A lens and a memory card are required but not included with this camera. Please be sure to purchase a lens and a memory card for this camera.
Sister to the M9, the Leica M9-P Digital Camera carries forth all the same technology of its predecessor, with enhancements towards an even more discrete design. Minimalist, and all camera, the M9-P stands out in subtle but beneficial ways for the street photographer. It also follows in the footsteps of hallowed Leica tradition, harkening back to the 1950s, and the original MP "press" camera designed for Magnum shooters.
Perhaps the most noticeable difference between the two cameras is the lack of the red Leica dot on the front of the body. This alteration ensures even less attention will be drawn to the photographer with this unassuming camera. Instead of the traditional Leica logo, the M9-P has what Leica terms a, "restrained Leica logogram," on the top deck of the camera. Another feature of the M9-P is the vulcanite leathering on the body. In addition to looking exceptionally attractive, the leathering provides a good grip.
A third difference between the M9 and this, its reincarnation, is an extremely scratch-resistant sapphire crystal cover for the 2.5" LCD monitor. When being stealth is of the utmost, the traditional camera bag is usually not part of the picture. Consequently, the camera is prone to more of life's hazards. Sapphire crystal is exceptionally hard, making it almost unbreakable, and therefore, extremely protective of the M9-P's LCD display. The sapphire crystal cover also features an antireflective coating on both sides for optimal image viewing, even outdoors.
The M9-P boasts all the same remarkable image making characteristics of the M9; image quality, after all, is the hallmark of a Leica camera. The 24 x 36 18Mp CCD image sensor provides full size 35mm image capture in the digital format. All M lenses mount to the M9-P as well, for a wealth of choices to make the most of each shot. And even though the M9-P and M9 are digital, they still provide the user with the classic feel of a film rangefinder. Perhaps inspiring in the shooter a taste of the old days, yet putting all the benefits of digital at hand. With that being said, the intuitive interface and menu controls of the M9-P make it a joy to use.
The compact size of Leica M cameras, their unobtrusive looks, minimalist design, and the almost inaudible sound of their shutters make it possible for Leica M photographers to virtually melt into the background. The M9-P now makes photography even more unobtrusive - instead of the red dot on the front, it now bears a restrained Leica logogram on the top deck. And, in turn, is even more discreet
The Leica M9-P now features an extremely scratch-resistant, almost unbreakable, sapphire crystal cover for its LCD monitor display. Sapphire crystal is one of the world's hardest materials and so hard that it can only be worked with special diamond-cutting tools. The antireflective coating on both sides of the monitor cover glass further improves image reviewing, particularly in unfavorable lighting conditions
The Leica M9-P is optionally available in the classical Leica silver chrome camera finish or in black paint - the M9 offers two options, elegant steel gray or black paint. The Leica M9-P also features vulcanite leathering with particularly good grip characteristics
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 setting ring and shutter speed setting dial to adjust the exposure. Also as warning for over or underexposure
| Imaging | |
|---|---|
| Lens Mount | Leica M Mount |
| Camera Format | Full-Frame |
| Sensor Type / Size | CCD, 23.9 x 35.8 mm |
| File Formats | Still Images: JPEG, RAW |
| Memory Card Type |
SD SDHC |
| Focus Control | |
|---|---|
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Focus Mode | Manual Focus (M) |
| Viewfinder/Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder Type | Optical |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | Approx. 0.68x |
| Diopter Adjustment | - 3.0 to +3.0 m |
| Display Screen | 2.5" Rear Screen LCD (230000) |
| Screen Coverage | 100% |
| Exposure Control | |
|---|---|
| ISO Sensitivity | 160-2500 |
| Shutter |
Type: Mechanical Speed: 32 - 1/4000 sec |
| Metering Method | Center-weighted average metering |
| Exposure Modes |
Modes: Aperture Priority, Manual Compensation: -3 EV to +3 EV (in 0.33 EV steps) |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Kelvin, Manual, Preset Manual |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Max Sync Speed | 1 / 180 sec |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Self Timer | 2 sec, 12 sec |
| Interval Recording | Yes |
| Connectivity | Mini-USB |
| Software Requirements |
Windows: XP, Vista, 7 Mac: OS X 10.6 or later |
| Power | |
|---|---|
| Battery | 1x Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack |
| Operating/Storage Temperature |
Operating 32 to 104 °F (0 to 40 °C) |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5" / 13.97 x 7.87 x 3.81 cm |
| Weight | 20.64 oz / 585 g |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
Reviewed by 6 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-6
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica M9-P Digital Camera (Silver Chrome, Body Only):
The Leica M9 which was introduced in 2009, has been replaced by the M9P. The only improvement is the sapphire screen, and some cosmetic changes.The cheap screen on the M9 is not a big deal, but it is not worth the $ to upgrade to the M9P.Do not fall into the Leica ploy to trick you to spend another $ for the M9P, buy the M9 and use your Leica or Zeiss lenses to their full potential with the Kodak CCD full frame sensor.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica M9-P Digital Camera (Silver Chrome, Body Only):
If you want the very best digital camera, this Leica is for you. Another Steve Jobs quote is relevant here: "Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works." The M9-P works perfectly.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica M9-P Digital Camera (Silver Chrome, Body Only):
Pricey? Perhaps. Well engineered? Absolutely! Attractive? Stunningly so. The perfect companion to my M6. As I am not quite completely sold on digital, I carry my new M9P in the same bag as my M6. They share lenses and my attention. The M9P comes out for action, the M6 when I have time to contemplate making a picture. It seemed to me a waste of "good glass" to invest in a different digital line -- I like the clarity of my M lenses (35,50,and 90 Summicrons with an Elmarit 28mm Asph), but I also have found that I have not had to change the way I compose and take an image -- the M9P is an M6 with a different image capture. My only complaint -- must by a new case -- the M6 case can't be used. Actually, this complaint is really in the noise level, and I've found that post processing,digitally speaking, CAN eliminate the noise!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica M9-P Digital Camera (Silver Chrome, Body Only):
The Leica M9P is a beautifully crafted piece of equipment. I love the Leica and Zeiss lenses that I own and can use for the Leica M9P. The build is solid and the old fashion ease of use is special. The images that are created by this rangefinder type of camera is in a class of it's own.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica M9-P Digital Camera (Silver Chrome, Body Only):
I upgraded from the M8 when Leica finally came out with a silver chrome M9 (the M9-P)- it has met all of my expectations and allowed me to use the full potential of my lenses without the 1.3 factor of the M8.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Leica M9-P Digital Camera (Silver Chrome, Body Only):
I have been an avid amateur photographer for the better part of 10 years and my most recent camera was a D700. While I love the D700, the imaging quality of the Leica is like no other. The three dimensionality of the images this camera renders is simply amazing. I use a Cron 35, 50 and Elmarit 90 as my setup. The manual shooting has forece me to think before composing and this has had a very solid impact on the quality of the images I shoot. I also probably shoot only 15% of the total number of images I used to shoot with my D700.
The only downside to this camera is the manual focus. It took me about 1000 actuations just to get used to focusing manually. But now that I have it dialed in, it is easy. I just love this camera. It really forces you to be a better photographer and the portability of this thing is just fantastic.
Displaying reviews 1-6