The
dream of many Leica photographers has come true: the Leica M system is
now open for professional digital photography. Breaking completely new
ground, the LEICA M8 doesn't only look like an M - it utilizes all the
benefits of the analog Leica M system for sophisticated and creative
digital photography. It is the only digital camera for professionals to
incorporate the rangefinder system with its advantages of discreet and
quiet operation, speed and precision. And the no-compromise quality
criteria of the M system continue to apply to the M8. Full
compatibility with nearly all M lenses means that their unique imaging
performance is now available for digital photography, too. The
low-noise CCD image sensor with a resolution of 10.3 megapixels has
been specifically matched to the compact lens design to guarantee
superlative photographic quality. The controls and functions of the
digital M still concentrate on the essentials. The proven M concept is
complemented by the intelligent extra functions that digital technology
has to offer. The LEICA M8 is the first timeless digital camera "Made
in Germany". Fascinatingly new and yet still a real Leica M.
Exceptional performance in every detail
For Leica, image quality is not only a catchword, but a value
attainable by optimizing all the links in the performance chain:
Leica's M high performance lenses, now performing even better in the
digital system with the new 6-bit coding. The low-noise CCD sensor
which is specifically matched to the extreme requirements of the
high-resolution M lenses. The future-guaranteed raw data format (DNG)
and the raw data converter Capture One LE, acknowledged as the best.
This combination of high-quality individual components ensures maximum
image quality.
Concentration on the exposure. Not on the controls.
A lot of care, many years of experience and extensive knowledge about
how professional photographers work have gone into the operation
concept of the M8. Due to the concentration on the essentials,
operation is simple and intuitive. The LEICA M8 deliberately dispenses
with multifunction keys and nested menus. All the main settings are
made in clearly structured menus on the bright 2.5" display. For
detailed quality control "on location", RGB histogram and clipping
warning can be used on even the finest details of the subject.
The modern metal-blade slotted shutter enables extremely fast flash
synchronization times down to 1/250 second. The new M-TTL flash
technology ensures natural flash illumination through the activation of
a metering pre-flash. The auto slow sync. function now allows available
light exposures without camera shake in aperture priority mode combined
with a natural fill-in flash.
