The Leica MPi project, an open-source initiative by Michael Suguitan, has received a major upgrade. This project transforms a classic analog Leica M2 rangefinder camera into a digital camera by integrating a Raspberry Pi and a compatible camera sensor.
Upgraded Sensor and Features
The latest version of the Leica MPi replaces the previous 12MP Sony IMX477 sensor with a much larger 64MP Arducam OwlSight sensor (1/1.32-inch format). This larger sensor provides a 3.7x magnification factor, effectively turning a 9mm lens into a 33mm equivalent and a 90mm lens into a 333mm telephoto lens. The new sensor also enables daytime color photography, addressing the color distortion issues of the previous model.
Additional improvements include flash support and an integrated battery with USB-C charging. The digital module does increase the thickness of the Leica M2, requiring the viewfinder to be used with the right eye.
Price and Availability
The Leica MPi is an open-source project available on GitHub. Those interested in building their own will need to source the components, including the Arducam OwlSight sensor (~$60), a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 (~$21), and a Waveshare LCD (~$14). A used Leica M2 can cost upwards of $2,220. To support the developer, you can purchase a photo book via Kickstarter.
