Leica One - First Look at M-E

This is Leica Day on the blog. All aboard.

The first section of the train is inspired by the new camera downstairs in the Leica cabinet - the Leica M-E.
You knew it was coming because you read this blog back in September - or you followed the daily reportage from Photokina on the DP Review site. I knew it was coming because I saw the invoice for it. Well, it is now on display.

Think Leica M9 - visualize it. Now subtract the lever that sits under the viewfinder window - the one that lets you pre-view frame lines in the finder. Turn the camera to the left side and subtract the little rubber cover that hides a USB port.

Forget the silver or black body colour of the M9 - the M-E is special. The finish is Anthracite grey on top and bottom panel. It is a smooth eggshell finish, and exactly matches Humbrol 27 - Channel Fleet Grey. The colour of HMS HOOD in 1940. It has no engraving on the top panel but the shutter dial and the speed dial are in silver chrome.

The back control layout is the same as the M9 - indeed the entire camera has all the functionality of the M-9 encased in that trim and discrete colour scheme.

Leica is a premium brand - more on that in a later post - and this camera has to have a place in the premium scheme to be a Leica. The place it occupies is where pure photography is needed - where all you need for image production must be in hand and no extra luxuries are required.

It is the camera that will allow the Leica film camera person to finally make use of the Leica lenses in a full-frame digital way.

 It is the camera that will allow the student or enthusiast to start right - to commence their Leica photography as it should be and to build on it for decades.

 Some might choose this camera as a wingman for their system - if they have an M9 or Monochrom or one of the new M series. Some may see it as the exact tool for their vision.


In whatever way it is approached, the Leica M-E will be a completely sound basis for imaging. We've got them in-store right now. The body is $ 6200. That is a massive monetary advantage over other choices, and it is a choice that you will not regret.