The new Leica M-D is a 24MP full frame digital camera with no LCD screen. Leica released a limited edition model with no LCD a couple years ago; however, this is the first serial production Leica digital rangerfinder without a display.
The images captured with the Leica M-D are saved exclusively as DNG files (no JPEGs here).
Leica touts this camera as a purist’s, no frills tool for photography. In place of the LCD is the ISO sensitivity dial, which is a throwback to the analog rangefinders of yesteryear.
The M-D also deletes the Leica red dot logo and M badging from the front to make the camera less conspicuous. Leica also says the the shutter sound is barely audible and also features a shutter cocking system in single exposure mode. It can also capture up to 3 frames per second in continuous mode.
The Leica M-D (Typ 262) is priced at $5,995 and should be available the first week of May. Look for it next week here at B&H Photo.
I like the minimalist concept though $5.5k is more than I’d spend on any camera. Just because a camera can be programmed to do something doesn’t always mean it’s a good idea.
Wow! What’s next from Leica… an over priced pinhole camera???
Or perhaps a Ful Frame Digital Instant Camera (someone like a POLALEICA!) for no less than $8.000 !!!…
The only logical reason for removing the display is to remove the temptation to constantly review your work as you shoot. On the other hand, I like the omission of 372 picture-taking and -modifying options, so popular on Japanese cameras, which the user manuals rarely explain well.
Now, people… PLEASE stop calling film cameras analog cameras. It’s entirely possible to build an analog electronic camera. (Sony’s Mavica was analog.) The correct term is FILM.
Very good William! Finally someone after me trying to fix the term: analog cameras. I explain to all people that film cameras are not analog but in vain! Nobody understand. I gave up! If everyone wants to be stupid, then they continue to be! “Analog” is an electronic term and the film is a chemical base light sensitive! Should all know this, because we attend all school, but stupidity It spread across the world! Thank you William, I’m with you!
Mamma Mia ! So much flabby elitism !… What for?…
I bought the first Leica digital, the M8, which cost me $4,000 at the time, plus some costly glass. It was filled with trouble, but I felt I was back to my routes as I started with a range finder.
The benefit was the typical, check your work thing.
Dropping the LCD…. What’s the point