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On basis of the Leica II/CIII and Leica IIIa a special model for professional photographers was presented, who were called after the maximum number of photographs Leica 250. Differently than with the standard models the film is transported with the Leica 250 only from coil to coil and is not rewound again into the cartridge.

Mod. IIIb (1938-1946)

The Leica IIIb was a transition model, with which the views for distance measurers and Sucher were arranged directly next to each other of course, technically however still in the model the IIIa was based. A change of the Leica IIIb into later models was not possible, likewise a change of earlier models to the Leica IIIb. The production numbers of the model IIIb amount to approximately 32,700 pieces.

Mod. IIIc (1940-1951), IIId (1939-1947), IIIe

With the Leica IIIc a completely new housing was introduced, which could be manufactured in the injection moulding procedure substantially more simply than the old housings. Outwardly it corresponds further to the used forms, although them are larger some millimeters. That had the consequence that some accessories had to be adapted such as high-speed elevators or engines and thus no more with earlier models were not usable. The structure rangefinders is now into the cover cap integrated. The Leica IIIc was manufactured up to few copies in grey lacquer finish nearly only in chromed execution. From the function range it essentially corresponds to the model IIIb. However those was increased catch take-off speed in relation to the predecessor models from 1/20 sec. to 1/30 sec. Straight one when using the available lightning synchronous accessories is favourable this. Some cameras of war production were equipped instead of with black with red catch cloths. This material was received in the 30's to test purposes from Kodak. From lack of black cloth this was used with many cameras of the years 1940-1942.

Based on the war model of the IIIc 427 copies of the extremely rare Leica IIId were manufactured, from which only few might be received in the original state. It is characterised by an additional beside the long-term wheel.

A model IIIe was officially never produced, although some voices as the missing Leica the IIIe regard postwar IIIc. That is to be agreed to that extent, it quite differs in some details from the war model. Furthermore it is to be accepted plausibly that the company Leitz wanted the designation IIIc maintained, in order to stress continuity and to facilitate the reentrance into the market. On the other hand there are no official documents, which confirm this thesis, so that here also the postwar models of the IIIc are to be counted to the model IIIc. Thus a total production of the Leica IIIc of altogether scarcely 134,000 pieces results.

Mod. IIc (1949-1951)

From the Leica IIIc there is the Leica IIc, which differs in the reason only by the missing long-term wheel and the missing 1/1000s from the Leica IIIc as simplified model. In place of the Langzeitenrades is either a bright metal disk or a covered with leather metal disk. The Leica IIc could be developed to the IIf, IIIc and to the IIIf. There is also changes well-known, where also only the 1/1000s was re-tooled. Of the Leica IIc rather exactly 11000 pieces were built.

Mod. IC (1949-1952)

Not to confound with the early model I (C) was made on basis of the Leica IIIc a special camera for scientific purposes, which possess neither Sucher nor distance measurers, for it however two Like IIc it does not possess a long-term wheel separates a blind cover. Mostly these IC for scientific purposes one purchased. In only three production years scarcely over 12.000 copies were manufactured surprisingly. The Leica IC could be converted into a Leica IIc, IIIc and into a Leica If/IIf/IIIf.

Mod. IIIf (1950-1957)

The Leica IIIf marks the highest level of development of the classical Schraubleicas with the inserted lightning synchronisation. Furthermore it has a film noticing disk in the transportation button later and also over which is however differently developed than with the rare Leica IIId. The only possible change of the IIIf consisted of re-tooling the Scarcely 5,400 was already built by that altogether about 180,000 built copies in Canada.

Mod. IIf (1951-1956)

Essentially identically with the IIIf, the IIf the long Verschlusszeiten are missing and at the beginning of also the 1/1000s. Just like with the Leica IIc the opening of the Langzeitenrades was covered with a referred disk. Starting from approximately 1954 all Leica IIf received ex factory the 1/1000 s earlier models could be converted, or directly into a Leica IIIf with be developed. Altogether about 35,000 copies were manufactured, by which however a large number was converted to the IIIf.

Mod. If (1952-1957)

When successor became the IC 1952 the If presented, which differed from their primarily by the lightning contact, which was appropriate in place of the Langzeitenrades. Changes were possible to the IIf and to the IIIf. As is the case for the IIf became starting from approximately 1954 in series also the 1/1000 s available. The total production of the Leica If amounts to approximately 17,000 pieces.

Mod. IIIg (1957-1960)

The Leica IIIg is the last Schraubleica and takes not only therefore a privileged position within the Schraubleicas. Contrary to all other Schraubleicas the IIIg has in-reflected shining framework for 50 and 90 mm a substantially increased Sucherinblick also. Also here the rangefinder is integrated not yet in the Sucher, but remains stating that the Sucher of the IIIg with large distance is the best Sucher, which was ever built into a Schraubleica. After the official production end of 1960 still to 1970 individual copies were ordered, which achieved however no considerable numbers of items. Altogether about 42,000 Leica IIIg were built, which were chromium-plated delivered up to 125 copies all.

Mod. IIg (1956)

As is the case for the Leica IIIf a simplified version without long times was angedacht also for the IIIg. Due to the large success of the Leica M3 and the sinking popularity of the IIIg this option was not pursued however. Today only one copy is well-known, even if up to 15 copies were manufactured.

Mod. Industrial union (1957-1960)

Differently than the Leica IIg the industrial union for scientific purposes and reproduction work on the market one brought. Contrary to the If the industrial union has however a somewhat higher cover cap and the long times of the IIIg. Altogether about 6,000 copies in chromed execution were manufactured by the industrial union.

Leica M

The Leica M is a photo camera model line of the company Leitz, today the Leica Camera AG, for the small display format. In contrast to also of Leitz mirror reflex system Leica R the M-system is a Messsucherkamerasystem.

Leica introduced the M-system 1954 as a successor for the Leica III, the "“line of ancestors"” the Leica M goes back thereby up to the first 35mm camera of the world (Ur-Leica). Their meaning and their nimbus receive the Leica M by the fact that it was used like already its predecessors ("“screw Leicas"”) by many important, professional photographers particularly in the report photography and will and thus many famous photos were taken up to contemporary history with a camera of this type or a predecessor model.

Technology

While objectives were fastened to the Leicas until 1954 with a M39-Schraubgewinde, the M-Leicas received a bayonet connection. The Suchersystem was improved opposite the screw Leicas, and she received an improved cloth slot catch.

Outstanding characteristic of the Leica M cameras is their Messsucher. It shows the motive in a firm enlargement, which depending upon model differently precipitates. Current Leicas is available with of 0,58-fach, 0,72-fach and 0,85-fach. To focusing on the motive one brings the picture in a bright measuring mark in covering with the motive. A in-reflected shining framework shows the image field of the set objective.

Their good reputation the M-Leica owes also to the good selection of outstanding objectives between 21 and 135 mm of focal length.