Leica M Monochrom Typ 246

Leica M Monochrom Typ 246

The Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 is a digital Leica M rangefinder camera introduced by Leica Camera AG in 2015. It was the second generation of Leica’s dedicated black-and-white digital M cameras, following the original CCD-based M Monochrom from 2012 [1][2].

The camera uses the Leica M bayonet mount with an additional sensor for 6-bit lens coding. It accepts Leica M lenses and compatible M-mount lenses, while retaining the traditional optical rangefinder focusing system of the Leica M series [1].

The M Monochrom Typ 246 is built around a 24-megapixel full-frame black-and-white CMOS sensor with an active area of approximately 23.9 × 35.8 mm. The sensor omits a color filter array and records luminance information directly, which gives the camera its monochrome-only image character [1][2].

Compared with the original M Monochrom, the Typ 246 moved from CCD to CMOS technology and adopted the broader M Typ 240-generation body platform. This brought live view, focus peaking, a higher-resolution rear display and video recording, features that were not present on the original CCD Monochrom [1][3].

The viewfinder is a bright-line optical rangefinder with automatic parallax compensation. It displays paired framelines for 35/135mm, 28/90mm and 50/75mm lenses, with automatic switching when a lens is mounted. The finder magnification is 0.68x [1].

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

History

Development and Launch

The Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 was announced in 2015 as the successor to the first Leica M Monochrom. Leica’s press material emphasized the new 24-megapixel full-frame black-and-white sensor, Leica Maestro processor and increased buffer capacity compared with the original Monochrom [2].

Position in the Digital M Line

The Typ 246 belongs to the M Typ 240 generation. It shares the larger digital M body concept, live view capability and electronic feature set of that platform, but replaces the color sensor with a dedicated monochrome sensor [1][3].

This makes it very different from the original M Monochrom, which was based on the M9-generation CCD platform. The Typ 246 is CMOS-based, has live view, offers focus peaking, supports an electronic viewfinder and provides video recording.

Sensor and Image Quality

The monochrome sensor is the defining technical feature. Because it lacks a color filter array, each photosite records brightness information directly rather than filtered color information. This avoids color interpolation and contributes to the camera’s high apparent sharpness and tonal separation [2][3].

The official technical data lists the sensitivity range as ISO 320 to ISO 25,000. Some references describe ISO 25,000 as an extended or push setting, but it is part of the published sensitivity specification for the camera [2][4].

Body and Handling

The Typ 246 uses an all-metal body with a magnesium alloy chassis and brass top and bottom plates. Published dimensions are approximately 138.6 × 42 × 80 mm, with a listed weight of approximately 680 g with battery [1].

The camera has a 3-inch rear LCD with sapphire glass cover, SD/SDHC/SDXC storage, live view, focus peaking, center-weighted TTL metering and compatibility with the Leica electronic viewfinder used by the M Typ 240 generation [1][3].

Relationship to Leica M Monochrom CCD

The M Monochrom Typ 246 should be kept separate from the original Leica M Monochrom. The original model is an 18MP CCD-based digital M camera from 2012, while the Typ 246 is a 24MP CMOS-based camera from 2015 with live view and broader electronic functionality [2][3].

Relationship to Leica M10 Monochrom

The Typ 246 should also be distinguished from the later Leica M10 Monochrom. The M10 Monochrom uses a slimmer M10-generation body, a 40MP monochrome CMOS sensor, a 0.73x finder and a higher ISO ceiling. The Typ 246 remains the larger M Typ 240-generation Monochrom with Type No. 246 and order number 10930 [1][4].

Special Editions

Several special editions were based on the M Monochrom Typ 246 platform. These include the Stealth Edition, limited to 125 camera sets, and the Leitz Wetzlar edition, limited to 150 examples. These editions share the same technical base as the serial-production Typ 246 and should be treated as variants rather than separate base models [5][6].

Identification

The Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 is identified by its M Monochrom top-plate marking, M Typ 240-generation body shape, black finish, 3-inch rear screen, M bayonet mount, 0.68x optical rangefinder, live view capability and Type No. 246.

Common listing names include Leica M Monochrom Typ 246, Leica M Monochrom 246, Leica M246, Leica MM246, Leica M Monochrom CMOS and Leica M Monochrom 10930. These should be treated as alternate names for the same base camera unless the listing clearly refers to a special edition.

Collector Notes

The Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 is valued because it combines dedicated black-and-white imaging with the practical feature set of the M Typ 240 generation. It appeals to photographers who want monochrome-only files, live view, focus peaking and a more modern digital workflow than the original CCD Monochrom.

Collectors and buyers should check rangefinder alignment, sensor condition, shutter operation, live view, rear LCD, EVF compatibility, SD card slot, hot shoe contacts, battery compartment, firmware status and general electronic reliability.

The Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 should be treated as a separate M-mount digital camera because its 24MP monochrome CMOS sensor, Type 246 designation, order number 10930 and M Typ 240-generation body platform make it distinct from both the original M Monochrom and later M10 Monochrom.

Sources

• [1] Leica Camera AG. Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 Instruction Manual. https://www.lensrentals.com/product-assets/9b9a861b-2d12-41f1-aa64-63634a3cdd99/Instruction_LeicaMonochromTyp246_DE-EN.pdf
• [2] Leica Camera AG. New LEICA M MONOCHROM, maximum picture quality in black-and-white. https://leica-camera.com/en-AU/Company/Press-Centre/Press-Releases/2015/Press-Release-New-LEICA-M-MONOCHROM-%E2%80%93-maximum-picture-quality-in-black-and-white
• [3] DPReview. Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 Specifications. https://www.dpreview.com/products/leica/compacts/leica_m_monochrom_typ246/specifications
• [4] Leica Camera AG. Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 Technical Data. https://vip-digivision.bg/storage/2019/02/Datenblatt_MMonochromTyp246_e.pdf
• [5] Leica Camera AG. Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 Stealth Edition. https://leica-camera.com/en-int/Company/Press-Centre/Press-Releases/2018-not-urgent-translatable/Press-Release-New-Leica-M-Monochrom-Typ-246-%E2%80%98Stealth-Edition%E2%80%99
• [6] Leica Camera AG. Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 Leitz Wetzlar. https://leica-camera.com/en-int/Company/Press-Centre/Press-Releases/2019-not-urgent-translatable/Press-Release-Leica-M-Monochrom-Typ-246-%E2%80%98Leitz-Wetzlar%27-Leica-Camera-celebrates-the-150th-anniversary-of-the-company-name-Ernst-Leitz-Wetzlar