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Leica Announces Leica M-D Rangefinder
28 April 2016
Leica Camera has added a fifth model to their M rangefinder system, the Leica M-D (Typ 262). But the M-D is the first serial production model of the digital M system to be made without a monitor.
Instead of an LCD on the back panel of the camera, the M-D sports an ISO sensitivity dial. It's a reminder of "the core technical features required for photography -- shutter speed, aperture, focus and ISO sensitivity -- allowing users to concentrate on what is most important: capturing the decisive moment," the company said.
The design philosophy of the Leica M-D is to provide the most analog experience possible while shooting a digital camera. You are returned "to the ritual of waiting to see the images until it is time to sit down and edit them," the company said. And as a rangefinder, neither video capture nor Live View is supported.
Along with a very quiet shutter, the Leica red dot logo and M badging on the front have been omitted to make the camera unobtrusive when shooting. "The average observer could easily mistake the Leica M-D for an analog M camera, giving the user a level of discreetness that does not often come with using a digital camera," the company said.
TECH SPECS
The technical specifications of the M-D resemble those of the Leica M. Highlights include:
LEICA M-D SPECIFICATIONS Camera Type Digital rangefinder Lens Mount Leica M bayonet with additional sensor for 6-bit coding Sensor 23.9 x 35.8mm 24-Mp CMOS sensor Image Size 5976 x 3992 pixels Image Format DNG, JPEG Buffer 1-GB Storage Media SD/SDHC/SDXC Sensitivity ISO 200 to 6400 in 1/3 steps Flash First curtain sync
1/180 sync speedViewfinder Bright-line viewfinder with automatic parallax compensation Shutter Metal blade focal plane shutter with vertical movement
8 seconds to 1/4000 second with Bulb modePower 7.4 volt, 1800mAh, lithium-ion rechargeable battery Body All-metal magnesium/aluminum body, leather covering, brass top panel and base, black lacquered finish Dimensions 5.45 x 1.65 x 3.15 inches Weight 24 oz. with battery Full specifications are also available.
PRICE, AVAILABILITY
The Leica M-D will cost $5,995 and be available the first week of May at local Leica Stores, Leica Boutiques or Leica Dealers, the company said. The camera package includes a carrying strap in full-grain cowhide leather.
For more information see the news release below.
Leica Announces Latest Addition to M System: The Leica M-D
New Leica M-D Eschews LCD Screen to Focus on Essential Features and Minimal Design For Intuitive and Classic Handling
Leica Camera has announced the addition of a new model to their M rangefinder system, the Leica M-D (Typ 262). Together with the Leica M and M-P (Typ 240), the Leica M (Typ 262) and the Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246), this latest release from Leica marks the fifth addition to the digital family of M cameras and the first serial production model of the digital M system to be made without a monitor. The screen on the back of the camera is now replaced by the ISO sensitivity dial, a key exposure setting for any camera which harkens back to the ongoing legacy of analog Leica M rangefinders. The Leica M-D contains only the core technical features required for photography -- shutter speed, aperture, focus and ISO sensitivity -- allowing users to concentrate on what is most important: capturing the decisive moment.
The technical specifications of the Leica M-D are similar to those of the Leica M (Typ 262). As with all other digital cameras in the M family, the Leica M-D (Typ 262) features a high-resolution CMOS full-frame sensor. The 24-megapixel resolution ensures exceptional image quality and extreme sensitivity to light, allowing photographers to shoot in even the most difficult lighting scenarios. The camera's Maestro processor guarantees fast processing of captured image data and yields a camera that is responsive and always at the ready. Exposures are saved exclusively as Raw data in DNG format, enabling photographers to apply all their desired adjustments when using post-processing software. The camera is dedicated exclusively to rangefinder photography and deliberately supports neither video recording nor Live View. Leica M-D users can shoot pictures confidently knowing that they are utilizing the latest generation of Leica M camera performance, albeit with all extraneous features intentionally omitted for the most pure experience.
Leica's passion for minimal design is immediately recognizable in the makeup of this camera. The Leica M-D expresses a purely functional form factor and features design characteristics such as a top plate in brass with a step at the end citing the design of the Leica M9. The omission of the Leica red dot logo or M badging on the front makes the camera even more unobtrusive when shooting and traveling. The average observer could easily mistake the Leica M-D for an analog M camera, giving the user a level of discreetness that does not often come with using a digital camera. The design philosophy of the Leica M-D gives its users the most analog experience of shooting a digital camera and returns to the ritual of waiting to see the images until it is time to sit down and edit.
In addition to its simple design, the hardly audible shutter of the Leica M-D guarantees maximum inconspicuousness when shooting, ideal for photographic situations where discretion is key. The camera also features a shutter cocking system that is particularly quiet in single exposure mode and enables a shutter release frequency of up to two frames per second. In continuous mode, the M-D has the same sequential shooting speed as its sister models and shoots up to three frames per second.
The Leica M-D (Typ 262), priced at $5,995 is available the first week of May at local Leica Stores, Leica Boutiques or Leica Dealers. The camera package includes a carrying strap in full-grain cowhide leather.
For more information about the Leica M-D (Typ 262) or Leica visit http://us.leica-camera.com or follow the brand Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.