Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) (2015–2020)

At 680 grams, it sits in the hand like a vow—no color, no compromise, just light and shadow rendered in 24 megapixels of unflinching detail.

Overview

The Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) isn’t a camera that announces itself with flash or fanfare. It arrives quietly, purposefully, built for photographers who speak in grayscale. Announced in April 2015, it stands as the second generation of Leica’s dedicated black-and-white digital rangefinder line, succeeding the M Monochrom (Typ 230) with meaningful refinements. This is not a color camera with the saturation turned down. It is a fundamentally different animal: a digital sensor stripped of its color filter array, allowing each photosite to capture luminance data with maximum efficiency. The result? Files that feel more like developed film than processed RAW—tonally rich, dimensionally deep, and startlingly clean even at high ISO.

Under the hood, the Typ 246 shares its platform with the Leica M (Typ 240), but the similarities are more structural than functional. While the Typ 240 was a full-color workhorse aimed at the evolving digital market, the Monochrom (Typ 246) is a niche instrument, a specialist’s tool. It doesn’t try to be everything. It tries to be one thing, perfectly. The 24-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, free from the Bayer filter, delivers approximately double the effective light sensitivity per pixel, translating to lower noise and finer gradation in shadows and highlights. For photographers who think in Ansel Adams zones rather than RGB values, this is the digital equivalent of a pilgrimage.

Despite its purist ethos, the Monochrom (Typ 246) isn’t stuck in the past. It supports Full HD 1080p video, a feature few in its audience likely use, but one that underscores Leica’s commitment to keeping the platform technically current. The Maestro processor, inherited from the Typ 240, handles image processing with improved burst performance—now capable of three frames per second, a 50% increase over its predecessor. That may sound modest by modern standards, but in a manual-focus rangefinder, it’s more than adequate. The 3.0-inch LCD screen, while not touch-sensitive, provides a clear, high-contrast preview of the monochrome image, crucial for judging exposure and contrast in real time.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Leica
Product type	Digital rangefinder camera
Sensor resolution	24 megapixels
Sensor type	CMOS
Sensor size	35.8 mm × 23.9 mm (Full Frame)
ISO range	320-25,000 (expandable to 100-25,000)
Shutter speed	60 min to 1/4000 sec
Burst performance	three frames per second
LCD screen	3.0 inch
Viewfinder magnification	0.68x
Processor	Maestro processor
Video capability	Full HD 1080p
Storage	SD / SDHC / SDXC card
GPS	Optional
Battery	Lithium-Ion (BP-SCL2)
Dimensions (W x H x D)	139 x 42 x 80 mm
Weight	Approx. 680 g (with battery)

Key Features

Monochrome-Only Sensor Without Color Filter Array

The defining feature of the M Monochrom (Typ 246) is its complete absence of a color filter array. Unlike conventional digital sensors, which use a Bayer pattern to interpolate color, this sensor captures only luminance. Every photon that strikes the surface contributes directly to image brightness, not to color reconstruction. The result is a sensor that behaves more like traditional black-and-white film—offering finer grain structure, smoother tonal transitions, and greater dynamic range in monochrome. Owners report that shadows retain detail without muddiness, and highlights roll off with a natural compression that digital color sensors often struggle to emulate.

24 Megapixel Full-Frame CMOS Sensor

The sensor itself is a 35.8 mm × 23.9 mm full-frame CMOS chip, slightly overscanning the classic 36x24mm film frame. At 24 megapixels, it strikes a balance between resolution and file manageability—high enough for large prints, but not so dense that noise overwhelms at high ISO. The lack of a color filter means each pixel is more efficient, effectively increasing the sensor’s quantum efficiency. This translates to cleaner files at ISO 3200 and beyond, where many digital cameras begin to degrade. At base ISO 320, images exhibit a film-like smoothness, with a texture that some describe as closer to Tri-X than digital.

Built on the Leica M (Typ 240) Platform

The Typ 246 leverages the engineering of the M (Typ 240), including its body design, shutter mechanism, and electronic architecture. This means it inherits the Typ 240’s 3.0-inch LCD, Maestro processor, and SD card storage system. However, firmware and sensor calibration are tuned specifically for monochrome output. The rangefinder patch remains bright and precise, critical for manual focusing with vintage or modern M-mount lenses. While the Typ 240 was sometimes criticized for its early firmware quirks, the Monochrom (Typ 246) launched with more mature software, benefiting from the lessons learned during the Typ 240’s lifecycle.

Three Frames Per Second Burst Mode

With the Maestro processor’s improved throughput, the Monochrom (Typ 246) achieves a burst rate of three frames per second—up from two in the Typ 230. This may seem modest, but in the context of a manual-focus rangefinder, it’s a meaningful upgrade. Street photographers report being able to capture fleeting expressions or gestures with greater confidence, especially when paired with pre-focused zones. The buffer allows for approximately 24 DNG files in a single burst, more than sufficient for most use cases. The mechanical shutter remains silent and smooth, with no perceptible mirror slap or vibration.

Historical Context

The M Monochrom (Typ 246) emerged in April 2015 as a refinement of Leica’s bold experiment with the original M Monochrom (Typ 230) from 2012. Where the Typ 230 proved the market for a digital-only black-and-white camera, the Typ 246 validated it—offering higher resolution, better high-ISO performance, and a more refined user experience. It occupied a unique space: not a retro throwback, but a forward-looking tool for photographers who rejected color as a distraction. In 2020, it was succeeded by the Leica M10 Monochrom, which reduced weight and simplified the interface, but the Typ 246 remains prized for its balance of performance and tactile feedback.

Leica also released a limited edition of 150 units to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Leitz’s move to Wetzlar. These models, marked “Leitz Wetzlar,” are functionally identical but carry added collectible value due to their rarity and commemorative engraving. The Typ 246’s production run lasted five years—an unusually long lifespan for a niche digital camera—suggesting steady, if limited, demand from a dedicated user base.

Collectibility & Value

Priced at approximately $7,450 USD at launch, the M Monochrom (Typ 246) was never intended for mass adoption. Today, it trades in the $2,500 to $3,000 range, depending on condition and shutter count. Collectors note that shutter actuations significantly impact resale value—cameras under 5,000 actuations command a premium, as Leica has not published an official shutter life rating. Some owners argue the Typ 246 is a bargain at 20% of its original retail, especially for photographers who prioritize image quality over color.

No widespread, model-specific failures have been reported in major user forums. As with all digital M cameras, care should be taken with battery contacts and SD card handling. The lack of a color filter array does not make the sensor more fragile, but sensor cleaning requires extra caution due to the absence of microlenses that protect color sensors. General maintenance follows standard digital rangefinder practices: regular sensor checks, firmware updates when available, and storage in low-humidity environments.

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