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Leica M-D (Typ 262) is the Minimalist Leica Rangefinder Camera with 24 MP CMOS Full-Frame Sensor (Still-Pictures Only) to Shoot in Low Light: Simplicity – No LCD Screen, Video Recording, Live View, Menu Controls & Leica Red Dot Logo – for Photographers to Get the “Bigger Picture”

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

The following video presents Exploring Porto with the Leica M-D from Leica Camera on Vimeo.

Follow three photographers, Nicholas La, Daniel Arnold and Rui Palha, through the streets of Porto with the new Leica M-D. What means photography to them? How did they see Porto through the lens of the Leica M-D? Get inspired! #LeicaMD #SeeTheBiggerPicture

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica recently announced the Leica M-D (Typ 262) which is the first serial production model of the digital M family to be made without a monitor screen.

From the baseplate and matching leather carrying strap provided with the camera, to the top plate in brass with the stepped edge design reminiscent of the Leica M9. The Leica M-D is the pure ideal among rangefinder cameras.

Leica M-D (Typ 262): Aperture f/2.8, Focal Length 35mm, Shutter Speed 1/500s: © Nicholas La
Leica M-D (Typ 262): Aperture f/2.8, Focal Length 35mm, Shutter Speed 1/500s: © Nicholas La

Reduced to the essentials both in features and design, the Leica M-D (Typ 262) embodies the essence of rangefinder photography. For features, it has setting options for ISO values, aperture and shutter speeds. Design wise, the camera excludes an LCD monitor, menu controls and Leica red dot logo. It features the classic step at the end of the top plate.

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)

The images from the Leica M-D (Typ 262) are characterized by outstanding contrast, exceptional detail resolution and low image noise. It is ideal to shoot with available light.

Leica M-D (Typ 262): Aperture f/11, Focal Length 28mm, Shutter Speed 1/180s: © Daniel Arnold
Leica M-D (Typ 262): Aperture f/11, Focal Length 28mm, Shutter Speed 1/180s: © Daniel Arnold

Key Highlights include:

  • Compact digital M camera concentrating solely on the traditional rangefinder focusing and picture taking methods.
  • Quieter shutter mechanism for more discreet shooting.
  • 24 megapixel CMOS sensor (still-pictures only) ensures exceptional image quality.
  • Leica Maestro processor for fast recording of captured images.
  • Exposures are saved exclusively as RAW data in DNG format.
  • ISO values up to 6400 ensure great quality images in low light.
  • Fast and accurate manual focusing.
  • All the essential controls and functions logically and ergonomically placed.
Leica M-D (Typ 262): Aperture f/16, Focal Length 28mm, Shutter Speed 1/125s: © Rui Palha
Leica M-D (Typ 262): Aperture f/16, Focal Length 28mm, Shutter Speed 1/125s: © Rui Palha

 

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)

PRESS RELEASE

04/28/2016

LEICA M-D – the new digital Leica rangefinder without a monitor screen

With the Leica M-D (Typ 262), Leica Camera AG adds a further model to the Leica rangefinder system. Together with the Leica M and M-P (Typ 240), the Leica M (Typ 262) and the Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246), this increases the number of digital M-Generation cameras to five.

Leica M-D (Typ 262): ISO sensitivity setting dial
Leica M-D (Typ 262): ISO sensitivity setting dial

The Leica M-D is the first serial production model of the digital M family to be made without a monitor screen. The usual location of the screen on the back of the camera is now taken by the ISO sensitivity setting dial – one of the few, but essential, features of the camera. Although the Leica M-D embodies the entire range of technical advantages perfected over decades in the Leica rangefinder system, it intentionally omits all but the most essential technical features. Radically reduced to the most important parameters required for photography – shutter speed, aperture, distance and ISO sensitivity – it promotes its users’ concentration on what is essential: the picture.

leica-m-d-typ262-top-dials-resize

To a large extent, the technical features of the Leica M-D are based on those of the Leica M (Typ 262). Just like all other digital M-Cameras, the Leica M-D (Typ 262) features a high-resolution CMOS full-frame sensor, albeit one that is dedicated exclusively to rangefinder photography, and supports neither video recording nor Live View. Its 24-megapixel resolution ensures exceptional imaging quality and extreme sensitivity to light. At the same time, the camera’s Maestro processor guarantees fast processing of captured image data. Exposures are saved exclusively as RAW data in DNG format. This enables photographers to apply all typical adjustments for digital photographs that may be desired in post-processing software.

Leica M-D (Typ 262): CMOS full-frame sensor
Leica M-D (Typ 262): CMOS full-frame sensor

The tight focus on ‘Das Wesentliche’ is immediately recognisable in the design of the camera. The Leica M-D expresses purely functional, formal clarity 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 Leica red dot logo has been omitted from the front of the camera in favour of its unobtrusive appearance.

Leica M-D (Typ 262): Image Courtesy of Leica
Leica M-D (Typ 262): Image Courtesy of Leica

In addition to its purist looks, the hardly audible shutter of the Leica M-D also guarantees maximum inconspicuousness when shooting. An invaluable advantage in photographic situations where discretion is essential. As an aid to this, the camera features a shutter cocking system that is particularly quiet in single exposure 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 model and shoots up to three frames per second.

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)

The Leica M-D is now on sale. The camera package also includes a real-leather carrying strap in full-grain cowhide.

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.

 

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