Name: Leica M3 35mm Rangefinder Single Stroke with Leica MC Meter
Brand: Leica
Price: 1399 USD
Availability: InStock

Bears significant signs of wear, with extensive dings, scrapes, scratches, and possibly cracks or heavy brassing. Glass elements may have imperfections that could affect image quality. Fully operational and includes all items shown in the listing photos. The actual item for sale is pictured unless specifically noted otherwise. The condition rating applies to the core item and not any accessories.

This is not a self-queen. Has a lot of cosmetic wear. Focus batch is bright and accurate. Viewfinder is bright. All shutter speeds are accurate....read more.

The Leica M3 is a legendary 35mm film rangefinder camera introduced in 1954, renowned for its exceptional build quality, precision engineering, and significant impact on camera design. It features a combined bright-line viewfinder, bayonet M-mount lens system, and mechanical precision that set new standards for rangefinder cameras.

Iconic 35mm film rangefinder that revolutionized camera design in the 1950s

Innovative single window combining viewfinder and rangefinder with 0.91x magnification for precise focusing

Combined Viewfinder/Rangefinder

New lens mount allowing quick lens changes and automatic frameline selection

M-Mount Bayonet System

Robust all-metal construction with smooth, quiet mechanical operation

Mechanical Precision

The Leica M3 is a full-frame **35mm** rangefinder film camera built around the **Leica M** bayonet lens mount. Its body is constructed from a **brass top and bottom plate with a metal chassis**, resulting in a camera that feels dense and purposeful at **580g** — housed in dimensions of **138 × 77 × 33.5 mm**. Focusing is entirely manual, handled through a **combined optical rangefinder/viewfinder**, which keeps the shooting experience clean and uncluttered. There is no autofocus, no image stabilization, and no electronic connectivity of any kind on this camera. Flash capability is provided via a **PC sync terminal**, accommodating flashbulb sync up to **1/1000s** and electronic flash sync up to **1/50s**, with a **cold shoe** available for accessory mounting. The M3 carries **no weather sealing**, so it should be used with appropriate care in challenging environments. For photographers drawn to mechanical, fully manual 35mm film shooting paired with Leica M-mount glass, the M3 remains a highly capable and well-built platform.

Accepts the full range of M-mount lenses, including decades of Leica optics and compatible third-party glass still in production today.

Leica M Bayonet Mount

A single eyepiece handles both framing and focus confirmation, giving a clear, uncluttered view with no electronic overlay.

Combined Rangefinder/Viewfinder

Uses the full 35mm film frame, so lenses perform exactly as their focal lengths indicate with no crop factor applied.

Full-Frame 35mm Format

Brass top and bottom plates on a metal chassis give the body exceptional rigidity and durability that ages well with use.

Brass and Metal Construction

No batteries required for core camera operation — the shutter and film transport run entirely on mechanical energy.

Fully Mechanical Operation

Supports flashbulb sync up to 1/1000s and electronic flash sync up to 1/50s for use with both vintage and modern flash systems.

PC Sync Flash Terminal

At 580g and 138 × 77 × 33.5 mm, the M3 is dense but genuinely pocketable for a fully brass-bodied rangefinder.

Compact Brass-Body Size

User Manual

Leica M3 Rangefinder Film Camera

Review of the Leica M3: The Camera That Changed Everything

Leica M3 Film Camera

Leica M3 Hands-on Review

The Leica M3

Episode 42 “The Iconic Leica M3”

This is not a self-queen.  Has a lot of cosmetic wear.  Focus batch is bright and accurate.  Viewfinder is bright.  All shutter speeds are accurate.  Matching MC meter and body cap.  This is a nice user camera that will work great for decades to come.  

<p>This is not a self-queen.  Has a lot of cosmetic wear.  Focus batch is bright and accurate.  Viewfinder is bright.  All shutter speeds are accurate.  Matching MC meter and body cap.  This is a nice user camera that will work great for decades to come.  </p>

Spec	Detail
Use Cases	Travel, Documentary
Type	Film
Sensor	Full Frame (35mm)
AF System	Rangefinder (Manual)
Image Stabilization	None
Viewfinder	Optical Rangefinder/Viewfinder (combined)
Storage Media	Other
Weather Sealing	None
Dimensions	138 × 77 × 33.5 mm
Weight	580g
Lens Mount	Leica M
Hot Shoe	Cold shoe
Flash System	PC sync terminal (flashbulb sync up to 1/1000s, electronic flash sync up to 1/50s)

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Leica M3 35mm Rangefinder Single Stroke with Leica MC Meter

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