Bayonet mount, M Series

In 1954, Leica M3 initiated the new series of Leicas whose body shape is still being imitated today. Leica M3 offered a sophisticated bright frame mechanism that adapted to lens change. It simultaneously compensated for parallax errors, and combined rangefinder, and the viewfinder optics. It offered non-rotating shutter speed dial, and new hinged back door for easier film alignment with the film gate. The film gate in M3 was also much more precise than earlier models. M3 also offered a bayonet lens mount that is still Leica's standard M-mount, and all the leica M lenses are still usable, and compatible with digital M cameras.