Leica M9

The Leica M9 is a full-frame digital rangefinder camera from Leica Camera AG. It was introduced in September 2009. It uses an 18.5-megapixel Kodak image sensor, and is compatible with almost all M mount lenses.

Leica M9
Overview
TypeDigital rangefinder camera
Lens
LensLeica M-mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor35.8 mm × 23.9 mm (1.41 in × 0.94 in) image sensor, 6.8µm pixel size
Sensor makerKodak
Maximum resolution18.5 Megapixels
Film speed80 to 2500
Storage mediaSD up to 2GB and SDHC up to 32GB
Focusing
Focus modesManual
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesManual, aperture priority auto exposure
Exposure meteringTTL, center weighted averaging
Flash
FlashFixed hot shoe
Shutter
ShutterFocal plane, metal curtains, vertical travel
Shutter speed range32s to 1/4000s
Viewfinder
ViewfinderRangefinder and additional color LCD display: 2.5", 230,000 pixels
General
BatteryLithium ion
Dimensions139 mm × 80 mm × 37 mm (5.5 in × 3.1 in × 1.5 in)
Weight585 g (20.6 oz) with battery (M9)
600 g (21 oz) with battery (M9-P)
Made inGermany
Chronology
PredecessorLeica M8
SuccessorLeica M (Typ 240)

Features

The M9 uses an 18.5-megapixel Kodak (KAF-18500) CCD image sensor that was developed specifically for the camera.[1] The M9 boasts frameline pairs for 28/90, 35/135 and 50/75 and it supports most M-mount lenses—with only a few older models not suitable due to protruding elements of the lens into the camera body.[2]

Reception

The M9 was introduced by Leica on 9 September 2009, in New York City. The launch (which also introduced the Leica X1 and Leica S2 models) included a live video webcast, and featured a guest appearance by the musician Seal.[3]

In 2011, Leica verified a malfunction that may prevent the camera from saving images to certain SanDisk cards and issued a firmware update in July 2012, that made "further improvements of SD-Card compatibility".[4]

Leica M9 Titanium
The Leica M9 Titanium, designed by Walter de Silva

In 2010, Leica released the Leica M9 Titanium camera body (a variant of the M9), which was designed by Walter de Silva. The body and supplied lens (a Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH FLE) are both built from solid titanium.

Leica M9-P

The Leica M9-P camera body was announced in 2011; it was not intended as a replacement for the M9, however, as the two camera bodies were sold concurrently. Leica added a scratch-resistant sapphire LCD cover on the M9-P, and the steel grey paint option was replaced with a classic chrome cover. The black paint option is still available. The M9-P also replaces the body covering with vulcanite, as used on earlier M cameras. Leica removed the red circular logo on the front of the camera (as found on the M9), and replaced it with the company's name etched on the top of the M9-P.

Leica M-E
Main article: Leica M-E
Leica M-E with Summicron Lens


The Leica M-E camera body was announced in September 2012. It is similar to the M9 and M9-P cameras, but is missing the frame-line selection lever (a mechanism which allows the photographer to assess the field of view of lenses with different focal lengths without having to mount them), and the USB port. This is the cheapest model in the Leica M range.[5]


  • Leica M9 in black
    Leica M9 in black
  • Leica M9 in silver
    Leica M9 in silver
  • Leica M9-P in silver
    Leica M9-P in silver

References
  1. "KODAK CCD Image Sensor Powers New LEICA M9 Digital Camera". Rochester, NY: bloomberg.com. Business Wire. 9 September 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  2. Leica M9 / M9-P, Anleitung / Instructions (PDF). Leica Camera AG. p. 110. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  3. "Medialink and Evins Communications Produce Global Campaign for Leica Camera AG". Electronics Newsweekly. VerticalNews.com. NewsRX. 14 October 2009. Archived from the original on 19 June 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  4. "M9 Firmware Version 1.196". en.leica-camera.com. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  5. "Leica M-E. The essence of rangefinder photography". Leica Camera. May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
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