Leica M Monochrom Typ 246

Leica M Monochrom Typ 246

The Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 is a digital M-mount rangefinder camera introduced by Leica Camera AG in 2015. It is the second-generation Leica Monochrom and the successor to the original CCD-based M Monochrom. Like its predecessor, it is dedicated exclusively to black-and-white photography, but it moves to a newer body platform and a higher-resolution monochrome CMOS sensor [1][2].

The camera uses a full-frame 24 megapixel black-and-white CMOS sensor with an active area of approximately 23.9 × 35.8 mm. Leica specifies that the sensor is built without a color filter array and without a low-pass filter, which is central to the Typ 246’s image character. Because the sensor records luminance information directly, the camera is designed to deliver high detail, strong tonal separation and a distinctly monochrome workflow rather than color capture converted later in software [1].

Compared with the original M Monochrom 10760, the Typ 246 is a more modern and more flexible camera. It is based on the M Typ 240 platform, which means it adds Live View, a larger rear monitor, video recording and a broader digital feature set. The camera records DNG and JPEG files, offers resolutions up to 5976 × 3992 pixels, and supports 720P and 1080P video recording. It also expands the sensitivity range to ISO 320 to ISO 12500 [1][2].

As an M camera, the Typ 246 uses the Leica M bayonet mount with support for 6-bit coded lenses. The optical finder remains central to the experience. Leica specifies a 0.68x magnification finder with automatic bright-line frame pairs for 28/90mm, 35/135mm and 50/75mm lenses, along with automatic parallax compensation. Manual focusing remains the core method, but Live View also gives users additional focusing options beyond the traditional optical rangefinder system [1].

Mechanically, the camera uses a vertical-travel metal blade focal-plane shutter. Leica specifies shutter speeds of 60 seconds to 1/4000 second in aperture-priority mode, and 8 seconds to 1/4000 second plus B in manual mode. Flash synchronization is 1/180 second, and the camera includes a self-timer with 2-second or 12-second delay options. The official dimensions are approximately 138.6 × 42 × 80 mm, with a weight of about 680 g including battery [1].

History

Development and Launch

The Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 was launched in 2015 as the successor to the original Leica M Monochrom. Leica positioned it as a continuation of the dedicated digital black-and-white concept, but updated it with the body architecture and electronic capabilities of the M Typ 240 generation [2].

Production Evolution

The Typ 246 belongs to Leica’s broader M Typ 240-era family of digital rangefinders. This means it differs substantially from the earlier Monochrom 10760, which was based on the M9 platform and used a CCD sensor. The Typ 246 introduced a CMOS sensor, Live View, a 3-inch rear monitor, video capability and a revised feature set, while keeping the essential M-mount rangefinder concept intact [1][2].

Model Position and Image Character

The Typ 246 occupies an important place in the Leica Monochrom lineage. It preserves the specialist identity of the Monochrom line, a camera series dedicated entirely to black-and-white capture, but makes the concept more practical for a wider range of photographers through better ISO performance, Live View and more flexible digital operation. In Leica’s own system history, it bridges the original M Monochrom and the later M10 Monochrom generation [1][2][3].

Special Variants

Several later special editions were based on the Typ 246 platform, including officially released edition cameras such as the Stealth Edition, Drifter, and Leitz Wetzlar edition. These are technically based on the same Typ 246 platform and should normally be treated as variants rather than separate base models in the main LeicaLensList structure [3].

Collector Notes

For collectors and database purposes, the key distinction is between the M Monochrom 10760 and the M Monochrom Typ 246. The Typ 246 has the later M Typ 240-style body, a monochrome CMOS sensor, Live View, video recording and a different rear-screen layout. It should not be merged with the earlier CCD Monochrom, since the sensor technology, operating experience and technical specification differ significantly [1][2].

The Leica M Monochrom Typ 246 remains important because it refined Leica’s monochrome-only camera concept into a more mature and more versatile digital rangefinder. For LeicaLensList, it should be treated as a separate model from the original M Monochrom CCD, with Typ 246 as the defining generation identifier.

Sources

• [1] Leica Camera. Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) Instruction Manual. Official Leica document.
• [2] Leica Camera Classic Store. Leica M Monochrom (Type 246), black. https://classic.leica-camera.com/en/Leica-M-MONOCHROM-Type-246-black/10930SH-4984702
• [3] Leica Camera AG. Installation instructions for the Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246). https://leica-camera.com/sites/default/files/Leica%20M246_FW-Update_EN-1.pdf