[Press Release] Kejutan! Kamera Rangefinder Entry-Level Leica M Typ 262

Ingat, meski namanya Entry-Level atau untuk pemula, harganya tetap gila-gilaan. Jadi Leica mengumumkan kamera digital rangefinder untuk pemula yaitu Leica M Typ 262. Model ini pada dasarnya adalah versi “light” dari Leica M Typ 240.

Meski versi light begitu sepertinya Typ 262 ini lebih pure, lebih asli dan bakal banyak diminati, karena tidak ada live view dan tidak ada video. Fotografer hanya mengandalkan viewfinder untuk mengambil foto, tidak bisa menggunakan LCD.

Secara spec tidak jauh berbeda dengan M Typ 240, perbedaan terutama pada fitur live view yang dihilangkan, berat lebih ringan 100g, logo red dot Leica yang lebih kecil, shutter yang lebih sunyi, menu kamera sangat simple hanya 2 halaman. Secara desain mirip Leica M9.

Kamera ini akan dilepas dengan harga sekitar USD $5,195 di AS. Berikut spesifikasi, review, gambar dan press releasenya.

Spesifikasi Kamera

• Sensor Full Frame CMOS 24MP (sama seperti Typ 240)
• Shutter speed 60-1/4000 seconds. Manual selector:  8-1/4000 seconds
• ISO: 200-6400 (extended to ISO 100)
• Exposure range EV0-20
• Viewfinder 0.68x
• Monitor LCD 3.0-inch. 921,000 dots, anti gores dari Corning Gorilla Glass
• Media SD / SDHC / SDXC
• Tanpa Live View
• Tanpa Video
• Image processing engine LEICA MAESTRO
• Menu kamera yang efisien hanya 2 halaman
• Top plate dari aluminum yang tahan lama
• Dedicated tombol di bagian belakang kamera untuk White Balance (WB)
• Berat 100g lebih ringat dari M-type
• Shutter lebih pelan suaranya
• Continuous shot : 3 fps
• Ukuran: 80 mm x 42 mm x 138.6Mm
• Berat: 600g (including battery)

Preview, Hands On dan First Impression

• Sample foto dan essay di blog.leica-camera.com
• Halaman resmi produk di us.leica-camera.com
• Sample foto di us.leica-camera.com

Gambar Kamera

Press Release

Focusing on the essentials of M rangefinder photography

Leica Camera has introduced the Leica M (Typ 262) into its digital rangefinder camera range, joining the Leica M and M-P (Typ 240) and the Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246), now giving photographers the choice of four models.

Incorporating rangefinder technology perfected over many decades, the new M (Typ 262) represents Leica M photography in its purest form, concentrating on the most essential features, combined with intuitive handling and discreet styling. This allows users to focus on the fascination of M photography and, ultimately, on capturing the decisive moment.

As with the other digital M cameras, the Leica M (Typ 262) features a high-resolution CMOS full-frame sensor, designed exclusively for rangefinder photography, but excludes video recording and Live View. The 24-megapixel sensor delivers exceptional image quality and extreme sensitivity, and makes the Leica M (Typ 262) the ideal camera for photography in available light situations. At the same time, the camera’s Maestro processor guarantees fast processing of captured images, ensuring that it is immediately ready to shoot.

The clear and practical outer design of the Leica M (Typ 262) also focuses on the essentials. The top plate is made from durable aluminium, making the camera around 100g lighter, and even more ergonomic than its sister models. The words ’Made in Germany’ are engraved on the back of the camera. Further differences include a smaller Leica logo and a ‘step’ at the end of the top plate, which are both features reminiscent of the design of the Leica M9.

For maximum discretion when shooting, the Leica M (Typ 262) shutter is barely audible – an invaluable advantage in situations where the photographer needs to remain unobtrusive. As an aid to this, the camera features a shutter cocking system that is considerably quieter in single exposure mode than that of the M (Typ 240), and enables a shutter release frequency of up to two frames per second. In continuous mode, the M (Typ 262) has the same sequential shooting speed as its sister model and shoots up to three frames per second.

The handling of the Leica M (Typ 262) fulfills everything a discerning photographer expects from a Leica M. This includes the rapid manual focusing process with the coupled rangefinder and the focusing ring of the lens, as well as the option of selecting automatically determined or manually set shutter speeds. Furthermore, as this model does not include Live View or video recording, the menu is extremely straightforward and consists of only two pages. This ensures that all settings are rapidly accessible at all times. White balance is selected by a dedicated button on the back of the camera.