The Leica Standard was introduced as a basic model by Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar in October 1932.

The original lens for the Leica Standard when introduced was the Leitz Elmar 1:3.5 F=50mm in a collapsible nickel-plated focusing mount with infinity catch.

[1] The Leica Standard was at first made only in black enamel finish, with nickel-plated lens barrel and camera controls.

A disc covers the spot occupied by the slow speed dial found on the other Leica models.

However, the black enamelled FOKOS short base rangefinder was made available from the start, as well as a higher ever-ready case accommodating it.

Some Standard cameras were assembled at Leitz New York during the 1940s from spare parts using Leica III body shells and equipped them with Wollensak lenses.