Leica M3 - The Distance

The Distance
can be set on the distance scale engraved
on every lens, or with the aid of the range-
finder image visible in the finder. Some
lenses lock in the infinity position; for focus-
ing on nearer distances this lock must be
released by depressing the infinity catch .
Always remember to extend and lock the
barrel of collapsible lenses ( see page 15).
If you now rotate the focusing lever or
mount of the lens, a scale of numbers moves
past the fixed focusing index and indicates the distance in feet and/or meters. This way
of focusing is less important, as you can set the distance much more accurately with the
aid of the built-in coupled rangefinder. The scale is useful, however, for reading off the
available depth-of-field and for special subiects where the rangefinder cannot be used.
Practice in using the rangefinder is important for developing an efficient focusing tech-
nique, and is also great fun. Set the lens to infinity, and observe, say, a window a few
yards away through the rangefinder . You will see a bright sharp rectangle in the center
of the finder area. Hold the LEICA in such a way that the vertical window bar cuts
through this rectangular rangefinder fiel!;L Inside the rdngefinder field you will see a
double image; i.e. the window bar appears as a second image to the left of the main
one. This indicates that the lens is not correctly focused on the film. Now turn the lens
lens while still
looking through the finder; the second image moves to the right until it
coincides with the stationary outline in the rangefinder field. You have now measured the
distance by what is known as the coincidence method.
8