The Leica M-E was announced with the Leica M at Photoina 2012 and it's the traditional rangefinder M camera. Simply put, it's just another Leica as it used to be. However, it's less expensive because they omitted some gimmicks that have nothing to do with the picture quality (the USB connector and the frame selecting lever were omitted). The camera performance is just the same as the M9, so this is an attractive choice for those who wants to start using a digital Leica M camera.
Then the most striking difference between the M9/M9-P is the body color. The special anthracite-gray looks deep gray with a hint of blue as you can see from the following images. It's neither silver nor black, and changes its appearance according to the lenses. I would feel this is more modern than classic, and I think not only Leica beginners but also Leica users should be interested in this appearance.
( Photo : A.Inden / Text : M.Ishizuka )
So, there's no color choice between silver and black. There's no difference in the components and shape, but it really looks stylish. The M9-P without the Leica red badge looked elegant, but the badge fits nicely with the color of the M-E as an ornament. Did you notice that there is no frame selecting lever?
There's no Leica engraving on top. The dials are in silver and fits nicely with silver lenses.
This is how it looks with a black lens, and it looks nice, too.
The picture quality is identical to the M9, and the lowpass-less sensor exactly captures the light through the lens. Just enjoy the countless M/L mount lenses.
With a rangefinder camera, you never know what you're getting unlike a SLR camera. You can't get close to the subject, and focusing and framing become harder with telephoto lenses. There are only prime lenses, meaning there are no zoom lenses. However, the simple body and lens construction allows shorter flange focal length, and hence, better lens quality while maintaining the small size. This enables you to keep walking all day.
The manner of shooting hasn't changed over the half-century. Look into the viewfinder, focus at the center of the frame by turning the focus ring, adjust the composition, and shoot. In the daytime, you can stop down and pan-focus, so you can concentrate on the framing and the timing. Controlling exposure is intuitive because of the dial and the ring. Human body is well made. It works without brain's reasoning processes once the action becomes habitual.
What is the essence of a rangefinder camera? If you keep using it, you will become integrated with the tool, and you can shoot as you wish. I would like you to feel this sensation with a Leica M camera.
LEICA M-E
KAF -18500 18 MP CCD Sensor
5212 x 3472 (18 MP), 3840 x 2592 (10 MP)
SD / SDHC Memory Cards
-3 EV to +3 EV, 1/3 f-stops
ISO 160 – ISO 2500, Pull 80 available, Auto ISO
0.68 x
1/4000s – 240s (in Bulb), 1/180s flash synchronization
