Leica M9
The Leica M9 was introduced in September of 2009318.
The camera's image quality convinced even the greatest skeptics that Leica had truly succeeded in its transition to the digital era357. At the time, the Leica M9 was the smallest digital camera in the 35mm format and the world's first mirrorless full-frame camera357. It offered a very different alternative to the bulky DSLRs produced by many other manufacturers, a change that was welcomed by photographers357. This not only provided Leica with much-needed financial stability but also restored its reputation as an innovative force in the photography market357. It was fair to say that the Leica M9 was pivotal in ensuring the continuation of the M System and, ultimately, the survival of the entire company357.
Produced until 2012, the Leica M9 introduced the long-awaited full-frame sensor in the 35mm format, featuring an 18-megapixel resolution357. This provided lenses with the same angle of view as an analogue camera, marking one of the great achievements within the M series357. The Leica M9 was equipped with a CCD sensor by Kodak, which included microlenses that were offset towards the edges357. The slightly thicker infrared blocking filter on the sensor rendered the screw-in filters that were necessary for the Leica M8 superfluous357. Like the Leica M8, Leica opted not to include an anti-aliasing filter in front of the image sensor on the Leica M9, which would have artificially reduced optical resolution to avoid potential moiré effects on fine structures357.
The image sensor's base sensitivity could be boosted up to ISO 2500, and an ISO 80 setting was also available357. Due to the larger sensor format, the rangefinder was revised again and now offered a magnification of 0.68x, with bright-line frames accommodating focal lengths from 28 to 135mm357. The body featured a distinctive step next to the rangefinder, characteristic of the Leica M9357. The small display on the top, which had shown the remaining capacity of the memory card and battery on the Leica M8, was removed and thus replaced the frame counter found on analogue models357. Additionally, the Leica M9 adopted the metal focal plane shutter with motorized winding from the Leica M8.2357.
Product codes were 10704 for black paint version and 10705 for steel grey361.
Prototypes of Leica M9
Prototype of Leica M9 number P0002 was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Museum Leica" book in 2018596.
Prototype of Leica M9 number P0005 dated 2008 was sold for 9000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 7th Wetzlar Camera Auction on October 11, 2025429. The lot was described as "Prototype of the first digital Leica M camera with full frame (CCD) image sensor. The topplate still corresponds to the design of that from the Leica M8, without the lateral step and with an LCD frame counter on the top. The first field tests were undertaken at the time using these camouflaged versions, some of which had the existing "M9" engraving pasted over. Engraving "P0005" with green filling paint..."429.
Prototype of Leica M9 number P0008 was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Museum Leica" book in 2018596.
Prototype of Leica M9 number P0011, dated circa 2007, was described as "Leica factory prototype with various different features to the 'N00000xx' prototypes and series production cameras. The M9 in chrome finish was never produced in series. This camera has an M8 top plate with battery display and shutter counter, shutter dial engraved 'B-1/4000s', 'A' + 'S', top plate engraved 'P0011' + 'M9' on front, base plate marked M8, this camera has next to the USB plug also a fire wire connection plug, with prototype software."400.
Prototype of Leica M9 number N0000017, dated 2008, was described as "M9 prototype with all functions of later M9 camera, top plate engraved M8, without Leica red dot on top plate, the camera was used for testing and is in working order (sold without guarantee)"408.
Prototype of Leica M9 number N0000020, dated 2008, was described as "M9 prototype with all functions of later M9 camera, top plate engraved M8, without Leica red dot on top plate, the camera was used for testing and is in working order (sold without guarantee), some signs of use on top plate, base plate and monitor"391.
Prototype of Leica M9 number N0000030, dated 2008, was expected to be auctioned off at the 8th Wetzlar Camera Auctions on October 10, 2026597.
Prototype of Leica M9 number N0000054, dated 2008, was described as "M9 prototype with all functions of later production camera, top plate engraved M8, without Leica red dot on top plate, the camera was used for testing and is in working order, with accessories in maker's box"397.
Prototype of Leica M9 number N0000063, dated 2008, was described as "M9 prototype with all functions of later M9 camera, top plate engraved M8, without Leica red dot on the top plate, the camera was used for testing and is in working order (sold without guarantee), some signs of use on the top plate, with all original accessories"387.
Prototype of Leica M9 number N0000069, dated 2008, was described as "M9 prototype with all functions of later M9 camera, top plate engraved M8, without Leica red dot on top plate, the camera was used for testing and is in working order (sold without guarantee)"408.
Special Editions of Leica M9
Leica M9 "Leica Futako Tamagawa Store" was introduced in 2009357. This special edition was released to mark the opening of the Leica Futako Tamagawa store in Tokyo357. The camera was in steel grey with an à la carte cognac leather finish and special engraving on the top plate357.
Leica M9 "20 Years Ginza Mitsukoshi" was introduced in 2009357. This special series was produced to mark the 20th anniversary of the Ginza Mitsukoshi store in Tokyo357. The camera had a steel grey finish and black ostrich leather with ostrich embossing357.
Leica M9 "125 Years Amateur Photographer" was introduced in 2010357. This special camera was produced to mark the 125th anniversary of the British photography magazine357. The chrome-plated Leica M9 in black leather featured the special engraving "Amateur Photographer 125th Anniversary 1884-2009"357. The camera was raffled off to readers as a set with a Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH357.
Leica M9 "100 Years Foto Rahn" was introduced in 2010357. This special edition was produced to mark the 100th anniversary of the photo retailer Foto Rahn in Frankfurt on the Main357. The camera was painted steel grey and had a brown ostrich-embossed, chestnut ostrich leather finish357. In addition, the Leica script was engraved on the top plate357. It was delivered with a shiny red calfskin strap357.
Leica M9 "50 Years Ffordes" was introduced in 2010357. This special edition was produced to mark the 50th anniversary of the British specialist for used and new photographic equipment357. The steel-grey painted camera with black leather trim and a Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH. had the engraving that read "Ffordes LTD 1960-2010" on the top plate357.
Leica M9 "Neiman Marcus" was introduced in 2010357. This exclusive special edition for the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalogue consisted of a silver chrome-plated Leica M9 with brown ostrich leather and a matching ostrich leather strap357. Special numbering was engraved on the hot shoe, and customers could also have their own signature engraved on the top plate357. The camera was supplied with a standard Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH357.
Leica M9 "30 Years Bilderfürst" was introduced in 2011357. This special series was released to mark the 30th anniversary of the Leica Store Bilderfürst in Fürth357. The black-painted camera was characterised by silver anodised controls and had a special engraving and numbering on the top plate357.
Leica M9 "China's 1911 Revolution" was introduced in 2011357. This special series of 101 cameras was launched in China to mark the 100th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution357. The black-painted cameras had a green leather coating357. Unlike the Leica M7 of the same special series, they were delivered without a lens357. A quote from Sun Yat-sen, the founder of modern China, was engraved on the top plate357.
Examples included:
- body number 4254944 (M9-1974), dated 2011