LEICA M8 Digital Camera

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All Leica photographers know what they can always rely on: superb picture quality, a special handling experience and a camera they can use for many years - even spanning generations. In keeping with these proud traditions, but now in the age of digital technology, Leica introduces it's perpetual update program which makes the LEICA M8 a digital camera in which, uniquely, owners will be able to incorporate the latest refinements and developments in technology. While other digital cameras quickly become outdated and are replaced by new models, Leica's new concept allows it's customers to invest in the photographic equipment they need sure in the knowledge that they will not miss out on improvements and technological developments in the future.

Exceptional performance in every detail For Leica, image quality is not only a byword, but a value attained by optimising all the links in the performance chain: Leica's high performance M lenses, now performing even better in the digital system with the new 6-bit coding. The low-noise CCD sensor with a resolution of 10.3 megapixels, which is specifically matched to the extreme requirements of the high-resolution M lenses. The future-guaranteed raw data format (DNG) and the raw data converter Capture One LE, acknowledged as the best. It is this combination of high-quality individual components that ensures maximum image quality.

Concentration on the exposure. Not on the controls. A lot of care, many years of experience and extensive knowledge about how photographers work have gone into the operational concept of the M8. Concentrating on the essentials, operation is therefore simple and intuitive. The LEICA M8 deliberately dispenses with multifunction keys and nested menus. All the main settings are in clearly structured menus on the bright 2.5" display. For detailed quality control whilst "on location", RGB histogram and clipping warning can be used on even the finest details of the subject.

Even closer to perfection The first update package entails the fitting of a scratch-resistant sapphire glass LCD screen cover as well as a shutter that is quieter; one that is closer to a well-tuned classic analog Leica M.

Only diamond is harder than the sapphire glass used by Leica and Leica is the only camera manufacturer who has succeeded in using this material for the coverglass of their LCD screen. The advantage of a surface immune to scratches from contact with metal, stone or sand speak for themselves: an undisturbed, brilliant view on an LCD screen that looks new even after years of use.

The new electronically controlled metal-blade slotted shutter offers the benefits of a more discreet sound. We recorded and compared the sound of a standard camera and that of an upgraded M8 in real life situations and these files are available as a download on this page for you to compare. The new shutter involves less kinetic force, especially during the opening of the shutter, which results in even more sharply defined hand-held exposures at slow shutter speeds

Lenses The LEICA M8 can be used with virtually all lenses in the Leica M range produced since 1954. This high system compatibility has been maintained through the changeover in recording technology from film to digital. Even new customers who start with a digital LEICA M8 receive many application options and profit from the high retained value of Leica products. The high mechanical and optical precision of the Leica and the exceptionally good picture capabilities, above all in the current product range, mean that Leica M lenses are ideally suited to digital applications. Performance criteria such as the individual coating of each lens are provided as standard and need not be ordered as special measures for "digital lenses".

With a new 6-bit coding on the bayonet ring, the LEICA M8 can recognize the lens type that is used. This information is used by the camera for additional picture quality improvement by compensating for artificial vignetting. For this purpose the lens type is saved in the Exif picture file. All lenses delivered from the factory since 1st July 2006 have this new coding, but they can also be used without restriction on the current LEICA MP and LEICA M7 analog models, and indeed on all the classic models produced since 1954. Current lens models, and many earlier lens models, can be retrofitted on a chargeable basis so that they can support this picture optimisation feature of the camera. Even without modification, the lenses are fully compatible with the LEICA M8, albeit without supporting the additional features.

Viewfinder The Leica viewfinder system distinguishes the LEICA M8 from the general run of mirror reflex and compact cameras on the market. It makes the camera into a specialist tool for living reportage and available-light photography, and for discreet portraiture. The photographer is part of the action and the viewfinder is his frame to capture what he is seeking – a scene, a mood, a moment. He also sees what is happening outside the viewfinder frame. The deciding instant can be foreseen and recorded at the right moment. The result is a particularly authentic shot, which contains nothing that betrays the presence of the photographer.

The photographer sees his subject in the lighting conditions as they are, and even in difficult available-light situations the viewfinder's wide range of brightness and contrast allows quick and precise focussing. Together with the short release delay – in digital as well as analog photography – this means that the Leica M cameras have one of the quickest viewfinder operations in the world.

A mirror reflex system must focus through the lens, which determines the accuracy to which it can determine the focal length and light intensity. In contrast, the metering basis for the Leica M is the range finder, whose performance is always the same, irrespective of the lens. Therefore its accuracy at short focal lengths is many times better than mirror reflex systems. The high-contrast metering field in the centre of the image guarantees quick, precise and spot-on focussing even under extremely poor lighting conditions.

The image field selector allows the photographer to simulate the effects of different focal lengths and to determine the correct focal length in advance, without having to change the lens. The six different bright-line frames always show the exact boundaries of the picture, since their position is adjusted by the automatic parallax compensation, depending on the range setting. All other relevant information and the surroundings of the subject can be seen in the bright-line frame viewfinder, for a perfect result – the ideal conditions for spontaneous and unobtrusive photography.

Shutter The electronically controlled metal blade slot shutter permits exposure times down to 1/8000 of a second. Even under bright lighting conditions the photographer has full freedom of composition by use of selective image sharpness with an open aperture. The short flash synchronisation time of 1/250 of a second now permits even daylight flash pictures with selective sharpness.

Intuitive operation The LEICA M8 guides the photographer's concentration on to the picture, not the operation of the camera. Therefore the creative aspects of aperture, time and focal plane which determine the result of the picture are in foreground. Great care, many years of experience and comprehensive knowledge of how professional photographers work have contributed to the operating concept of the LEICA M8 digital functions. By concentrating on the essentials even here a simple, clear and intuitive user guide has been created: in the LEICA M8, multiple loadings of function keys and nested menus have been deliberately eliminated.

The core controls for operating the digital functions are the direction buttons and rotary setting dial, which in combination allow rapid navigation. By pressing the "Set" button, the picture parameters menu is called up on the 2.5" monitor. Here the principal settings for the picture can quickly be selected: sensor speed, lighting correction, white balance, data compression and picture resolution. Three saved profile slots are available for quickly calling up frequently used and application-specific combinations.

The menu button allows a clear system menu to be called up for selecting the long-term basic settings, such as the ECI RGB, Adobe ® RGB and sRGB color variants. The photographer can here make his own choice about whether the photographs should be shown for checking on the large display directly after they have been taken, how long they should be displayed and whether he wishes to see a tonal values histogram with that display.

The LEICA M8 has an auto-release function with two selectable delay times of two and twelve seconds.

An information display at the top of the left side of the body shows the remaining capacity of the SD card and the remaining charge of the lithium ion rechargeable battery. These photographically elementary displays can be read at a glance at any time.

Innovative flash technology The modern metal blade slot shutter in the LEICA M8 enables very short flash synchronisation times down to 1/250 of a second. In addition, the LEICA M8 for the first time uses the new M-TTL flash technology. The special feature of this is that immediately before the actual flash illumination, a calibration pre-flash is fired. The TTL metering detects the light reflected from the surface of the subject, and determines the exact power requirement for the main flash. The smooth addition of the flash lighting power to the ambient light allows flash pictures that have the appearance of being under natural lighting.

The "Auto Slow Sync" function permits the use of aperture priority mode in combination with flash technology. This provides a balanced background to the picture, even if the intensity of the continuous lighting changes. To achieve the correct lighting, an appropriately metered brightening flash is used. Depending on the desired effect or experience, varying lengths of lighting time can be set for the aperture priority mode. This can be input manually, or if coded lenses are being used, is can be determined automatically, using the proven rule of thumb "1/focal length = lighting time in seconds".

Checking results using the tonal value histogram As a professional digital camera, the LEICA M8 offers a RGB tonal value histogram. This can be called up at any time for quality assessment of the saved pictures. This function can also be combined with the automatic picture review. Another useful feature is the additional identification of overexposed parts of the picture, by means of a "Clipping Warning". By using sectional enlargement, these two checking tools can be continuously updated and permit quality assessment of even the finest details of a picture. All photographically relevant settings in the picture parameter menu and also other "meta-information" stored with the picture can be displayed as required by pressing the function key. They enable comprehensive checking of the resulting digital picture at time and place it was taken.

Use of raw data in DNG format using Capture One LE software The Capture One LE professional raw data converter ensures that raw data supplied by the CCD sensor and saved in the in the future-proof Adobe® Digital Negative (DNG) format is "developed" in the best possible quality. Together with the Danish software company Phase One, Leica has undertaken thorough camera profiling and adapted the software to suit the requirements. The results are quality-optimized algorithms for digital color processing, which generate particularly low-noise pictures which at the same time display astonishing picture resolution. The development of the finest tonal value steps from the 16-bit picture delivered by the CCD sensor is comparable to the picture quality achieved by a professional combination of film and specialist laboratory development. The logical, quality-determining functions and the clear user interface allows the user to quickly master the use of Software Capture One LE to create outstanding results.

LEICA DIGITAL CAPTURE The LEICA M8 is loaded with special software for remote control of the camera for scientific purposes or for use in a photographic studio. This software allows the camera shutter to be released from a computer using the USB connection. The picture data are saved directly on the hard disk. All settings of the picture parameter menu such as the ISO value of the resolution can be sent to the camera by the software.

Materials, machining and dimensions The robust top panel and the solid bottom cover are machined from solid brass blocks using the most modern milling techniques. The enclosed all-metal body is made of a highly stable magnesium alloy for professional use over many years. The rechargeable battery and the SD card slot are well protected from dust and moisture under the bottom cover. The cover effectively prevents inadvertent opening and thus the loss of the rechargeable battery and SD card, even when the camera is used for reportage under tough conditions. This design, proven over decades in the Leica M system, increases the robustness of the camera.

The compact dimensions of the LEICA M8 are138.6mm × 80.2mm × 36.9mm, just a few millimetres larger than the ideal size of the LEICA M7. Apart from a few differences in the controls, such as the absence of the wind-on lever and the rewind button, the front view of the LEICA M8 in is virtually identical to this analog version. The discreet appearance of the camera and the timeless elegance, particularly prized by many customers, are retained.

The assembly and adjustment of the camera, together with the minute checking of all mechanical and electronic details are precision hand-crafted in the Leica factory in Solms. Leica Customer Service maintains and repairs cameras over decades and thus creates the basis for long retention of value. Currently all M cameras produced since 1954 are supported by service in this way.

Cleaning the sensor: The LEICA M8 has a special function for manual cleaning of the image sensor: if the appropriate item in the menu is selected and the release pressed, the shutter remains open for the duration of the cleaning. The flat profile of the Leica M camera means that the sensor is more easily accessible than in a digital mirror reflex camera, where the sensor is accessible only by reaching behind the mirror mounting.

[edit] Specs

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. Moiré-Filter no, full utilization of lens performance. Moiré detection and elimination in digital signal processing.

Sensor sensitivity range

Manuelle Einstellung von ISO 160/23° bis ISO 2500/35°

Viewfinder

Viewfinder principle Large light bright line frame viewfinder/rangefinder with automatic parallax compensation. Viewfinder lens optimal visibility of all bright line frames whatever the lighting situation. Eyepiece Coordinated to -0.5 dpt. Correction lenses available from –3 to +3 dpt. Image field limiter By activating two bright lines each : for 24 and 35 mm/28 and 90 mm/50 and 75 mm. Automatic Automatic activation when lens is screwed in. With the image field selector each pair of the bright lines can be activated manually, so simulating each focal length. Parallax compensation The horizontal and vertical difference between the viewfinder and the lens is automatically compensated according to the focusing distance used, i.e. the viewfinder bright-line frame automatically aligns with the subject detail recorded by the lens. Magnification 0.68 x (with all lenses). Large basis range finder Combination of split and superimposed image range finder shown as a bright field in the centre of the viewfinder image. Effective measurement basis 47.1 mm (mechanical measurement basis 69.25 mm x viewfinder enlargement 0.68 x).

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 16–90 mm. 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

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 ; 4 x 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 for image reproduction and menu selection. Brightness control in 5 levels. Control options after picture-taking : General quality evaluation of 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 1 pixel to 1 pixel view.

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, Italian, Japanese, Chinese.

Picture resolution

DNG : 3916 x 2634 pixels (10.31 MP), JPG : 3936 x 2630 pixels (10.35 MP), 2952 x 1972 pixels (5.8 MP), 1968 x 1315 Pixel (2.6 MP), 1312 x 876 Pixel (1.15 MP).

Data formats

DNG™ (Digital Negative Format not specific to any camera manufacturer), 2 different highly compressed JPEG levels. DNG™ file information 16 bit-color resolution, 10.2 Mbyte file size per picture

Storage medium

SD cards up to 4 GB The following Internet page includes a list of SD memory cards fully compatible with the LEICA M8 : www.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/m8

White balance

Automatic, 6 presettings, manual white balance, color temperature input from 2,000 K to 13,100 K.

Dimensions (W x H x D)

approx.139 x 80 x 37 mm

Weight without battery

approx. 545 g