Leica CM Instruction Manual
LEICA CM
Anleitung/Instructions/Instrucciones
60
Foreword
We wish you a great deal of pleasure and success using your new
LEICA CM. The excellent optical performance of the fast LEICA
SUMMARIT 40mm f/2.4 lens enables you to achieve outstanding
picture quality even under critical lighting conditions. Its compact
size means the LEICA CM fits into almost any pocket, making
it
your constant companion.
Thanks to its fully automatic programmed exposure control mode
and autoflash feature, the LEICA CM provides uncomplicated
photography. Alternatively, you can take over picture composition yourself at any time using the manual settings.
You can select from numerous special functions to improve the
picture quality even in very difficult exposure conditions.
Please read these instructions so that you can make the most of
your LEICA CM’s capabilities.
These instructions are printed on 100% chlorine free bleached
paper, whose high-quality manufacturing process protects the
water and is environmentally friendly.
61
Brief description
The LEICA CM is a stylish, compact and versatile 35mm viewfind
er camera with exceptional features, making it ideally suited for
both uncomplicated and more demanding photography. Its special features are:
• LEICA SUMMARIT 40mm f/2.4 high-performance lens
(6 lenses in 4 groups)
• Titanium housing
• Distance range from approx. 0.7m to infinity
• Choice of automatic (autofocus) or manual distance setting,
each with focus display in viewfinder
• Two-zone center-weighted exposure metering with automatic
backlighting detection (for automatic fill-in flash)
• Metering memory lock for AF and exposure
• Choice of programmed automatic exposure control mode
(automatic setting of shutter speed and aperture) with shift
option, or aperture priority exposure control mode (automatic
setting of shutter speed after manual aperture pre-selection),
each with display of resulting values in viewfinder
• Fastest shutter speed
1
/
1000
s
• Long-time exposures up to 99s with modes B
(automatic control) or
T
(manual control)
• Exposure compensation in
1
/3EV steps up to ±2EV
(can be permanently stored)
• Built-in flash unit with guide number controlled light emission
• Automatic flash activation in inadequate lighting conditions,
including backlight situations
• Selectable pre-flash light for reduction of “red eye effect”
• Manual flash on and off selection
• ISO flash shoe for connection of a more powerful external
flash unit (e.g. LEICA SF 24D)
• Flash status display in viewfinder
• Preferred flash mode can be permanently stored
• Diopter correction for viewfinder eyepiece
• Automatic film speed setting (DX coding)
• Automatic film loading
• Automatic film advance
• Series exposures: approx. 1 frame every 1.5s
• Automatic film rewind
• Integrated data imprinting function
English
62
Contents
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Brief description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Designation of parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Displays in the LCD data panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Viewfinder displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Fitting the wrist/neck strap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Preparing the LEICA CM for use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
– Inserting and removing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
– Checking the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
– Switching the camera on and off/Automatic power off . . . 69
– Imprinting data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Setting the data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Selecting the data to be imprinted/the date sequence . . . 73
– Loading the film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Compatible 35mm films . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
– Holding the camera correctly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
– The viewfinder/Viewfinder displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Diopter settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Taking photographs with the LEICA CM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
– Distance setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Automatic distance setting/Autofocus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Manual distance setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
– Exposure control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Programmed automatic exposure control mode . . . . . . . . . 83
Program shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Aperture priority exposure control mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Storing focus and exposure settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Exposure compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
– Selectable modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Photography with and without flash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Instructions for using external flash units . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Flash range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Modes with automatic flash activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
(1) Taking photographs with automatic
flash activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
(2) Taking photographs with automatic
flash activation and pre-flash light
t
. . . . . . . . . . . 93
(3) Taking photographs with automatic
flash activation and slower shutter
speeds
S
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
(4) Taking photographs with automatic
flash activation, pre-flash light and slower
shutter speeds
S
t
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
(5) Taking photographs with automatic
flash activation, synchronization with
the end of the exposure, and slower
shutter speeds
nS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
63
Modes with manual flash activation 97
(6) Taking photographs with manual
flash activation q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
(7) Taking photographs with manual
flash activation and pre-flash light
q
t
. . . . . . . . . 97
(8) Taking photographs with manual
flash activation and slower shutter
speeds
q
S
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
(9) Taking photographs with manual
flash activation, slower shutter speeds
and pre-flash light
q
S
t
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
(10) Taking photographs with manual
flash activation, flash synchronization
with the end of the exposure, and slower
shutter speeds
q
nS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Taking photographs with manually controlled
long-time exposures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
(11) Taking photographs with manual
flash activation and the T function
q
T
. . . . . . . . . 102
(12) Taking photographs with manual
flash activation, pre-flash light and
the T function
q
t
T
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
(13) Taking photographs with manual
flash activation, flash synchronization
with the end of exposure, and the
T function
q
n
T
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
(14) Taking photographs with manual
flash off and the T function
u
T
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
(15) Taking photographs with manual flash off
u
. . . . . 106
The automatically self-activating B function . . . . . . . . . . 107
Storing flash modes/the set
exposure compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
– Self timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
– Automatic rewind of fully exposed film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Rewinding a partially exposed film . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Care tips for the LEICA CM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Leica Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Leica on the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Leica information service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Leica Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
English
64
Designation of parts
1. Exposure metering cell
2. Autofocus sensors
3. Pre-flash light for reduction of “red eye effect” and for
signaling self timer function
4. Viewfinder window
5. Flash reflector
6. LEICA SUMMARIT 40mm f/2.4 lens with automatically
closing cover
7. Main switch
8. Shutter release button
9. Adjustment dial for autofocus mode/manual distance
setting
10. Adjusting lever for programmed automatic exposure mode/
manual aperture pre-selection (aperture priority mode)
11. Flash shoe with
a. Central and
b. control contacts
12. Socket for electric cable release
13. Back cover release slider
14. Diopter adjustment dial
15. Viewfinder eyepiece
16. Viewing window for film cartridges
17. Camera back cover
18. Main control dial
19. Liquid crystal data panel
20. TIMER button* for setting the self timer functions
(in conjunction with main control dial)
21. EV button* for setting exposure compensation
(in conjunction with main control dial)
22. MODE button* for setting the flash modes
(in conjunction with main control dial)
23. DATE button* for all date, time and imprint settings
(in conjunction with main control dial)
24. Battery compartment cover
25. Tripod thread
26. Manual film rewind button
27. Fastening eyelet for carrying strap
28. Film take up spool with pressure roller
29. Film guide pins
30. DX contacts
31. Film cartridge slot
32. Rewind axle spindle
* The entire area of the buttons can be used to press them, not just the
slightly protruding left edges.
65
Displays in the LCD data panel (19)
q
Manual flash on
u
Manual flash off
n
Flash synchronisation with the end of the exposure
S
Slower shutter speeds possible
t
Pre-flash light for reduction of “red eye effect”
E
+
-
Exposure compensation set
8.8
Numerical display for:
– Frame counter
– Timer for long time exposures and count-down
for self timer
– Set exposure compensation value
– Confirmation of correct film loading
(lower segments of figures)
Battery status
r/s
Self timer activated/set or counting down
B
Automatic switching to long time exposure
(for longer shutter speeds than 30s in the modes
S, S
t
,
nS
,
q
S
,
q
S
t
,
q
nS
,
and
u
)
T
Manual long time exposure
A
Aperture priority exposure control mode
P
Programmed automatic exposure control mode
.
88:.88.88
Six-digit, seven-segment digital display for
– Date and time or no imprint
– Distance (in m) for manual setting
–
z
Infinity manually set
– (
b/100
; alternately flashing) indicates the film
speed setting for speeds/film cartridges that
cannot be set correctly
– Automatic flash activation (brief switching to
a
-display during setting)
e
English
66
Viewfinder displays
LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes, with automatic brightness control,
adapted to the external brightness)
A. Four-digit, seven-segment digital display with de-
cimal point and point above:
• Specifies the automatically generated or manually set
shutter speeds and/or the automatically generated aperture values
• (flashing alternately) Indication of manual film
speed setting in case of impossible automatic setting due
to missing or illegible DX-code
• Indication of impossible mode setting on an attached external flash unit
• Indication of set exposure compensation
• Warning of over or under exposure, or working
below metering range
• Signal for shutter speeds slower than 1s
B. Two triangular and one circular LED:
• Jointly act as a balance to indicate the automatically or
manually set focus
C. Flash-shaped LED:
• Flash status
Note: After the shutter is released, i.e. after a picture is taken, all
displays are always extinguished except the symbol for the flash
status and, if the film is incorrectly loaded or completely rewound or if no film at all is loaded, the corresponding frame
counter displays (see “Loading the film”, p. 74).
67
Safety instructions
• If the camera shows any sign of malfunction, do not try to repair it yourself. Your first step should be to change the battery.
If this is unsuccessful, return the camera to your specialist
dealer or to another photographic specialist.
• Please ensure that you are fully conversant with the operation
and functions of your new camera before using it for special
occasions (holidays, weddings etc.). Please read this instruction manual and take some test pictures to ensure that your
camera functions perfectly before you use it at special events.
•
If your camera (or battery) emits a strange smell, heat, or
smoke,
remove the battery immediately, taking care not to
burn yourself.
• The same applies if there are significant “rattling” sounds.
• If your camera is dropped or subjected to an impact in which
the interior is exposed, do not touch the exposed parts. Some
of these parts have a voltage of 200V!
• Remove the battery immediately if the camera is dropped in
water or if water gets into the interior of the camera.
• Never store your camera where the temperature is extremely
high or extremely low.
• When it is not in use, you should always turn the camera off
(using the ON/OFF switch, 7) in order to retract the lens. Ensure that the lens cover is closed.
Fitting the wrist/neck strap
1. Push the smaller loop of the wrist/neck strap through the
eyelet (27) on the right of the camera housing.
2. Then thread the end of the wrist/neck strap through the
aforementioned small loop and pull it tight, so that the resulting loop lies securely on the eyelet on the camera housing.
English
68
Preparing the LEICA CM for use
Inserting and removing the battery
The LEICA CM takes a 3 volt lithium battery (e.g. Duracell
DL123A, Kodak KL 123LA, Panasonic CR 123A, Varta CR123A or
other CR123 types). This supplies both the camera and the date
printer with power.
1. Open the bayonet catch on the battery compartment cover
(underside of camera, 24) by turning it anticlockwise using a
coin (as indicated by the markings next to the cover).
2. Insert a lithium battery so that the positive terminal goes in
first (as shown by the markings in the battery compartment).
3. Close the cover again by turning it clockwise.
Note: We recommend that you change the batteries when the
camera is turned off, as the programmed data is retained for
around 30s. With the camera switched on, the data is cleared as
soon as the battery is removed, so the date and time may need
to be re-entered when the battery is changed (see also “Imprinting
data”, p. 70).
Checking the battery
When the camera is switched on (see p. 69) and the battery has
sufficient capacity, the battery symbol ( ) appears completely
filled in on the LCD data panel (19). The lens (6) also moves to its
ready position.
If the symbol appears only half filled ( ), this means that the
battery capacity is down to 30% at the most and the battery
needs to be changed soon.
If the half-filled symbol ( ) is flashing or no display appears at
all, the battery is flat and must be replaced immediately. In this
case, the camera will no longer function. Therefore, we recommend you take a spare battery with you when traveling.
A new battery will last for around 8 36-exposure films with 50%
use of the flash, i.e. around 290 exposures (according to Leica
testing standards).
Notes:
• If the lens does not move to its ready position when you switch
the camera on, the battery is either discharged, incorrectly
installed or there is no battery at all.
• If the symbol ( ) flashes on its own or no display is visible,
either the battery contacts are dirty,
• In this case, please clean them with a clean, dry and lint-free
cloth.
or
the battery may be partially discharged as a result of taking a
series of pictures one after another.
After a short wait to allow the battery to recover, photography
can commence.
• The battery contacts should always be kept clean.
f
f
f
e
69
• If there is a film in the camera, you should insert a new battery
immediately after removing the old one.
• Cold conditions impair the battery performance. The film also
becomes stiffer, making it harder to wind. Therefore, at low
temperatures the LEICA CM should be kept as close to the
body as possible and a new battery should be inserted.
Warning:
• Batteries should never be put in a fire, heated, recharged, disassembled or broken apart.
• Used batteries should not be disposed of as normal, household garbage as they contain hazardous materials that are
harmful to the environment. To ensure they are properly recycled, they should be returned to the dealer or disposed of as
special waste (at a collection point).
Switching the camera on and off/Automatic power off
Slide the ON/OFF switch (7) into the marked ON position. After
switching on, the lens cover opens, the lens moves to its ready
position and the displays appear in the data panel (19).
If the camera is switched off by sliding the ON/OFF switch to the
OFF position, all displays disappear, the lens retracts and the
lens cover closes.
If the camera is not released within approximately 3 minutes of
switching on, it switches itself off automatically as described
above, but in this case the lens does not retract.
This standby mode prevents unnecessary battery consumption.
Note: However, despite this standby mode, in order to extend the
life of the battery, you should definitely make it a habit to always
turn the camera off if it will not be used for a long time.
English
7
70
If the camera has switched to standby mode, you can re-activate
it at any time in one of the following ways:
• Turn it off and back on using the ON/OFF switch
• Press the TIMER button (20).
• Press the EV button (21).
• Press the MODE button (22).
• Tap or press the shutter release (3)
Note: The camera automatically selects the default flash mode
each time it is switched on (see “Selectable modes“, p. 89), unless you have previously stored a different mode. This also applies to a stored exposure compensation (see also “Storing flash
modes/the set exposure compensation”, p. 108).
Imprinting data
The LEICA CM has an integrated dating facility. This allows either
the day and time (day, hour and minute) or the date (day, month
and year in four different selectable orders), as desired, to be
imprinted in the bottom right hand corner of each picture. The
position and size of the imprint can be seen on the photograph
illustrated.
71
Notes:
• The data is imprinted on the film from the front by LEDs (Light
Emitting Diodes).
• The brightness of the imprint is controlled by the camera’s automatic film speed setting (DX coding). Even so, there can be
slight variations in legibility depending on the film used. With
certain low speed films, the imprint is only very faint or cannot
be seen at all. The data appears in red to orange on dark subject areas and orange to yellow on light areas. Therefore, it can
only be seen with difficulty against light, orange colored or
very “busy“ backgrounds.
• The automatic calendar runs from 2003 to 2060.
• The power supply for the picture dating facility comes from the
camera battery. If it is exchanged within 30s with the camera
turned off, the set data is retained. If it is exchanged with the
camera switched on, the date immediately reverts to the factory default setting.
• The digit groups flash for as long as no setting has been made.
Setting the data
In principle, the date, the time and the desired sequence of the
date are entered in exactly the same way as most other settings
on the LEICA CM with only two of the operator controls – the corresponding function button (to the left of the relevant display)
and the main control dial.
English
72
Operating step
1. Press and hold down the DATE button (23) (min. 2s).
2. Turn the main control dial (18) to the right (clockwise) to increase the value or to the left (anticlockwise) to reduce it.
Note: The values are arranged in an “endless loop”, i.e.
they can be reached by turning the dial in either direction
(from
4
to 6).
3. Briefly press the DATE button.
4. Set the 4 remaining values – Month/Day/Hour/Minute –
as described in steps 2 and 3.
5. Pressing the DATE button briefly for a fifth time stores your
entries.
Displays in the data panel
The left-hand numerical display flashes (after the button is
released for a further 4s) to indicate that setting is possible
during this time.
Note: Each time the main control dial is moved (18, see point 2)
the flashing/the available setting time is extended by a
further 4s.
The other displays disappear.
Note: The display switches to Year/Month/Day
The value changes accordingly.
The central digit group flashes.
As for points 1 and 2.
The display stops flashing as confirmation.
Note: The year is indicated by an apostrophe.
73
Selecting the data to be imprinted/the date sequence
You can also use the DATE button (23) to select whether or which data is to be displayed and imprinted on your pictures.
To take account of different international conventions, the LEICA CM allows four different options for displaying the date:
Year/Month/Day – Day/Month/Year – Year/Day/Month – Month/Day/Year – Time/Day – No imprint
Operating step
1. Briefly press the DATE button (23).
2. Turn the main control dial (18) to set the desired date
format.
Note: The order runs through repeatedly
3. Pressing the DATE button briefly for a second time stores
your entries.
Displays in the data panel
The numerical display for the date flashes
The corresponding display format flashes
Examples:
– Date
31 10 4
– Time
11 :11 31
– No imprint ccc
The display stops flashing as confirmation
English
74
Loading the film
Automatic film loading is possible with the camera switched both
on and off.
Warning:
• Before opening the back cover, please ensure that the film has
been completely wound back into the cartridge. Otherwise,
the light will damage the part of the film already exposed and
with it many of the shots already taken. The camera should only be opened when the
0
is flashing in the frame counter. In
the film cartridge viewing window (16), you can see whether a
cartridge is loaded and the counter shows whether or not it is
rewound. (see “Automatic rewind of fully exposed film”, and
“Rewinding a partially exposed film”, p. 111).
• To prevent the incidence of light, films should be loaded and
unloaded in subdued light wherever possible e.g. in one’s own
shadow.
• When loading the film, avoid touching the rear lens element
with your fingers or the edge of the film.
13
17
29
29
75
Operating step
1. Using the slider (13) on the left of the camera, release and
open the back cover (17).
Note: Take this opportunity to check whether there is any
dust on the rear lens element. If so, it should be removed
with a soft brush.
2. Place the film cartridge in the film cartridge compartment
(31) as shown. The sprung spindle on the rewind axle (32)
must engage with the corresponding slot in the film cart
ridge.
3. Lay the film flat on the film channel, between the guides
(29) and pull the leader right over the take-up spool (28) –
as shown in the illustration – up to the marking to the left
(arrow). If you have taken the leader too far, carefully push
a little film back into the cartridge. The film must lie flat in
the film channel.
Displays in the data panel
0
in frame counter, otherwise unchanged
Note: When the camera is turned off, the date display and the
set exposure control mode do not appear.
Constant
Constant
English
76
Operating step (cont.)
4. Close the back cover. The camera switches itself on (if it
was not switched on before), threads the film automatically
onto the take-up spool and advances it to the first frame.
Displays in the data panel
In frame counter for correct loading:
Initially briefly
1
, during the process two alternately flashing
lines, followed by
1
constantly
In frame counter for incorrect loading:
1
flashing
If the frame counter in the data panel shows
1
, the camera is
ready to use. If, on the other hand
1
is flashing, the film has
not been loaded correctly. In this case, open the back cover
again, remove the film and reload it, as described under 2–4.
Note: For non-DX coded films (see next section), when the
camera is ready to use the frame counter in the data panel
also shows
1
, but if the film is incorrectly loaded, it shows 0.
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