LEICA M3 COLOR User manual

t
                          The Filut  Transpot.t
                                 a,nd Shutter Win,dingl Leuer
                                 Hold the calnera steady in both hands, the
                                     rounded ends of the base resting in the palms
                                           while the thumbs are at the back of the camera
                                      body. Move your right thumb sideways to the
                                                right to shift the lever against its stop. Repeat
                                             this full lever movement, then allow the lever
                                               to recede slightly. This double movement trans-
                                       ports the fflm across the negative frame for
the next exposure while the focal-plane shutter is wound at the same time, thus obviating
the danger of double exposures. The method of using two short lever movements is ad-
vantageous in that it ensures smooth and safe advance of the ftlm while still being more
rapid in operation than other devices.


                         The Shu,tter llelease
                                      Gently press the flat release button which is
                                          conveniently situated at the pivot of the fflm
                                       transport lever, using the tip of your right
                                           foreffnger and avoiding camera shake. The
                                          shutter itself then runs very smoothly. Relieve
                                        pressure on the button before operating the
                                                           fflni transport lever and winding the shutter for
                                          the next exposure.

tt'ire  releaxn,                                                                                 ,-t                                 www.butkus.us
                                                ilhe Shuttel" tlpeed I)i,nI.
                                                            controls the time of exposure. The
                                                                   dial engravings stand for 1 second
                                               and fractions of a second. For in-
                                                  stance 5 :  rls, 100 :  1/1es, 1000
                                                              :1/rooo second. The dial has click
                                                          stops at the various speed settings
                                        and remains stationary so that
                                                   speeds can be set before or after
                                                  the shutter has been wound. At
                                           the setting "B" the focal-plane
                                                           shutter remains open for time ex-
                                                   posure as long as the release but-
                                                     ton is pressed.
                                          Long time exposures should, of
                                                               course, only be made with the ca-
                                           mera firmly supported (see page
                                                      22) and with a wire release with
                                                             ffxing screw and tapered thread TIt e fi);npott,u. r"e (lottm,ter                                                                fitting the female thread in the
A brief check shows that the dial of the expo-          centre of the release button.
sure counter (up to 40 exposures) automati-       The groove on the dial between
cally records every shutter release and returns         the engravings 2 and 5 (tl2 and
to its initial position (2 markings below zero)            r/5 sec.) serves for coupling the
when the take-up spool is removed from the       LEICA-METER M as described
camera for reloading.                              on pages 24-26.

aJ

s
                                                                                                                                        1
                   N                                                                       o
                    TIte l)elwgecl Aetion Release (Self-tirner)
                a
                         ro       \7ind the shutter and turn the small lever at the front                I
                  G       of the camera body downwards. Do not use the main
                          release on top of the camera but press the small knob
                                                              ii       above the lever when the operation of the clockwork
                         delay mechanism will be heard. Meanwhile the lever slowly
                    moves upwards and eventually releases the shutter. Even
            5          if the shutter movement is not heard, the moment of
                      F        exposure can still be observed by noting when the lever
                         returns to the original unset position.
                a
                                              Stil                            (

                 G
                             t
                        c(D

www.butkus.us                 The delayed action release operates through all shutter
                                                        1/rooo sec. The delay before the shutter  is                       speeds from I -
                 a        released can be varied between approximately 5 and 10
                      seconds depending on the lever adjustment. 5 seconds
                    are obtained from the horizontal lever setting and 10
                                                  +aia       seconds from the downward vertical position.           .S
                       ss

,"                                                                                                                                       ol,r,-1*                                                                                                                                           ..  ., :                   www.butkus.us           .' i


I                Preparing  the Lem,ses for Aetioni';id3l:1::11eiq
j.;idti                  The interchangeable lenses ELMAR f/3.i 50mm,
              SUMMICRON {/2 50 mm and one form of the
               ELMAR tl4 90mm can be partially pushed into
                       the camera body for greater comfort in carrying
                  when not in use. To position these lenses {oi
                         taking, pull out the barrel is far as it will go
                   and lock securely by turning to the right. The
                        focusing mount of the collapsible gOmmELMAR
                        will not operate until the pulled out barel is
                      properly lod<ed. (A slight left-turn will free
                      the lens barrel for pushing in.)
                 Use a lens cap whenever the camera is not in
                      action but do not forget to remove it when
                  you are going to make a shot.
                            A.ll modern LEICA lenses are effectively anti-
                        reflection coated noticeable by a bluish sheen
                     (though the colour in itself is not a measure of
                          effectiveness). Coating adds to the light-trans-
                       mitting power of the lens and enhances contrast,
                         at the same time eliminating the danger of un-
                        desirable internal  refl ections
                        Note, Every genuine LEICA lens bears the name
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     .                     of its makers and an individual serial number
                      rvhich should be kept for reference together
                     with that of the LEICA body sirice the factory
                   and LEITZ agents keep a check on numbers
                 and can help in the recovery of equipment in
                      the case of loss.

The Apertun"e Iris  l)iu,pftrngln
\/hen holding aLEICAlens towards the light and actuating the aperture scale you will notice
the opening and the closing of the diaphragm varying the aperture of the lens just as the
iris of the human eye adapts itself to the prerlailing lighting conditions. In bright light, ample
exposure is obtained with the lens stopped dc,wn but when lighting conditions are poor, the
diaphragm has to be openedto the appropriate degree. A second function of the adjustable aper-
ture diaphragm  is the regulation of depth of field according to requirements (see pages 8- 10).
The aperture or f-numbers 2, 2.8,4,5.6,8,17,16,22,32  (the range of this scale depends on
the type of lens) indicate the amount of light reaching the film at the various lens stops. They
are so arranged that the illumination on the ftlm, when stopping down from one figure to
                                                       the following higher one on the scale,
                                                               is decreased to one half, one quarter,
                                              one eighth etc. Conversely, on open-
                                                   ing the aperture diaphragm and sett-
                                                 ing it to progressively lower f-num-
                                                     bers the illumination will be increased
                                                    to double, four times and eight times,
                                         and so on, compared with that pro-
                                                   vided by the initial setting. Hence, the
                                                            transition to higher  f -numbers necessi-
                                                           tates longer exposure times and vice
                                                     versa. The aperture scale has click
                                                          stops, facilitating adjustment in poor
                                                           light or even in darkness, as in some
                                                             flash photography.
                                        www.butkus.us

www.butkus.us

 I)ista,mee Seale
 The focusing mounts of several LEICA lenses are fttted
 with a catch at the inftnity (co) setting which, before fo,
 cusing at shorter distances, has to be released by pressure
on a knurled button. The inffnity catch is incorporated
 in the focusing lever o{ the followii} lenses,
      35 mrn SUMMARON,
      50 mm ELMAR, 4 ;
      50 mm SUMMICRON,    I
      50 mm SUMMARIT.       i\
                                                                Catdr locling the lens at
An infinity catih is also provided on the nerv collapsible     the inftnity setting
90 mm ELMAR, but it takes the form of a press button
in the milled focusing ring.
Never forget to pull out and lock the lens (by a clock-
wise turn) before focusing (see also page 5).
A distance scale (calibrated in either feet or metres) moves
about a fixed index and although, in the normal course
of events, it is not.necessary to consult the scale    cor-                                                -rect focus being automatic by means of the coupled
rangeftnder     it plays an important part in the advan-           -tageous use of the depth of fteld scale (see pages S    10).                                                 -The "R" index is used when taking photographs on in-
frared film.
                                                                         Releasing the inffnity
                                                                      catdr for focusing

The f)epth of .E'ield Seetle
Optimum sharpness exists only in the plane to which the lens is actually focused and which
is parallel to the ftlm. The decrease of sharpness ip front of and behind this plane is, how-
ever, gradual so that there is a certain depth of field in which subjects are acceptably
sharp. The range of this depth of fteld varies with the focal length of the lens, the distance
to which it is focused, and the lens stop userl.
Average photographic subjects are three-dimensional and one of the essential factors for
successful results is to select a stop to provide the depth of field the subject demands.
The LEICA lenses are made with depth of field scales symmetrically engraved on either side
of the index for the distance scale and bearing the usual aperture (f) numbers. The depth
                                                       of ffeld is that range read off the dis-
                                               tance scale between the two index
                                            marks with the same f-number. If, for
                                                   example, the 50 mm SUMMICRON
                                                     lens is focused on 15 feet, acceptable
                                                  sharpness will extend from approxi-
                                                                   111f2 to 22 leet at t15.6 and        ;!J*l-!     t                            mately         I   I,A $11 1$                        from approximately 9r/2 to 38 feet
                                                       at t|11.





                                                                                                   cn=mike butkus,                         mike                      DigitallyDN:o=orphancameras,signed by mike butkus                                                                                                                       ou=29,
                          butkus             email=mike@butkus.org,Date: 2019.08.20 23:55:47c=US-04'00'

,'
General Rntles fol  the llse of Itehs  Stttps
(l) For long distance oiews without foreground interest set lens to infinity (*) and stop down         {
    to f15.6 or fl8.
(2) For landscapes with Joreground mostly requiring a considerable depth of field, focus lens
    to the near and far points that are required sharp and move the distance scale in such
   a way that both distance figures ascertained register with the same stop number on the
   depth of field scale. This stop and the distance setting thus arrived at are the most
    favourable ones to use.
(3) For ardtitecture and interiors the same procedure can be employed as recommended un-
    der (2). Small lens stops will be found essential in most cases.
(4) For portraits use lens at full aperture or only slightly stopped down and focus accurately
   on the eyes. The subject, then sharply deffned, will tend to stand out, the background
   being subdued by diffusion.
(5) For action sbots, when events do not allow accurate focusing, use a "ftxed-focus" setting.
    Examples:
        Near range: stop down to f/8 and set lens to 10 feet; the depth of ffeld then
                      extends from approximately 8-15 feet.
          Far range: stop down to f/8 and set lens to 25 leet; the depth of fteld then
                      extends from approximately 14-100 feet.
Aptimum sbarpness is not a matter o/stops aloie but is alsodependent on accuratefocusin!.  ThereJore,
always focus carefully on tbe centre of interest oJ tbe subject, Tbe measuring brigbt-line oiewfnder
(see next page) makes it easy for you.

                                                                                              10

www.butkus.us
                                     '':l  ltJit:gtIu,'nu,tot,ty I.ofe.s utt,Euttglt,li tttl  i tt11
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             l  The functions of the rangeftnder, coupled with the lens adjust-
                               ;"  ment, are most easily and quickly understood by practising
                                   sighting, through the large eyepiece, a subject with clear verti-
                                ,  cal features and not too far away. A bright sharply deftned
                              rectangle seen in the centre of the large viewftnder fteld then
                               ,  shows, as long as the lens is not in focus, two images of the
                             object side by side. On focusing the lens by adjusting  its heli,
                               ,   cal mount (after the inftnity catch has been released) the image
                         on the left will be seen moving towards the stationary one.
                               ,  Accurate focus is reached when these images fuse into one.
                          This procedure can also be checked by observing the parts
                             of a vertical line or similar
                                 characteristic of a subject
                                     in the actual viewlinder  field

                                      i       tangularmeasuringfieldand
                              ,       adjusting the lens until the
                                -- J   tion in the measuring field
                          forms a straight line with
the upper and lower portions. These two methods are known as the coincidence and split-
image principles. Vhen full coincidence of the two rangefinder images is reached within
the measuring field the subject distance has been optically measured and the lens focused
to that distance simultaneously. Lowering the camera, you canr if necessary, also read ofi the
actual distance on the scale of the lens.

l1

The Use of the Cou,pled B.angefincler
should be practised before the camera is loaded and the ffrst photographs are taken. To
facilitate becoming familiar with the measuring finder operation, select distinct objects on
which to focus sucfr as the edges of furniture, the corners of buildings, lamp posts, tree
trunks, steeples, etc. If the moving rangeffnder image does not at once appear in the rec-
tangular measuring ffeld turn the camera (when held horizontally) slightly sideways. Also
make sure that you are not inadvertently covering one of the front windows of the range-
ftnder, especially the small window on the right. It can, however, intentionally be blocked
when the entire fteld of the rangefinder is to be used for most critical observation of the
entire subject.
\fhen holding the LEICA for vertical photographs a slight tilt of the camera will bring the
moving second image into the measuring fteld and allow the same manipulation as above.
For rangefinder practice in this camera position it is preferable to choose subjects with
clear horizontal features.
(The unique design of the measuring bright-line viewffnder excludes the risk of faulty
measuring and focusing even when looking obliquely through the eyepiece).





                                                                                           l2

www.butkus.us
Tht' I'se of the Bright-Line Viewfin.der
which is combined with the rangeffnder for determining the ffeld recorded on the negative,
is made easy by the clearly defined bright-line frame. Even in the case of the large frame
for all 50 mm lenses there is additional surrounding ffeld area making this frame stand out
even more brilliantly as the exact limit of the picture area. Oblique viewing through the
eyepiece has no adverse effect upon the true determination of the field.
Parallax Compensatior which is necessary in view of the separation of the optical axes of the
lens and the viewfinder requires extra manipulation in most cameras but is a fully auto-
matic feature of the bright-line frames of the LEICA M 3.
The bright-line frame always indicates exactly the extent of the subject as it will ffll the
negative, no matter what the distance setting of the lens may be. You will appreciate how
muih this simplification contributes towards the prevention of failures.





13

EuIl Obserttation, u:itlt the Measuring Bright-I.,ine Vieoofr,nder
In addition to the features already outlined as regards accuracy and convenience in
measuring and image assessment, this vital part of the camera excels through the bright-
ness of its ffeld of view and the brilliance of its fteld frames. These enable the camera to
be used successfully also for work under poor lighting conditions and for the most
diverse subjects.
The additional area seen outside the viewffnder frames will not be recorded on the nega-
tive but is most advantageous for anticipating possible interference in the selected subject
ffeld by pedestrians, motor cars, etc. Therefore, this type of optical finder also offers the
special advantages hitherto expected only from mechanical sports or frame finders. It sur-
passes these, however, in that even oblique observation through the eyepiece does not
give a wrong impression of the fteld covered by the negative. For users with defective
eyesight screw-on correction lenses are available.
The almost natural size in which the subject is seen through the viewftnder enables the
camera user to watch the scene with both eyes without the confusion that would be cau-
sed by the noticeable diminution of many camera viewftnders.





                                                                                                 l4

www.butkus.us




 %


   ,iJ
      !g*
  $
     ,twji




This is how the subject appears in the bright-line viewfinder when the 50 mm lens is in position

15

I  ltt'   I tt  l'e 'r't'lt(t   ratl?(I{tlt,   Lt' Jrrrr,.{ +rf' f lr,'   g,l'.'i  (   !   |f    .'t
A complete range of interchangeable  high-grade    LEICA M 3 equipment, you can be sure that it is the
lenses from 35 to 400 mm focal length and with   outcome of the most up-to-date optical research and
apertsres as wide as f/l.5 is available to choose    advanced production methods.
from for every requirement. This equipment makes
the LEICA truly universal as regards working    Here is the complete range:
distance, subject selection and perspective ren-  ELMAR            fi 3.5 50 mm SUMMARON f/3"5 35 mrn
dering, quite apart from offering almost complete   SUMMICRON f/2 50mm ELMAR    fl4   90 mm
independence of lighting conditions. Although   SUMMARIT f/1.5 50mm HEKTOR   f14.5135 mm
you may have acqaired a basic camera outfitonly, the possibility  of building up an even lnore  HEKTOR                                                                                 f12.5 125 mm     'Sil'ith screw-threadversatile outfit will be appreciated as the more   HEI{TOR                                                                                 f14.5 135 mm    fftting the VISOFLEX
varied fields of photography are entered. Vhat-  TELYT        f/4.5 200 mm   focusing housingever type of LELTZ lens you add to your  TELYT         tl!  400 mm

                                                                                              16

www.butkus.us
Changing the Lens
has been made easy for the user of the  Vhen attaching a lens, always fft it to the
LEICA M 3. The camera is held in the left   camera body with its red dot exactly oppo-
hand, the thumb pressing the circular button    site the one by the locJ<ing button and give
of the bayonet lock; the right hand, holding   the lens a short clockwise turn when it will
the lens mount close to the camera body,   click into position. Lenses should not be
meanwhile imparts a slight anti-clockwise    interchanged in strong light. Turn away from
turn until the red dot on the rear of the   the sun or an artiffcial light source and
lens mount is opposite the lock. The lens,   work in the shadow of the body. \7hen
which should be kept locked in its infinity    carrying extra lenses, fft a lens cap over the
catch during this operation, is now freed   front and a rear dust cover to protect the
for removal.                                    precision coupling mount.

Aootontcttie
Viercfinder.
Adjtrst'm,e'nt
for 90 and   i
735 'trtttt
Lenses





                                                 Fit a 90 or 135 mm lens to the bayon
                                           place of the 50 mm strydzt{focal length (as
                                          described on pagfTTand check the viewftnder.
                                                      ition to the permanently visible 50 mm
                                              frame, you will see a smaller bright-line frame
                                                 for the fteld covered by the longer focal length
                                            lens fftted. In either case, the additional sour-
                                        rounding field enables possible interference in
                                       the subject ffeld to be noticed in time, thus
                                            helping to prevent wasted exposures'


                                                                                                18

www.butkus.us

 The illustrations on the prece;
 ding page show the viewff
 image with the additi
 bright-line frame in       10n
 and the magniftcation/effect
 produced by u 9O ry{m lens
 while the viewffn     arfange-
-ment and the e     with the
 135 mm long-   us lens are
 shown below     on the right.



                                               Parallax is automaticdfiy co            as in the
                                      case of 50 mm       ltlnlike cameras with
                                                       nders requiring manual paral-
                                    5x correction and ffeld adjustment the LEICA
                   M 3 excludes failures ciused by forgetfulness
                                           or wrong settings. The appropriate ffeld of view
                                     frame is always reflected into the viewfinder
                                          field and is adjusted for parallax entirely
                                              automatically.     '



   t9

Ifolding  the L,EICA
Grip the camera body with the right
hand so that the rounded end of the
baseplate rests in the palm. The fore-
ffnger should rest lightlyon the shutter
release button.
The other end of the camera is gripped
in the left hand with the foreffnger on
the focusing lever of the lens. Holdthe
camera steadily against the head with
the eyepiece as close as possible to the
right eye, while the lefteye maybekept
open for a general assessment of sub-
ject possibilities. Press the elbows to
the chest and stand with feet well se-
parated to avoid all vibration or shake
to the camera. This is an essential
requirement  for negatives of optimum
sharpness and the full utilization of
the high-grade lenses.            ,
Also make sure, when releasing the
shutter, that the camera does not give
way to the pressure but remains ffrmly
cupped in the base of the right palm.
For the beginner  it is not advisable to
make use of longer exposures than
l/2s sec. without a ffrm support (pre-
ferably tripod) since otherwise blurred
pictures might be the result.

                                  20

www.butkus.us


If preferred, the camera can also be ope-
rated successfully with the left eye held
close to the eyepiece, instead of the right.
\{/hen a change-over from horizontal to
vertical pictures is desired, turn the right
hand end of the camera upwards around
the axis of the viewftnder. The holding
method thereby remains practically un-
changed, with the fflm transport lever
remaining fully accessible. For vertical
photographs, an alternative holding tech-
nique with the left eye close to the eye-
piece can be adopted whereby the camera
can resteven more rigidly on theforehead.
Another possibility for vertical operation
is to lower the right hand end of the
camera around the viewfinder, though in
this case the release will have to be ope-
rated by the right thumb and the trans-
port lever will be less accessible.
Unlike other cameras, the LEICA M 3
always remains in the eyelevel shooting
position whilst the film is moved on and
the shutter wound by quick double
lever action.

2l

,Slorr Speeils  ttttel Tirtrc  El,postttex
Taking photographs is simple, and even simpler with the LEICA M 3. Yet it should always
be borne in mind that miniature negatives are nortnally exposed in anticipation of conside-
rable enlargement. Although you may be sure that your LEITZ lenses are capable of unri-
valled sharpness, this can only be turned to good account provided the camera is always
kept steady during the release of the shutter.
\Thenever time exposures have to be made, place your camera on a rigid tripod, preferably
fitted with a'strong ball-and-socked head. rJ{/ith considerable practice, hand-held exposures
at such speeds as l/s and 1/1s sec. may be made but, even so, some ffrm support for the
camera (such as a chair back, a table or a tree) is essential. \trith a little ingenuity reasonably
reliable methods to avoid camera shake (in the absence of a tripod) will be found indoors
and out of doors.





                                                                                       22

                                                                                 -o,r'3*,-. . -'