The Leica M10 Monochrom is a full-frame camera exclusively for black and white photography

Forever pushing the boundaries of photography, Leica has released the newest model in its range of black and white ranger finder cameras. The Leica M10 Monochrom has all the traits of the M10-P platform, but with a 40-megapixel full-frame monochrome sensor. So why would one want to buy a full-frame camera that can’t shoot color photos? There are quite a few reasons.

Leica is staking its claim on the importance of black and white photography with the Monochrom line. In fact, the M10’s sensor has been specifically designed for monochrome photography. Without any color arrays, there are fewer glass and filter layers, which makes it capable of shooting in any lighting condition while maintaining beautiful contrast and crisp sharpness. Additionally, the sensor’s wide ISO range (160 to 100,000) allows photographers to obtain images with clearly defined areas of shadow and illumination—even when shooting in high-contrast or uneven light.

And, of course, the M10 Monochrom also contains some of the best features of the M10-P. This includes a silent shutter, touchscreen, thin body design, and Wi-Fi connectivity—a first for the Monochrom. One important note, however, is that the M10 Monochrom lacks video functionality. Though the last generation Monochrom included this, Leica said it found that photographers simply weren’t using it, and so it’s been stripped out.

In terms of design, Leica has mostly kept things classic. To keep photographers blending into the crowd, Leica has blacked out the shutter and lens release buttons. The trademark red Leica dot on the front of the camera is also missing, so street photographers will remain inconspicuous.

At $8,295, the price tag may be steep for some; but if you are a photographer who specializes in black and white photography, it’s well worth the expense. Currently, the Leica M10 Monochrom is available for preorder.