Leica’s latest offering is sure to excite camera enthusiasts and collectors alike.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of its iconic M Series camera, the German manufacturer has unveiled a luxury limited-edition model. As reported by The Verge, the Leica M Edition 70 embodies exclusivity with a staggering price tag of $24,000. This special edition features a luxurious platinum-plated exterior, ensuring that it not only performs impressively but also makes a bold statement. Included with the camera is an APO-Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH lens, a Leicavit M fast winder for added functionality, and a film container stocked with black-and-white film to enhance the vintage shooting experience.
Leica
The M Series, which debuted in 1954 with the release of the M3 model, has since evolved to include a myriad of different versions, all embodying the exceptional quality and craftsmanship Leica is renowned for. The M Edition 70 takes this legacy up a notch by incorporating premium materials and limited production, with only 250 units being made available to discerning collectors.
Perhaps the standout feature of this limited-edition camera is the Leicavit M fast winder. As highlighted by The Verge, this accessory is a rare find in modern photography and pays homage to the classic days of film photography. The fast winder acts as an alternate bottom plate for the camera and features a concealed lever that allows the user to advance the film with the left hand after capturing a shot, streamlining the shooting process. This design enhances speed and discretion, making it easier to focus on the art of photography itself.
Leica
Vintage features like the Leicavit M fast winder will undoubtedly attract avid photography collectors, who appreciate both the historical significance and the craftsmanship that goes into such premium equipment. This trend is not new; in fact, just a few years ago, a collector famously paid over $15 million for a rare Leica camera dating back to the early 1900s.
Discussing the experience of using such a finely crafted camera, Mark Shipard, Leica’s head of design, expressed that “the quality and craftsmanship of the materials, the sense of precision in every movement, the soft click of the shutter release, and the visual clarity of the viewfinder all combine to create an experience that goes far beyond just taking pictures.” This encapsulates the essence of the Leica philosophy and reinforces why enthusiasts are willing to invest heavily in such innovations.
Indeed, the features found in the M Edition 70 meet and even exceed the expectations of a legendary camera manufacturer while delivering some delightful surprises along the way.
