Leica has released the world’s first dedicated black-and-white interchangeable-lens
digital camera. The full-frame Leica M Monochrom is based on the Leica M9 design
but does away with the colour filter array in front of the sensor. The removal
of the filter not only removes the camera’s ability to capture colour, it also allows
the camera to capture higher levels of detail, claims Leica.
“As the sensor does not ‘see’ colours, every pixel records true
luminance values – as a result, it delivers ‘true’ black-and-white images that
are significantly sharper than comparable exposures from a camera with a
colour-sensitive sensor,” says a Leica press release.
Images can be processed in camera with black-and-white toning effects
such as sepia, cold or selenium toning. For images requiring post processing
the camera ships with full versions of Adobe Lightroom and Nix Efex Pro 2.
The Leica M Monochrom will be available from the end of July 2012 at a
recommended retail price of $10,999.
