Leica M Film Cameras (M-Mount)

Frameline Quick Reference Guide

All 35mm M-mount film cameras from Leica Camera (1954–2022).

---

Leica M3 (1954–1966) Best for 50mm shooters

Viewfinder Magnification: 0.91x
Framelines: 50 / 90 / 135

• Highest focusing precision
• No native 35mm frameline

---

Leica M2 (1957–1968) Classic street photography body

Magnification: 0.72x
Framelines: 35 / 50 / 90

• First Leica with built-in 35mm framelines
• No 135mm frameline

---

Leica M1 (1959–1964) Minimalist variant

Magnification: 0.92x
Framelines: 35 / 50

• No rangefinder (scale-focus only)
• Rare and specialized

---

Leica M4 (1967–1975) The refined mechanical M

Magnification: 0.72x
Framelines: 35 / 50 / 90 / 135

• Improved film loading
• Full “classic” frameline set

---

Leica M5 (1971–1975) Transitional model

Magnification: 0.72x
Framelines: 35 / 50 / 90

• First Leica M with built-in light meter
• Larger body design
• No 135mm frameline

---

Leica M4-2 (1977–1980)

Magnification: 0.72x
Framelines: 35 / 50 / 90 / 135

• Canadian production
• Return to classic mechanical design

---

Leica M4-P (1980–1987)

Magnification: 0.72x
Framelines: 28 / 35 / 50 / 75 / 90 / 135

• First Leica with 28mm and 75mm framelines
• Expanded versatility

---

Leica M6 (1984–2002) The “gold standard”

Magnification: 0.72x (also 0.58x and 0.85x versions)
Framelines: 28 / 35 / 50 / 75 / 90 / 135

• Built-in TTL light meter
• Most popular film Leica

---

Leica M6 TTL (1998–2002)

Magnification: 0.72x / 0.58x / 0.85x
Framelines: 28 / 35 / 50 / 75 / 90 / 135

• TTL flash support
• Larger shutter speed dial

---

Leica M7 (2002–2018) Most automated film M

Magnification: 0.72x / 0.58x / 0.85x
Framelines: 28 / 35 / 50 / 75 / 90 / 135

• Electronically controlled shutter
• Aperture priority mode

---

Leica MP (2003–2022) Modern mechanical classic

Magnification: 0.72x / 0.58x / 0.85x
Framelines: 28 / 35 / 50 / 75 / 90 / 135

• Mechanical shutter
• Built-in light meter

---

Leica M-A The purest modern Leica

Magnification: 0.72x
Framelines: 28 / 35 / 50 / 75 / 90 / 135

• Fully mechanical
• No light meter
• Pure manual operation

---

Quick Logic Summary

• Only 50 / 90 / 135 → M3
• First with 35mm → M2
• Classic full mechanical set (35–135) → M4
• 28mm & 75mm introduced → M4-P onward
• Built-in light meter → M5, M6, M7, MP
• Fully mechanical modern body → M-A