New: The LEICA M9-P

The quintessence of Leica M photography

Leica Camera AG, Solms, presents a new version of the world’s smallest, full-format, digital
system camera: The Leica M9-P. Technologically at the same high level as the successful
Leica M9, the new M model offers special characteristics to meet the particular needs of
professional photographers. We have therefore created the M9-P as the ideal tool for
professional users who demand compact and discreet camera equipment with a long working
life and simultaneously appreciate the advantages and benefits of Leica M photography. The
‘P’ in its name, already used in the past for several models, positions the camera in the line of
Leica M cameras specially conceived on the basis of the wishes of professional
photographers. The Leica M9-P is a complement to the Leica M9. Both models will be
marketed together.
Since 1954, the Leica M system has stood for an unmistakable, individual kind of
photography and a very conscious photographic style. Because, with a Leica M, the
photographer becomes a part of the action in the process of capturing challenging and
creative images. The rangefinder frames precisely the shot the photographer envisages while
allowing a clear view of what is going on outside the viewfinder frame. This allows the
photographer to predict the decisive moment and capture it discreetly and reliably at the
right moment – in all fields of photography, from photojournalism and ‘available light’ to the
capture of discreet and aesthetic, fine-art images. The functions of the Leica M are
consistently constructed for extreme robustness and a long working life. Highest quality
materials, elaborate manufacturing processes and painstaking manual assembly guarantee M
cameras functional reliability for decades to come. The full system compatibility – almost all
lenses of the Leica M range built since 1954 can still be used on the latest M camera models
– is an important factor in the enduring value of the M series.
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These core values of the Leica M system have been consistently maintained in the new M9-P.
The technical features of the Leica M9-P are identical to those of the M9, however, in
comparison, the typical Leica M product characteristics, like robustness and discretion, have
been further improved.
For instance, the Leica M9-P features an extremely scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal, cover
for its LCD screen. 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 consequence, the sapphire glass
LCD cover is extremely resistant to wear and almost unbreakable. In practical terms, it is so
resistant to so many kinds of wear and stresses that the camera is ideally equipped for many
years of reliable use. Thanks to an anti-reflective coating on both sides of the cover, image
reviewing on the screen of the M9-P in unfavourable lighting conditions is now even better.
This provides photographers with an ideal tool for optimum assessment of images both
during composition and after capture.
The leathering of the body of the M9-P is also particularly resistant to wear. The vulcanite
leathering features a more pronounced structure that lends the camera particularly good grip
characteristics. This means that the M9-P feels particularly safe and secure in the hand, a
fact that further enhances the already simple handling of the Leica M camera.
A further outstanding feature of the Leica M9-P is its minimalist styling with a focus only on
what is really necessary. Many professional photographers who already rely on Leica cameras
tend to tape over the Leica red dot to make their cameras as unobtrusive as possible. For this
reason, and in favour of absolute discretion, this typical red dot symbol and the M9 lettering
on the front of the new professional camera have been omitted. Instead, the top deck is now
engraved with the classical script form of the Leica name.
The Leica M9-P is now available in two different finishes from all authorised Leica dealers: in
black paint finish or in the traditional silver chrome version.
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Technical data LEICA M9 / M9-P

Camera type: Compact digital view and rangefinder system camera.
Lens attachment: Leica M bayonet with additional sensor for 6-bit coding.
Lens system: Leica M lenses from 16 to135 mm.
Picture format / Image sensor: 5270 × 3516 pixels (18.5 megapixels) CCD chip, active
area approx. 23.9 × 35.8 mm / 5212 x 3472 pixels (18
megapixels) (corresponding to usable format of analog
Leica M models).
Resolution: Adjustable, DNG™: 5212 × 3472 (18 MP),
JPEG: 5212 × 3472 (18 MP), 3840 × 2592 (10 MP),
2592 ×1728 (4.5 MP), 1728 ×1152 (2 MP),
1280 x 846 pixels (1 MP).
Data formats: DNG™ (raw data), choice of uncompressed or slightly
compressed (by non-linear reduction of color depth), 2
JPEG compression levels.
File size: DNG™: 18 MB (compressed) 36 MB (uncompressed)
JPEG: approx. 2 to10 MB.
Color spaces: Adobe® RGB, sRGB.
White balance: Automatic, manual, 7 presets, direct color temperature
selection.
Storage media: SD cards up to 2 GB / SDHC cards up to 32 GB.
Menu languages: German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese,
traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Russian.
Compatibility: Windows® 7, Windows® XP/Vista®; Mac® OS X (10.6)
Exposure metering: Exposure metering through the lens (TTL), centreweighted
with working aperture. Center-weighted TTL
metering for flash exposure with system-compatible
SCA-3000/2 standard flash units.
Measurement principle: Measured by light reflected by bright shutter blades on
the first shutter curtain.
Metering range: (at ISO 160/23°) At room temperature and normal
humidity corresponds to EV 0 to 20 or f/1.0 and 1.2 s to
f/ 32 and 1/1000 s. Flashing left triangular LED in
viewfinder indicates values below metering range.
Measurement cell for available
light: (continuous light measurement) Silicon photo diode with
condensing lens, positioned in the bottom center of
camera base.
Sensitivity range: ISO 160/19° to ISO 2500/35°, adjustable in 1/3 ISO
increments, with aperture priority A and manual
exposure setting, choice of automatic control or manual
setting, automatic control in snapshot profile.
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Exposure mode: Choice of automatic shutter speed control with manual
aperture selection – aperture priority A – with
corresponding digital display, or manual setting of
shutter speed and aperture and adjustment using LED
light balance with indication of correct exposure, or risk
of overexposure / camera shake (with snapshot profile
only).
Flash unit connection: Via accessory shoe with center and control contacts.
Synchronization: Optional synchronization on first or second shutter
curtain.
Flash sync speed: 1/180 s; longer shutter speeds possible.
Flash exposure metering: (With SCA-3501/3502 adapter or SCA-3000-standard
flash unit, e.g. Leica SF 24D / Leica SF 58). Control with
center-weighted TTL pre-flash metering.
Flash measurement cell: 2 silicon photo diodes with condensing lens in camera
base.
Flash exposure compensation: ±3 1/3 EV in 1/3 EV steps adjustable on the SCA-
3501/3502 adapter. On Leica SF 24D, ±3 EV
in 1/3 EV steps with computer control or from 0 to –3
EV in 1 EV steps / on Leica SF 58 adjustable in all
modes ±3 EV in 1/3 EV steps.
Displays in flash mode: Flash readiness: flash symbol LED in the viewfinder
constant. Correct flash exposure: LED constant or
flashes rapidly after exposure. Underexposure: LED
extinguished after exposure.
Viewfinder principle: Large, bright-line frame viewfinder with automatic
parallax compensation.
Eyepiece: Adjusted to -0.5 dpt. Correction lenses for –3 to +3 dpt.
available.
Image framing: By activating two bright-line frames: for 35 and 135 mm,
or for 28 and 90 mm, or for 50 and 75 mm. Automatic
activation when lens is attached. Any pair of bright-line
frames can be activated by using the image field
selector.
Parallax compensation: The horizontal and vertical difference between the
viewfinder and the lens is automatically compensated
according to the relevant distance setting, i.e. the
viewfinder bright-line automatically aligns with the
subject detail recorded by the lens.
Matching of viewfinder and
actual picture: The size of the bright-line frame corresponds exactly to
the sensor size of approx. 23.9 × 35.8 mm at a setting
distance of 1 meter. At infinity setting, depending on the
focal length, approx. 7.3% (28 mm) to 18 % (135 mm)
more is recorded by the sensor than indicated by the
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corresponding bright-line frame and slightly less for
distances shorter than 1 m.
Enlargement: (for all lenses) 0.68×
Large basis rangefinder: Split or superimposed image range finder shown as
bright field in the center of the viewfinder image.
Effective rangefinder base: 47.1 mm (actual rangefinder base 69.25 mm ×
viewfinder enlargement 0.68×).
Viewfinder display: (Lower edge) LED symbol for flash status. Four-digit
seven-segment digital display with dots above and
below, display brightness adjusted for ambient
brightness, for: Warning of exposure compensation,
display for automatically generated shutter speeds in
aperture priority mode, indication of use metering
memory lock, warning that the metering or setting
ranges are over- or underexposed using aperture priority
and counting down exposures longer than 2s.
LED light balance with two triangular and one central
circular LED for manual exposure setting. The triangular
LEDs give the direction of rotation of the aperture ring
and shutter speed setting dial to adjust the exposure.
Also as warning for over- or underexposure.
On rear panel: 2.5" monitor (color TFT-LCD) with 230,000 pixels. M9-P
LCD with sapphire crystal.
Shutter: Microprocessor-controlled, exceptionally low-noise metal
blade shutter with vertical movement.
Shutter speeds: For aperture priority (A) continuously adjustable from 32
s to 1/4000 s. For manual setting 8 s to 1/4000 s in
half steps, B for long exposures of any duration (in
conjunction with self timer function, i.e. 1st release =
shutter opens, 2nd release = shutter closes, (1/180 s)
fastest shutter speed for flash synchronization.
Shutter cocking: Using low-noise integral motor, optionally after releasing
the shutter release button.
Series exposures: Approx. 2 pictures/s, ≥ 8 pictures in series.
Shutter release: Three levels: Exposure metering on – Metering memory
lock (in aperture priority mode) – Shutter release.
Integrated standard cable release thread.
Self timer: Delay optionally 2 (aperture priority and manual
exposure setting) or 12 s (menu setting), indicated by
flashing LED on front of the camera and corresponding
display on the monitor.
Switching the camera on / off: Using the main switch on the camera’s top panel,
selectable automatic power-off for camera electronics
after about 2 / 5 / 10 minutes, reactivation by pressing
the shutter release button.
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Power supply: 1 lithium-ion battery, nominal voltage 3.7 V, capacity
1900 mAh. Capacity display in monitor, when shutter
held open (for sensor cleaning) additional acoustic
warning when capacity is low.
Charger: Inputs: 100–240 V AC , 50/60 Hz, automatic switching,
or 12/24 V DC; Output: 4.2 V DC, 800 mA.
Camera material: All-metal die cast magnesium body, KTL dip painted,
synthetic leather covering. Top deck and baseplate in
brass, M9: black or steel-grey paint finish, M9-P: black
paint finish or silver chrome version, LCD with sapphire
crystal.
Image field selector: Allows the bright-line pairs to be manually displayed at
any time (e.g. for framing comparisons).
Tripod thread: Stainless steel, A 1/4 (1/4 “) DIN, in baseplate.
Operating conditions: 0 to +40°C.
Interface: 5-pin mini-USB 2.0 high-speed socket for fast data
transfer.
Dimensions
(length × depth × height): Approx. 139 × 37 × 80 mm.
Weight: M9 585 g, M9-P 600 g (with battery).
Included extras: Charger 100–240 V with 2 mains cables (EU, USA,
different in some export markets) and 1 car charger,
lithium-ion battery, USB cable, carrying strap.
Contact person for your editorial offices
Sandra Looke / Direct call -404 / Direct fax -455 / sandra.looke@leica-camera.com