Dimensions M10 - M3 - M6 TTL

[charles_nl]

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Not sure this is the right forum, but here it goes.

My first Leica ever is an M10, bought 2.5 years ago.  At the time I was reading reviews and I noted that it had again the same approximate dimensions as the older analog camera's like M3.  In particular is wasn't as fat as an M9 (if my memory serves me well). Then I got analog & b/w longing and bought an M3 1 year later and indeed the dimensions are very similar.  It is a pleasure to work with the M3.  A pity it did not have a built-in lightmeter.  So my last acquisition is an M6 TTL, notwithstanding the reviews say that is was fatter (~38mm thickness).  But when it arrived from eBay, it is not fatter at all (to my pleasure).  But I am also confused, because then I checked the manuals:

• the M3 has a measured thickness of ~33 mm and is listed as 138 x 77 x 33.5 on the web site below (dimensions are not given in the user manual)
• the M10 thickness is also ~33 mm, but the M10 manual gives ca 139 x 38.5 x 80 mm
• the M6 TTL thickness is also ~33 mm, but the manual gives 138 x 79.5 x 38 mm (h x w x d)

The same ~38 mm thickness for M10 and M6 TTL can be found on various web sites such as https://www.apotelyt.com/photo-camera/leica-m-system so I am puzzled where that ~38 mm comes from. I assume that the "thickness" is the width of the bottom/top plate. Or am I missing the obvious again?

Charles

 

[a.noctilux]

For me, all film Leica M (minus M5 of course) has "same" size.

Depending on how and what/who the measurement is made, with/without protruding, etc.

 

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In case of MP and M-A, the protruding MP at ISO dial can explain the size increasing in measurement,

flat door for M-A seen here

 

 

M10 ...

Leica M10 with the rear setting wheel can be measured with or only "body"

 

Edited February 2, 2020 by a.noctilux

[UliWer]

Measurements of different M-models - by Leica themselves - have always been confusing.

If you look in their technical descriptions the MP for film (38mm) is made thicker than the M 9 (37mm). They cannot make up their mind whether to measure the top and at which place of the top, or the bottom, or to include some parts which stick out from the bottom. 38mm thickness for the traditional film M includes parts like eyepiece for viewinder, frame selector etc.. If you just measure the bottom plate or the top next to the viewfinder window it is 33mm. 

[lct]

I don't recall about the M3 but according to Leica specs, later M cameras grew fatter from 36mm (M4-2, M4-P) to 42mm (M240) and the M10 stands in the middle sort of (38.5mm). It is then close to the M6J and M7 (38mm). 

[Leicaiste]

I think it is close to the M6TTL and M7 which were a few mm taller hence the speed wheel turning in the opposite direction due to the additional  gearwheel.

The M6J was an M6 merged with an M3. 

[Leicaiste]

The M10P body is slimmer than the M9 or M240 thanks to the bayonet mount sticking out more of the body on the M10P to compensate. 

[earleygallery]

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I think Leica and others measure the width including any protrusions like thumbwheel rest, selection lever, film advance lever etc.

[UliWer]

vor 6 Stunden schrieb earleygallery:

I think Leica and others measure the width including any protrusions like thumbwheel rest, selection lever, film advance lever etc.

As I wrote above: Leica is not consistent in their methods of measurement. Sometimes they include the protrusions (38mm given for the film MP) and sometimes they don't (37mm for the M9).

 

[Rob L]

The M10 has the same or very very close to the same footprint (baseplate size) as the M3,2,4, M4-2 M4-P, M6, M6TTL, M7. It is a little taller than the early cameras, but about the same as M6TTL and M7. The published specs tend to take in other appendages like ISO dials, lens mounts and thumb grip/control wheels.

[mujk]

The M6TTL feels almost exactly the same in the hand as the M10. The only differences are the thumbweel/rest vs. the wind lever under your thumb and the weight (M10 is a bit heavier). The M9 is noticeably thicker than the other two, has no thumbrest at all and is also the lightest of the three. 

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Charles,

Welcome to the Forum.

The measurements for an M3 in the M3 instruction books when the M3 was a current camera are 138 X 77 x 36.

Best Regards,

Michael

Edited February 4, 2020 by Michael Geschlecht

[BLR]

Camerasize.com has comparisons of most Leicas.

https://camerasize.com/compare/#359,702