Leica M-Monochrom (246)

bythom leica-m-monochrom-246.jpg

A dedicated black and white (monochrome) camera with the Leica M mount. Basically an M Typ 240 without the Bayer filter over the sensor. 

  • Sensor: 24mp CMOS sensor with no Bayer filtration, 24x36 (no crop from 35mm film), no AA filter
  • Mount: Leica M
  • Images: 5952 x 3976 JPEG or 14-bit raw, 3 fps max
  • Video:  1080P/24/24, 720P/24/25 (black and white)
  • Shutter: mechanical 60 sec to 1/4,000 sec, bulb 
  • Exposure: center-weighted, -3 to +3EV exposure compensation, ISO 320-25000 (plus Pull 160)
  • Focus: manual focus, focus magnification and peaking on LCD
  • Display: 3" 921k dot fixed LCD, optical viewfinder (.68x magnification) framelines for 24, 28, 35, 50, 75, 90mm lenses
  • Flash: hot shoe, 1/180 flash sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync, rear sync
  • Remote: no
  • Other Notable Features: auto lens compensation, bundled with Lightroom and Silver Efex Pro 2
  • Cards: SD, SDHC
  • Battery: LEBM8
  • Size: 5.5 x 3.2 x 1.7" (139 x 80 x 42mm) wide, tall, deep
  • Weight: 24 ounces (680g)
  • Colors: Black
  • Price: US7450 body only
  • Current Firmware: 1.106 (November 2016)
  • Announced: Announced April 30, 2015, ships July 2015

Note: How does taking away color increase the cost? This is a camera made in very low volumes, and so it essentially has a very expensive one-off sensor. Some people question whether you need a monochrome sensor to do black and white, since we have multiple ways of converting RGB data into black and white. Here's why: all else equal, the true black and white sensor should have at least 25% higher resolution (and higher perceived edge acuity). Moreover, black and white films (and good black and white sensors) distribute spectral response a bit differently. If you're so into black and white you've converted your desktop printer into a dedicated black and white ink system, you're at the level where the extended capabilities of an M-Monochrom might be of interest.

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