- It has 2-years warranty.
- Newly developed cover glass to elimate infrared light contamination , no IR filters needed..
- 18 megapixels which allow the full 35mm format..
- First Rangefinder camera with a 24 x 36 mm Format Sensor..
- Custom designed CCD sensor for optimal performance..
- Newly developed cover glass to elimate infrared light contamination, i.e. no IR filters needed..
- 2-year warranty.
Product Description
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The world's smallest full frame digital camera. This 18
megapixels camera continues the legacy of the Leica M rangefinder
with the most modern digital technology.Digital photography
enters a new dimension: the Leica M9 is the world's first digital
rangefinder camera with a full-format 24 x 36 mm sensor. As the
world's most compact full-format system camera, the M9 extends
the legendary heritage of the Leica rangefinder M System and
unites over 50 years of continuous technical improvements to the
system with the best in cutting-edge digital technology.
From the Manufacturer
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Digital photography enters a new dimension: the Leica M9 is the
world's first digital rangefinder camera with a full-format 24 x
36 mm sensor. As the world's most compact full-format system
camera, the M9 extends the legendary heritage of the Leica
rangefinder M System and unites over 50 years of continuous
technical improvements to the system with the best in
cutting-edge digital technology.
The successful combination of an extremely high-resolution image
sensor, the superior performance of M lenses and sophisticated
processing of the captured digital information ensures the best
imaging results in all photographic situations. With its
wide-ranging technical specifications, the camera adjusts to all
fields of photography - from reportage and 'available light' to
the capture of discreet and fine-art images alike. The M9 is the
ideal tool for all photographers who demand the highest standards
in image quality and a freedom of composition.
The 18-megapixel CCD image sensor, specifically designed and
developed for the M9, enables the capture of the full 35-mm film
format without any compromises. All M lenses ed on the Leica
M9 therefore offer the same angle of view as with film camera
models, meaning the enormous potential performance of the current
M lens portfolio with focal lengths from 16 to 135 mm is now
fully available in a digital camera for the very first time. In
addition, most Leica M lenses built since 1954 can still be used
on the new M9. Once again, Leica Camera AG proves their
commitment to full system compatibility and the enduring value of
the M series.
The sensor of the M9 features a newly developed glass cover that
is designed to guarantee the suppression of infrared light in
practical photography, avoiding the necessity of ing special
UV/IR filters.
Concentrating on essentials, its simple handling is a
significant feature of the Leica M System. In the case of the
Leica M9, the handling has been further improved by
simplification of the menu navigation: setting the sensitivity
only requires holding down the ISO button while simultaneously
turning the dial to select the required setting. All other
functions important for everyday situations are quickly and
easily accessible by pressing the set button. Furthermore, the
menu also offers a snap profile option. In this mode, the M9
automatically sets as many settings as possible and provides a
valuable aid to spontaneous and discreet photography. The camera
also features automatic lens re via 6-bit coding. On the
basis of the coded information, the M9 can compensate for any
system-inherent lens vignetting effects (darkening in the image
corners).
Despite the considerably larger sensor, Leica has been
successful in making the Leica M9 body comparable to the compact
size typical of M cameras. With its compact dimensions of only
139 × 37 × 80 mm (5.47 × 1.45 × 3.15 inches), the Leica M9
maintains the ideal size of the M series and is now the world's
smallest full-format digital system camera.
As a working tool for professionals and ambitious amateur
photographers, all features and functions of the Leica M9 are
designed for absolute dependability and endurance. The one-piece,
full-metal housing is made from a high-strength magnesium alloy.
Additionally, the top deck and bottom plate are machined from
solid brass blocks providing perfect protection for the precious
inner mechanisms. The digital components and shutter assembly of
the M9 are similarly constructed with extreme endurance in mind.
For photographers, this means absolute reliability for decades of
use.
Leica M9 Features and Highlights
The sensor
The CCD sensor specially developed by Kodak for the Leica M9 has
been optimised to fully exploit the particular qualities of the
Leica M lens system. As a result, the Leica M9 achieves highest
resolution values that guarantee outstanding image quality. The
image sensor of the M9 employs further-advanced and meticulously
designed micro lenses with a low refractive index. The micro
lenses at the sensor edges are laterally displaced towards the
image center to precisely match the characteristics of M lenses.
This optimized micro lens design, based on many years of
precision optical engineering experience, captures and
concentrates even the most oblique rays on the sensor and
reliably prevents image brightness fall-off at the edges and
corners of the image. As a result, all existing Leica M lenses
maintain their full performance when used for digital
photography.
The intentional decision to exclude a moiré filter, which
optically filters out the finest image details, was made to
permit full the exploitation of the superb resolution of Leica M
lenses. Any moiré patterns occurring with the M9 are eliminated
in the camera's digital signal-processing software. The optimized
signal-noise ratio of the CCD image sensor reduces the need for
digital post-processing and ensures that images possess an
unrivaled, natural visual impact. This results in high-contrast,
particularly high-resolution exposures with natural color
rendition from corner to corner.
The lenses
All Leica M lenses ed on the Leica M9 offer the same angle
of view as with film camera models. Therefore, for the first
time, the immense performance potential of the lenses is now
maintained and can be fully exploited for digital photography. In
line with Leica's renowned commitment to extreme system
compatibility, most Leica M lenses built since 1954 can be used
on the new M9. As a result of the high mechanical and optical
precision and extraordinarily good imaging performance, and
particularly that of the current range, Leica M lenses are now
ideal for use in digital photography. Performance criteria, such
as the individual coating of each element, have long been a Leica
standard, and there was no need to develop and implement any
special measures for 'digital lenses.'
The efficient image sensor on the M9 demands a particularly high
spatial resolution that is, above all, offered by the latest M
lenses. The excellent correction of optical aberrations and high
resolution make them all the more suitable for digital use. The
current M lenses are supplied with a 6-bit code on the bayonet
that is scanned optically by the M9. On the basis of the
coded information, the M9 can compensate for any (almost
negligible) system-inherent vignetting effects if necessary. In
addition, the lens type is recorded in the EXIF data of the image
files and, when using the latest flash units like the Leica SF
58, automatically adjusts the reflector to match the focal length
of the lens attached.
The viewfinder/rangefinder
The Leica viewfinder / rangefinder system sets the Leica M9
apart from the market-dominating SLR and compact digital cameras
and makes it particularly suitable for vibrant reportage
photography, 'available light' exposures and discreet
portraiture. Photographers become part of the action and frame
whatever they wish to capture in the viewfinder--a scene, a mood,
a moment. Simultaneously, the photographer still perceives what
is going on outside the viewfinder frame. The decisive moment can
be anticipated, and can therefore be captured at precisely the
right instant. This results in particularly authentic images that
are not impaired by the presence of the photographer.
The clear view of the subject remains even during exposure and,
even in the most adverse lighting conditions, the bright,
high-contrast viewfinder guarantees extremely fast and precise
focusing. In combination with the minimal delay between releasing
the shutter and capturing the --in digital photography
too--the combined viewfinder/rangefinder system positions Leica M
cameras among the fastest cameras in the world.
In contrast to SLR photography, where focusing must take place
through the lens and focal length and aperture determine focusing
accuracy, the rangefinder base of the Leica M remains precisely
the same and independent of the actual lens being used. This is
the reason why its focusing precision is immensely superior for
shorter focal lengths. The high-contrast, rectangular RF spot in
the center of the viewfinder guarantees fast, precise and
pin-sharp focusing, even under adverse lighting conditions.
The frame selector lever allows photographers to simulate
different compositions with alternative focal lengths and assess
the most appropriate lens for the without changing lenses.
Because their position is automatically adjusted by automatic
parallax compensation depending on the focusing distance, the six
different bright-line frames always show the precise image
framing. The bright-line viewfinder shows all other information
relevant to the capture of a perfect image and the peripheral
area around the envisaged subject, thus providing ideal
conditions for spontaneous and unobtrusive photography.
The shutter
The Leica M9 features a new, microprocessor-controlled,
particularly silent, metal-leaf, focal-plane shutter that enables
shutter speeds of up to 1/4000 seconds. This allows the
photographer to maintain complete creative freedom by using a
selective focus at maximum apertures, even in bright situations.
The short flash synchronisation speed of 1/180 seconds enables
daylight flash exposures with selective focus.
Together with its compact form, the camera's virtually silent
shutter is another keystone for discreet and unobtrusive
photography. Additionally, photographers can select the
appropriate moment for re-cocking the shutter. When longer
exposure times requiring an extremely steady camera stance are
essential, a slight pressure on the shutter release button in
'soft release' mode is sufficient.
Intuitive handling
The Leica M9 concentrates the photographer's attention on
photographic essentials, not on setting the camera. Particular
diligence, many years of experience and a vast knowledge of how
professional photographers work have all influenced the handling
concept for the digital functions of the Leica M9. The result is
a simple, clearly laid-out and intuitive user interface that
concentrates purely on essentials; multifunction buttons and
complex menu hierarchies have been avoided.
The key control element is an intuitive four-way switch and dial
combination that enables fast menu navigation. Pressing the 'set'
button activates the capture parameter menu on the 2.5-inch
monitor screen. The most important image-capture settings are
quickly and easily set in this menu: sensor sensitivity, exposure
correction, white balance, image-data compression and resolution.
Free profile storage spaces are also available for fast access to
frequently used or application-specific combinations. The menu
button is also used for changing more permanent, values outlining
basic controls in the clearly structured system menu. The
photographer can also choose whether the captured image is
displayed immediately for assessment on the large monitor, how
long it should be displayed and whether an additional tonal value
histogram is shown.
The Leica M9 has a delayed shutter release function with a
choice of two countdown times -2 and 12 seconds.
The technical features of the Leica M9 allow it to quickly adapt
to its intended use. Its sensitivity ranges from ISO 160 (PULL
80) for wide-open apertures on bright days to ISO 2500. At the
same time, very low noise and finely detailed images are achieved
throughout the sensitivity range, even at the highest settings.
The very low noise characteristics, a bright viewfinder /
rangefinder, low-vibration shutter and fast lenses make the M9
the perfect camera for 'available light' photography.
Innovative flash technology
The M-TTL flash technology in the Leica M9 enables both precise
and creative control over flash and mixed lighting effects. Prior
to the actual exposure, a measuring flash is emitted that is
metered through the lens. The flash power is then precisely
determined with consideration for the natural lighting
conditions, ensuring that natural lighting is maintained as much
as possible In combination with the aperture priority exposure
mode, the auto-slow sync function ensures subtle lighting of the
subject, whereby the longest shutter speed may be set manually
or, when using 6-bit coded lenses, automatically, according to
the 1/focal length rule of thumb.
Image assessment with the tonal value histogram
As a professional digital camera, the Leica M9 naturally offers
an RGB tonal value histogram, which can be displayed at any time
for the assessment of stored images. This feature is also
available in conjunction with the automatic image review
function. A useful additional aid is the indication of
overexposed image areas by means of a so-called 'clipping
warning.' These two quality control tools are updated for
d views and thus allow the quality of even the finest
image details to be assessed. Pressing the info function button
displays all photographically relevant settings, including
additional metadata stored in the image files. These functions
enable full control over captured results at the shooting
location of the digital images.
Digital workflow
The M9 comes with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, a professional
digital workflow solution for Apple Mac OS X and Microsoft
Windows. The software is available as an online download for all
Leica M9 customers. This also ensures that the latest release is
always readily available. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom offers a vast
range of functions for the management, processing and
presentation of digital images, quite independent of image
format. If the images from the M9 are saved as raw data in the
standardized and future-proof Adobe Digital Negative Format
(DNG), Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, with its sophisticated and
precise processing options, guarantees direct and extremely
high-quality image processing with maximized image quality. The
14-bit-per-channel color information captured by the image sensor
is then processed at a16-bit-per-channel color information until
the final presentation, and ensures that the most delicate tonal
differentiations are preserved in maximum quality after
completion of the post-processing sequence.
Materials, finish and dimensions
The tough and resilient top deck and base plate of the M9 are
machined from solid brass blocks, while the full-metal body is
manufactured from a high-strength magnesium alloy that ensures a
long and reliable professional working life. The rechargeable
battery and the SD card slot are protected from dust and moisture
under the base plate, which uses a specialized locking mechanism
effectively preventing unintentional opening and the subsequent
loss of the battery and SD card. In addition, this
long-established construction concept, already employed for
decades in the Leica M System, significantly increases the
structural stability of the camera body.
The experienced technicians at the Leica factory in Solms,
Germany are responsible for the hand-assembly and
hand-calibration of M9 bodies and the precise testing of all
mechanical and electrical components. The experience gathered
over decades of maintenance and repairs by Leica Customer Service
creates a solid foundation for long life and enduring value. Even
today, the service department maintains and repairs all M cameras
built since 1954.
Sensor cleaning
The Leica M9 offers a special function for manual sensor
cleaning: selecting the appropriate item from the menu and
pressing the shutter release locks the shutter open to allow
access to the sensor for cleaning purposes. Due to the short
register of Leica M cameras, the sensor is easier to access than
in DSLR cameras in which the sensors are located behind the
mirror box and shutter assembly.
What's in the Box
Battery charger 100-240 V with two power cords (Euro, USA, may
differ for other export markets) and one car charging cable,
lithium-ion battery, USB cable, carrying strap