Leica IIIa/Leica 3a

This time I would like to introduce the Leica 3a, which was used to take many of the photos on this site. This camera is a very practical camera that is excellent for taking architectural photographs.

The production of the Leica 3a began 70 years ago in 1935. The reason why the current 35mm film (also known as the Leica format) became so popular was the release of the Leica 1 in 1925. This camera has a long history and is very close to the origin of the 35mm camera.
Of course, film loading, rewinding, and shutter speed are all mechanical and must be operated by hand. But each operation is light and satisfying to use. The texture of the body, which is not die-cast but carefully sheet-metalized by skilled craftsmen, exudes an elegance not found in modern cameras. It is probably impossible to achieve the same level of construction that makes it comfortable to use even after 70 years, in today's world where we rely so heavily on electronic devices.
The biggest feature of this camera is the rangefinder, which means that while an SLR camera lets you see the actual image through the lens, you only see the frame through a viewfinder with a rangefinder attached. This in itself is a disadvantage, and may be the reason why rangefinders fell out of use with the advent of SLR cameras. However, unlike SLR cameras, the structure that does not require a mirror between the film and the lens actually creates a major advantage.
The first thing that is easy to understand is the body size. Since there is no mirror, it is very compact. It is compact enough compared to the compact cameras currently on the market. There is also no unsightly "splash" shutter sound. The quiet and comfortable feeling is unique to Leica. Naturally, there is no mirror shock and it is difficult to shake.
However, the biggest advantage is that since there is no mirror, the film and the lens can be brought as close as possible. This means that there is a great deal of freedom in lens design. And ultra-wide-angle lenses are the ones that can make the most of this feature. The wider the angle, the closer the distance between the film and the lens is, the more advantageous it is. This feature can be made use of in rangefinders and compact cameras such as Leica, Contax, and GR21. Among them, Leica has the widest lens selection and offers inexpensive options. The photo on the left shows the UltraWideHeliar 12mm ultra-wide-angle lens attached. It is very compact, has almost no curvature, and produces excellent images. To create an ultra-wide-angle lens with a single-lens reflex camera, it is expensive and huge to realize a complex optical system, and even then, it is difficult to suppress the curvature. In other words, a single-lens reflex camera is structurally not suitable for wide-angle cameras.
Also, autofocus is not necessary for architectural photography. The wide-angle lens I often use is 15mm, and even at full aperture, everything is in focus from 90cm to infinity. In other words, there is no need to worry about focus. The built-in viewfinder is only for 50mm, so I use an external viewfinder that comes with the lens. The only drawback is that the viewfinder image differs greatly from the actual image.
Leica is known for its unique image quality and lenses, and is a camera with many fans who are highly interested in Leica. However, my obsession with Leica is not due to nostalgia. It is the conclusion I came to after pursuing sharp, distortion-free images, compact portability even with a wide angle, cost, and necessary functions.