Last updated on 2026-02-08
A review and photo examples using the LEICA T typ701 “CHALIE VICE” with its dedicated autofocus lens.
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Table of contents
Gallery
Review
1．Overview
The LEICA T typ701 is a Leica L-mount mirrorless camera with an APS-C size sensor that was released in 2014.
The LEICA T “CHALIE VICE” was released on March 10, 2016 in a limited edition of 50 sets at Leica stores, Leica boutiques and some limited stores.
The Leica T has a thin and compact body designed by Audi, and an APS-C size sensor with 16 million pixels. The sensor used since the release year is probably the same as the Leica X2 and Leica X typ113.
The Leica T can use the same EVF, Visoflex Typ 020 Black 18767 as the Leica M10 and Leica X typ113. The main specifications of the Visoflex are 2.4 million dots, built-in GPS receiver, and eye sensor.
The battery is the original BP-DC 13 for the Leica T. The battery is attached to the bottom of the camera, just like the Leica M11, and it also serves as the bottom cover.
The Leica T can use Sigma and Panasonic lenses for APS-C size sensors, as well as 35mm full-frame lenses from the L-Mount Alliance. However, for lenses with aperture rings, such as Sigma lenses, the aperture ring on the lens does not transmit information to the camera, so the settings must be made from the camera.
The original strap was a special silicone plug-in type, but it was a strange strap that was difficult to handle, so I bought a metal fitting released by the Thumsup company to attach a regular strap, but shortly after, Leica released the same one at a lower price.
It seems that Leica realized after the release that the original strap was a terrible thing. I think it was unpopular with testers, but did they not use this strap?
The final firmware 1.9 was changed to support “Leica FOTOS”.
2．Usability
I liked the design of the LEICA T typ701 and bought the silver version shortly after its release. Later, Mapcamera found a limited edition “CHALIE VICE” model for the same price as the regular version, so I traded in my silver model and bought it.
The 16-megapixel design provides sufficient pixel count and resolution for general photography, and while it’s designed for an APS-C sensor, which means the edges of the lens are cropped, it does a good job of reproducing the lens’s character.
My original purpose for purchasing this camera was as a potential base for M-mount and R-mount lenses. To that end, I purchased the official L-mount M lens adapters (18765, 18771), but these are fixed mount adapters, which limit the minimum focusing distance to 0.7m, the standard for many M-mount cameras, and I decided they weren’t suitable for that purpose due to the limitations on assigning functions to the dials, as described below.
As for the minimum focusing distance, various companies have released L-mount mount adapters with auxiliary helicoids since 2025, increasing shooting flexibility. I’ve linked to an article about purchasing and using the LIGHT LENS LAB M-L Macro mount adapter with auxiliary helicoid.
Next, regarding the dials, the Leica T series is primarily designed for touch panel operation, and the policy is to eliminate physical buttons on the body as much as possible, so the only physical means of controlling the camera’s functions are the two dials on the top platen.
When using manual focus lenses such as M-mount lenses, the problem is the limited function assignments to the dials, meaning you can’t freely assign functions to the two dials. The functions that can be assigned to these physical dials vary depending on the shooting mode. When selecting A mode (aperture priority, automatic shutter speed), the main shooting mode for manual focus lenses, the function of the right dial is fixed to ISO selection.
Because it’s a manual focus lens, I’d like to assign focus magnification and exposure compensation to the dials, but this isn’t possible because one of the button functions is fixed. So, I assign focus magnification to the left dial, which is assignable, and when exposure compensation is needed, I have to use the touch panel, which is a hassle.
The reason for this is that when using a manual focus lens on the rear LCD screen, it’s very difficult to see the focus peak. If you shoot without checking the focus position using the magnification function, the focus will likely be slightly off with a bright lens with a small maximum aperture. This situation remains unchanged even when using the Visoflex Typ020 EVF, where you need to magnify the image to feel secure.
Also, when M mode is selected, the right dial’s function is fixed to shutter speed selection. Therefore, if you set the left dial to focus magnification, you have the advantage of being able to magnify the focus while controlling the exposure with shutter speed. However, adjusting exposure with shutter speed requires readjustment every time the scene changes, making the operation cumbersome and less convenient than the automatic shutter speed control system in A mode. While this is also a problem for the photographer, the fact that you can’t freely set the dial is frustrating and disappointing.
All LEICA T-series cameras use this operation method, and the Leica SL-series and Leica CL, which offer flexible shooting settings, are suitable camera bodies for using manual focus lenses.
Speaking of the Visoflex Typ020 EVF, I was using the Leica M10 at the same time, so I bought one and tried it out with the Leica T.
When using the Visoflex Typ020 with the Leica T, it was difficult to see the focus point through the EVF, and to accurately check the focus point, I had to assign the magnification function to the dial.
This left the aforementioned dial function assignment issue intact, and the only benefit of attaching an EVF was being able to check the composition in scenes that were difficult to see on the LCD screen.
When attaching the Visoflex Typ020 to the Leica T, a large protrusion was added to the top of the camera, compromising the compact camera body and making it difficult to store in a camera bag.
I thought the Leica T series had a large aperture mount for an APS-C camera, but it was converted directly to the full-frame SL mount. This is probably due to the camera’s somewhat forward-looking design.
3．Summary
To sum up the LEICA T typ701, the Leica T series is a camera that is suitable for attaching an autofocus lens and shooting casually by leaving it to AF.
Using it as a body for manual lenses is not as convenient due to the restrictions on assigning functions to the dials. The fact that the EVF is an add-on also makes it less convenient to use with manual lenses compared to mirrorless cameras with built-in EVFs such as the α NEX-6,α NEX-7.
Specification and Series camera
The following mount adapters are available from Leica. When using the R Lens Adapter for L with Leica SL, TL, or CL cameras, the lens information is recorded in exif when a Leica R ROM lens is attached. I would like other companies’ L-mount cameras to behave in the same way, but unfortunately I have not seen any cameras that do this.
I had the M-Adapter-T: 18771 and R-Adapter-T: 16076 that I purchased when I got the LEICA SL typ601, so I tried using a manual lens with the Leica T, but the results of the shots viewed on the large 3.7-inch, 1.3-megapixel high-resolution display always looked in focus when reduced, so I was often disappointed when I enlarged the images on my PC after shooting. I felt that it was essential to check the focus by magnifying it when shooting.
As an aside, the list price of the genuine M lens adapter for L (18765, 18771) has risen to 80,000 yen as of 2026, which is about double the price when I bought it.
By using the R-Adapter-T: 16076, you can record lens information in exif for Leica R mount lenses with a ROM terminal. With the latest firmware, LEICA T v1.9, the Leica T typ701 also records ROM lens information in Exif as shown below. When using a non-ROM lens, “R-Adapter-L” is displayed.
In addition, adapters for L-mounts are available from various companies, but care must be taken with lenses for rangefinder cameras whose rear lens is close to the film surface. The area around the sensor of the Leica T is the same size as an APS-C size sensor, and the wall is close to the mount, so a large rear lens cannot be attached because it interferes with the wall. For example, Russian Jupiter 3 lenses cannot be attached.
The MOUNT CONVERTER MC-21, which is sold by Sigma and converts Sigma SA mount and Canon EF mount to L mount, cannot be used with the Leica T series, Leica CL, or Leica SL.
Leica L-mount bodies have been included in the compatibility table since the LEICA SL2 and LEICA SL2-S, so it is highly likely that cameras made after those will be usable.
Also, if the connection terminal of the mount converter is masked, it can be used as a MF lens. In that case, the electrical contacts are disabled, so the lens aperture cannot be adjusted and it must be used at full aperture.
| Items | LEICA T(Typ701) | LEICA TL | LEICA TL2 |
| Effective Pixels(megapixels) | 16.03 | 16.2 | 24.24 |
| Image sensor | APS-C | APS-C | APS-C |
| 16GB | 32GB | 32GB | |
| Include Flash | exsist | exsist | none |
| Rear LCD | 3.7-inch TFT LCD 1.3 million dots | 3.7-inch TFT LCD 1.3 million dots | 3.7-inch TFT LCD 1.3 million dots |
| View finder | Options | Options | Options |
| Image stabilizer | none | none | none |
| Recorded memory | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Battery | BP-DC 13 | BP-DC 13 | BP-DC 13 |
| Size(mm)WxHxD | 134 × 69 × 33 | 134 × 69 × 33 | 134 × 69 × 33 |
| Weight | 384 (with BAT) | 384 (with BAT) | 399 (with BAT) |
| Body color | Silver, Black, Limited edition | Silver, Black, Titanium | Silver, Black |
| Release date | May 26, 2014 | November 26, 2016 | August 10, 2017 |
Options
- M-Adapter-T: 18771
- R-Adapter-T: 16076
- Battery: BP-DC13 (18772-silver/18773-black)
- Bizoflex Type020: 18767
- Leather case
- Thumb rest
- Normal strap attachment bracket
- Dedicated strap
Reference links
- Genuine adapter for attaching a universal strap to the Leica T
- <LEICA> | A special indigo-colored “Leica T” that embodies Charlie’s passion
- LEICA TL・Shige’s hobby
- LEICA TL2・Shige’s hobby
- LEICA CL・Shige’s hobby
- Mount adapter with auxiliary helicoid “LIGHT LENS LAB M-L Macro”・Shige’s hobby
Affiliate links
- Leica R lens・Ads by ebay
- Leica M lens・Ads by ebay
- Leica TL・Ads by ebay
- Leica SL・Ads by ebay
Update history
- 2026.2.6
- 2025.4.19
- 2024.03.10
- 2023.08.14
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