Leica M9 Titan

The Leica M9 Titan is a limited edition camera, with only 500 units produced. This special series features external metal components made of solid titanium, rather than being merely titanium-plated. The M9 Titan differs from the standard Leica M9 not only due to its use of titanium but also because of the viewfinder's luminous frames, which are now illuminated by internal LEDs instead of relying on ambient light from the previous model's center window, which has been removed. The iconic red Leica logo is now centrally positioned in line with the lens²⁹⁰.
Additionally, the camera has been elegantly redesigned by Volkswagen/Audi's designer, Walter de Silva, who has given it what he refers to as "The Italian Touch." It includes a new holding loop as well as a unique shoulder holster and carrying strap²⁹⁰.
In 1975, Steven Sasson invented the digital camera and was presented with a Leica M9 Titan, serial number 4000000, along with a 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M Asph lens²⁹⁰.
limited to 500 pieces and sold for 26500 USD³⁰²
Leica seized the opportunity to modernize its rangefinder system, which had been largely dismissed just a few years prior. This focus led to special editions such as the M9 Titanium, conceptualized by Audi's head of design, Walter De Silva, and the particularly robust and discreet M9-P. The Titanium variant marked a significant innovation as it was the first time the rangefinder's framelines were illuminated by LEDs instead of ambient light through an additional window. This change was so successful that it has been incorporated into digital M models ever since³⁵⁷.
The M9 Titanium was a collaborative effort between Leica Camera and Walter De Silva, who is renowned in the world of automotive design. The camera was meticulously milled from a solid block of titanium and featured the finest Nappa leather, similar to that used in Audi's premium vehicles. The iconic Leica dot was redesigned, then engraved by hand in pure resin and placed centrally above the lens. This model's LED illumination allowed for the elimination of a conventional illumination window, enhancing its sleek design. The camera was offered as a set that included a Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH., also crafted from solid titanium³⁵⁷.
While some of Leica's special edition cameras have showcased unique color combinations and engravings, others have introduced groundbreaking ideas and innovations that have later been adopted in mass production. One standout is the Leica M9 Titan, designed by De Silva. Although it's unmistakably a Leica M, it distinguished itself by eliminating the illumination window for the viewfinder frames, introducing a new method for attaching carrying straps, and featuring more metal compared to earlier models. Staying true to its name, the camera's body is made from precious titanium³⁵⁷.
De Silva, having served as the head of design at Volkswagen and earned accolades at Audi, approached this project without intimidation, as he did not engage in photography personally. This fresh perspective allowed him to explore the parallels between cameras and cars, focusing on the balance of form, technology, and ergonomics. He produced countless sketches and designs, some closely resembling the final M9 model, while others were radically different. A significant point of concern for De Silva was the positioning of the iconic Leica logo, which he wanted aligned with the lens³⁵⁷.
During discussions with Leica's developers, De Silva raised questions about the traditional illumination window for the viewfinder frames, suggesting there should be an alternative solution. The Leica team responded by creating the idea of illuminating the frames with LEDs, a significant design change that was later integrated into all digital models. De Silva also sought to streamline the camera’s features by eliminating the lever for selecting the field of view and a USB socket, deeming them unnecessary in practice³⁵⁷.
He also focused on the camera’s carrying mechanism, designing a quick-release fastening on one side of the M9 Titan for attaching finger loops or a carrying strap. The shoulder holster that allowed users to draw the camera quickly created quite a buzz, similar to the camera itself. Like the finger loops and the camera’s outer covering, the holster was crafted from the finest Nappa leather. Key components of both the camera and lens were made from solid titanium, offering a reduced weight compared to brass. This innovative approach makes the Leica M9 Titan both technically impressive and visually distinct among Leica M models, without straying from its core identity³⁵⁷.
The initial sketches of the M9 Titan are revealing, showcasing various design elements. In these early drawings, the window for illuminating the frame of the viewfinder is still present, but it was eventually replaced by an artificial light source as suggested by De Silva during the development process. Notably, the iconic Leica logo now occupies the location where the former illumination window was positioned, aligning perfectly with the camera lens³⁵⁷.
The image accompanying this text shows Walter De Silva and Mark Shipard with a prototype of the Leica M9 Titan. Shipard, who hails from Australia and has been with the company since 2015, plays a crucial role in designing camera models. In addition to the camera itself, the team also designed a shoulder holster and finger strap to enhance the everyday use and handling of the Leica M9 Titan³⁵⁷.