Leica M (Typ 240)

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Leica M (Typ 240)
Leica M-240-P4140434-black.jpg
Overview
TypeDigital rangefinder camera
ReleasedSeptember 2012
Lens
Lens Leica M-mount, Leica R-mount (with R-Adapter M)
Sensor/medium
Sensor Leica MAX 24MP designed by CMOSIS
Sensor typeCMOS
Sensor size 36mm x 24mm (Full-frame), 6μm pixel pitch
Sensor makerSTMicroelectronics
Maximum resolution 5952 x 3976, 24 Megapixels
Film speed 200 to 6400 ISO, Pull 100 available
Storage media SD up to 2GB and SDHC up to 32GB
Focusing
Focusmanual
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesManual, aperture priority auto exposure
Exposure metering TTL, center weighted averaging
Flash
Flash Fixed hot shoe
Shutter
Shutter Focal plane, metal curtains, vertical travel
Shutter speed range60s to 1/4000s
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Optical rangefinder, rear LCD with live view
General
Video recording1080p, 720p, 640*480 (VGA)
25 fps, 24 fps, 30 fps (VGA only)
LCD screen3 in (76 mm) diagonal 920k dot color LCD
BatteryLithium ion, 7.4V, 1,800 mAh
Dimensions 139 mm × 80 mm × 42 mm (5.5 in × 3.1 in × 1.7 in)
Weight 680 g (24 oz)
Chronology
Predecessor Leica M9
Successor Leica M10
References
[1]

[2]

[3]

The Leica M (Typ 240) is a full-frame digital rangefinder camera of Leica Camera AG. It was introduced in September 2012, and is the successor to the Leica M9 range of cameras. The M uses a 24-megapixel image sensor. The camera is the first M model to feature movie recording, [4] and the first to have Live View, which allows the scene, as viewed through the lens, to be composed. [5] The M can use most M- and R-mount lenses. Leica M cameras are made by hand in Portugal and Germany. There is also a version, the M Monochrom, with a monochrome, rather than colour, sensor. [6]

Contents

The M Typ 240 has been superseded by variants such as the Leica M10.

Features

The M uses a CMOS 24-megapixel (6,000 × 4,000 pixels) image sensor designed for Leica by the Belgian company CMOSIS, [7] and made by STMicroelectronics in Grenoble. [7] The pixels are on a 6 x 6 µm² grid.

The M supports most M-mount lenses and, with an adapter, almost all R-mount lenses. [5] R-lenses support an optional electronic viewfinder. [5]

The camera uses a MAESTRO image/video processor [1] which is based on the Fujitsu Milbeaut. [8] It is sealed against dust and water spray. [5]

Notably, M240/M240-P is slightly thicker than other M models.

Reception

The Leica M camera was introduced at the photokina event in Cologne, Germany on 17 September 2012. [9] The launch event included a "concert by recording artist—and Leica shooter—Seal". [9]

In 2019, with the release of a new firmware update the Leica M (Typ 240) was discontinued.

Leica M-P (Typ 240)

The Leica M-P (Typ 240) was announced on 21 August 2014 under the slogan the 'Perfect understatement', the camera was released by Leica two years following the Leica M (Typ 240). Featuring a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor and 2GB of built-in RAM, Leica claims that the new M-P digital is 'twice as fast' as the standard M (Typ 240). It also features weather-sealing for protection against water and dust, its rear LCD is covered in sapphire crystal glass. The camera was released with the initial price of $7950, a $1000 more than the standard M (Typ 240). [10]

The design of the Leica M-P was based on that of the 35 mm film Leica MP released in 2003. It harks back to the 1950s and the first M mount camera; the Leica M3. The M-P omits the Leica red dot and replaces it with a minimal Leica script logo on the top plate. [11]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Leica M Technical data" (PDF). Leica Camera. September 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  2. "Leica M Typ 240" . Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  3. "Leica M Typ 240 Overview". Digital Photography Review. 28 February 2024.
  4. "The new Leica M as a filmmaker's tool – an interview with Leica's Jesko von Oeynhausen". eoshd.com. 24 September 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Leica M – M as in milestone". Leica Camera. September 2012. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  6. Leica M Monochrom Review
  7. 1 2 "New Leica M Uses CMOSIS 24-MP CMOS Image Sensor". Antwerp, Belgium: cmosis.com. 17 September 2012. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  8. "Fujitsu Microelectronics and Leica Camera Co-develop Image Processing System Solution for High-end Digital SLR Cameras". Fujitsu. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  9. 1 2 Fisher, Jim (18 September 2012). "Leica Unleashes New M, S Cameras". PCMag.com . Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  10. "Leica M-P (Typ 240): Digital Photography Review". dpreview.com. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  11. "Where's the red dot? Leica releases new M-P Digital rangefinder". DPReview. Retrieved 16 December 2019.