The Leica R9 and Digital Modul R combo yields a high-quality Leica camera that can capture digital images, yet allow users to switch to film when necessary. It combines a digital back with the company’s R9 camera, and although the Digital Modul R was a long time coming, the result is an impressive 10-megapixel system that works with almost all Leica R series reflex lenses, some of which have been on the market since 1965.
    Leica’s imaging device provides bright quality even at the edge of the image, something that’s often an issue with film lenses used on digital sensor-based cameras. This is one of the few cameras that writes to Adobe’s Digital Negative Format (DNG), as well as TIFF and JPEG. On the downside, the model writes to SD cards and the slot is found in the motor drive-sized base of the unit.
    The manual focus R9 features a multi-pattern exposure metering system that can be adjusted in tenths of a stop. It offers three flash systems: full automatic, P and selective F. Additionally, it can perform high-speed synch, allowing for flash exposures as fast as 1/8000th of a second. A 1.8-inch color monitor with 130,388 pixels provides image review, and the Digital Modul’s high-power lithium ion battery recharges fully in under two hours. As it bears the Leica name, the R9 offers plenty of convenient  features, like a lockable eyecup and an integrated shutter preventing light from touching the film.

Retail price: $3,300 (Leica R9), $6,550 (Digital Modul R)
Further information: www.leica.com