Leica M3

The Leica M3, released in 1954, set the gold standard for 35mm photography with its revolutionary bayonet lens mount and combined rangefinder/viewfinder. Its build quality was so exceptional that cameras made 70 years ago still sell for thousands and shoot flawlessly, a testament to its over 50% survival rate among collectors. Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank, and virtually every legendary street photographer of the 20th century used one, making it more iconic than the Canon EOS 5D Mark II in capturing candid moments. The M3 didn't just set the bar—it became the benchmark, outperforming #3 Nikon F in precision and reliability.