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List of Leica M Mount Cameras
Considering how famous the Leica M lens mount is to Rangefinder Nutz, it may be surprising to realize how comparatively few rangefinder models have been produced in Leica M mount -- 31 by my count. The listing below indicates basic camera models, NOT all the variations or special editions. Leica production figures are approximate, varying with which official Leica list you care to believe! At 226,178 the M3 was produced in the largest numbers. The M6 is second at 132,454. The M2 is third at 85,200.
Mechanical Leica M Mount Cameras -- Shutter Works Without Batteries
Leica M3 1954-1966 226,178
Leica MP 1956-1957 449
Leica M2 1958-1967 85,200
Leica MP2 1958-1959 527
Leica M1 1959-1964 9650 -- simplified M2 without rangefinder for Visoflex and scientific use
Leica MD 1964-1966 3475 -- simplified M1 without rangefinder/viewfinder for scientific use
Leica M4 1967-1975 59,441
Leica MDa 1966-1976 14,925 simplified M4 without rangefinder/viewfinder for scientific use
Leica M5 1971-1975 33,900
Leica CL 1973-1976 65,000
Minolta CL 1973-1976 20,000 ??? -- Leica CL with Minolta nameplate for Japanese market
Leica M4-2 1978-1980 17,100
Leica M4-P 1981-1987 22,444
Leica M6 1984-1999 132,454
Leica M6TTL 1998-2002 TTL flash
Leica MP 2003-
Leica MP-3 2006 1000
Red Flag 20 1971-77 200? Red Chinese Leica Copy
Voigtlander Bessa T 2001-2004
Voigtlander Bessa R2 2002-2004
Rollei RF 2003-2004 modified Bessa R2
Voigtlander Bessa R2M 2006 1000 limited edition
Voigtlander Bessa R3M 2006 1500 limited edition
Electronic Shutter M Mount Cameras with Aperture Priority AE
-- No Batteries Mean No Pictures--
Minolta CLE 1980-1984 AE only, no Metered Manual, TTL flash
Konica RF 1999-2003 -- motorized film advance, AE or Metered Manual, no TTL flash
Voigtlander Bessa R2A 2004- AE or Metered Manual, no TTL flash
Voigtlander Bessa R3A 2004- AE or Metered Manual, no TTL flash
Epson RD-1 / RD-1S 2004-2006 digital, AE or Metered Manual, no TTL flash
Zeiss Ikon 2004- AE or Metered Manual, no TTL flash
Leica M8 2006- digital, AE or Metered Manual, TTL flash
Electronic Shutter M Mount Cameras with Aperture Priority AE
-- Limited Backup Mechanical Shutter Speeds--
Leica M7 2002- AE or Metered Manual, TTL flash
Potential Repair Problems
No available parts translates to difficult or no repairs. Factory parts are not available for the excellent but often un-repairable Minolta CLE. While the shutters and rangefinders on the Leica M5 and CL can be serviced, the lack of meter parts often transforms them into meterless cameras. With the demise of Konica-Minolta, the parts/repair situation for the Konica RF went from difficult to dismal. Many Epson RD-1 owners have complained on the net about unsatisfactory repair experiences.
Leica M TTL Flash -- Not So Great as Newbies Might Think
With today's superb TTL flash from the likes of Nikon and Canon, many newbie RF users assume that TTL flash in rangefinders is equally good. Not True. TTL rangefinder flash is basic 1970's centerweighted technology, without the modern multi-segmented evaluative readings. While an improvement over no in the camera flash sensor, RF flash technology in the four TTL M mount cameras (Minolta CL, Leica M6TTL, Leica M7, Leica M8) is about three decades behind the flash technology in the latest Nikon or Canon SLR! In other words, for most experienced M shooters, TTL flash is not much of a factor in selecting a M mount camera.
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Revised: July 26, 2006 Copyright © 2006 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.