Leica rangefinders are world renowned for their build, reliability, and handling: a paragon of compact professional cameras. But even paragons can be improved upon--the Leica M9 Titanium Rangefinder Digital Camera Body W/35mm F/1.4 Lens is a limited edition (a total of 500 cameras, worldwide) design by Walter de Silva, chief designer for Audi automobiles. While the interior is an M9 all the way, all visible metal portions of the camera body and the included Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH lens are solid titanium--an extremely light, but very strong and durable metal. In addition, scratch-resistant sapphire-crystal glass is used as a protective cover for the camera monitor, and LED illumination of the bright-line frames in the viewfinder removes the necessity for a standard illuminating window. De Silva and his design team also developed an innovative camera carrying concept that is reduced to just a single mounting point on the camera body. The metal finger loop covered with Nappa leather ensures a secure, steady and ergonomic grip when shooting or carrying the camera with only one hand. Also new is the shoulder holster that holds and safely protects the camera and lens in transport.
Of course, like all M9s, this Titanium model is built around a proprietary 18.0 megapixel CCD image sensor, and delivers superb, high resolution imaging with exceptional color and contrast. Advanced microlens placement ensures precise light transmission with no discernable corner fall-off - even when using ultra wide-angle lenses.
"Messsucher", the "M" in the Leica M System, is a term describing the combination of rangefinder and viewfinder. True to the M legacy, the M9 maintains the classic form, control placement, and durability of its predecessors. Through a bright, oversized viewfinder the photographer can approach subjects with greater context and manual focusing flexibility. Without the finder blackout of traditional SLR cameras, shooting with the M9 allows users not only to capture the precise moment, but to truly experience it as well. Powerful yet highly portable, the Leica M9 is a precise photographic tool designed for discerning photographers and imaging professionals everywhere.