Press information

Free for release after: 28 April 2016, 3 p.m. (CET)

LEICA M-D – the new digital Leica rangefinder without a monitor screen

Wetzlar, 28 April 2016. With the -D (Typ 262), AG adds a further model to the Leica rangefinder system. Together with the Leica M and M-P (Typ 240), the Leica M (Typ 262) and the Leica M Monochrome (Typ 246), this increases the number of digital M-Generation cameras to five.

The Leica M-D is the first serial production model of the digital M family to be made without a monitor screen. The usual location of the screen on the back of the camera is now taken by the ISO sensitivity setting dial – one of the few, but essential, features of the camera. Although the Leica M-D embodies the entire range of technical advantages perfected over decades in the Leica rangefinder system, it intentionally omits all but the most essential technical features. Radically reduced to the most important parameters required for photography – , aperture, distance and ISO sensitivity – it promotes its users’ concentration on what is essential: the picture.

To a large extent, the technical features of the Leica M-D are based on those of the Leica M (Typ 262). Just like all other digital M-Cameras, the Leica M-D (Typ 262) features a high- resolution CMOS full-frame sensor, albeit one that is dedicated exclusively to rangefinder photography, and supports neither video recording nor Live View. Its 24-megapixel resolution ensures exceptional imaging quality and extreme sensitivity to light. At the same time, the camera’s Maestro processor guarantees fast processing of captured image data. Exposures are saved exclusively as RAW data in DNG format. This enables photographers to apply all typical adjustments for digital photographs that may be desired in post-processing software.

The tight focus on ‘Das Wesentliche’ is immediately recognisable in the design of the camera. The Leica M-D expresses purely functional, formal clarity and features design characteristics such as a top plate in brass with a step at the end citing the design of the . The Leica red dot logo has been omitted from the front of the camera in favour of its unobtrusive appearance.

In addition to its purist looks, the hardly audible shutter of the Leica M-D also guarantees maximum inconspicuousness when shooting. An invaluable advantage in photographic situations where discretion is essential. As an aid to this, the camera features a shutter cocking system that is particularly quiet in single exposure and enables a shutter release frequency of up to two frames per second. In continuous mode, the M-D has the same sequential shooting speed as its sister model and shoots up to three frames per second.

The Leica M-D is now on sale. The camera package also includes a real-leather carrying strap in full-grain cowhide.

Wetzlar, 20 January 2016. Leica Camera AG expands its range of cameras with the first ruggedised model conceived especially for outdoor use – the Leica X-U. With a fast Leica 23 mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens (equivalent to 35 millimetres in 35-mm format) with an underwater protection filter and large APS-C format CMOS sensor, the latest, fully- waterproofed member of the Leica X family guarantees pictures with exceptional brightness and clarity under even the harshest conditions. It even enables breathtaking underwater moments to be captured in perfect detail at depths of up to 15 metres. Extreme ruggedness and easy handling make the shock-resistant, winterised, dust-sealed, and shatter proof Leica X-U the ideal companion for every outdoor tour or expedition – for action and underwater adventures, for travel, architecture and landscape photography or videos in full HD quality.

Optimum picture quality with the Leica X-U is guaranteed by the familiar, cutting-edge technology of the cameras of the Leica X family. In combination with the professional APS-C format CMOS sensor with over 16.5 megapixels (effective 16.2 MP), its Leica Summilux 23 mm f/1.7 ASPH. premium lens ensures natural colour reproduction and maximum detail resolution, even at its closest focusing distance of 20 centimetres. Its fast maximum aperture of f/1.7 also offers the freedom to explore the particularly fascinating creative possibilities of selective focusing. Thanks to its reliable resistance to stray light and flare, the Leica X-U is also the first choice for all indoor and outdoor lighting conditions – at any time of day or night and in any situation.

The stylish and minimized design of the Leica X-U – made in Germany – is the work of Audi Design. The camera is not only an absolute eye-catcher, it also ensures concentration only on things that really count: easy and intuitive handling and ultimate precision. With a top plate made from premium aluminium and high-grip TPE armouring, the body guarantees not only an exceptional haptic experience and impressive durability, but also water resistance to a depth of up to 15 metres. With control dials in anodised aluminium and an integrated flash above the lens, the Leica X-U is a perfect example of exceptional quality and attention to details. Its non-slip body, an especially hardened protective cover for the monitor screen, and a failsafe double locking system for the battery compartment and memory card slot ensure that photographers can concentrate fully on their subject with no worries at all.

The minimized and intuitive handling concept of the Leica X-U provides the most important tools for the essence of creative freedom – intensely focused and without superfluous extras. Thanks to its easy-to-use, Leica-typical dial controls, aperture and shutter speed can be set individually in seconds for every picture. The practical underwater snapshot button makes it ready for capturing the wonders of the underwater world at the press of a button – without having to search through a menu. Thanks to a wide range of practical automatic functions and a high-resolution, 3-inch monitor screen, it takes only seconds to find precisely the settings needed to avoid missing the decisive moment.

As a single photo is sometimes not enough to capture the dynamic character of a scene in the most moving moments of life, the full HD video function of the Leica X-U makes it easy to capture moving pictures in cinema quality and preserve the moving moments of journeys and adventures for eternity. The camera records video in a choice of 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 pixel resolution at 30 full frames per second in MP4 video format. No matter whether recordings are intended for professional movie productions or as home movies to share with friends, the Leica X-U always delivers high-quality results that perfectly capture the mood.

The Leica M-D (Typ 262) is on sale now.

Recommended Retail Pricing (RRP inc GST) for Australia: LEICA M-D (Typ 262) $8,900

You can find your local Leica dealer at http://en.leica-camera.com/Stores-Dealers/Leica- dealer-locator.

For more information, please contact: Rachelle McGowan Marketing Leica Camera Australia Phone +61 3 9248 4444 [email protected]

Technical Data LEICA M-D (Typ 262)

Camera type: Leica M-D (Typ 262), compact digital view and range finder system attachment: Leica M bayonet with additional sensor for 6-bit coding Lens system: Leica M lenses from 16 – 135mm Picture format/image sensor: CMOS type, active area approx. 23.9 x 35.8mm (corresponds to usable format of analog Leica M models) Resolution: 5976 x 3992 pixels (24MP) Data format: DNG™ (raw data), compressed loss-free, JPEG File size: depends on subject Buffer memory: 1GB Storage medium: SD cards up to 2GB/SDHC cards up to 32GB/SDXC cards Exposure metering: Ambient light: Through the lens (TTL), with working aperture, flash light: TTL metering with system- compatible, SCA-3000/2-standard flash units Metering principle/method: Metering the light reflected by light blades of the 1st shutter curtain onto a measuring cell: heavily center- weighted Metering range: At room temperature, normal humidity and ISO 200,at aperture 1.0 EV0 to EV20 at aperture 32. Flashing of the left triangular LED in the viewfinder indicates values below the metering range 1 Sensitivity range: ISO 200 to ISO 6400, can be set manually in /3 ISO steps Exposure mode: Choice of automatic shutter speed control with manual aperture preselection - aperture priority A, or manual shutter speed and aperture setting Flash exposure control Flash unit attachment: Via accessory shoe with central and control contacts Synchronization: To the 1st shutter curtain 1 Flash sync time: = /180s; slower shutter speeds can be used if sync time is not met: automatic switching to TTL linear flash mode with HSS-compatible Leica system flash units Flash exposure metering: With system-compatible flash units, control with center- weighted TTL pre-flash metering Flash exposure compensation: Flash units with the appropriate specifications: in all modes ±3EV in 1/3 EV steps Displays in flash mode: Readiness: by means of constant lighting of the flash symbol LED in the viewfinder, success control: by further lighting or temporary fast flashing of the LED after the picture has been taken, underexposure display: by the LED going out temporarily Viewfinder Viewfinder principle: Large, bright line frame viewfinder with automatic parallax compensation Eyepiece: Calibrated to -0.5 dpt.; corrective lenses from -3 to +3 diopter available

Image field limiter: By activating two bright lines each: For 35 and 135mm, or for 28 and 90mm, or for 50 and 75mm; automatic switching when lens is attached; frame color: white Parallax compensation: The horizontal and vertical difference between the viewfinder and lens is automatically balanced by moving the bright-line frame in line with the relevant distance setting Matching viewfinder and actual image: At a range setting of 2m, the bright-line frame size corresponds exactly to the sensor size of approx. 23.9 x 35.8mm; at infinity setting, depending on the focal length, approx. 7.3% (28mm) to 18% (135mm) more is recorded by the sensor than indicated by the corresponding bright line frame and slightly less for shorter distance settings than 2m

Magnification: (For all lenses) 0.68 x Large-base range finder: Split or superimposed image range finder shown as a bright field in the center of the viewfinder image Effective metering basis: 47.1mm (mechanical measurement basis 69.25mm x viewfinder magnification 0.68x) Displays: Four-digit digital display with dots above and below, displays Shutter and shutter release Shutter: Metal blade focal plane shutter with vertical movement 1 Shutter speeds: For aperture priority: (A) continuous from 60s to /4000s., 1 with manual setting: 8s to /4000s in half steps, B: For long- 1 time exposures up to max. 60s, ( /180s): Fastest shutter speed for flash synchronization, HSS linear flash mode 1 possible with all shutter speeds faster than /180s with Leica system flash units with appropriate specifications Activation of shutter release button: By integrated motor, low noise operation Shutter release button: Two-stage, 1. Activation of exposure metering and exposure lock (in aperture priority mode), 2. Resolution Turning the camera on/off: With main switch on the camera top panel, reactivation by touching the shutter release button Power supply: 1 lithium ion rechargeable battery, nominal voltage 7.4V, capacity 1800mAh.; capacity indicated in the viewfinder, operating conditions (in camera): 0°-40°C; Model No.: BP-SCL2; Manufacturer: PT. VARTA Microbattery, Made in Indonesia Charger: Inputs: 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz, 300mA, automatic switching, or 12V DC, 1.3A; Output: Direct current nominal 7.4V, 1000mA/max. 8.25V, 1100mA; operating conditions (charging): 10°-30°C; Model No.: BC-SCL2; Manufacturer: Guangdong PISEN Electronics Co., Ltd., Made in China

Camera body Material: All-metal magnesium/aluminum body, leather covering, brass top panel and base, black lacquered finish. Tripod thread: A ¼ (¼“) DIN stainless steel in bottom Operating conditions: 0°-40°C Interfaces: ISO accessory shoe Dimensions (Width x Depth x Height): Approx. 138.6 x 42 x 80mm Weight: Approx. 720g (with battery) Package contents: Charger 100-240V with 2 mains cables (Euro, USA, different for some export markets), lithium-ion rechargeable battery, carrying strap, housing bayonet cover, cover for accessory shoe.