Leica M8 10.3MP Digital Rangefinder Camera Body

The Leica M system is now open for professional digital photography. Breaking completely new ground, the Leica M8 doesn't only look like an M - it utilizes all the benefits of the analog Leica M system for sophisticated and creative digital photography. It is the only digital camera for professionals to incorporate the rangefinder system with its advantages of discreet and quiet operation, speed and precision. And the no-compromise quality criteria of the M system continue to apply to the M8. Full compatibility with nearly all M lenses means that their unique imaging performance is now available for digital photography, too. The low-noise CCD image sensor with a resolution of 10.3 megapixels has been specifically matched to the compact lens design to guarantee superlative photographic quality. The controls and functions of the digital M still concentrate on the essentials. The proven M concept is complemented by the intelligent extra functions that digital technology has to offer.Features:* Digital and long-lastingThe M8 is designed to deliver professional results over many years. The solid metal housing is manufactured from a highly stable magnesium alloy. The cover plate and base plate are milled out of solid brass blocks and then chrome-plated either silver or black. DNG technology has been chosen as the future-proof raw data format as it guarantees safe archiving for the long term.* Compatibility as the principleThe lenses recognized as being some of the best in the world also demonstrate their full performance with the Leica M8. The superb resolution offered by all lenses in the M system since 1954 makes them predestined for digital photography as well. The M8 has intentionally dispensed with a resolution-reducing moir filter before the sensor to ensure full lens performance.* Concentrated and intuitiveWhen developing the M8, only the photographically relevant digital options were consistently incorporated in the operating concept. The fundamental scope of functions such as automatic mode and manual focus in combination with the tried and tested viewfinder/rangefinder principle have been retained. Simple and intuitive menu prompting allows settings to be changed via the 2.5" monitor using just a few buttons.* Maximum resolutionThe low-noise CCD image sensor has been consistently optimized for the special features of the M lens system and offers a high resolution of 10.3 million pixels. Specific coordination of the sensor to microlens misalignment avoids annoying vignetting in the corners of pictures. An especially thin cover glass prevents undesirable refraction with oblique light.* Full light efficiencyThe maximum sensitivity settings of up to ISO 2500 now provide much more detailed images than was ever possible with analog films. The M8 is thus opening up a new chapter in available-light photography.* Creative photographyThe electronic metal-blade slotted shutter provides for exposure times of up to 1/8000 second. Even in the brightest environments the photographer has full freedom in image creation thanks to the use of selective sharpness at open aperture. The short flash sync time of 1/250 second now also makes daylight flash photography possible with selective sharpness.* Quiet and discreetTo ensure activation of the shutter is as silent as possible, a rubberized quiet-action friction gear is used in the first speedincreasing gear stage. The force is transmitted with constant torque via a cam over the entire path of the activation arm. This results in a pleasantly quiet sound with electromotive shutter activation.Item includes:* Carrying strap with anti-slip guard* Camera cover for M bayonet* Lithium ion battery* Charger includes car and 3 mains plug adapters (Euro, UK, USA)* USB connecting lead* Operating manual* Software CD Capture One LE* Software CD with LEICA DIGITAL CAPTURE* Operating manual* Warranty card Product SpecificationsSpecifications:* Camera type: Compact digital viewfinder/rangefinder system camera for professional usage with Leica M lenses.Micro-processor controlled metal-blade slotted shutter.* Image sensor: Low-noise CCD sensor specially tailored to the requirements of the M lens system. Pixels : 10.3 million.Dimensions : 18 mm x 27 mm. Extension factor : 1.33 x. Aspect ratio 3:2. Moire-Filter no, full utilization of lens performance. Moire detection and elimination in digital signal processing.* Sensor sensitivity range: Manual setting from ISO 160/23? to ISO 2500/35&deg.* Viewfinder: Viewfinder principle Large bright line frame viewfinder/rangefinder with automatic parallax compensation. Viewfinder lens optimal visibility of all bright line frames whatever the lighting situation. Image field limiter By activating two bright lines each : for 24 and 35mm / 28 and 90mm / 50 and 75 mm. Magnification 0.68x (with all lenses). Large basis range finder Combination of split and superimposed image range finder shown as a bright field in the center of the viewfinder image.* Lenses: Lens connection Leica M bayonet with additional optical scanning device for the identification of all 6 bit-coded lenses.Lens system Current 6 bit-coded Leica M lenses with a focal length of 16-90mm. Almost all Leica M lenses with a focal length of 21-90 mm manufactured from 1954 can also be used without 6 bit-coding. 6 bit-retrofitting possible for virtually all lenses.6 bit-functions Lens-dependent reduction of system-specific vignetting. Identification of picture file with lens information to simplify digital archiving. Coordination of flash reflector with motor zoom flash units. Auto slow sync function with automatic mode.* Exposure control: Automatic mode (Auto) Automatic determination of correct shutter speed with manual aperture preselection with relevant viewfinder display. Manual exposure Independent selection of shutter speed and aperture - camera exposure check visible via LED light balance shown in the viewfinder.* Picture-taking modes: S Single frame picture-taking, for one shutter release whenever shutter is pressed. C Continuous shooting with 2 pictures per second and 10 picture in series. Automatic release mode Selectable with either 2 s and 12 s visualization of delay time via one of the LEDs visible from front of camera in viewfinder window.* Controls/display elements: display elements Front of housing Lens release; image field selector Top of housing Main switch and shutter release; shutter speed setting dial, status LCD display : indication of number of frames remaining and residual battery capacity. Rear of housing 2.5" color monitor, setting ring for navigation in menu and magnifier function in 4 levels ; 4x direction buttons for navigation in menu and in image details, Menu button, Play button, Delete button, Protect button, Info button. Bottom of housing Locking base plate protects the battery and SD memory card from dust and moisture.* Color monitor: 2.5" bright LC display with a resolution of approx. 230,000 pixels. Brightness control in 5 levels. Control options after picture-taking General quality evaluation of photographs, exposure control via RGB tone value histogram with identification of light image details without detailing (can also be used with zoom-in), control of sharpness of focus, display of quality parameters selected and display of lens focal length used (with current 6 bit-coded lenses) Image view sizes 9 thumbnails, 4 thumbnails, single frame display as well as magnification in four levels up to 100%.* Picture parameters menu - Main menu: Pressing the Set button allows the following parameters relevant to the picture to be changed and selected : User profile, Sensor sensitivity, Manual exposure compensation, White balance, data format, picture resolution. Main menu Pressing the menu button allows settings such as color monitor contrast or selection of color space to be made in the Main menu. Menu languages German, English, French, Spanish,

The Leica M system is now open for professional digital photography.