Leica M-D (Typ 262)
The Leica M-D (Typ 262) was introduced in April 2016318 and produced until 2018357. It weighed 700 grams, did not have an LCD screen or the traditional Leica red dot307. Without the iconic red dot, the M-D model was more discreet than the standard Leica M (Typ 262)357. The top plate featured the familiar Leica script logo along with the "Leica Camera Wetzlar Germany" inscription307. Additionally, the back of the top plate was engraved with the words "Made in Germany"307.
The top plate, made from brass, included a small step on the left side307. There was no microphone present307. To the right of the back, there was a small thumb rest that incorporated a thumbwheel used for setup functions and adjusting exposure compensation307. Centrally located on the plain rear surface was a chrome circular dial for ISO adjustment307.
The camera offered fastest shutter speed of 1/4000s and an "A" position for aperture priority307. Its frameline lever allowed users to preview alternative sets of framelines without the need to change lenses307. The ISO setting was a straightforward dial that displayed values ranging from 200 to 6400 in 1/3-stop increments, but there was no auto ISO feature307.
The viewfinder provided all necessary information, with no menus or screens involved307. Instead, a set of red LEDs at the bottom of the finder window communicated essential settings307. The system included pairs of framelines for 28mm and 90mm; 35mm and 135mm; as well as 50mm and 75mm307. The default color for framelines was white, and there was no red color option available307.
The framelines were linked to the lens's range setting to compensate for parallax effects307. In aperture priority mode, red digits indicated the automatically selected shutter speed307. In manual exposure mode, where a specific speed and aperture were chosen by the user, the display showed two opposing red triangles alongside a central red dot307. The triangles indicated the necessary adjustments in either the aperture ring or shutter speed dial to achieve proper exposure307. When correct exposure was reached, the central red dot illuminated307.
With this camera, the digital became more aligned with the world of analogue photography by eliminating immediate picture controls and menus, which helped sharpen the photographer's focus357. The camera saved images exclusively in RAW format and offered only the essential setting options357.