Leica M-D Typ 262

Leica M-D Typ 262

The Leica M-D Typ 262 is a digital Leica M rangefinder camera introduced by Leica Camera AG in 2016. It was presented as the first serial-production digital M camera without a rear monitor screen, reducing the camera to shutter speed, aperture, focus distance and ISO sensitivity [1].

The camera uses the Leica M bayonet mount with an additional sensor for 6-bit lens coding. It accepts Leica M lenses from 16mm to 135mm, along with compatible M-mount lenses from other makers [2].

The M-D Typ 262 is built around a 24-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor with an active area of approximately 23.9 × 35.8 mm. The official technical data lists a resolution of 5976 × 3992 pixels, with files saved exclusively as lossless compressed DNG raw files [1][2].

Unlike most digital M cameras, the M-D Typ 262 has no rear LCD, no image review screen and no menu-driven shooting interface. The rear of the camera is occupied by a physical ISO dial, echoing the film-speed reminder dials of analog M cameras [1].

The camera also omits Live View and video recording. It is dedicated to optical rangefinder photography, using the traditional bright-line finder and manual focusing system rather than sensor-based composition [1].

The viewfinder is a large bright-line rangefinder with automatic parallax compensation. It displays paired framelines for 35/135mm, 28/90mm and 50/75mm lenses, activated automatically when a lens is mounted. The finder magnification is 0.68x, with an effective measuring base of 47.1 mm [2].

Mechanically, the M-D Typ 262 uses a microprocessor-controlled metal blade focal-plane shutter with vertical movement. In aperture-priority mode, shutter speeds run continuously from 60 seconds to 1/4000 second. In manual mode, speeds run from 8 seconds to 1/4000 second in half steps, plus Bulb for exposures up to 60 seconds. Flash synchronization is available at 1/180 second [2].

History

Development and Launch

The Leica M-D Typ 262 was announced on 28 April 2016. Leica positioned it as a radically reduced digital M camera focused on the essentials of photography, with no rear screen and no image review after exposure [1].

The camera followed the limited Leica M Edition 60 concept but was introduced as a normal serial-production model. It brought the screenless digital M idea into the regular catalogue rather than keeping it as a special anniversary edition.

Position in the Digital M Line

The M-D Typ 262 belongs to the Typ 262 generation of digital M cameras. Its technical base is closely related to the Leica M Typ 262, but the rear display and menu interface were removed. The camera also keeps the quiet shutter and simplified still-photography approach associated with the Typ 262 platform [1][3].

It should be distinguished from the Leica M Typ 262, which has a rear LCD and conventional digital menu interface. It should also be distinguished from the later Leica M10-D, which continued the screenless digital M concept on the slimmer M10-generation body.

Sensor and File Handling

The M-D Typ 262 records only DNG raw files. This is an important difference from many other digital M cameras, which offer JPEG or DNG plus JPEG recording. The DNG-only workflow reinforces the camera’s minimal concept and assumes post-processing outside the camera [1][2].

The ISO range is ISO 200 to ISO 6400, adjustable manually in 1/3-step increments. The camera has no rear menu screen, so ISO is controlled through the rear physical dial rather than an on-screen menu [2].

Body and Handling

The M-D Typ 262 uses an all-metal magnesium and aluminum body with leather covering, brass top plate and brass base. The finish is black lacquer, and the front red Leica badge is omitted for a more discreet appearance [1][2].

The body measures approximately 138.6 × 42 × 80 mm and weighs approximately 680 g with battery. The camera uses the BP-SCL2 lithium-ion battery, SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards, and an ISO accessory shoe with central and control contacts [2].

Relationship to Leica M Edition 60

The Leica M-D Typ 262 should be kept separate from the Leica M Edition 60. The M Edition 60 was a limited anniversary model from 2014, while the M-D Typ 262 was the first screenless digital M offered as a serial-production camera. Both share the concept of removing the rear display, but they are distinct catalogue models.

Relationship to Leica M10-D

The M-D Typ 262 should also be kept separate from the Leica M10-D. The M10-D uses the M10-generation body platform, a different control layout, wireless workflow and a faux film-advance lever. The M-D Typ 262 remains the earlier Typ 262-generation screenless model, with order number 10945 [2].

Identification

The Leica M-D Typ 262 is identified by its lack of rear LCD screen, physical rear ISO dial, black body finish, missing red front logo, M bayonet mount, 0.68x optical rangefinder, top-plate M-D marking and Type 262 designation.

Common listing names include Leica M-D, Leica M-D Typ 262, Leica MD 262, Leica M-D 10945, Leica M-D Digital and Leica M-D without screen. These names should be treated as alternate names for the same base camera.

Collector Notes

The Leica M-D Typ 262 is valued because it is one of the most minimal digital M cameras Leica produced. It removes the review screen and much of the digital interface, giving a shooting experience closer to film M bodies while still recording full-frame digital DNG files.

Collectors and buyers should check rangefinder alignment, sensor condition, shutter operation, hot shoe contacts, SD card slot, battery compartment, rear ISO dial, top controls, firmware status and general electronic reliability. Because there is no rear screen, functional testing should include file capture and card review on a computer.

The Leica M-D Typ 262 should be treated as a separate M-mount digital camera because its screenless body, DNG-only workflow, order number 10945 and Typ 262-generation platform distinguish it from the Leica M Typ 262 and later M10-D.

Sources

• [1] Leica Camera AG. Press Information, LEICA M-D, the new digital Leica rangefinder without a monitor screen. https://leica-camera.com/sites/default/files/downloads/132129/Press%20Information%20LEICA%20M-D.pdf
• [2] Leica Camera AG. LEICA M-D (Typ 262) Technical Data. https://www.leicacenter.se/images/1.76.1706151820/leicamd26210945.pdf
• [3] DPReview. Leica M-D Typ 262 Specifications. https://www.dpreview.com/products/leica/slrs/leica_md_typ_262/specifications
• [4] Thorsten Overgaard. Leica M-D Typ 262 Digital Rangefinder Camera. https://www.overgaard.dk/Leica-M60-and-Leica-M-D-262-digital-rangefinder-camera-page-1.html