Leica M (Typ 240): Controls and Functions

Overall Appearance | Top View | Front View | Rear View

On this page, I would like to provide an overview of the Leica M's (Typ 240) camera controls and their functions.

Overall Appearance

The following comparisons photos are meant to provide an overview of the camera controls so that they can be discussed.

Photos: Views of Leica M (Typ 240) body with Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 lens

Top View

Figure: Top view of the camera with shutter speed dial (left) and main switch (right)

Main Switch and Shutter Release (Button)

The Main Switch has detent positions for

OFF (camera turned off)
S (single pictures)
C (continuous pictures)
Self-timer (details are set in the menu, menu item "Self-timer")

The shutter release at the center of the main switch offers a thread for a cable release.

Video Shutter Release

Starts and ends the recording of videos.

Shutter Speed Dial

The exposure modes are selected using the shutter speed dial:

Aperture priority mode by selecting the "A" position marked in red
Manual mode by selecting a shutter speed of 1/4000s to 8s*, (intermediate values in ½ step positions are also available)
B for long exposures

*) For longer shutter speeds, set the shutter speed dial to "B" and select the shutter speed with the setting dial (some values may be grayed out, depending on the ISO value). Prior to firmware update 2.0.1.5, the focus button had to be pressed as long as you turn the dial. This is no longer needed, but can still be set. The behavior seems to be set by "Direct Adjustment" in "Exposure Compensation" in the "SET menu" ("On" or "Off").

Front View

Figure: Front view of the camera with focus(ing) button (top) and lens release button (bottom)

Focusing Button

The main use of the focusing button is to initiate manual focus aid (= screen magnification). It can also be used for exposure compensation and for setting slow shutter speeds (it had to be used before firmware update 2.0.1.5).

Lens Release Button

The lens release buttons sits next to the lens mount.

Rear View

"Menu" Buttons

Here is an overview of the "menu" buttons at the left edge on the LCD on the back of the camera.

Button	Functions	Comment
LV	Turns on/off live view mode	On the LCD screen or in the optional electronic viewfinder
PLAY	Opens and exits the (continuous) review screen	Pressing PLAY again or half-pressing the shutter release button cancels the review
DELETE	Deletes images (Play mode)	Deletes a single picture or all pictures.
ISO	Sets ISO sensitivity	Has to be pressed permanently; the ISO screen disappears 2 s after the button was released (the value is set immediately, however)
MENU	Calls and closes the menu screen (incl. submenus)
SET	SET button: Opens the picture parameters menu* Opens sub-menus in the menu system Applies settings / functions selected in submenus*	Picture parameters menu Displays eight pre-selected photographic parameters (ISO, White Balance, File Format, JPEG Resolution, Video Recording, Exposure Compensation, Exposure Metering, User Profile) Similar to an Fn or quick menu on other cameras, but not user-configurable You can also use the INFO button or the right arrow button on the direction pad. ******INFO on the direction pad does the same.

Menu options can be cancelled by half-pressing the shutter release button

Direction Pad, Setting Dial (Thumb Wheel)

Here is an overview of the direction pad buttons and the setting dial/thumb wheel on the back of the camera.

Button/Control	Functions	Comment
Direction Pad	The direction pad is used for Navigating in the menus (and submenus)* Setting the selected menu options / functions Scrolling through the picture memory	See the button descriptions below for details
INFO*	The INFO button is used for Displaying picture settings/data in picture mode* Displaying picture data during picture review* Applying settings Selecting the relevant submenus**	INFO: Toggles between different screen modes in picture and play mode *This function duplicates the SET button
Up* (with direction triangle)	The up button is used for Selecting menu items (press up/down to change lines or to select options)*	Select the relevant function option / value*, either using the setting dial or by pressing the corresponding direction on the direction pad, i.e. Up/down to change lines or to select options Left/right for settings within a line or on a scale
Down* (with direction triangle)	The down button is used for Selecting menu items (press up/down to change lines or to select options)*	Select the relevant function option / value*, either using the setting dial or by pressing the corresponding direction on the direction pad, i.e. Up/down to change lines or to select options Left/right for settings within a line or on a scale
Left* (with direction triangle)	Menu use (press left/right for settings within a line or on a scale)* The left button is also used for Returning from a submenu to the main menu	Select the relevant function option / value*, either using the setting dial or by pressing the corresponding direction on the direction pad, i.e. Up/down to change lines or to select options Left/right for settings within a line or on a scale
Right* (with direction triangle)	Menu use (press left/right for settings within a line or on a scale)* The right button is also used for Selecting the relevant submenus**	Select the relevant function option / value, either using the setting dial or by pressing the corresponding direction on the direction pad, i.e. Up/down to change lines or to select options Left/right for settings within a line or on a scale *You can select the relevant submenus with the SET button, the INFO button, or by pressing right on the direction pad.

Setting Dial	The setting dial is used for: Navigating in the menus (and submenus) Setting the selected menu options / functions* Setting an exposure compensation value Enlarging / reducing pictures viewed Scrolling through the picture memory**	Select the relevant function option / value, either using the setting dial or by pressing the corresponding direction on the direction pad. Direct exposure compensation activated* or while pressing the focus button

*) On the direction pad
**) Since firmware update 2.0.1.5.