Pacific Rim Camera
Photographica Pages
An online guide to collectable cameras and related stuff
Leica
M1
The M1 was introduced as a camera primarily for use with the Visoflex reflex housing, or on a microscope.
It lacked the rangefinder of all previous M models, and had framelines for the 35 and 50 mm lenses only.
Early cameras have button rewind, later cameras have lever. All M1's were finished in chrome,
except for small batches finished in olive green for the military.
Production figures by year and camera finish:
Year | Chrome | Olive |
1959 | 3235 | -0- |
1960 | -0- | 50 |
1961 | 2145 | 75 |
1962 | 1566 | -0- |
1963 | 1370 | -0- |
1964 | 1117 | 83 |
Total | 9442 | 208 |