica IIIg | 1957–1960 | change in body configuration to facilitate manufacture, larger and brighter viewfinder. Frames for 50 and 90mm lenses. Rare. |  |
External links
- Leica III by Karen Nakamura
- History of the Screw Mount Leicas
- Leica III made since 1933
- Leica Screwmount