The next topic is the LEICA M Monochrom (hereafter, MM). Honestly, I didn't find the release surprising and I was rather chuckling to myself saying "This is very Leica to do it." Anyway, this is a spectacular model. One photodiode corresponds to one pixel in the output, and it doesn't need the color filter because it's a monochrome-only camera. Plus, since demosaicing isn't necessary, it generates astonishingly sharp and natural images. Lack of color filter also contributes to higher base ISO and better S/N ratio at higher ISO. Although it only takes monochrome pictures, the price is almost the same as one flagship 135 DSLR camera. Perhaps, only Leica Company can release such a camera. Some people may wonder if they can get the monochrome images by converting color images taken with conventional cameras. In a sense, they're right. But, the MM generates images that are unparalleled by other cameras. I'm just dumbfounded by the fact they release it for some people who want the difference. I even wonder if it's just the top people at Leica Company who want it. This must be a surprising camera for those who shoot films with the M cameras and some of them may think they don't have to shoot monochrome with a digital camera. Anyway, there's one fact that was brought by the MM: it finally excelled films as a digital camera and it's about the threshold of lens performance. The MM takes great pictures even when old lenses are mounted, but its astonishing resolution power also reveals the lens faults. It's a little difficult to describe with words, rendition of the old lenses seems to be loose rather than sweet on the MM even though they draw wonderfully on the M8/M9. And, once the modern lenses are mounted on the MM, it generates stunningly realistic pictures. This reality is the result of the finest capture of scenes made possible by the combination of the MM and modern lenses. It's different from the traditional reality that we expressed by older lenses and films. The MM forced me to reconsider how high the potential of cameras and lenses can be.
Some people may have felt disappointed with the appearance of the new LEICA M. The frameline illumination window has been omitted because of the LED illuminated framelines (which was originally included in the LEICA M9 Titanium). The model name "M" is engraved because from now on they call models with type names just like the year models for cars. If the M8/M9 are the minor-change versions of film M cameras, the LEICA M would be the first full-model-change version. By converting the CCD sensor to the CMOS sensor, it now features their first real-time TTL liveview focusing on a M camera. In addition, it has a video function. This means that we can now use the M lenses to shoot full-size movies. Now, the question is how to focus with this innovative camera. Perhaps, the great majority would choose to focus with the traditional rangefinder (taking advantage of the LED bright frameline illumination). Unlike the old CONTAX G series or Fujifilm X-Pro 1, Leica M cameras let us "place" the focus rationally and quickly with confidence. This would be hard to understand without actual use, but there's a sharp distinction between double image focusing and hearing the AF focusing sound. We may use the LCD to be parallel to horizontal or vertical lines, to check focus in close up shots, to use the R lenses with the adapter, to fine compose, or not to shoot at eye level. When I saw the LEICA M for the first time, I remembered the LEICA M7 that took over the M6. The M7 was the first Leica M camera to introduce auto-exposure, yet it had the traditional horizontally-travelling shutter with the maximum shutter speed of 1/1000. The change in operation was minimum: AE lock by half-pressing of the shutter button. And, 1/60 and 1/125 worked even without batteries. These changes are made to aid photographers and more importantly, they were kept minimum. Doesn't this story remind you of the new M?
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed reading this article. I think you know most of stuff I've mentioned, but I wanted to investigate Leica Company at present. There're so many information on Leica Company in the past, but for some reason, there was not enough information on how they are doing these days. Some of you may be stepping into the Leica world and I hope you found this article useful.
I'm a user of modern Leica models. Honestly, I even felt that Leica was "finished" when they started the "Leica a la carte" service, or I thought they'd become "good at business." However, I started to develop my interest in the people who are making innovative products because the each product generated impressive output. In our visitation to Leica Company this time, I realized one thing: the key persons truly adore Leica. These people including Dr. Kaufmann are fans of Leica products. I was interested in how these Leica fans take part in managing the company and how it influences the design of Leica as cameras. I even worried that they could become over-nostalgic, but such worry was unnecessary because I found they love Leica, know what people expect from it, and strive to make fine products almost frantically. And, they achieved success in business without deviating from the consensus on Leica around the world. Are they different from old Leica? I would rather think they're becoming more "Leica" because it's the history since Ernst Leitz I that mesmerizes the key persons. Once again, I realize what a big name Leica is. By the way, I was surprised by their friendliness. I may sound impolite, but they are just like my staff members in that they love cameras and photography like crazy. Particularly, I'd like to call the Head of Optical Design "a genuine geek" with all my respect. I'm sure he'll continue to design stunning lenses from now on and I think he'll say, "What's so special about it?" with his mocking smile because designing the best products is too natural for them.
