Image
MODEL
Leica
IIIb
Year
1937-1946
Low serial no.
240 001
High serial no.
355 000
Total
30,850
Variants
3
MODEL
Leica
IIIb
Year
1937-1946
Low serial no.
240 001
High serial no.
355 000
Total
30,850
Variants
3
Model Description
The Leica IIIb altered the arrangement of the rangefinder and viewfinder eyepieces. Although focusing and framing still used separate optical systems, their rear eyepieces were placed immediately beside one another. This reduced the movement required when changing from the rangefinder to the viewfinder. The shutter remained substantially that of the IIIa, including its 1/1000-second maximum and separate slow-speed control. The change was primarily one of handling rather than a new photographic system, but it was another stage in the development that eventually produced the single combined finder of the M3.
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.