photoxels
PRESS RELEASE
16/09/2014
Leica M-P / The next generation of the Leica rangefinder camera for professional photographers
Leica Camera AG, Wetzlar, presents a further model in the Leica rangefinder camera segment. Based on the otherwise identical Leica M, the Leica M-P offers all the technical advantages of the Leica M-System and several additional features, for example an enlarged buffer memory. The ‘P’ in the name of this camera indicates the particularly discreet and enduring design concept with which the Leica M-P joins the line of Leica M-Cameras conceived especially to fulfil the needs of professional photographers.
The buffer memory capacity of the Leica M-P has been increased to 2 GB – twice the size of that of the Leica M. This guarantees that the Leica M-P is immediately ready to shoot in almost all situations. This is a particular advantage when shooting pictures in rapid succession, as the image data needs to be buffered directly after the shutter is released, before writing to the SD memory card. This means that users can now react to events with even greater spontaneity to capture the decisive moment in almost every photographic situation.
In terms of design, the Leica M-P is based on the typical characteristics of the Leica rangefinder system and focuses in particular on robustness and a long product lifespan. The use of an extremely scratch-resistant sapphire crystal cover for its LCD monitor is one example of this. This material is so hard that it can only be worked with special diamond cutting tools and is one of the world’s hardest materials. In practical terms, the sapphire glass LCD cover is almost unbreakable and offers resistance to many kinds of wear and stresses, meaning that the camera is ideally equipped for many years of use. Thanks to an anti-reflective coating on both sides of the cover glass, image reviewing is now even better, even in difficult lighting conditions, and allows photographers to assess and check every subject with optimum precision both before and after exposure.
The unobtrusive and minimalistic look of the Leica M-P provides even greater discretion in decisive shooting situations. Many photographers who already use Leica M-Cameras actually tape over the red Leica logo to make their work as unobtrusive as possible. For precisely this reason, this identifying feature has been omitted from the new rangefinder camera. Instead, the top plate of the camera is engraved with a subtle Leica script.
Other new details of the camera include a frame selection lever with which bright-line frames for six different focal lengths can be projected into the viewfinder to simulate subject framing. The corresponding frames are shown in pairs for the focal lengths 28 and 90 mm, 35 and 135 mm or 50 and 75 mm. This avoids the need to change lenses to assess suitable subject framing, offers greater creative freedom and allows photographers to concentrate fully on composing their pictures.
The Leica M-P is available now from authorised Leica dealers in two different versions: a black-paint version and a traditional silver chrome version. The Leica M-P complements the Leica M. Both cameras will be marketed together.
Technical Data LEICA M-P
Name:
LEICA M-P (Typ 240), black paint finish
LEICA M-P (Typ 240), silver chrome finish
Camera type:
Compact digital view- and rangefinder system still and video camera
Lens mount:
Leica M bayonet with additional sensor for 6-bit coding
Lens system:
Leica M lenses, Leica R lenses with optional Leica R-Adapter M
Top Cover:
Milled brass top cover with integrated thumb rest
Material:
All-metal case made of die-cast magnesium; synthetic leather covering. Cap and base plate made of brass
Image Sensor:
LEICA MAX 24 MP CMOS Sensor
Number of effective Pixels:
24 Million Pixels
Sensitivity range:
ISO 200 – ISO 6400, Pull 100 available, Auto ISO
Imaging Platform:
Integrated imaging circuit with Leica Maestro® Image processor
Electronic Viewfinder:
Optional available, can be used for Live View and Play functionality
LCD Monitor:
3” TFT Display with 920.000 Pixels, scratch resistant cover glass made of sapphire glass
Shutter:
Dual type focal plane shutter for classic image exposure and Live view
Shutter Speed:
1/4000s – 60s (in Bulb), 1/180s flash synchronization
Burst rate:
3fps (until buffer of 2 GB is filled)
Self timer:
2s / 12s
Storage Media:
SD / SDHC / SDXC Memory Cards
Imaging functions
Image File Format:
DNG™ (RAW data uncompressed or lossless compressed), JPEG
File Size:
DNG approx. 20 Mbyte – approx. 30 Mbyte (compressed)/ 48,2 MByte (uncompressed), JPEG: Resolution and image content dependent
Available JPG Resolutions:
5952px*3976px (24 MP), 4256px*2832px (12 MP)/ 2976px*1984px (6MP) / 1600px*1080px (1,7MP)
Color Spaces:
sRGB / Adobe®RGB
White Balance:
Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shadow / Tungsten / Fluorescent warm /Fluorescent cool / Flash / Manual (Greycard) / Kelvin 2000-13100
Other functions:
Film Modes, Saturation, Contrast, Sharpening
Movie recording
Movie Recording:
Single frame video compression (Motion JPG), Quicktime format (mov)
Movie resolution:
1080p, 720p, 640*480 (VGA)
Movie sampling rate:
25 fps, 24 fps, 30 fps (VGA only)
Microphone:
Mono, stereo microphone adapter optional available
Audio recording:
Auto level adjustment, manual level adjustment (available while recording), concert preset
Exposure Control
Exposure Metering:
In classic viewfinder mode: Through the Lens (TTL) metering, center weighted with variable aperture.
In Live View and advanced viewfinder mode: Through the Lens (TTL) metering, center weighted, spot or multifield measuring.
Center-weighted TTL metering for flash exposure with system conformant SCA-3000/2 standard flash units.
Exposure setting:
Manual shutter speed setting with direct dial, A-Mode with direct dial
Exposure Modes:
Automatic shutter speed (A-Mode), Manual Exposure (M-Mode)
Exposure Compensation:
-3 EV to +3 EV, 1/3 f-stops
Exposure Bracketing:
3/5 frames, 0.5 / 1 / 2 / 3 f-stops
Flash exposure Control
Flash exposure metering:
Control with center-weighted TTL pre-flash metering (with SCA-3501/3502 adapter, or SCA-3000 standard flash unit such as Leica SF 24D/Leica SF 58).
Hot shoe:
SCA-3502 compatible hot shoe, with center contact
Flash Synchronization:
Optional triggered at first or second shutter curtain
Flash Synch time:
1/180s
Viewfinder / Focusing
Focusing Methods:
Manual focus with optical rangefinder, Live View, 100% Live View Zoom, Live View focus peaking
Optical Viewfinder:
Large, light bright-line rangefinder with automatic parallax compensation, LED illuminated frame lines.
Optical Viewfinder frame lines:
Framelines size matches image sensor size at 2m focusing distance. Image field selector for manual frame selection
Optical Viewfinder correction:
Eyepiece adjusted to -0,5 dpt. Corrective lenses from -3 to +3 dpt. available (optional)
Optical Viewfinder Magnification:
0,68x
Optical Viewfinder Displays:
In the viewfinder LED symbol for flash status (at bottom). Four-digit seven-segment LED digital display, brightness adapted to ambient conditions, for: Warning in case of exposure correction; display of automatic shutter speed in automatic mode; advisory indicating use of metering memory lock LED exposure monitor with two triangular and one central circular LED with manual exposure setting
Rangefinder:
Split or superimposed image range finder shown as a bright field in the center of the viewfinder image Rangefinder effective metering
Basis:
47.1 mm (mechanical metering basis 69.25 mm x viewfinder magnification 0.68 times)
Others
Power Supply:
Li-ion battery (included), 7.4V, 1800 mAh
Horizon:
Yes
User Profiles:
4 Profiles, exportable
Sensor cleaning:
Dust detection, manual cleaning function
Tripod Thread:
A 1/4 (1/4″) DIN made of stainless steel in base plate
Dimensions:
approx. 139 x 42 x 80 mm (5,5 x 1,7 x 3,1 in.)
Weight:
680 g (23.9 oz)
Operating Temperature:
0°C – 40°C
Menu languages:
English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean
Accessories Included:
Battery, Charger with power cables for EU and USA (different in some export markets), 12V charging cable, Carrying strap, Accessory port cover, Body cap
Software licenses Supplied:
Adobe® Lightroom®
Optional accessories:
Electronic Viewfinder (EVF-2), Multi-functional Handgrip M, Handgrip M, SCA Adapter Set for Multi-functional Handgrip M, Power Adapter for Multi-functional Handgrip M, Finger loop for Multi-functional Handgrip M, Size S / M / L, Leica Microphone Adapter Set, Leica R-Adapter M, Ever-Ready Case M, Li-ion Battery BP-SCL2, Battery charger BC-SCL2
About Leica Camera
Leica Camera AG is an internationally operating, premium-segment manufacturer of cameras and sport optics products. The legendary status of the Leica brand is founded on a long tradition of excellence in the construction of lenses. And today, in combination with innovative technologies, Leica products continue to guarantee better pictures in all situations in the worlds of visualisation and perception. Leica Camera AG has its headquarters in Wetzlar, in the state of Hesse in Germany, and a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. The company operates branch offices in England, France, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea, Italy, Australia and the USA. New and innovative products have been the driving force behind the company’s positive development in recent years.
