Leica M9 and hands-on preview
LEICA M9: Get the Full Picture LeicaCamera AG today announces the world’s first digital rangefinder camerawith a full-frame 24 x 36mm sensor. As the world’s smallest full-framesystem camera, the LEICA M9 continues the long heritage of the Leicarangefinder system, and unites more than 50 years of continuoustechnical improvements to the M System with cutting-edge digitaltechnology.
The successful combination of ahigh-resolution image sensor, the superior performance of Leica Mlenses and sophisticated processing ensures the best imaging results,making the camera perfect for all fields of photography from reportageand ‘available light’ to the capture of discreet, spontaneous images.
The18 megapixel image sensor, specifically designed and developed for theM9, enables capture of the full 35-mm film format without anycompromise. All M lenses mounted on the LEICA M9 therefore offer thesame focal length as originally intended, and the enormous potentialperformance of the current M lens portfolio, with focal lengths from 16to 135mm, is now fully exploited in an M digital camera for the veryfirst time.
Furthermore, the M9 sensor features a newlydeveloped glass sensor cover designed to guarantee the suppression ofthe infrared portion of the light spectrum, avoiding the need to mountspecial UV/IR filters.
Leica has listened tophotographers’ requests for quick access to essential features on theM9. One example is the new ISO adjustment button, which simply requiresthe user to hold down the ISO button whilst turning the dial to selectthe required setting – rather than having to access it via a menu. Inaddition, all other functions important for everyday photography areaccessible by pressing the set button.
At just 139 × 37× 80mm, the LEICA M9 maintains the compact size of the LEICA M8,despite the considerably larger sensor. The robust, one-piece, fullmetal housing, made from a high-strength magnesium alloy, combined witha solid brass top and bottom plate, provide perfect protection for thecamera in all photographic situations. For photographers, this all addsup to absolute reliability over decades of use.
TheLEICA M9 is available in two different styles: a standard black with‘vulkanit’ finish, and for the first time, a version in steel-grey withclassic leatherette finish.
M9 Sensor
The CCD, specially developed by Kodak for the LEICA M9, has beenoptimised to exploit the particular qualities of the Leica M lenssystem. As a result, the LEICA M9 achieves the highest resolutionvalues, which in turn guarantee outstanding image quality.
TheM9 sensor employs further advanced and meticulously-designed microlenses with a low refractive index. The micro lenses at the sensoredges are laterally displaced towards the image centre to match thecharacteristics of M lenses precisely. This optimised micro lens designcaptures and concentrates even the most oblique rays on the sensor, andreliably prevents image brightness fall-off at the edges and corners ofthe image. As a result, all existing Leica M lenses maintain their fullperformance when used for digital photography.
A moiréfilter has not been integrated, allowing full exploitation of thesuperb resolution of Leica M lenses. Any moiré patterns occurring areeliminated in the camera’s signal processing software. The optimisedsignal–noise ratio reduces the need for digital post-processing, andresults in high-contrast, high-resolution exposures with natural colourrendition from corner to corner.
Lenses
Performance criteria, such as the individual coating of each element,have long been a Leica standard. For the first time, the immenseperformance potential of the M lenses is fully maintained and can beexploited for digital photography. In line with Leica’s commitment tosystem compatibility, almost all Leica M lenses built since 1954 canstill be used on the new M9, as a result of their mechanical andoptical precision.
The M9 sensor demands aparticularly high spatial resolution, as offered by the latest Mlenses. Their high resolution and efficient correction of opticalaberrations make them all the more suitable for digital use. Current Mlenses are supplied with a 6-bit code on the bayonet mount that isscanned optically by the M9. Using this coding, the M9 can compensatefor any vignetting effects, if required. In addition, the lens type isrecorded in the EXIF data and, when using the latest flash units suchas the LEICA SF 58, automatically adjusts the reflector to match thefocal length of the lens attached.
The viewfinder / rangefinder system
The Leica viewfinder / rangefinder system sets the LEICA M9 apart fromSLR and compact digital cameras and makes it particularly suitable forreportage, ‘available light’ and discreet portraiture. Photographersbecome part of the action and frame their subject in the viewfinder,while still being able to see the full scene outside the viewfinderframe. The decisive moment can be anticipated and captured at preciselythe right instant, resulting in particularly authentic images.
Theclear view of the subject remains during the full exposure and, even inthe most adverse lighting conditions, the bright, high-contrastviewfinder guarantees extremely fast and precise focusing. The minimaldelay between shutter release and capturing the shot, together with theviewfinder / rangefinder system, positions Leica M cameras amongst thefastest in the world.
Shutter
TheLEICA M9 features a new, microprocessor-controlled, particularlysilent, metal-leaf, focal-plane shutter that enables shutter speeds ofup to 1/4000 seconds. This means that the photographer still hascomplete creative freedom by using selective focus at maximumapertures, even in bright situations. The short flash synchronisationspeed of 1/180 seconds enables daylight flash exposures with selectivefocus.
Together with its compact form, the camera’salmost silent shutter is another enormous advantage for discreet andunobtrusive photography. Photographers can also select the appropriatemoment for re-cocking the shutter. When longer exposure times requiringan extremely steady camera stance are essential, a slight pressure onthe shutter release button in ‘soft release’ mode is sufficient.
Intuitive handling
The M9 offers a simple, clearly laid-out and intuitive menu system thatconcentrates purely on the essentials; eliminating any multifunctionbuttons or complex menu hierarchies. The key control is an intuitivefour-way switch and dial combination that enables fast menu navigation.Pressing the set button calls up the capture menu on the 2.5" monitor,and the most commonly-used functions are quickly and easily set in themenu: sensor sensitivity, exposure correction, white balance,image-data compression and resolution. Furthermore, favourite profilescan be named and saved for quick and easy access.
Sensitivityranges from ISO 80 for wide-open apertures on bright days to ISO 2500.Very low-noise and finely detailed images are achieved throughout thesensitivity range, even at the highest settings, while the low noisecharacteristics, low-vibration shutter and fast lenses make the M9 theperfect camera for ‘available light’ photography.
Innovative flash technology
TheLEICA M9’s M-TTL flash technology enables both precise and creativecontrol over flash and mixed lighting effects. Prior to the actualexposure, a measuring flash is emitted that is metered through thelens. The flash power is then precisely determined according to thenatural lighting situation. Due to the precise and delicate level offlash illumination, the natural lighting mood is maintained. Incombination with aperture priority exposure mode, the auto-slow syncfunction ensures a particularly subtle lighting of the subject.
Tonal value histogram
The LEICA M9 offers an RGB tonal value histogram, which can bedisplayed at any time for image assessment, and is available inconjunction with automatic image review. A clipping warning indicatingany overexposure of the image is also included. These two qualitycontrol tools are updated during zooming, allowing the quality of eventhe finest image details to be assessed.
Digital workflow
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, a professional digital workflow solution forApple Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows, is available as an onlinedownload for all LEICA M9 customers. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom offers avast range of functions for the management, processing and presentationof digital images, whether in JPEG or DNG format. If the images aresaved as raw data in Adobe Digital Negative Format (DNG), AdobePhotoshop Lightroom guarantees direct and high-quality image processingwith maximum image quality. The 14-bit-per-channel colour informationcaptured by the image sensor is maintained throughout the processingworkflow until the final presentation, and ensures that the mostdelicate tonal differences are preserved.
Build quality and materials
Experienced Leica technicians in Germany are responsible for theassembly and calibration of the M9 camera bodies, as well as theprecise testing of all mechanical and electrical components. Inaddition to the solid brass top and base plate and magnesium alloybody, several other structural features of the camera will ensure along and reliable working life. The rechargeable battery and SD cardslot are protected from dust and moisture under the base plate, whilethe locking mechanism prevents unintentional opening and the possibleloss of the battery and SD card, even under the hardest reportageconditions.
Sensor cleaning
The LEICA M9 offers a special function for manual sensor cleaning:selecting the appropriate item from the menu and pressing the shutterrelease locks the shutter open to allow access to the sensor forcleaning purposes. Thanks to the short register of Leica M cameras, thesensor is easier to access than in a DSLR camera, where the sensor islocated behind the mirror box and shutter assembly.
Pricing and availability
The LEICA M9 will be available in the UK from 9 September 2009 at asuggested retail price of £4,850 inc VAT. For further details and alist of authorised dealers including the new Leica Store Mayfair,please visit www.leica-camera.co.uk.
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