Leica's new Monochrom M camera brings the black-and-white-only concept up to date and into line with the technological advantages of the latest M (Typ 240) and M-P cameras. The main changes in Leica's latest M-series models are a switch from the previous CCDs to 24MP CMOS sensors, and thus the introduction of live view, a new buffer to speed the processing along and a much better rear screen.

With modern Leicas you have to look pretty closely to know which one is in front of you. The M Monochrom (Typ 246) has been designed very much in the style of the latest M models, with the distinctive curved corners and a very solid build. As expected, the top deck and base plates are machined from solid blocks of brass, while the body is made from magnesium alloy. 

The top-plate is free of any embellishment, and there isn't a red dot to be seen anywhere – or even a Leica logo – so the camera is very low-profile and designed not to stand out. The chrome black finish is nicely matte too, and contributes to the overall understated concept. The only written clue to the exact model you're holding is the word 'Monochrom' etched in black into the black hotshoe guides. 

While a comparison with the M (Typ 240) is obvious, the new model is actually more like a black and white version of the M-P. The buffer has a capacity of 2GB and Leica has included a guide frame selection switch on the front of the body - a throwback to the film era M-series rangefinders. The camera accepts focal lengths of 16mm to 135mm, and couples the viewfinder guidelines to display 35mm/135mm, 28mm/90mm and 50mm/75mm simultaneously.

The guide frame selection switch simply allows you to preview the field of view of a different focal length without switching lenses. 

The camera inherits the exposure compensation button from the M (Typ 240) and wears it in exactly the same place. This is a great improvement over the original Monochrom, which made finding exposure compensation pretty awkward without customization. It might be my imagination, but the button seems easier to use than I remember it being on the M (Type 240). Either way, it is a good spot to place it.

The viewfinder is much the same as we would expect from a modern M, though I'm told that the rangefinder mechanism is more durable and less susceptible to knocks, drops and jolts than some of the previous models. The system is 'locked down' more securely, meaning that there is less requirement for adjustment, since we're told it was calibrated using a live feed from the sensor. 

The effective base length is the same 47.1mm as it was on the original Monochrom, with a mechanical length of 69.25mm and a viewfinder magnification of 0.68x. The built-in eyepiece lens is 0.5dpt, but others, from -3 to +3, are available. 

A really significant improvement over the original Monochrom is the rear screen. Replacing the 2.5" 230k dot model of the first camera is a 3" 921,600 dot LCD that is protected with a crystal sapphire glass cover and which provides a viewing angle of 170 degrees. This allows the detail that the camera can capture to be more readily appreciated on the back of the camera, while a non-reflective coating makes viewing in bright conditions more achievable. 

The camera takes the same lithium-ion BP-SCL2 7.4V 1800mAh cell as the M (Type 240) and M-P: not the same 3.7V 1860mAh BP-SCL1 cell as used by the original Monochrom, the M8, M8.2, M9 and M9-P. The new cell is very slightly more expensive, but critically, current Monochrom users will need new spares if they are to upgrade. 

With the baseplate removed the Leica M-Multi-Functional Handgrip can be attached using the contacts in the bottom of the camera. This allows, among other features, GPS tracking, external power supply, X-sync flash connection, USB connection to a PC and an additional hotshoe should the camera's hotshoe be occupied with a viewfinder. The original Monochrom is not compatible with this handgrip. 

Metering is handled via reflective measurements from a set of strips across the first curtain – as is common with Leica rangefinders. In normal shooting mode this allows a center-weighted metering set-up. With Live View activated, the Monochrom (Type 246) adds spot and multi-area configurations to its functions. 

The camera features a new 24MP CMOS sensor that has no color filter array and no low pass filter. The lack of colored filters increases the amount of light that reaches the photodiodes compared to a filtered sensor, and thus the lowest ISO setting the camera offers is ISO 320. 

As before, the camera records DNG Raw files and JPEGs, simultaneously or individually. DNG files measure a maximum of 5976 x 3992 pixels, while JPEGs are 5952 x 3968 pixels. We have the option to save DNG files with or without compression, with a maximum compressed size of 34.5MB per image. 

The original Monochrom uses an 18MP CCD sensor. 

As with the M (Type 240) the Monochrom (Type 246) is capable of recording motion pictures – albeit in black and white, of course - in HD resolution at 24/25fps. Files are stored as Motion JPEGs, and recording is activated and stopped via the dedicated button next to the shutter release on the camera's top plate. 

The Monochrom (Type 246) has also inherited the rear layout of the M (Type 240), and gains a thumb wheel at the top right of the body and has lost the scrolling rear wheel of the original model. This is a much easier control arrangement to use quickly. 

In Live View mode there are two modes of assistance for focusing – a magnified view and peaking. Users can combine the two modes, as shown here. Peaking comes in red, green and blue flavors, though each of the colors stands out particularly well against the black and white images on screen. 

Shown here is the Summicron-M 35mm F2 lens finished in the new chrome black, but the Monochrom (Type 246) is also compatible with the company's R lenses, via an adapter. Chipped modern lenses record their focal length in the EXIF data and can automatically trigger manual focus assistance modes when used in Live View. 

The only place you'll find the word 'Leica' is across the back of the camera – along with 'Made in Germany'. There is an accessory port just below the hotshoe that accepts a microphone adapter and an electronic viewfinder. When the hotshoe cover is in place a rubber pad covers the port, completing the camera's weather proof credentials. 

As with other modern M cameras, the Monochrom (Type 246) has a maximum flash sync speed of 1/180sec and offers +/- 3 1/3 EV flash exposure compensation. Flash units can be used directly in the hotshoe or off-camera via an SCA adapter and cable.