Leica M9- User Manual

94 / Notes Warning messages • Use exclusively recommended accessories to pre- vent faults, short circuits or electric shock. • Do not expose the unit to moisture or rain. • Do not attempt to remove parts of the body (covers); specialist repairs can be carried out only at author- ized service centers...

Scope of delivery / 95 Scope of delivery Before using your LEICA M9 for the first time, please check that the accessories supplied are complete. A. Battery B. Charger C. USB connecting cord D. Carrying strap

96 / Designation of parts Designation of parts Illustrations inside front and rear covers Front view 1.1 Lens release button 1.2 Eyelets for carrying strap 1.3 Distance meter window 1.4 Brightness sensor 1 1.5 Illumination window for bright-line frames 1.6 Viewfinder window with mirror blinds for be...

Designation of parts / 97 Rear view 1.21 SET button for calling up the image parameters menu/calling up sub-menus in the menu system/ saving settings/functions selected in the sub- menus 1.22 INFO button for displaying settings/data in pic- ture mode/image data in review mode 1.23 ISO button for cal...

98 / Displays / In the viewfinder Displays 2. In the viewfinder 2.1 LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) (with automatic brightness control, adjusted to the ambient brightness 1 ) for: 2.1.1. Four-digit seven-segment digital display with dots above and below Digital display: – Displays the automatically det...

Displays / On the monitor / 99 3. On the monitor 3.1 In picture mode (when you press the INFO button, 1.22) 3.1.1 Battery capacity 3.1.2 Remaining memory capacity in MB 3.1.3 Number of pictures remaining 3.1.4 Set/applied shutter speed 3.1.5 Lens type 3.2 In normal review mode (image/s fill the enti...

100 / Displays / On the monitor 3.3 Reviewing with additional information (when you press the INFO button, 1.22; reduced picture) 3.3.1 Picture (with “Clipping” display 1 if set) 3.3.2. Histogram a. Luminance (brightness) b. Red/green/blue (separate display of individual colors) 3.3.3 Delete protect...

102 / Menu items / In the main menu 4.1 In the main menu (using MENU button, 1.28) Menu item Explanation Fixed setting withthe snapshot profile 4.1.1 Lens detection – Auto 4.1.2 Save user profile User-specific profile (save) Not available 4.1.3 Advance Low vibration shutter release/ Standard Shutter...

Menu items / In the image parameters menu / 103 4.2 In the image parameters menu (press SET button, 1.21) Menu item Explanation Fixed setting with the snapshot profile 4.2.1 White balance – Auto 4.2.2 Compression Compression/file format JPG fine 4.2.3 Resolution Resolution 18 MP 4.2.4 Exposure Comp....

104 / Quick guide Quick guide You will need the following items: – Camera – Battery (A) – Memory card (not supplied) – Battery charger (B) Presets 1. Insert the battery (A) into the charger (see p. 106) 2. Plug in the charger (B), to charge the battery (see p. 106) 3. Set the main switch (1.18) to O...

Quick guide / 105 Viewing pictures For an automatic review of the last picture (when in picture mode): The LEICA M9 is preset for this function – Auto review. Various variations of the function can be selected under this item (4.1.14) in the main menu (see p. 113). For review without a time limit: 1...

106 / Charging the battery Detailedinstructions Preparations Attaching the carrying strap Charging the battery The LEICA M9 is powered by a lithium ion battery (A). Attention: • Only the battery type specified and described in this manual and/or battery types specified and described by Leica Camera ...

108 / Inserting the battery into the camera Inserting / removing the battery in to/ from the camera 1. Set the main switch (1.19) to OFF . 2. Remove the bottom cover (1.35) of the camera. To do this: a. lift up the toggle (1.36) on the bottom cover, b. turn it to the left, and c. lift off the bottom...

Inserting the memory card into the camera / 109 Inserting and removing the memory card The LEICA M9 saves the picture data on an extremely compact SD (Secure Digital) or SDHC (high capacity) card. SD/SDHC memory cards are small, light and inter- changeable external storage media. SD/SDHC memo- ry ca...

110 / Leica M lenses • Do not open the bottom cover and remove the memory card or battery while the red LED (1.32) to the bottom right of the monitor (1.33) is flashing to indicate that pictures are being recorded and/or data saved to the card. Otherwise the not yet (com- pletely) saved picture data...

Attaching / Removing a lens / 111 Attaching a lens 1. Hold the lens by the fixed ring (1.12). 2. Align the red index button (1.12c) on the lens with the unlocking button (1.1) on the camera body. 3. Then push the lens straight on in this position. 4. Turn the lens slightly to the right, and you will...

112 / Switching the camera on and off The most important settings/controls Switching the camera on and off/ the main switch The LEICA M9 is switched on and off using the main switch (1.18). This is below the shutter release button (1.19) and is a lever with four detent positions: a. OFF – Camera swi...

Selecting picture taking and review modes / 113 Selecting picture and review modes After switching on, the LEICA M9 is always in picture mode, i.e. the monitor (1.32) remains dark once the camera is ready to use (see p. 112). To review the pictures, you can choose between two modes: 1. PLAY Unlimite...

114 / Shutter release button Shutter release button The shutter release button (1.19) has three pressure points: 1. Briefly pressing to the first pressure point activates exposure metering and viewfinder displays, and starts a pre-set self timer delay time, if this has been programmed (see p. 157). ...

Serial exposures / 115 Serial exposures As well as taking single pictures - main switch 1.18 set to ( S [single]), the LEICA M9 also allows you to take a series of pictures - main switch set to ( C [con- tinuous]), e.g. to capture sequences of movements in several stages. Apart from the operation of...

116 / Shutter speed setting dial Shutter speed setting dial The size and position of the shutter speed setting dial (1.17) on the LEICA M9 is ergonomically optimized: On the one hand – even with the camera to the eye – it is very easy to use. On the other hand it is well pro- tected against inadvert...

The Monitor / 117 Monitor The LEICA M9 has a large 2.5” liquid crystal color monitor (1.32). This is used for viewing pictures that have been saved on the memory card and reproduces the entire field of the picture plus the selected data and information (see “The displays/In the monitor”, p. 99/100, ...

118 / The histogram The histogram The histogram (3.3.2) represents the distribution of brightness in the picture. The horizontal axis shows the tone values from black (left) through gray to white (right). The vertical axis depicts the number of pixels of each brightness level. This form of represent...

Menu control / 119 Menu control Many settings for the LEICA M9 are controlled using menus (see p. 102/103). In aperture priority and manual exposure modes, two independent menus are available. The main menu is made up of 28 items (4.1.1–28), and there is also a image parameters menu. Based on experi...

120 / Setting the menu functions Setting the menu functions 1. The main menu is called up using the MENU button (1.28); the image parameters menu using the SET button (1.21). • The first 7 items then appear in the main menu (or all 5 in the snapshot profile) and all items in the image parameters men...

Setting the menu functions / 121 3. To set the relevant function, first press the SET button – or press it again in the image parameters menu. • The associated multi-line sub-menu, indicated by a red border, appears to the right of the menu item. The item selected at any time is highlighted for iden...

122 / Basic camera settings Presets Basic camera settings Menu language By factory default, the language used for menu control is English, i.e. all menu items initially appear with their English names. German, French, Spanish, Italian, Jap - anese, Russian and Traditional or Simplified Chinese can a...

124 / Basic picture settings Basic picture settings Switching lens type identification on/off The 6-bit coding in the bayonet (1.11) on current Leica M lenses allows the LEICA M9 to identify the type of lens. It does this using the sensor in the bayonet flange (1.10), . – Among other things, this in...

126 / Basic picture settings White balance In digital photography, white balance ensures neutral reproduction of color in any light. It is based on the LEICA M9 being preset to reproduce a particular color as white. With the LEICA M9, you can choose from ten different settings: – Auto – For automati...

Basic picture settings / 127 For direct setting of color temperature You can directly set values between 2000 and 13100 (K 1 ) (from 2000 to 5000 K in increments of 100, from 5000 to 8000 K in increments of 200 and from 8000 to 13,100 K in increments of 300). This provides you with a broad scope, co...

128 / Basic picture settings ISO sensitivity In traditional photography, the choice of the ISO value reflects the light sensitivity of the film used. Higher speed films allow faster shutter speeds and/or small- er apertures and vice versa, at the same brightness. The ISO setting on the LEICA M9 cove...

Basic picture settings / 129 Note: • When using the bracketing function (see p. 139), all AUTO ISO settings are defined: – The sensitivity automatically determined by the camera for the first picture is also used for all other pictures in a series, i.e. this ISO value is not changed during a series....

130 / Basic picture settings / Holding the camera correctly Working color space The requirements in terms of color reproduction differ considerably for the various possible uses of digital picture files. Different color spaces have therefore been developed, such as the standard RGB (red/green/ blue)...

132 / Bright-line view- and rangefinder If lenses with focal lengths of 28 (Elmarit from serial number 2411001), 35, 50, 75 and 135 mm are used, the associated bright-line frame automatically adjusts to the combinations 28 + 90mm, 35 +135 mm, 50 + 75 mm. In the middle of the viewfinder image is the ...

Bright-line view and range finder / 133 3 Bilder (Nr. 46-48) wie M8.2, S. 43 28 mm + 90 mm 50 mm + 75 mm 35 mm + 135 mm

134 / Distance metering Distance metering Due to its large effective metering basis, the range - finder on the LEICA M9 is very precise. The benefits of this are particularly noticeable when using wide-angle lenses with their relatively deep depth of field. The range finder metering field is visible...

Exposure metering / 135 Exposure metering On the LEICA M9, exposure metering for the available ambient light is performed through the lens with the working aperture. The light reflected by the bright shutter blades in the first shutter curtain is captured by a photo diode and measured. This silicon ...

136 / Exposure modes / Aperture priority / Metering memory lock Exposure modes The LEICA M9 provides two exposure modes: Aper- ture priority and manual mode. Depending on the sub- ject, situation and your individual preferences, you can thus choose between – the familiar “semi automatic” operation, ...

Exposure compensation / 137 Exposure compensation Exposure meters are calibrated to an average gray scale value (18 % reflection), which corresponds to the brightness of a normal, i.e. average photographic sub- ject. If the actual subject detail does not match this assumption, an appropriate exposur...

138 / Exposure compensation Note: An exposure compensation set on the camera only influences the measurement of available light. If you want to simultaneously use compensation of the TTL flash exposure metering in flash mode – in parallel or in the opposite direction, you must make this addition- al...

Bracketing / 139 Bracketing Many attractive subjects are very rich in contrast, i.e. they have both very light and very dark areas. The effect can be quite different, depending on which sec- tions you base your exposure on. In such cases, the bracketing function on the LEICA M9 – in aperture pri- or...

140 / Manual exposure setting / B setting / T function Manual exposure setting If the exposure setting is performed entirely manually, the shutter speed setting dial (1.17) must be clicked to one of the engraved shutter speeds or to one of the intermediate values. Then: 1. switch the exposure meter ...

Setting the exposure when using the snapshot profile / 141 Setting the exposure when using the snapshot profile In addition to the individual profiles that can be set and saved, the LEICA M9 provides a snapshot profile. In this profile, most menu items have fixed settings that ensure optimum results...

144 / Attaching the flash unit / Flash mode Attaching the flash unit When attaching a flash unit to the LEICA M9 flash shoe (1.20), you should ensure that the foot of the flash unit is fully inserted and the clamping nut (if fit- ted) is tightened to prevent it accidentally falling out. This is part...

Flash mode / 145 Notes: • The settings and functions described in the follow- ing sections relate exclusively to flash units that are system compatible with the LEICA M9. • An exposure compensation set on the camera (see p. 137) only influences the measurement of avail- able light. If you want to si...

Selecting the sync speed / sync speed range / 147 Selecting the sync speed/sync speed range While the shutter speed used has no bearing on the control of the flash exposure (because the flash dura- tion is very much less than this), the reproduction of the available light is very strongly influenced...

148 / Selecting the firing moment Selecting the firing moment Flash photographs are illuminated by two light sources, the available light and the light from the flash. Parts of the subject that are exclusively or primarily illumi- nated by the flash are almost always reproduced extremely sharply (wi...

Additional functions / Profiles / 149 Additional functions User/application specific profiles On the LEICA M9, any combination of all main and image parameters menu settings can be permanently stored, e.g. so that they can be retrieved quickly and easily at any time for recurring situations/subjects...

150 / Review mode Review mode As described in the “Selecting picture and review modes” and “Automatic review of last picture” sec- tions (p. 113), you can view the pictures you have taken in the monitor (1.32) on the LEICA M9. Pictures can either be reviewed automatically for a short time immediatel...

Review mode / 151 Additional options when viewing A. Viewing more pictures/ “Scrolling” in the memory You can open other saved pictures using the left and right direction buttons (1.30). Pressing the left button takes you to the pictures with lower numbers, press- ing the right button takes you to t...

Review mode / 153 C. Deleting pictures While a picture is displayed in the monitor, you have an opportunity to delete it if you wish to do so. This can be useful, for example if the pictures have already been saved to other media, if you no longer require them or if you need to free up more space on...

154 / Review mode Displays after deleting Deleting individual pictures After deleting, the preceding picture appears. If there are no more pictures saved on the card, the following message appears: . Deleting all pictures on the memory card After deleting, the following message appears: . However, i...

Review mode / 155 2. The first step is to decide • whether you want to protect individual pictures , or • all pictures simultaneously , or • whether you want to clear the existing protec- tion for individual pictures , or • for all pictures. . Note: The following functions cannot be performed and th...

156 / Additional functions Additional functions Folder management The picture data on the memory card is saved in fold- ers, which are created automatically. These folder names have eight characters – three figures and five letters. In the factory default setting, the first folder is named “100LEICA...

158 / Transferring data to a computer Transferring data to a computer The LEICA M9 is compatible with the following operat- ing systems: Microsoft®: Windows® XP/Vista® Apple® Macintosh®: Mac® OS X (10.5) The LEICA M9 is equipped with a USB 2.0 interface for transferring data to a computer. This allo...

Transferring data to a computer / 159 Connecting and transferring data with Mac® OS X (10.5) 1. Use the USB cable supplied (C) to connect the USB socket (1.33) on the LEICA M9 to a free USB port on the computer. To do this, first open the flap (1.25) over the socket on the camera downwards. • Once t...

160 / Data structure on the memory card / Working with DNG raw data Data structure on the memory card When the data stored on a card is transferred to a computer, the following folder structure is used: Up to 9999 pictures can be stored in each of the fold- ers 100 LEICA, 101 LEICA, etc. Working wit...

Installing firmware updates / 161 Installing firmware updates Leica is constantly working on developing and opti- mizing its products. As digital cameras have many functions that are controlled electronically, some of these improvements and enhancements to the func- tions can be installed on the cam...

162 / System accessories for the LEICA M9 Miscellaneous System accessories for the LEICA M9 Interchangeable lenses The Leica M system provides a basis for optimum adaptation to fast and unobtrusive photography. The range of lenses incorporates focal lengths from 16 to 135 mm and speeds up to 1:0.95....

System accessories for the LEICA M9 / Replacement parts / 163 Flash units With a maximum guide number of 58 (in the 105 mm setting), an automatically controlled zoom reflector (with coded Leica M lenses, see p. 110), an optional second reflector and many other functions, the LEICA SF 58 system flash...

164 / Precautions and care instructions Precautions and care instructions General precautions • Do not use the LEICA M9 in the immediate vicinity of devices with powerful magnetic, electrostatic or electromagnetic fields (e.g. induction ovens, microwave ovens, television sets or computer mon- itors,...

Care instructions / 165 Monitor The monitor is manufactured using a high-precision process. This ensures that, of the total of around 230,000 pixels, more than 99.995 % work correctly and only 0.005 % remain dark or are always light. However, this is not a malfunction and it does not impair the repr...

166 / Care instructions For lenses • Normally, a soft hair brush is sufficient to remove dust from the outer lens elements. However, in case of more stubborn dirt, they can be carefully cleaned with a very clean, soft cloth that is completely free of foreign matter, using circular motions from the i...

Care instructions / 167 For the charger • If the charger is used in the vicinity of radio re - ceivers, it can interfere with the reception; make sure there is a distance of at least 1 m between the devices. • When the charger is in use, it can make a noise (buzzing) – this is quite normal and is no...

168 / Cleaning the sensor Cleaning the sensor If any dust or dirt particles should adhere to the sen- sor cover glass, depending on the size of the particles this can be identified by dark spots or marks on the pictures. The LEICA M9 can be sent to Leica Camera AG’s Customer Service for the sensor t...

170 / Storage Storage • If you are not using the LEICA M9 for an extended period of time, we recommend that you: a. switch it off (see p. 112), b. remove the memory card (see p. 109), and c. remove the battery (see p. 122) (after a maxi- mum of 3 months, the time and date will be lost, see p. 108). ...

Troubleshooting / 171 Troubleshooting 1. The LEICA M9 does not respond when switched on. 1.1 Has the battery been correctly inserted? 1.2 Does the battery have sufficient charge? Use a charged battery. 1.3 Has the bottom cover been correctly fitted? 2. The LEICA M9 switches itself off immediately af...

172 / Index Index Page Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Brilliant finder M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Correction lenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...

Index / 173 Page Histogram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Holding the camera correctly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Image field selector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Image frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1...

174 / Technical data Technical dataand descriptions Camera type Compact digital view and rangefinder system camera. Lens attachment Leica M bayonet with additional sensor for 6-bit coding. Lens system Leica M lenses from 16 to 135mm. Picture format/Image sensor 5270 x 3516 pixels (18.5 MP) CCD chip,...

Leica service addresses / 177 Leica Academy As well as outstanding high-performance products for taking, reproducing and viewing photographs, for many years we have also been offering the special services of the Leica Akademie, with practical seminars and training courses, which are intended to shar...

my point of view LEICA M9 Anleitung / Instructions Leica Camera AG / Oskar-Barnack-Str. 11 / D-35606 Solms www.leica-camera.com / [email protected] Telefon +49 (0) 64 42 - 208-0 / Telefax +49 (0) 64 42 - 208-333 Abbildungen in den vorderen und hinteren Umschlagseiten Illustrations inside front a...