10/09/2009

A brief history of the Leica M Series

Image	Name	Year of Launch	Features/differences
	LEICA M9	2009	24 x 36mm full-frame sensor Full compatibility with Leica M lenses at true focal length 18 million pixel resolution Dimensions identical to M8 Significantly improved ISO performance DNG (compressed and uncompressed) and JPG file formats
	LEICA M8.2	2008	Evolution of the M8 digital rangefinder Ultra scratch-resistant sapphire crystal monitor glass Delayed shutter cocking action Low noise and vibration shutter with 1/4000 max speed, 1/180 sync speed Bright line frame for precise framing at 2m. Snap- shot mode Short cut for exposure compensation Automatic ISO function
	LEICA M8	2006	Professional digital rangefinder Compatible with virtually all Leica M lenses; Discreet, fast and accurate ISO 160 to 2500 Aperture priority and Manual exposure modes 10.3MP Leica-specified sensor 1/8000 max shutter speed Max flash sync 1/250 sec
	LEICA MP (‘Mechanical Perfection’)	2003	Mechanical range/viewfinder camera All metal controls Added comfort and speed with mechanical shutter,
	LEICA M7 First Leica M camera with Automatic Aperture Priority exposure mode	2002	Automatic timer providing digital countdown digital display of long exposures Convenient, continuously variable, aperture priority mode with an exposure lock via the shutter release TTL flash exposure measurement 1/1000 shutter speed Manual or automatic film speed setting (DX coding) Electronic shutter and two mechanical speeds of 1/60 and 1/125 .58, .72, and .85 viewfinder formats, each with different bright line frame lines
	LEICA M6	1984	Selective light measurement and LED display in the finder is launched Longest production run of any Leica M camera (19 years) which included the upgraded LEICA M6TTL introduced in 1998
	LEICA M5	1971	First rangefinder camera in the world with selective light measurement through the taking lens With the M4, last M camera to have a self-timer
	LEICA M4 LEICA M4-2 LEICA M4-P	1967	Simplified film loading system and new angled rewind crank The M4 has 4 bright-line frames, which increased to 6 on the MP-4 The M4-2 was the first model to have motor drive coupling as a standard feature; first M with hot shoe for electronic flash M4-P — Added rangefinder frame lines for 28mm and 75mm lenses
	LEICA M1	1959	Basic model based on the M2 but without a coupled rangefinder and only had bright-line frames for 35 and 50mm lenses In 1965, replaced by the MD (with no viewfinder at all), and the MDa (based on the M4) (1967), and finally the MD-2 (based on the M4-2) (1980).
	LEICA M2	1958	Simplified rangefinder of 0.72 magnification, allowing easier use of 35mm lenses. The 0.72 magnification became the standard viewfinder magnification for future M cameras Simple manually set frame counter, and bright-line frames for the more popular 35, 50 and 90mm lenses
	Leica III g	1957	The last Leica screw thread model Produced after the M3 was launched as there was still a demand for a screw mount camera. The only screw body to have two bright-line frames for 50 and 90mm lenses
	Leica M3	1954	First interchangeable lens bayonet-style Leica body .92 magnification finder, the highest of any M camera made Bright-line frames for 50, 90 and 135mm lenses marking the end of an era for screw thread cameras Film transport made easier with use of a rapid-wind lever, single shutter speed dial and self-resetting frame counter
	Leica III f	1950	Largest production run of any screw mount Leica camera First model with flash syncronisation as standard
	Leica II	1932	Coupled rangefinder and built-in viewfinder made available for the first time. Additional screw-mount lenses enter the market. Leica photographers now have seven vest pocket lenses with standardised thread at their disposal
	Leica I (Model A)	1925	Presented at the Spring Trade Fair in Leipzig, the Leica I (Model A) had a built-in collapsible lens. 1,000 units were produced in the first year alone, and c. 59,000 sold by 1932. Interchangeable lenses were introduced with model I(c) in 1930
	Ur-Leica	1913-14	Prototype metal camera using 35mm cine film, designed by Oskar Barnack The concept of the Ur-Leica established a basis for viewfinder cameras, followed by Leitz’s famous Leica 39mm screw mount rangefinder cameras in 1925