Sale Price:
$2,375.00
Original Price:
$2,650.00
Leica M3 ‘Dual-Stroke’ from 1954, including original leather case, and booklet!
Note - All Leica M mount lenses are 10% off when purchased alongside this camera!
This is from the very first year of Leica M3 production, and comes with many quirks in comparison to the later models following standardisation of features, increasing the collectibility of this camera.
Unique features:
Serial number of 745 163 (1954)
Shutter speeds of 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2, & 1; as opposed to the later standard numbers.
No frameline selector lever
'Buddha ear' strap lugs
Smaller rear eyepiece for the viewfinder
Still in original, unmodified dual stroke
Single dot on the rewind knob, which I'm also pretty sure is smaller than later M3s
ISO range on back dial from 6 - 200
Neither flash port protrudes from the body, unlike later editions
Four exposed screws on the front
Glass pressure plate
General Features:
Recent CLA in Mid-2025
Best Leica for 50mm Users, with framelines for 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm - all shown individually
Super-accurate Leica rangefinder system Leica is known for, with the most accurate 0.91x viewfinder magnification!
Amazing build quality, renowned for being the best-built Leica ever
Classic all-metal winding lever and rewind knob
Extremely versatile Leica M mount, allowing for use with lenses still produced today
Overall Condition: The overall condition of the camera is very strong. Externally, there are very few blemishes, aside from the expected light scratching that comes with age (see photos). There is no brassing, or chips through to the brass at all. The only paint loss in the engravings is the tiny bit in the enscribed ‘Leica’ logo, ‘1’ & ‘10’ shutter speed markets, along with a tiny bit on the film door & eyepiece. Additionally, there is some leatherette loss on the back, hopwever due to its placement, it’s invisible from the front, and doesn’t change the camera’s feel at all while shooting. (Note - we will happily replace this for a further cost of $50 following purchase, however please allow 2-4 weeks for the service to happen) . Mechanically, the camera is perfect, and runs exactly how it should. The viewfinder & rangefinder are both very bright and perfectly calibrated. Given the CLA, everything feels ergonomically perfect too. The included case is mainly in good condition, however a piece of leather has torn at the rear meaning it doesn’t fully close when being used as a full case (though can still protect the camera from weather, etc), so we recommend treating it like a half case in practicality.
If you have any questions, or would like to make an offer, get in touch via our contact page :)
Leica M3 ‘Dual-Stroke’ from 1954, including original leather case, and booklet!
Note - All Leica M mount lenses are 10% off when purchased alongside this camera!
This is from the very first year of Leica M3 production, and comes with many quirks in comparison to the later models following standardisation of features, increasing the collectibility of this camera.
Unique features:
Serial number of 745 163 (1954)
Shutter speeds of 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2, & 1; as opposed to the later standard numbers.
No frameline selector lever
'Buddha ear' strap lugs
Smaller rear eyepiece for the viewfinder
Still in original, unmodified dual stroke
Single dot on the rewind knob, which I'm also pretty sure is smaller than later M3s
ISO range on back dial from 6 - 200
Neither flash port protrudes from the body, unlike later editions
Four exposed screws on the front
Glass pressure plate
General Features:
Recent CLA in Mid-2025
Best Leica for 50mm Users, with framelines for 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm - all shown individually
Super-accurate Leica rangefinder system Leica is known for, with the most accurate 0.91x viewfinder magnification!
Amazing build quality, renowned for being the best-built Leica ever
Classic all-metal winding lever and rewind knob
Extremely versatile Leica M mount, allowing for use with lenses still produced today
Overall Condition: The overall condition of the camera is very strong. Externally, there are very few blemishes, aside from the expected light scratching that comes with age (see photos). There is no brassing, or chips through to the brass at all. The only paint loss in the engravings is the tiny bit in the enscribed ‘Leica’ logo, ‘1’ & ‘10’ shutter speed markets, along with a tiny bit on the film door & eyepiece. Additionally, there is some leatherette loss on the back, hopwever due to its placement, it’s invisible from the front, and doesn’t change the camera’s feel at all while shooting. (Note - we will happily replace this for a further cost of $50 following purchase, however please allow 2-4 weeks for the service to happen) . Mechanically, the camera is perfect, and runs exactly how it should. The viewfinder & rangefinder are both very bright and perfectly calibrated. Given the CLA, everything feels ergonomically perfect too. The included case is mainly in good condition, however a piece of leather has torn at the rear meaning it doesn’t fully close when being used as a full case (though can still protect the camera from weather, etc), so we recommend treating it like a half case in practicality.
If you have any questions, or would like to make an offer, get in touch via our contact page :)
