Drop a DNG RAW file from your Leica M9 and get the exact shutter actuation count in seconds — processed entirely in your browser, never uploaded anywhere. Also accessible directly from the camera menu.
Check Shutter Count →The Leica M9 (released September 2009) is the last Leica M digital rangefinder to use a CCD sensor — specifically the 18 MP Kodak KAF-18500 full-frame chip. It marked a major milestone as the first digital M body with a full-frame sensor small enough to preserve the field of view of every Leica M lens ever made. Photographers prize the M9 for its distinctive CCD colour rendering and the uncompromising rangefinder shooting experience it delivers.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Est. Shutter Life | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leica M9 | 2009 | 18 MP full-frame CCD | ~150,000 | DNG |
| Leica M9-P | 2011 | 18 MP full-frame CCD | ~150,000 | DNG |
There are two reliable methods to check the shutter count on a Leica M9.
On the command line: exiftool -ShutterCount yourfile.DNG will return the count directly from the Leica MakerNote. This is a reliable cross-platform method if the browser tool does not display a result for your specific M9 firmware version.
Leica M rangefinders accumulate counts slowly due to deliberate, single-frame rangefinder shooting. However, professional photographers may have used M9 bodies heavily. For the M9 specifically, shutter curtain age and CCD corrosion status are equally important factors when evaluating a used body:
| Actuation Count | % of Est. Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 15,000 | 0 – 10 % | Very low use — near new |
| 15,000 – 45,000 | 10 – 30 % | Low use — excellent condition expected |
| 45,000 – 90,000 | 30 – 60 % | Moderate use — inspect shutter curtains and sensor |
| 90,000 – 130,000 | 60 – 87 % | High use — negotiate price; shutter service likely soon |
| 130,000 + | 87 %+ | Near estimated limit — budget for Leica factory shutter service |
Leica shutter service costs are significantly higher than other brands (€500–€1,000+ depending on region). Factor this into the purchase price of a high-count M9.
The Leica M9 and M9-P are affected by a known CCD corrosion defect: the glass cover bonded over the Kodak KAF-18500 sensor reacts chemically over time, producing characteristic colour fringing and streaks in out-of-focus backgrounds. Leica ran a free sensor replacement programme for affected bodies, which officially ended in 2022.
When buying a used M9, you must establish whether the sensor has been replaced:
The Leica M9 (2009, CCD) and M240 (2012, CMOS) represent two fundamentally different imaging philosophies. The choice depends on what you value:
| Feature | M9 (CCD) | M240 (CMOS) |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 18 MP CCD | 24 MP CMOS |
| High ISO | Practical to ~ISO 800 | Practical to ~ISO 3200 |
| Colour rendering | CCD "film-like" tones | CMOS neutral |
| Live view / video | None | Live view + 1080p video |
| Body thickness | Thinner (classic profile) | Slightly thicker |
| Corrosion risk | Yes (check sensor) | No |
The M9 is typically less expensive used and appeals to photographers who prefer the CCD look and do not need high-ISO performance or live view.
Navigate to Menu → Camera Information on the rear LCD, or drop an original DNG file from your M9's SD card into shuttercount.app.
Leica does not publish an official figure. The estimated lifespan is ~150,000 actuations, consistent with other M-series horizontal cloth focal-plane shutters.
Only Leica's Wetzlar factory service or authorised service centres can reset the hardware counter after a shutter replacement. The DNG MakerNote cannot be easily forged — always verify from an original SD card DNG.
The Leica M9-P (2011) removes the red Leica logo from the front of the body for a more discreet appearance, adds a scratch-resistant sapphire glass cover on the rear LCD, and includes a special engraving. The sensor, shutter mechanism, and image quality are identical. Shutter count checking works the same way on both.
This is subjective. The M9 CCD produces warmer colour tones with a rendering that many photographers associate with medium-format film, particularly in daylight. The M240 CMOS delivers cleaner high-ISO files, better dynamic range, and live view. Both sensors produce outstanding results within their optimal ISO range.