Leica has always felt committed to a philosophy of quality: the highest possible quality in every respect and in the service of the user.
The LEICA R9 has been designed in such a way that it makes good sense for a photographer: it is not overloaded with technical features but carries everything which a photographer needs to control his/ her results. The basis philosophy is typical for Leica: you can operate the camera instinctively without moving your eyes from the viewfinder, where you have all important information permanently at sight.
· Unsurpassed mechanical precision and ruggedness
· Unique ergonomic design and maximum operating convenience
· 30 high-quality Leica-R-Lenses with focal lengths ranging from 15mm to 800mm
· Comprehensive Leica-R accessory range for every facet of SLR photography
· Compatibility of lenses for over than 30 years
Camera type
Microprocessor-controlled, manually focusing 35 mm single lens reflex camera with multiple automatic exposurecontrol modes. Accepts motorized accessories.
Lenses
Attaching the lenses: Leica R bayonet with added electrical contacts#! all Leica R lenses as well as earlier LEICAFLEX SL/SL2 lenses that have subsequently been fitted with the R control cam can be used.Lens System: Leica R lenses from 15 mm to 800 mm.
Exposure Metering
Metering Modes: Selective Metering: 7 mm diameter metering field, outlined in the viewfinder#! can be used with alloperating modes. Multi-pattern metering: 6 fields, can be used with all operating modes#! the exposure level in the multi-pattern metering mode can be changed by ±0.7 EV. Center-weighted integral metering: can be used with all operating modes. Center-weighted integral TTL metering: for flash exposures with dedicated SCA-3000/3002 standard flash units. Selective TTL test flash exposure metering: prior to the actual exposure with any flash unit. Open diaphragm metering with all Leica R lenses and accessories with automatic spring-back diaphragm coupling, otherwise working aperture metering. Metered value storage: with selective- and integral metering in all automatic operating modes by pressing the shutter release button to the first pressure point. Indicated by the extinction of the respective metering mode symbol in the viewfinder. Exposure Correction: ±3 EV (Exposure Values), can be set in half steps. Automatic Exposure Series: Exposure series of 3 photographs each (for bracketing) can be made in conjunction with LEICA MOTOR-DRIVE R8/R9. The bracketing of the exposures can be set at 1/2 EV or 1 EV. Metering Range: (at f/1.4 and ISO 100/21º) Selective metering : from 0.007 cd/m2 to 125000 cd/m2, i. e. from EV-4 to EV-20, or from 32 s at f/1.4 to 1/8000 s at f/11. Integral and multi-pattern metering : from 0.03 cd/m2 to 125000 cd/m2, i. e. from EV-2 to EV-20, or from 8 s at f/1.4 to 1/8000 s at f/11#! warning signal in the viewfinder when the brightness is below the metering range. Metering cells: Silicon photodiodes in the base of the camera and on the auxiliary mirror, protected against stray light. Film Speed Range: Manual settings from ISO 6/9° to ISO 12500/42° (by adding exposure correction settings of up to ±3 EV, films with speeds ranging from ISO 0.8/0° to ISO 100000/51° can be exposed)#! DX codes from ISO 25/15° to ISO 5000/38° can be read. Exposure Control Modes: m Manual setting of shutter speed and aperture stop based on the light balance in the viewfinder#! A Aperture priority automatic exposure control#!P Variable program automatic exposure control#! T Shutter speed priority automatic exposure control#! F Selective TTL flash exposure metering prior to the actual exposure. The operating mode selector dial is mechanically secured against unintended changes from any selected setting. A button located next to the dial serves to release it.
Flash Exposure Control
Flash Unit Connection: via the accessory shoe with central- and control contacts ("hot shoe"), or via the standard flash connector socket. Synchronization: Shutter speed setting for flash synchronization : X = 1/250 s#! optional triggering at the first or the second shutter curtain#! flash exposures can also be made at faster shutter speeds (1/350–1/8000 s) with flash units that have the HSS feature and a SCA-3502M3 Adapter. TTL control with center-weighted integral metering when dedicated flash units are used (i. e. SCA-3000/3002 Standard with SCA-3501/3502M3 Adapter or LEICA SF 20). Control by a computerized flash unit, based on relayed and adopted film speed information, exposure corrections and the selected aperture. All exposure control modes can be used, corresponding to different exposure levels and to the proportions of ambient light and flash illumination. Additional manual flash exposure corrections (±3 1/3 EV) are possible in the P fully automatic mode with optimized control for balanced exposures through increased portions of ambient light and reduced amounts of flash illumination as required by the situation. When ordinary flash units are used (like studio flash units, for instance) : selective TTL metering by means of a test flash triggered prior to the actual exposure, display of the metering results in the viewfinder and on the back cover LCDdisplay. Linear flash operation: Permits flash photography with very fast shutter speeds (1/350–1/8000 s). Can be used with the m or A exposure control modes. Possible only with appropriate flash units (that feature High Speed Synchronization options) and SCA-3502M3 Adapters. With the flash unit set for m HSS operation and the m operating mode set on the camera and the shutter speed set for a value slower than 1/250 s : determining the exposure ofambient light in accordance with the light balance in the viewfinder of the camera. Determination of the flash exposure based on guide number calculation (indication of the respective flash range on the display of the flash unit) by tailoring the shutter speed and/or aperture and/or flash output to the subject distance. With the flash unit in the TTL HSSoperating mode (controlled for TTL fill-in illumination with -1 2/3 EV) and the camera set for the m or A operating mode, or automatically controlled shutter speed slower than 1/250 s : Determination of the flash exposure by triggering a pre-flash with spot metering of the subject. HI/LO Warning Signals appear when the range of the flash illuminationis undercut or exceeded. With manually preset (m) or automatically set (A) shutter speeds of 1/250 s and longer : without preflash : normal TTL-controlled fill-in flash, with preflash : guide number-controlled fill-in flash according to calculated distance, based on the result of the TTL preflash. Stroboscopic flash operation: (several flashes during an exposure) : Automatic tailoring of the shutter speed with dedicated and appropriately equipped flash units. Flash metering cells: Stray-light-protected silicon photo-diodes in the base of the camera. Film Speed Range for TTL Flash Exposure Metering: With SCA-controlled metering : ISO 12/12° to ISO 3200/36°#! with test flash metering : ISO 25/15° to ISO 400/27°. Flash Readiness Signal: in the F operating mode : Blinking or constantly lit flash symbol in the viewfinder- and back cover LCD displays. Flash success control : Over- and Under-Exposure indication by means of HI- or LO signals in the camera’s viewfinder for approximately 4 s after the exposure. Flash Exposure Correction: can be set in ±3 1/3 EV in 1/3 EV steps on SCA-3002 standard flash units or on the SCA-3501/3502M3 Adapter with TTL- and computer control in the m, A and T operating modes. Fixed -1 1/3 EV setting in the variable program automatic exposure control mode in normal light conditions#! additional manual corrections (±3 1/3 EV) are possible. On the LEICA SF 20 Flash Unit, ±3 EV corrections in 1/3 EV steps can be set in the TTL control mode, or 1 EV steps in thecomputer-controlled mode. Automatic Adaptation of the Flash Reflector: with dedicated SCA-3000/3002 standard flash units with motorized zoom reflectors, SCA-3502M3 adapters and lenses equipped with electrical contacts.
Viewfinder System
Prism: Built-in, fixed pentaprism. Eyepiece : High-eyepoint viewfinder. Diopter compensation of approximately ±2 diopters can be set at the viewfinder. Additional correction lenses of –3 to +3 diopters are available. Built-in viewfinder blind. Interchangeable focusing screens: 5 models are available : Universal Screen (ground glass screen with microprism ring and wedge#! supplied with the camera)#! Uniform Ground Glass Screen#! Uniform Ground Glass Screen with Grid Divisions#! Microprism Screen#! Clear Glass Screen with Cross-Hairs. Viewfinder Field: 23 x 25 mm, corresponds to 93 % of the image area (96 % vertical x 97 % horizontal), in conformance with the standardized 35 mm slide format. Viewfinder Magnification: 0.75 x with a 50 mm lens set at infinity and at 0 diopter correction.
Displays
In the viewfinder: LCD line below the viewfinder image with : Warning symbol when the subject brightness is below the metering range#! Symbol for exposure correction or for a manual film speed setting that is different from the DX value#! Symbols for the metering modes including a symbol for stored metering reading#! Flash symbol#! Flash readiness and flash control symbols#! Flash exposure correction signal#! Operating mode indicator#! Indicator of the aperture in half stops, including focal-length-dependent values on zoom lenses with variable maximum apertures#! Light balance for manual exposure setting, exposure corrections, automatic exposure series and metering flash function#! Shutter speed or over- and under-exposure signals, signals for time exposures or for incompatible camera settings#! Frame counter with indicator of multiple exposures, automatic exposure series and improperly loaded film. Top Cover: Right side on top : LCD exposure counter, switched on and off with the camera (by means of the operating mode selector dial)#! Front: LED for the selftimer. Back Cover: Illuminated LCD field with : Signal for exposure correction or for manually set film speeds that differ from the DX value#! Symbol for manual or automatic film speed setting Film speed read from the DX code is displayed when the DX function is activated#! Battery condition symbol#! Flash symbol#! Numerical film speed display, exposure corrections, exposure adjustment with metering flash operation mode, time remaining when the selftimer is activated, over- and under-exposure signals and incompatible camera settings#! Frame counter with signal for multiple exposures, automatic exposure series and improperly loaded or (only in conjunction with the LEICA MOTOR-WINDER R8/R9 / LEICA MOTOR-WINDER R8/R9) rewound film.
Shutter and Shutter Release
Shutter: Microprocessor-controlled metal leaf shutter that runs vertically. Shutter Speeds: Manual settings : 16 s to 1/8000 s in half steps, B for time exposures of any duration, X = 1/250 s for flash synchronization. Automatic setting : stepless from 32 s to 1/8000 s with all operating modes. Shutter Release: Three stages : Activation – metered value storage – release. Integrated standard thread for cable releases. Selftimer: Two delay times : 2 s or 12 s, red LED signal while the timer is running down. Hinged Mirror: Partially transmitting, with 17 coated layers (70 % reflection, 30 % transmission). Mirror Pre-Release: By means of a separate switch, the shutter release button can be used to raise the mirror and to set the spring-back iris diaphragm of the attached lens to the working aperture without making releasing the shutter#! the shutter is released when the release button is pressed a second time.
Film Advance
Loading the film: Easy and quick loading thanks to automatic threading. Manual Film Advance: by means of the rapid film advance lever or motorized film advance with the LEICA MOTOR-WINDER R8/R9 (2 frames per second) or the LEICA MOTOR-DRIVE R8/R9 (can be set for 4 1/2 or 2 frames per second, or single frame advance). Window in the back cover for checking the film advance. Manual Film Rewinding: with the folding rewind crank or motorized film rewinding with the LEICA MOTOR-WINDER R8/R9 or the LEICA MOTOR-DRIVE R8/R9. Frame Counter: in viewfinder-, back cover-, and top cover LCD’s, resets itself automatically when the back cover is opened. Multiple Exposures: Any number of multiple exposures can be made with the film kept firmly in place and without the frame counter advancing.
Camera Body
Material: The top cover is a zinc die-casting, lacquered in black or in anthracite. The inner housing is made of aluminum, firmly attached to the aluminum tripod plate. The baseplate is made of fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonatethat incorporates an aluminum tripod plate. Stopping-Down Lever: for visual evaluation of the depth of field and for triggering the test flash. Tripod Thread: A 1/4 (1/4"), in the tripod plate, secured against rotation by means of two steel inserts, according to DIN standard 4503#! centered under the optical axis of the lens. Back Cover: Illuminated LCD field for the display of various functions or operating status (see above). Window for checking the film type, speed and number of exposures stated on the film cartridge that has been inserted. Window for checking the film advance. Operating Voltage: 6 V. Power Supply: Two 3 V lithium cells, type CR2 in the battery compartment. With the LEICA MOTOR-WINDER R8/R9 : two lithium cells, type 123 of the winder. With the LEICA MOTOR-DRIVE R8/R9 : Ni-MHbattery pack of the drive, battery control by means of a symbol in the back cover LCD display.
Dimensions
(W x H x D) 158 x 101 x 62 mm (6 1/4 x 4 x 2 7/16 in)
Weight
790 g (less than 28 oz)
Leica R9 cameras come with Leica 3 year limited warranty including 3 year Passport Warranty period.
