Image
MODEL
Leica
IIIa
Year
1935-1948
Low serial no.
156 201
High serial no.
360 000
Total
93,510
Variants
4
MODEL
Leica
IIIa
Year
1935-1948
Low serial no.
156 201
High serial no.
360 000
Total
93,510
Variants
4
Model Description
The Leica IIIa added a maximum shutter speed of 1/1000 second to the established III design. The faster setting appeared in 1935 and supplemented the existing range rather than changing the basic shutter arrangement. Fast speeds remained on the top dial, with the separate front control used for longer exposures. The coupled rangefinder and optical finder were also carried over from the III. The 1/1000-second setting was subsequently retained on many of Leica’s mechanical rangefinder cameras and was particularly useful with faster lenses, moving subjects and high light levels.
Descriptions currently under review
Production Quantity by Year
Variants & Production Records
End
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Lockhart's List is an independent website and not affiliated or endorsed by Leica Camera AG or its subsidiaries. No part of this database may be reproduced or distributed in any form without written consent from the database creator. No images seen in this database may be altered, copied, or distributed without the express written permission of the image copyright holder. Images that appear in this database do so with the consent of their copyright holders. No responsibility or liability can be accepted with respect to estimated values or records of production and is for hobbyist purposes only. Classifications, quantities, records, images, sales, & market prices are subject to change, additions, & deletions. Any offers to buy or sell are purely preliminary and not binding. We hope you gain valuable insight from information contained herein & good luck on your endeavors.
© Jordan Lockhart / Lockhart's List 2026. All rights reserved. This website and its database content are protected by copyright and the EU Database Directive (96/9/EC).
Lockhart's List is an independent website and not affiliated or endorsed by Leica Camera AG or its subsidiaries. No part of this database may be reproduced or distributed in any form without written consent from the database creator. No images seen in this database may be altered, copied, or distributed without the express written permission of the image copyright holder. Images that appear in this database do so with the consent of their copyright holders. No responsibility or liability can be accepted with respect to estimated values or records of production and is for hobbyist purposes only. Classifications, quantities, records, images, sales, & market prices are subject to change, additions, & deletions. Any offers to buy or sell are purely preliminary and not binding. We hope you gain valuable insight from information contained herein & good luck on your endeavors.