Camera Type
- Microprocessor-controlled, manually focusing 35 mm single lens reflex camera with multiple automatic exposure control modes.
- Accepts motorized accessories.
Lens Mount
- 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.
Exposure Metering Methods
- Selective metering: 7 mm diameter metering field, outlined in the viewfinder
- Multi-pattern metering: 6 fields; the exposure level in the multi-pattern metering mode can be changed by ±0.7 EV in 1/10 EV steps.
- Center-weighted integral metering
- Center-weighted integral TTL metering: for flash exposures with dedicated flash units. Selective TTL test flash exposure metering prior to the actual exposure with any flash unit.
Exposure correction
- ±3 EV (Exposure values), in half steps.
Automatic exposure series
- with LEICA MOTOR-DRIVE R8 / R9
Metering Range
- Selective metering : 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 EV-2 to EV- 20, or from 8 s at f/1.4 to 1/8000 s at f/11
- Film speed range : Manual setting from ISO 6/9° to ISO 12500/42°
Exposure Control Modes
- Manual setting of shutter speed and aperture stop using 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 can be locked in any setting.
Flash Connection
- via the accessory shoe (“hot shoe”), or via the standard flash connector socket.
Synchronization
- Flash synchronization speed : 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 appropriately equipped flash units (HSS function) and a SCA-3502M3 adapter.
Flash Exposure Control
- With dedicated flash units (i.e. SCA-3000/3002 standard with SCA-3501/3502M3 adapter or LEICA SF 20/SF 24 D) TTL control with center-weighted integral metering. 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. In addition, manual flash exposure corrections (over-rides) are possible in ± 3 1/3 EV steps. When regular 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, with the metering results displayed in the viewfinder and on the back cover LCD display.
Linear Flash Operation
- Permits flash photography with very fast shutter speeds (1/350 to 1/8000 s). Can be used with the m or A exposure control modes. With appropriate flash units (that feature High-Speed-Synchronization options) and SCA-3502M3 adapters.
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°.
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 are available. Built-in viewfinder blind.
- Interchangeable focusing screens: 5 versions 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 0 diopter correction.
Displays
- In the viewfinder: LCD line below the viewfinder image with : Warning symbol for exposure correction or for a manual film speed setting ; Symbols for metering modes and stored meter readings ; Flash symbol ; Flash readiness and flash control symbols ; Flash exposure correction signal ; Operating mode indicator ; Indicator of the aperture in half stops ; 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.
- Front of prism cap: LED for self timer.
- Back cover: Illuminated LCD field with : Battery condition indicator ; Flash symbol ; Numerical film speed display, exposure corrections, exposure compensation in the flash metering mode, time remaining on the selftimer, over- and under exposure warnings and error signal; exposure 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 automatic exposure control modes.
- Shutter release: Three stages : Activation – metered value storage – release. Integrated standard thread for cable releases.
- Self-timer: Two delay times : 2 s or 12 s, red LED signal glows 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 releasing the shutter ; the shutter is only 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 s) or the LEICA MOTOR-DRIVE R8/R9 (can be set for 4 1/2 or 2 frames per s, or single frame advance)(both sold separately). Window in the back cover for checking the film advance.
- Film rewinding: manual with the folding rewind crank or motorized film rewinding with the LEICA MOTOR-WINDER R8/R9 or the LEICA MOTOR-DRIVE R8/R9 (sold separately).
- Exposure counter: in the viewfinder display, in the back cover and top cover displays, 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 magnesium die-cast, in black or in anthracite finish. The inner housing is made of aluminum, rigidly attached to the aluminum tripod plate. The baseplate is made of fiberglass-reinforced polycarbonate that incorporates an aluminum tripod plate. Underside with rubber layer. 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 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. Battery status control on the back cover LCD.
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Weight