The Leica M9 Rangefinder Camera
Remember that box of old camera stuff grandpa had in the basement? Well, go grab it out and blow off the dust, Leica is introducing the worlds first digital rangefinder camera, the M9. With it's full frame (FF) sensor, it has the ability to use almost all of the M-mount lenses made since 1954.
With an 18MP resolution, the sensor is not seemingly up to par with the latest in 35mm FF D-SLRs, however don't discount the engineering that went into this camera. The sensor has special micro-lenses that are offset slightly as they near the edge of the sensor, allowing the oblique light rays to be captured more easily. Combine that with other innovative features such as the lack of a physical moiré filter - which is now part of the software - and you get outstanding image quality (IQ).
As stated above, most of the M-mount lenses are available to work with this camera. However, the newer lenses are specially coded in the bayonet mount, which the camera can read. This allows the camera to automatically correct for vignetting, and records the lens into the EXIF data. In addition, if you are using one of the newer flash units, the flash will automatically adjust for that specific lens.
One nice touch is the inclusion of a download of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. This allows such things as a continuous 14-bit color range from capture to output, to ensure proper tonal rendition throughout the digital work flow. This is a nice touch from a camera that will cost around $5,000.
Leica also introduced the X1, a compact digital camera with an image sensor as large as an APS-C D-SLR. It has a 12.1MP resolution and 35mm f/2.8 prime lens in the pursuit of the highest quality image. It shows strong family resemblance to the M9, and is sure to be a fierce competitor to the Sigma DP2.
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Check out more new introductions here:
Canon shows off new lenses: 18-135mm IS and 15-85mm IS
Canon's first hybrid IS lens: 100mm f/2.8L IS
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