Leica M frame/gate dimensions

[vmk]

At which point (serial number, year) did Leica decide to shrink the width (and to a lesser extent, height) of the image frame recorded on film by reducing the dimensions of the film gate?

My M3 frame width is about 37,5 mm while the M2 delivers about 35,5 mm, quite a difference, what you lose in image size you gain in frame spacing, right? The M3 frame is a bit taller too.

 

[drewbarb]

Bigger image area. Another way the M3 is superior to all other Leica M's. 😀