Leica M

Leica M3, the first camera in the Leica M series

The Leica M is a model line of photo cameras from the Leitz company , now Leica Camera AG , for the 35mm format. Leica M cameras are rangefinder cameras .

Leica introduced the M system (the “M” stands for “rangefinder”) in 1954 as the successor to the Leica IIIf. The “ancestral line” of the Leica M goes back to the first 35mm camera in the world (Ur-Leica) . The Leica M gets its significance and its nimbus from the fact that, like its predecessors (“ screwed Leicas ”) , it was and is used by many important photographers, especially in reportage photography , and thus many famous photos from contemporary history are taken with a camera of this type or a previous model were.

technology

Leica M3 chrome with Leica meter M, booster and Elmar lens f = 5 cm 1: 2.8 M39 with M adapter

While lenses on the Leicas were attached to an M39 , pitch 1/26 ″ (inch pitch, no metric pitch) screw thread until 1954 , the M-Leicas received a bayonet connection , the M-bayonet . Screw lenses with an M39 thread can also be connected to a Leica M using an adapter . The Leica M mostly have a rangefinder with a bright-line frame in which the rangefinder image is reflected in the viewfinder. They received an improved cloth slit lock , in which the time setting button is fixed when the lock is running and with which the escapement is controlled for the longer times.

The outstanding feature of the Leica M cameras is their rangefinder . It shows the motif at a fixed magnification, which varies depending on the model. The first Leica M3 offered a viewfinder with a magnification of 0.92 times. Current Leica models are available with viewfinder magnifications of 0.58x, 0.72x and 0.85x. To focus on the subject, the image is brought into line with the subject in a bright measuring spot. A reflected light frame shows the field of view of the attached lens. The rangefinder is only missing on the Leica M1 and Leica MD.

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  Viewfinder with bright-line frame for 50 mm lens

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  Viewfinder with bright-line frame for 90 mm lens

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  Viewfinder with bright-line frame for 135 mm lens

The M-Leica also owes its good reputation to the large selection of high-quality lenses, initially in a focal length range between 28 and 400 mm, today between 16 and 135 mm.

Series models

With the Leica IIIf, the classic screw Leica had passed its zenith. While the optical performance of the lenses took a top position compared to the competition, the camera bodies were no longer state-of-the-art. As early as the 1930s, Zeiss Ikon had a superior rangefinder in the Contax II, which combined the viewfinder and rangefinder for viewing through an eyepiece. Leitz already had patents and developments for a Leica IV with rangefinder, but further construction came to a standstill when the war broke out. The screw thread for changing the lens was often found to be cumbersome, especially since Zeiss Ikon already came up with a bayonet solution.

The M3 was the first M-Leica in 1954. It had 0.92 times the viewfinder magnification and was able to display bright-line frames for lenses with a focal length of 50, 90 and 135 mm . Lenses with a shorter focal length required either a viewfinder attachment (the so-called “glasses” with 35 mm lenses) or a separate clip-on viewfinder that is plugged into the accessory shoe. The shutter speed setting button is fixed, so for all Leicas without a built-in exposure meter, attachable, manual exposure meters from Metrawatt, which are coupled to the shutter via a pin on the exposure meter and a groove on the time setting button.

In 1958, the M2 was a cheaper Leica M version with a lower viewfinder magnification (0.7x) and illuminated frames for 35, 50 and 90 mm. For a focal length of 135 mm, the Tele-Elmarit lens was supplied from 1963 , which enlarged the viewfinder image with the frame by 90 mm using a viewfinder attachment. The M2 had a modified winding mechanism that enabled a Leicavit quick- action lever to be attached to the floor (as was standard on the Leica MP before).

The Leicaflex was given top priority at Leitz at the time, so development of the later Leica M5 stalled. As an interim solution, the Leica M4 appeared with mirrored viewfinder frames from 35 to 135 mm, which combined the advantages of the Leica M3 and M2.

In 1971, after more than ten years of eventful development history, the M5 came onto the market. The M5 was not a great success, although it was the world's first rangefinder camera with exposure metering through the lens (TTL metering). A CdS cell was attached to a swivel arm in front of the shutter curtain, which was only lowered into the bottom of the camera when the shutter release was pressed. Although it was also a technical advance compared to its predecessor models, the slightly larger dimensions in particular did not make it very popular among photographers and collectors. Only the M4-2 from 1977 with its inexpensive production in Canada could be produced again at a profit. In terms of quality, it was noticeably behind the Leica M4 and M5, the simplifications with glare in the viewfinder or rangefinder that clouded the Leica viewfinder image for decades to come were unmistakable.

The Leica M6, released in 1984, was the second M-Leica, after the M5, to measure exposure through the lens. Over- or underexposure errors were signaled via LEDs. In 2002, the M7 was the first M-Leica with automatic timing. A little later, with the MP Leica, a concession to tradition appeared in which less emphasis was placed on modernity through electronic components, but more emphasis on manufacturing quality and mechanics. Externally and internally, the MP corresponds roughly to an M2 with exposure metering.

In addition to the models mentioned, there were and are often special models, on the one hand in a modified technical version (for example the MD for special technical applications), on the other hand there is a large number of collector's models of almost all models with special engravings, embossing or surface designs (gold-plated, with titanium cases, anniversary models etc.).

Historic M models are among the classics among the cameras and achieve considerable prices among collectors. For example, the one millionth Leica, a Leica M3 chrome, achieved a price of 840,000 euros in an online auction organized by WestLicht in Vienna in November 2013 .

Current models are the analog M7 and fully mechanical MP as well as the digital M10 , which has WLAN communication.

Camera models for analog photography

In analog photography , the photos are captured on photographic film using an optical system. After the film has been developed, photos can either be projected onto a screen and viewed using a projector (slide film). Or the film (negative film) is photographed on photo paper; This creates a copy of the photo (positive) on special paper, which means that the photo can be reproduced and viewed in different sizes.

Leica M3 (1954 to 1966)

In 1954 Leitz introduced a completely new model, the M3 , which had almost nothing in common with the previous Leicas. Starting with the rangefinder, which displayed the picture almost life-size (0.91 ×), through the bayonet connection to the optional light frames for 50, 90 and 135 mm, the Leica was characterized above all by a completely redesigned shutter. Two sealing cloths still run horizontally across the film plane, but for the first time all shutter speeds from 1 s to 1/1000 s were combined on a wheel on the top. The closure was also significantly quieter than that of the screw-in leicas. With minor modifications, around 227,000 units of the Leica M3 were manufactured by 1966, the vast majority of which were supplied chrome-plated, while only around 3,000 units were painted black and 144 units were painted olive.

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  Leica M3 with viewfinder attachment ("glasses") for 35 mm lenses

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  Leica M3 with attached Visoflex III and 90mm f2.8 lens

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  Leica M3 with exposure meter

Leica M2 (1958 to 1967)

The Leica M2 was introduced in 1958 as an inexpensive entry-level model for the M3. Outwardly, however, it only differs from the M3 in details, such as a manual counter or a slightly modified top cap. Technically it differs mainly through a completely new rangefinder design and the lower viewfinder magnification of 0.72 compared to 0.91 for the M3. This made it possible to mirror a bright-line frame for 35 mm lenses, which can only be used on the M3 with unwieldy viewfinder attachments. The frame for 135 mm lenses was removed for this, but it was rarely used anyway. Most of the M2 was also ordered in a chrome-plated version, while only around 1900 black-painted examples are known. A little over 85,000 cameras were made in total.

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  Leica M2, around 1959/1960

Leica M1 (1959 to 1964)

Contrary to what the name suggests, the M1 was not the first model in the series, but a simplified version of the M2. It had no range finder and no forward drive. The viewfinder only reflected the frames for 35 and 50 mm lenses. It was intended as an entry-level camera "for women" and could be "upgraded" to the M2 in the Leitz works. The viewfinder had parallax compensation, which was controlled via a simple connection without wheels. At the time, Leitz offered them as an alternative to the interchangeable magazines from Zeiss Contarex as a complete camera for use on a Visoflex . It was also recommended for special applications in the scientific and technical field, e.g. B. on the approach to the microscope approach Mikas , on the Aristophot , for recordings on the colposcope and endoscope and for reproduction devices (for example on the Reprovit IIa). A total of around 9,600 cameras were manufactured, all of which except for a series of 208 for the German Bundeswehr were chrome-plated. A special version is known in which the housing of the Leica M3 in NATO olive was used for a correspondingly simplified Bundeswehr version with the designation M1.

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  Leica M1

Leica MD (1964 to 1966)

The Leica M1 has been replaced by the Leica MD, which has completely dispensed with the viewfinder and rangefinder. Otherwise the MD is completely identical to the M1. A total of 3500 copies were built.

Leica M4 (1967 to 1975)

Based on the Leica M2, the Leica M4 with illuminated frames for four focal lengths was introduced in 1967. The 4th bright-line frame is for 135 mm focal lengths, which is displayed together with the bright-line frame for 35 mm focal lengths. For the first time, the rewind button was replaced by an inclined crank and a new type of fast loading system was used, which should enable the film to be changed even under difficult conditions. The shape of the quick-release lever was also changed. A total of almost 60,000 cameras were manufactured, around 9,000 of which were painted black and later also black chrome-plated. The rest of the edition was delivered light chrome-plated.

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  Leica M4 with 50 mm lens and viewfinder glasses for close range

Leica MDa (1966 to 1976)

The MDa is the direct successor to the Leica MD based on the Leica M4 (although it went into production a year earlier). It had the rewind crank and fast charge system of the M4. Otherwise there are no differences to the MD. A total of around 15,000 Leica MDa models with light chrome-plated housings were built in ten years of production.

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  Leica MDa

Leica M5 (1971 to 1975)

The Leica M5 has been developed by Leitz since around 1960. Right from the start, clear lines in a robust construction were chosen. The camera, which was originally designed with outside measurement, was fully constructed around 1963, but the outside measurement originally planned for exposure was no longer up to date. The introduction was therefore postponed - only the Visoflex III that was suitable for these dimensions came onto the market at photokina in 1963 . For the Leica M5, a measuring method with a measuring cell on a pivotable lever was then made possible for exposure measurement in front of the film plane. The viewfinder and the shutter mechanism largely corresponded to the Leica M4.

Unlike the later M-Leicas, it had a built-in CdS exposure meter that worked with a measuring needle and a tracking pointer that were clearly visible in the viewfinder. In the settings, over- and underexposures could be seen in their deviation, and the correct exposure time could be found quickly and reliably. The set exposure time was also displayed. The Leica M5 was the only Leica M to have a time setting disc that protruded slightly beyond the housing and thus made it possible to easily set the time with the exposure meter, including the times, in direct view. The M5 was the first Leica M to have the center contact (flash contact X) in the viewfinder clamp. It also had separate standard contacts for lamp and electronic flash units. The camera therefore enabled automatic flash synchronization for lamp flash units up to 1/500 s, for electronic flash units up to 1/50 s.

A total of around 35,000 cameras were manufactured, 11,000 of which were bright and 24,000 were black chrome-plated.

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  Leica M5 black (early model with two strap eyelets on the left)

Leica CL (1973 to 1976)

The Leica CL was presented in 1973, it was in line with the trend of the times as a “Compact Leica” (= CL), which was deliberately separated from the M system, although it also has the M bayonet and uses most M lenses can be. The principle was consistently followed: price differentiation through product differentiation. This marketing strategy did not succeed; it withdrew buyers from the Leica M5 to a greater extent than expected. For cost reasons, the CL for Leitz was manufactured by Minolta in Japan. It was also sold as "Leitz-Minolta CL" in Japan. Of the Leica CL (without Minolta license replicas) there are 65,000 exclusively black chrome-plated copies, of the Minolta version around another 20,000. Despite the high sales figures (more than twice as many as M models were sold in the same period), Leica spoke of a financial failure, probably for two reasons: on the one hand, the profit margins were too low because of the contract manufacturing by Minolta, on the other hand, the inexpensive CL the sales figures of the M models collapse, which is why production was discontinued after only three years. After the end of production of the Leica CL, Minolta sold a further developed camera under the name Minolta CLE , also with an M bayonet.

The housing is an independent construction with a vertical locking process. The automatic flash synchronization was carried out via the center contact of the accessory terminal, the shortest time for this was 1/60 s. The new rangefinder had a significantly smaller measuring base than that of the current M models, but its accuracy was higher than that of the screwed leicas due to the "cutting edge". The viewfinder automatically reflected the image field limitation for 28, 40 and 90 mm lenses. An automatic parallax compensation was given. The rather thin outer shell was made of sheet metal and was relatively easy to press in. A bump caused a small dent. However, the adjustment of the bayonet to the film plane did not suffer from this, as this was done from behind through the solid camera core. Three special lenses were introduced for the CL that were optimized for the new rangefinder: the Elmarit-C 2.8 28 mm , the Summicron-C 40 mm f / 2 and the Elmar-C 90 mm f / 4 . The Elmarit-C was discontinued after only a very short construction period and about 400 copies, according to Erwin Puts. It was never officially put on sale, but found its way outside through employees. Puts notes that the most likely reason for hiring was lack of performance.

As with the M5, the selective exposure measurement through the lens was carried out with a CdS cell swiveled into one arm. This cell swiveled out of the image field before it was released and was swiveled back in again with the elevator of the film. The design was simpler than that of the Leica M5, it had no device to take measurements with different focal lengths into account, and it was not swiveled back when the lens was removed. The range finder coupling did not correspond in detail to the M construction. The use of CL lenses on an M was restricted and described by Leitz as imprecise in this case. The filter thread of the CL lenses also had a diameter of E39, but a pitch of 0.75 instead of 0.5. Series 5.5 filters should be used.

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  Leica CL

Leica M4-2 (1977 to 1980)

After the failure with the Leica M5, the Leica M production was completely stopped in 1975. Due to the continuing demand for Leica M cameras, the M4-2 was introduced as a simplified version of the M4 in 1978 on the initiative of Walter Kluck, head of the Canadian Leitz branch in Midland. In production, too, new paths were broken by rationalizing the production processes, which are strongly oriented towards manufacture . Compared to the M4, the self-timer is missing and some details on the housing have been simplified. For this, the M4-2 was equipped with a center contact in the hot shoe and a preparation for motor use as standard. Almost without exception, the Leica M4-2 was manufactured in Canada, where over 17,000 cameras were delivered in just two years of production, 16,000 of which were black chrome-plated and around 1,000 were gold-plated. A few cameras with light chrome plating have also appeared.

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  Leica M4-2

Leica MD-2 (1980 to 1987)

With the MD-2, Leitz presented the last M camera for technical work. Based on an M4-2 housing, its range of functions largely corresponds to that of the earlier MDa except for the standard center contact in the accessory shoe. A total of around 2600 cameras were built exclusively in black chrome.

Leica M4-P (1980 to 1987)

Building on the relative success of the Leica M4-2, the successor M4-P was presented in 1981. It mainly differs in that it has two additional light frames for 28 mm and 75 mm lenses. The camera was available in both light and black chrome plating. The total production amounts to a total of around 22,400 pieces, of which around 18,000 are black and around 4,400 are bright chrome-plated.

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  Leica M4-P, 1983

Leica M6 (1984–1998)

With the Leica M6 in 1984, Leitz was no longer able to achieve the technical standard of that time, which Minolta had already achieved with the CLE in 1980. Although the first time a was TTL metering (. H measurement by the lens d.) In the housing of a Leica M4-P but a TTL flash control, integrated (i.e. here:.. Measurement through the lens) was not possible. The simple exposure measurement is achieved by a white point on the front shutter curtain, which reflects incident light onto a measuring cell under the bayonet ring. The measurement result is signaled in the viewfinder by means of two light-emitting diodes, which are used to set the correct exposure manually. With a magnification of 0.72 in the viewfinder, the M6 ​​reflects the frames for 28, 35, 50, 75, 90 and 135 mm focal lengths. The camera's shutter speed range is between 1 s and 1/1000 s with a flash synchronization time of 1/50 s. It is not 1/60 s and is therefore still outside the linear shutter speed series as it was 30 years earlier with the Leica IIIf and M3. It is still well below the synchronous time of a Leicaflex from 1965 with 1/100 s.

Up to 1988 a little over 30,000 units were manufactured in the Leitz factory in Wetzlar, from 1988 the M6 ​​was manufactured in Solms. In 1986 light chrome plating was introduced as an alternative to black chrome plating. Around 3000 Leica M6s were manufactured in 1998 with a viewfinder magnification of 0.85 (compared to 0.72 for the standard model). Although it lacks the frame for 28 mm lenses, it is characterized by a larger viewfinder image that allows more precise focusing. In addition to the two standard versions in black and chrome, there were also numerous special models with special surfaces in gold, platinum and titanium. Production figures are not known, but there should be around 100,000 to 150,000 pieces of the M6.

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  Leica M6

Leica M6 TTL (1998 to 2002)

In 1998 a modified M6 was presented under the name M6 TTL . The main feature of the new camera was the TTL flash exposure metering and the choice between three viewfinder magnifications (0.58; 0.72; 0.85). In addition, a return was made to a larger time wheel similar to that of the M5. An estimated 40,000 Leica M6 TTL were built.

Leica M7 (2002 to 2018)

As the successor to the Leica M6 TTL, a Leica M with automatic aperture control was implemented for the first time in the M7. This required a completely revised shutter, which now electronically controls all exposure times (1 s to 1/1000 s) with the exception of 1/60 and 1/125 s (mechanical emergency times). This means that the M7 is also the first Leica M to largely rely on batteries. The M7 requires the same battery as the Leica M6 type CR1 / 3N from Varta . After the MP was introduced in 2003, the improved MP viewfinder was also used in series production of the M7 (to solve the notorious “white-out problem”).

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  Leica M7, MotorDrive M, Summilux 1.4 / 35 mm ASPH

Leica MP (2003 to today)

The Leica MP was introduced in 2003 as a purely mechanical alternative to the Leica M7 . Apart from the exposure meter, the MP is battery-independent and the shutter lift is mechanical. Compared to the M6 ​​TTL and M7, the top cap could be 2.5 mm lower due to the omitted "TTL flash exposure control", which means that it has the classic height of all previous M models. Externally, the MP “shines” with the reintroduction of the famous black paint, a reminiscence of the golden age of rangefinder cameras of the 1950s and 1960s. The well-known silver chrome plating is still available. The “sharkskin” leather upholstery is also a “bow” to the bygone days of the famous screwed leicas. The controls have been reduced to an absolute minimum, the one-piece film transport lever, the small timing wheel and the shock-resistant rewind button are all made of metal.

Inside, all individual parts have been subjected to a thorough overhaul and checked for possible improvements. The most important innovation is the greatly improved MP viewfinder, which has also been used in the M7 since its introduction in 2003. Among other things, it now has the insensitivity to scattered light that many users have long missed, i.e. H. there is no longer any overexposure with side light.

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  Leica MP, RapidWinder, Elmar 2.8 / 50 mm

Leica MA (2014 to today)

The Leica MA is based on the Leica MP and was originally presented as a special model limited to 101 pieces in March 2014. The camera does not have an internal light meter and therefore does not require batteries. As with the Leica MP, the shutter is controlled mechanically.

Camera models for digital photography

In digital photography , the photos are captured on an electronic sensor by means of an optical system and stored on a data memory. Photos can be viewed immediately after they have been saved, either on the camera screen and on a computer screen or any other display device that can display such photos (TV, cell phone, etc.). The output via a printer is also possible so that photos can also be reproduced on paper (comparable to the photo product from analog photography).

Leica M8 (2006 to 2009)

In September 2006, two years after the Epson R-D1 , Leica presented its first M-series camera with a CCD sensor . The M8 has the classic design and is equipped with a 10.3 megapixel CCD sensor, which has a relatively large area of ​​18 mm × 27 mm (analog 35 mm format: 24 mm × 36 mm) for digital cameras. As a result, the focal length extension has a factor of 1.33. Since the film or CCD sensor is much closer to the lens in a rangefinder camera, vignetting occurs in the edge area. Leica compensates for this through the special alignment of the microlenses on the specially developed CCD sensor; these have a small offset that increases in regular steps towards the edge. There is also the option of subtracting the vignetting using software. The parameters of the lens used for this are transmitted to the camera by means of an optical 6-bit coding on the attachment flange of the lens bayonet. The camera has an integrated motorized shutter lift, the possibility of series recordings and dynamic storage of the generated image data on an SD or SDHC memory card so that continuous recordings can be made. When the camera was introduced, there were initially problems with baring in the high sensitivity range and in unfavorable backlighting conditions. This affected a few hundred cameras that were delivered before the official start of series production. The M8 model remained in the M-System range even after the M8.2 was presented.

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  Leica M8 - the first digital M.

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  Leica M8 with a very fast 1: 1.0 Noctilux lens

Leica M8.2 (2008 to 2009)

At photokina 2008, the Leica M8.2 was presented as a revised version of the M8 that is still available. It now has a quieter shutter lift that many users have longed for, which can also be delayed via menu selection. If the trigger is held down, it only releases, but the motorized drive does not open the shutter again. This only happens after releasing the release button. The fastest shutter speed of 1/8000 s had to be dispensed with in favor of 1/4000 s, but the release sound comes much closer to the cloth focal plane shutter of the analog M models after the revision.

Another revision concerns the light frames, which were adapted to the wishes of the photographers. The frames now show the exact image section at a distance of about 2.00 m (previously about 70 cm). Externally, the M8.2 differs in that it has a new “Vulkanit” leather lining variant used in older models, which is said to be more handy than the “Sharkskin” leather lining known from MP and M8. The black version now has the historic black paint and the black Leica emblem, while the silver version retains the red Leica dot. The cover glass of the LCD monitor is now made of sapphire glass.

Leica M9 (2009 to 2012)

The Leica M9 was presented in September 2009 . In its time, the Leica M9 was the smallest system camera in the world with a full-format sensor in 35mm film format 24 × 36 mm. The sensor specially developed by Kodak for the Leica M9 resolves the image into 18 million pixels. Unlike the previous models, the M8 and M8.2, the M9 no longer requires the use of so-called UV / IR filters. With the M9, almost all Leica M lenses from 16 to 135 mm can be used with the exception of the Dual Range Summicron lenses.

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  Leica M9 (back with LCD)

Leica M9-P (2011 to 2012)

The Leica M9-P was presented on June 21, 2011. It was technically almost identical to the M9 and only differed from it in a few details. The cover glass of the LCD monitor was made of sapphire glass , the red Leica dot and the type designation on the front were omitted, instead there was now a more subtle Leica lettering on the cover cap. The M9-P was available with a black or silver chrome finish, the M9 with a black or steel gray finish.

Leica M Monochrom (2012 to 2015)

The Leica M Monochrom was presented on May 10, 2012. It had an image sensor with 18 megapixels in which the color filter matrix (the so-called Bayer filter ) was removed so that the sensor now only recorded black and white images. Because each pixel of a sensor with a Bayer filter can only record the brightness information in the color specified by the filter, the resolution of a normal color sensor is significantly lower than the nominal resolution in megapixels (MP), it is only around 60 %.

The Leica M Monochrom thus offered an actual resolution that was far above that of a color camera with 18 MP. Experts estimate that the resolution was roughly equivalent to that of a color camera with 24 to 32 MP. Technically, the camera was based on the M9-P and only differed in a few details, e.g. B. was missing the (now superfluous) white balance.

Leica ME (Typ 220, from 2012)

On the occasion of photokina 2012, Leica presented the Leica ME model ; This is the slimmed-down (the USB interface is missing, among other things), slightly modified version of the M9 with an anthracite gray painted housing. It is the most affordable digital Leica of the M series to date, which was designed as an entry-level model.

Leica M (Typ 240, from 2013)

Also at photokina 2012, Leica presented the Leica M model as the successor to the M9. This model is equipped with a 24 MP sensor from the Belgian manufacturer CMOSIS. It offers a live view on the 3-inch monitor with a resolution of 920,000 pixels, as well as support for manual focusing through focus peaking . With the Leica M - for the first time with a camera model of the M system - video recordings in Full HD resolution with 1920 × 1080 pixels are possible. The sound is recorded in monaural . This model is available with a black lacquered or silver chrome-plated housing.

New accessories for the Leica M include an adapter for lenses with the Leica R bayonet , the EVF-2 electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 1.4 MPixel and the M multifunctional handle with integrated GPS receiver . A stereo microphone adapter is available for stereo sound recordings.

At the same time, Leica announced that it would abandon the counting of model numbers that has been in use since 1954.

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  Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica MP (Typ 240, from 2014)

Leica MP (Typ 240) black

Leica MP (Typ 240) with Summicron-M 35 mm f / 2 Asph.

On August 25, 2014, before the Photokina, Leica presented the MP (Type 240). It represents the further development of the M (type 240). As usual with the digital P (for professional) models, it has a display glass made of sapphire crystal. The main memory has been expanded to 2 GB in order to increase the processing speed and thus also the number of images in series mode. The traditional red dot on the front has been left out, but the top cap is engraved with white Leica lettering. The camera is available in black lacquer (with black hot shoe) and silver chrome (with silver hot shoe).

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246, from 2015)

The Leica M Monochrom Type 246 was introduced in May 2015. The M Monochrom (Type 246) is based on the MP (Type 240). The M Monochrom (246) has a 24 megapixel CMOS sensor. As with the M Monochrom Mark 1, the M Monochrom (246) lacks the Bayer filter. The camera is black chrome-plated and, apart from the word “MONOCHROM” on the hot shoe, has neither the red dot nor any engravings on the top cap.

Leica M (Type 262, from 2015)

Based on the Leica M (Typ 240), but does not offer the additional features of live view and video function. It has a modified shutter lift, which works more quietly in single image mode than on the M (type 240). The trigger frequency in single image mode is up to two images per second, in series image mode up to three images per second. The housing top cap is made of aluminum; This makes the Leica M (Type 262) around 100 grams lighter than other M models with a brass top cap.

Leica M10 (Type 3656, from 2017)

Further development of the M (Type 240). The main differences include a newly designed housing with a depth of 38.5 mm, a 24 MP CMOS sensor without a low-pass filter , and a built-in WLAN / WiFi module. The electronic Visioflex viewfinder, which offers a resolution of 2.4 million pixels, can be attached.

With the M10, Leica is returning to numbering rangefinder camera models.

Leica M10-P (Type 3656, from 2018)

Leica M10-P (Type 3656) black

Leica M10-P Edition "Safari"

On August 21, 2018, before the Photokina, Leica presented the M10-P. It represents the further development of the M10 (Type 3656). The traditional red dot on the front has been left out, but the top cap has an engraved Leica lettering. In addition, the camera has a touchscreen, an electronic spirit level and a much quieter shutter.

Leica M10-D (Type 9217, from 2018)

Leica M10-D (type 9217)

In October 2018, Leica presented the M10-D. It is based on the M10-P (Type 3656), but dispenses with the rear display, which is replaced by an exposure correction wheel. The camera can be accessed via WiFi or the Leica FOTOS app.

Leica M10 Monochrome (Type 6376, from 2020)

On January 17, 2020, Leica presented the M10 Monochrom. The resolution of the 35mm sensor increased to 40 megapixels. The sensitivity range is 160–100,000 ISO (previous model: ISO 320–25,000). The Leica M10 Monochrom is based on the M10-P model. There is no video function, but just like the M10-P it has an extremely quiet shutter (the quietest shutter release of all M cameras ever built). Compared to a color sensor, there is significantly more light on the black and white sensor, because the light-absorbing color filter in front of each pixel is not necessary. The M10 Monochrome does not have a low-pass filter either; a white balance is not available due to the system. The 7.5 centimeter screen is colored and has a resolution of 1.04 million pixels. Thanks to the gorilla protective glass, it should be particularly hard and scratch-resistant. The series picture function achieves 4.5 pictures per second for ten pictures in series. The recordings are saved on an SD, SDHC or SDXC memory card. The all-metal housing is made of die-cast magnesium. The top cap and the bottom cover are made of brass and are black chrome-plated.

Special models

Leica MP (1956 to 1957)

In 1956 a special model of a Leica M was offered, the Leica MP. It essentially combined the viewfinder and housing design of the M3 with the shutter control of the M2, which was launched on the market in 1958. It has two independently operating devices for advancing the film: a normal quick-release lever on the top of the camera and a bottom pull lever, the Leicavit MP . This combination was developed to meet the special requirements of reportage photography. A Leicavit in a similar form has been used for a long time for screw Leicas from serial no. 400001 and later for the Leica M2, but not for the M3. The Leica MP did not have a feed mechanism and instead of the film counter with automatic zero setting when changing the film, a simple film counter, as was later used on the M2. This camera, now also known as the original MP, was delivered exclusively to professional photographers. After only a short construction period and around 450 copies, production was stopped. One of the main reasons for this was certainly the appearance of the M2, to which the Leicavit MP high-speed elevator, which is now available individually, could be attached. It could not be used for the Leica M3. Today the original MP is a very sought-after collector's item.

Leica MP2 (1958/59)

A professional version of the M2 with an electric motor drive, the so-called MP2, was sampled. Two series and a total of only 27 copies were produced, No. 935501 to 935512 and No. 952001 to 952015. 21 cameras were delivered in a light chrome-plated version, six copies painted in black (No. 935507 to 935512). The electrical Leitz-Wetzlar motor for the MP2 was attached to the underside of the camera instead of the bottom cover and takes 3.5 images per second. The MP2 was a series of sample cameras that were only used for testing purposes and therefore never achieved commercial importance. The MP2 motor was structurally superior to the Leitz New York motor (for the M2-M) developed roughly in parallel and later mass-produced.

Leitz decided on the M2-M solution after the assessment by American photojournalists who were called in on the occasion of the sampling, as the battery housing was generally considered to be more manageable in this variant. In addition, conventional M2 cameras with the motor coupling for the New York motor could be retrofitted, which it was hoped would offer greater sales opportunities. The MP2 is one of the rarest and most valuable M-series Leicas on today's collectors' market. Around 15 cameras are known around the world today, around half of which are complete with the original MP2 electric motor. The "List of camera serial numbers" published by Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH (today Leica Camera AG) has an editorial error that is well known among experts, according to which the first series of the MP2 did not start with No. 935501, but as of 935001. Therefore, the number of 527 MP2 cameras is sometimes mentioned in the literature to this day. In fact, cameras no. 935001 to 935500 are regular M2.

At an auction on December 4, 2010 in Vienna, a Leica MP2 achieved a price of 402,000 euros and has since been considered the “most expensive Leica camera ever sold at auction worldwide”.

Leica M6 A (2000/01)

As a prototype, the Leica M6A can be directly assigned to the later M7. It is based on the M6 ​​TTL and was only delivered to selected photographers for test purposes. The M6A could only be identified as such by the engraving on one of the lightning slides and the timing wheel with the setting "A" for automatic timing. The M6A was never officially on the market and was given its own series of serial numbers.

Leica MP 6 (2002)

The Leica MP 6 is the pre-production model for the later MP (the serial numbers are part of the official numbering). However, contrary to the M6 ​​A described above, this was officially sold exclusively in Japan as a "special series". It anticipates the black finish of the later MP as well as the controls and the engraving on the top cap directly above the hot shoe. The leather covering (here vulcanite) is an anticipation of the later special model MP3 and the M8.2.

Collector's models

Leica offered special or collector's models of (almost) all current models at all times: Additional embossing for company anniversaries (e.g. Leica CL "50 Years Leica", Leica M6J "40 Years M" or Leica M6 "50 Years fotoMAGAZIN") ) as well as models in special case variants (gold-plated, titanium) and colors (e.g. M8 “white edition”, M8.2 “Safari”, M7 “Hermès” in orange, M10-P “Bold Gray”). Editions with limited numbers guarantee high collector's values.

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  Leica M10-P "Bold Gray Edition" w. Leica Summicron-M 35mm f / 2 ASPH.

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  Leica M6 titanium; first version without TTL flash measurement

Miniature models

In a highly miniaturized form, Leica M models from the company Minox are true to scale as miniature and digital camera versions.

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  Minox -Leica M3 digital: a homage to the original, scaled down digital miniature camera from Minox

M lenses

Not all lenses with the Leica M quick-change bayonet fit all Leica M cameras, but all lenses currently available can be used universally. There are limitations with retrofocus wide-angle lenses and lenses with viewfinder attachments, especially with the Leica models M5, CL and M9. The lenses for the Leica CL have a simpler range finder control, which could lead to accuracy problems on other Leica models. Current lenses are marked with a code on the bayonet for use on digital Leicas (from M8). This allows the lens to be automatically recognized by the camera. The lens identifier is possibly transferred to the Exif data of the image files recorded with it. Correction profiles belonging to the lens can thus also be used automatically in order to make corrections to imaging errors (e.g. distortion, color errors, vignetting). In the camera itself, this lens recognition may only change the JPG versions of the recorded image data, which are then processed in the camera by applying a correction profile. The raw recordings are not changed by the lens identification. Older lenses can also be marked with a corresponding coding on the bayonet. However, the address space of the 6-bit code is only sufficient to uniquely identify a number of 64 lenses. A subsequent assignment of any lens profile to a specific recording in an image processing program is possible at any time, regardless of the identification of the lens.

The Leica M lenses have comparatively small external dimensions and mostly an extraordinarily high imaging performance for the year of manufacture. Since the expiry of patent protection , other manufacturers ( Carl Zeiss , Cosina Voigtländer ) have also been offering lenses with an M bayonet.

Below is a selection, mainly of the current lenses.

Wide angle lenses

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  LEICA SUMMICRON-M 35 mm f / 2 ASPH.
  Tri-Elmar-M 16-18-21 mm f / 4 Asph
• Super-Elmar-M 18 mm f / 3.8 Asph
• Summilux-M 21 mm f / 1.4 Asph
• Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f / 3.4 Asph
• Summilux -M 24 mm f / 1.4 Asph
• Elmar-M 24 mm f / 3.8 Asph
• Summilux-M 28 mm f / 1.4 Asph
• Summicron -M 1: 2/28 mm Asph
• Elmarit-M 28 mm f / 2.8 Asph
• Summaron-M 28 mm f / 5.6
• Summilux-M 35 mm f / 1.4 Asph
• Summicron-M 35 mm f / 2 Asph
• Summaron-M 35 mm f / 3.5
• Summarit-M 35 mm f / 2.4 Asph.

Standard lenses

• Noctilux-M 1: 0.95 / 50 mm Asph
• Summilux-M 50 mm f / 1.4 Asph
• Apo -Summicron-M 50 mm f / 2 Asph
• Summicron-M 50 mm f / 2
• Summarit-M 50 mm f / 2.4

Telephoto lenses

• Noctilux-M 75 mm f / 1.25 Asph
• Apo-Summicron-M 75 mm f / 2 Asph
• Summarit-M 75 mm f / 2.4
• Apo-Summicron-M 90 mm f / 2 ASPH.
• Thambar-M 1: 2.2 / 90 mm
• Summarit-M 90 mm f / 2.4
• Summilux-M 90 f / 1.5 ASPH.
• Apo-Telyt-M 135 mm f / 3.4

Macro lenses

• Macro-Elmar-M 90 mm f / 4

Leicameter

→ Main article : Leicameter

Leicameter MR-4

Since all Leica M models from the M3 up to the last versions of the M4 (M4-2, M4-P) do not have an internal exposure meter , the. Especially for film material that does not allow large exposure tolerances (e.g. slide film ) Use of an external light meter is necessary. Any commercially available handheld or clip-on exposure meter can be used for this purpose.

The company Messtechnik AG in Nuremberg offered from 1950 under the name Leicameter jointly developed with Leitz light meter, which were designed directly for use with a Leica M.

literature

• Jonathan Estonia: Leica M manual. The complete Leica M system from yesterday to today . Publishing house Laterna magica Joachim F. Richter, Munich 1995, ISBN 3-87467-567-X .

Web links

• Comprehensive list of (almost) all available lenses at www.kenrockwell.com

Individual evidence

1. ↑ The one millionth Leica , page on www.profifoto.de, accessed on November 26, 2013 ( Memento of the original from December 2, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
2. ↑ A festival for camera lovers. In: Small newspaper. November 25, 2013, p. 11.
3. ↑ Leitz Wetzlar, general catalog for the specialist trade, edition October 1, 1971.
4. ↑ ^{a b} The Leica CL / Minolta CL. Retrieved July 30, 2014 . 
5. ↑ Photoscala: Analogue and purely mechanical: Leica MA from September 16, 2014
6. ↑ Product page of the M9 ( Memento from July 9, 2012 in the web archive archive.today )
7. ↑ Hans-Heinrich Pardey: The fetish image sharpness . FAZ online, viewed on May 19, 2012.
8. ↑ The future of black and white photography. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on December 5, 2013 ; Retrieved July 30, 2014 . 
9. ↑ Michael Reichmann: Luminous Landscape - Review of the Leica M Monochrom
10. ↑ Michael Reichmann: Luminous Landscape - Review of the Leica M Monochrom
11. ↑ Leica Camera AG data sheet for the Leica ME ( Memento from January 7, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) accessed on September 19, 2012. (PDF; 49 kB)
12. ↑ Leica M and ME renew the M system. In: Colorfoto.de , September 18, 2012
13. ↑ Leica Camera AG data sheet for the Leica M ( memento of February 1, 2013 in the Internet Archive ), accessed on September 19, 2012.
14. ↑ Internet report on digitalkamera.de, accessed on September 19, 2012
15. ↑ de.leica-camera.com ( Memento of the original from April 8, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
16. ↑ de.leica-camera.com
17. ↑ Leica M 10. Technical data. (PDF) In: Internet site. Leica Camera AG, January 2017, accessed on January 21, 2017 . 
18. ↑ LEICA M10-P. In: leica.de. Retrieved August 25, 2018 . 
19. ↑ LEICA M10-D. In: leica.de. Retrieved October 26, 2018 . 
20. ↑ Leica M10 Monochrome (Type 6376). January 27, 2020, accessed January 28, 2020 . 
21. ↑ Leica M10 Monochrome // Leica M-System // Photography - Leica Camera AG. Retrieved January 28, 2020 . 
22. ↑ Leica MP. Publication from Ernst Leitz GMBH Wetzlar, 11-18, X / 56 / LX / DM, d. H. October 1956.
23. ↑ Westlicht Auction ( Memento from September 21, 2007 in the Internet Archive )
24. ↑ M-series lenses ( Memento from July 1, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) on the Leica website
25. ↑ SUMMILUX-M 28 mm f / 1.4 ASPH. The new milestone among the high-speed wide-angle lenses. In: http://de.leica-camera.com/ . Leica, accessed June 3, 2016 . 
26. ↑ LEICA SUMMARIT-M 35 mm f / 2.4 ASPH. An extremely compact standard lens. In: http://de.leica-camera.com/ . Leica, accessed June 3, 2016 . 
27. ↑ Leica Camera AG - Photography - LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 50mm f / 2 ASPH. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on March 22, 2014 ; Retrieved July 30, 2014 . 
28. ↑ LEICA SUMMARIT-M 50 mm f / 2.4 A powerful and lightweight lens. In: http://de.leica-camera.com/ . Leica, accessed June 3, 2016 . 
29. ↑ LEICA SUMMARIT-M 75 mm f / 2.4 The super compact “short tele”. In: http://de.leica-camera.com/ . Leica, accessed June 3, 2016 . 
30. ↑ LEICA SUMMARIT-M 90 mm f / 2.4 Compact and convenient. In: http://de.leica-camera.com/ . Leica, accessed June 3, 2016 .