{"product_id":"rare-early-leica-m3-buddha-ears-double-stroke-rangefinder","title":"Rare Early Leica M3 Buddha Ears Double Stroke Rangefinder (1955)","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n  body {\n    font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \"Segoe UI\", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;\n    line-height: 1.6;\n    color: #222;\n    max-width: 800px;\n    margin: 20px auto;\n    padding: 0 20px;\n  }\n  h1 {\n    font-size: 1.5rem;\n    border-bottom: 2px solid #333;\n    padding-bottom: 4px;\n    margin-top: 24px;\n    margin-bottom: 12px;\n  }\n  h2 {\n    font-size: 1.2rem;\n    margin-top: 18px;\n    margin-bottom: 8px;\n  }\n  p {\n    margin-bottom: 12px;\n  }\n  ul {\n    margin-top: 4px;\n    margin-bottom: 16px;\n    padding-left: 20px;\n  }\n  li {\n    margin-bottom: 4px;\n  }\n  hr {\n    border: none;\n    border-top: 1px solid #ccc;\n    margin: 24px 0;\n  }\n  .valuation-list {\n    list-style-type: square;\n  }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn original vintage 1955 Leica M3 35mm rangefinder camera body, featuring the highly sought-after \u003cstrong\u003eearly \"Buddha ear\" version\u003c\/strong\u003e strap lugs and iconic double-stroke film advance mechanism. Manufactured in Wetzlar, Germany by Ernst Leitz, the M3 is widely regarded as one of the finest and most influential 35mm film cameras ever engineered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall Condition: Very Good\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCosmetically in very good pre-owned condition with clean satin chrome top and bottom plates, intact black vulcanite leatherette housing, and clear rangefinder\/viewfinder windows. Mechanical functions, double-stroke wind lever, and shutter speeds operate smoothly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIncluded\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeica M3 35mm Rangefinder Camera Body (Serial No. 748464 - Built in 1955, Early \"Buddha Ear\" Lug Version)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeica Body Cap\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesirable early production model featuring classic \"Buddha ear\" strap eyelets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDouble-stroke film advance mechanism characteristic of early M3 production runs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLegendary high-magnification (0.91x) combined viewfinder and rangefinder system with automatic brightline frames for 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm lenses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExtremely precise mechanical focal-plane shutter with speeds from 1s to 1\/1000s plus Bulb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRobust stainless steel M bayonet lens mount opening up access to the world's finest rangefinder optics\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCollector's Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarly 1955 Leica M3 bodies with the distinctive \"Buddha ear\" strap lugs are particularly prized by vintage Leica collectors for their historical craftsmanship and transitional mechanical traits from the initial production runs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKeywords\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeica M3 Body, Early Leica M3, Buddha Ear Lug M3, Vintage 1955 Leica, 35mm Rangefinder Camera, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Leica","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56492498092374,"sku":null,"price":1045.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0875\/5213\/1414\/files\/IMGP5784.jpg?v=1793958593","url":"https:\/\/colinscameras.co.uk\/products\/rare-early-leica-m3-buddha-ears-double-stroke-rangefinder","provider":"Colins Cameras","version":"1.0","type":"link"}