Manual focus M-mount 35mm rangefinder initially introduced by Leica in 1954 and produced until 1966. This version of the camera was introduced in 1958 and changed the dual-stroke advance lever to a single-stroke lever. The M3 was the first camera to feature the M-mount and improved over the previous thread mount Leica cameras in a number of ways. This includes a combined rangefinder/viewfinder, a quick-advance film lever, and a faster bayonet lens mount. It was the most successful of all M cameras and features a 0.92x magnification viewfinder. The M3 underwent many changes during its production, both externally and internally. Some of the more significant changes were the addition of a frameline preview lever, the change from non-linear shutter speeds to international linear ones, and (as seen on this version) the switch from a dual-stroke advance lever to a single-stroke lever. Metal body available in silver (IGEMO/10150).

• Shutter: Horizontal cloth focal plane, 1s - 1/1000s + B
• Size: 137 x 76 x 36 mm
• Weight: 590g