When only the best will do...

Perhaps the most storied and revered name in all of photography is Leica. The company was at the forefront of the movement away from big bulky cameras to smaller 35mm cameras that almost all enthusiasts and professional photographers adopted. Along with Leica cameras, Leica lenses also enjoy exemplary specifications and reputations. My first "real" camera was a Leica M3 and I used it for countless photographs over a 30-year span. It slowly got less and less use when digital cameras achieved quality on par (or even better than) 35mm film. And as of this year, my favorite film, Kodachrome, is no longer even being manufactured.

After a few near misses, Leica has produced a camera of exceptional quality that Leica owners expect. I was fortunate to get a hands-on look, and short use of the camera from one of Leica's US representatives. The new M9 is a physically beautiful camera. It is the world's first digital rangefinder camera with a full-format 24 × 36mm digital sensor sporting 18 megapixels. As the most compact 35mm full-format camera now made, the M9 extends the legendary heritage of the Leica rangefinder M series and unites over 50 years of continuous technical improvements with the best in cutting-edge digital technology.

The successful combination of an extremely high-resolution image sensor, the superior performance of Leica lenses, and sophisticated processing of the captured digital information ensures the superb imaging results. With its wide-ranging technical abilities and interchangeable lenses, the camera adjusts to all fields of photography - from reportage and 'available light' to the capture of discreet and fine-art images. The M9 is the ideal tool for photographers who demand the highest standards in image quality and a freedom of composition.

The new M9 concentrates the photographer's attention on taking the picture, not on setting the camera. Particular diligence, many years of experience, and a vast knowledge of how professional photographers work have all influenced the handling concept for the digital functions of the Leica M9. The result is a simple, clearly laid-out and intuitive user interface that concentrates purely on essentials. Thank goodness, the maze of multifunction buttons and complex menu hierarchies have been avoided.

The tough and resilient top deck and base plate of the M9 are machined from solid brass blocks, while the full-metal body is manufactured from a high-strength magnesium alloy that ensures a long and reliable life. The rechargeable battery and the SD card slot are protected from dust and moisture, using a specialized locking mechanism effectively preventing unintentional opening. In addition, this long-established construction concept, already employed for decades in the Leica M System, significantly increases the structural stability of the camera body and your investment. Leica has never been an inexpensive or cheap brand due to the fact that much individual, skilled workmanship goes into each camera and lens than is the norm. That is the price you pay for quality.

For more information on the new M9 check out: www.Leica.com

John Lentz