Timeline of Leica M analogue (film) cameras

8 years ago
Categories: Leica M
Tags: History of Leica

Tamarkin has a nice timeline of Leica M analogue (film) cameras on their website:

Leica M3 (1954 – 1966)

Single-Stroke or Double-Stroke film advance
Largest RF magnification of any M camera – 0,93
35mm lenses require “RF” attachments on lenses
Bright-line frame-lines for 50, 90 and 135mm

Leica MP (1956 – 1957)

Single-Stroke and Double-Stroke
Steel gearing instead of brass
External frame counter, like the M2
No self-timer
Approximately 500 were made

Leica M2 (1958 – 1967)

New standard of rangefinder magnification – 0,72
Some later cameras have a self-timer (called the “M2-S”)
Bright-line frame-lines for 35, 50, and 90mm
External, manual reset frame counter

Leica M1 (1959 – 1964)

Made chiefly for scientific purposes
Like the M2 in every respect except the M1 has a viewfinder with 35 and 50mm frame-lines and no rangefinder

Leica MD (1964 – 1966)

Made mainly for scientific purposes, to replace the M1
Made without self-timer, viewfinder or rangefinder
Sometimes delivered with a special baseplate to accept 4mm index strips for recording of data on to the negative

Leica MDa (1966 – 1976)

Made chiefly for scientific purposes, to replace the MD
Made without self-timer, viewfinder or rangefinder
Sometimes delivered with a special baseplate to accept 4mm index strips for recording of data on to the negative

Leica M4 (1967 – 1975)

0,72 magnification (standard)
Bright-line frame-lines for 35, 50, 90 and 135mm
Internal frame counter and rapid loading system now the new standards
Articulated film advance lever and canted rewind lever both now the new standard

Leica M5 (1971 – 1975)

First M camera with “TTL” exposure meter built in Larger body size and different shape
Early models have two strap lugs on one side, later have additional third lug
Exposure meter arm moves into place once lens is mounted; certain wide-angle and collapsible lenses cannot be used as a result

Leica CL (1973 – 1976)

Very compact; 2/3 of the Leica M2
Designed by Leica; manufactured by Minolta
Bright-line frame-lines for 40mm, 50mm and 90mm
Two strap lugs on one side
Exposure meter arm moves into place once lens is mounted; certain wide-angle and collapsible lenses cannot be used as a result

Leica MD-2 (1977 – 1987)

Identical the MDa, except all examples were made to take a rapid- (or motor-) winder

Leica M4-2 (1978 – 1980)

Bright-line frame-lines for 28, 35, 50, 75, 90 and 135mm. (28/90, 35/135, 50/75 now the new standard)
Mainly in black chrome. Made in Canada; few in Germany.
No self-timer
Made to take a rapid- (or motor-) winder

Leica M4-P (1981 – 1987)

Similar to the M4-2, but with .72 finder (six frame lines viewfinder )

Leica M6 (1984 – 1999)

Identical to the M4-P – with these exceptions:
First Leica M Camera with an LED meter built-in
Fully mechanical shutter, as with all preceding M models
Late-production cameras offered in 0,58, 0,72 and 0,85 magnification (uncommon)

Leica M6 TTL (1998 – 2002)

Identical to the M6 – with only these exceptions:
Larger shutter speed dial, turns opposite, with “OFF” position
Produced in 0,58, 0,72 and 0,85 magnifications; in Brass
“Through The Lens” flash-metering capability
2mm taller top plate

Leica M7 (2002 – Present)

Identical to the M6-TTL – with these exceptions:
Aperture Priority mode
Electronic shutter; only 1/60 and 1/125 are mechanical
Shutter release/electronics lock under shutter release button
Manual exposure compensation
DX-code (on film canister) ASA reader (late models infrared)

Leica MP (2003 – present)

Identical to the LEICA M2 – with only these exceptions:
Made with an improved “flare-free” finder
LED meter built-in; no self-timer
Rapid loading system, as with other recent M film cameras
Internal frame counter

Leica M-A Typ 127 (2014 – present)

Identical to the LEICA M2 – with these exceptions:
Rapid loading system, as with other recent M film cameras
No self-timer
Internal frame counter
All examples made to take a rapid- (or motor-) winder