Leica R3

R3 image by rst12 (Image rights)

Leica launched the Leica R3 in 1976. It was the successor of the Leicaflex SL2, developed in cooperation with Minolta along with the Minolta XE. Visually very similar to the Minolta camera it incorporated Leica developed light metering.

At a very difficult time for the company, the R3 was a commercial success ensuring continuation of the R system.

R3 Electronic

The first series of cameras were made in Germany before production was moved to the new factory in Portugal. This was the first Leica made camera with electronic exposure control and proved extremely reliable.

Viewfinder

Viewfinder display includes:

• Exposure mode A (automatic) or shutter speed (manual)
• Selected aperture
• Metered shutter speed

Shutter

Copal Leitz CLS electronic metal bladed:

• Manual - whole stops from 4s to 1/1000s, X flash sync 1/90s, B "bulb" (X & B also usable without power)
• Automatic - stepless from 4s to 1/1000s

Metering

Single cell in camera base for selective measurement, light reflected down by a secondary mirror behind the main mirror similar to SL / SL2. Two cells on the pentaprism for integrated "centre weighted" measurement. Electronic selection of either measurement in both exposure modes.

R3 MOT Electronic

Near the end of production a version of the camera was released capable of being fitted with a motor winder made by Eumig.

image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)

Links

• Leica R3 on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
• R3 catalog on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand