PW, Sep 12, 2016

Limited Edition Leicas

Leica has often celebrated special events or significant anniversaries through the release of Special Editions of its cameras. These small-batch production runs are based on the technology and design of the regular camera models, but feature alterations, for example, in body material, color, and texture. In addition, the Limited Editions frequently have special engravings that mark the occasion of their release. The cameras also generally carry an edition number alongside the regular series number, and come in elaborate box-packaging to further accentuate their distinct character. As a result, some of the Leica Limited Editions are arguably among the most beautiful and luxurious cameras ever made.

leica mp frankfurt box — Leica M-P Galerie Frankfurt set

The special edition cameras are fully functional photographic tools, but few are actually used to take pictures. Instead, their beauty and scarcity entices them to collectors, who are willing to pay a substantial premium over the regular camera price in order to own one of these extraordinary objects. The Limited Editions are often carefully stored and maintained, so that it is not unusual to encounter LE-Leicas that are decades old, but still in mint condition. Such cameras tend to keep their value well over time and sometimes manage to achieve remarkable results at photography auctions. Hence, what might appear on first sight as an excessive price for a slightly modified camera model might – with collector skill and luck – turn out to be a high-yielding investment.

Recent special editions

Mar 2017

Leica Monochrome Blue Stain

Leica Monochrome (Typ 246) with Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4;
Released on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Leica Store Berlin;
Finished in Blue Stain ("Blaubeize"), a ground coating wich is used to protect the metal;
Renunciation of color engravings;
Limited to 10 sets;
Launch Price: €18,880;
Price: check offers on ebay.

Oct 2016

Leica M-P Grip by Rolf Sachs

Leica M-P (Typ 240) with Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4;
Collaboration with artist and photographer Rolf Sachs;
Main body covered by red nubs of rubber normally used in the production of table tennis bats;
Engravings on top plate dials highlighted in red;
Rolf Sachs logo engraved on the back of the top plate;
Limited to 79 sets;
Launch Price: $14,950;
Price: check offers on ebay.

Sep 2016

Leica Q Indonesia

Leica Q with green body cover;
Map of Indonesia engraved on top;
Limited to 45 units;
Launch price: about $5,000;
Street price: check offers on ebay.

Sep 2016

Leica M-P Titanium Set

Fifth annual edition made from titanium;
Leica M-P (Typ 240) with 28mm f/2 and 50mm f/2;
Top plate, base plate and control elements precision machined from solid titanium;
Body 90g lighter than regular brass M-P;
Classic Leica script engraved on the top plate;
Limited to 333 units;
Launch price: $22,900;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Sep 2016

Leica M-P Titanium Ginza

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Leica store Ginza in Tokyo;
Leica M-P (Typ 240) body;
Titanium body is 90g lighter than regular brass M-P;
Rear engraving of "10 Jahre";
Limited to 50 units;
Price: check offers on ebay.

Jul 2016

Leica M-P Marina Bay Sands Edition

Celebrating the opening of a new Leica store in Singapore;
Leica M-P (Typ 240) with Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH;
Silver leatherette with matching silver-chrome lens;
Top engraving of the Marina Bay Sands skyline;
Lens hood engraving of a lion head;
Limited to 18 units;
Launch price: SGD 19,000;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Mar 2016

Leica M-P Galerie Frankfurt

Special edition for Leica store Frankfurt;
Leica M-P (Typ 240) with Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH;
Grey top and base plate, and grey leatherette;
Lens styled like the 1960th original;
Handmade Oberwerth bag with the "Galerie Frankfurt" logo on the front;
Limited to 50 sets;
Price: check offers on ebay.

Jan 2016

Leica M-P Brass Edition 35

Special edition created for luxury retailer The Hour Glass;
Leica M-P (Typ 240) with Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 ASPH;
Matt brass finish;
Chetnut leather on exterior wrap;
Limited to 35 sets;
Launch price: $35,000;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Jan 2016

Leica M Panda Edition

Honoring the Panda as a Chinese national treasure;
Leica M-P (Typ 240) with Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 ASPH or Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH;
Special black and white color design;
Rear engraving of the panda logo and the words "CHENGDU CHINA";
Sold through Leica stores in China, Hong Kong and Macau;
Limited to 30 units with 2/28 and 30 units with 1.4/35;
Launch price: $20,000;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Jun 2015

Leica M Kinderlachen

Collaboration with non-profit organisation Kinderlachen e.V.;
Design based on cardboard paintings of children;
Implemented on Leica M by Munich-based artist Helmut Lutter;
Unique copy;
Winning bid at charitable auction: €28,800 (incl. buyer's premium);
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Jun 2015

Leica M-E Kinderlachen

Collaboration with non-profit organisation Kinderlachen e.V.;
Design based on cardboard paintings of children;
Implemented on Leica M-E by Munich-based artist Helmut Lutter;
Unique copy;
Winning bid at charitable auction: €28,800 (incl. buyer's premium);
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Feb 2015

Leica M-P Safari

Leica M-P (Typ 240) in olive green safari-look;
Bundled with Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 ASPH;
Top plate engraving of "Leica Camera AG" and "Wetzlar Germany";
Limited to 1500 units;
Launch price: $9,990;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Feb 2015

Leica M-P Correspondent

Collaboration between Leica and artist Lenny Kravitz;
Leica M-P (Typ 240) bundled with 2/35mm and 1.4/50mm;
Black snakeskin trim;
Camera and lenses intentionally aged by hand in homage to a well-used camera system;
Limited to 125 sets;
Launch price: $24,500;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Oct 2014

Leica X Edition Moncler

Leica X Typ 113;
Collaboration with French fashion house Moncler;
Tricolore leathering: blue, white, red;
Engraving of "Moncler" on flash housing;
Pouch that resembles a Moncler down jacket;
Limited to 1,500 units;
Launch price: $2,950;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Sep 2014

Leica M Edition 60

Commemoration of 60 years of the Leica M system;
Leica M Typ 240 with Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH;
No LCD screen - replaced by an ISO dial;
Stainless steel with anthracite leather;
Designed by Audi;
Limited to 600 units;
Launch price: $20,000;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Aug 2014

Leica S Summicron 100 Edition

Commemoration of Leica's centennial anniversary;
Leica S camera and Summicron-S 100mm f/2 ASPH;
"Linsenschnitt" engraving on both camera and lens;
Matte black finish with black chrome strap lugs and controls;
Limited to 100 sets;
Launch price: $30,000;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Jun 2014

Leica M Limited Edition

Commemoration of Leica's centennial anniversary;
Leica M (Typ 240) in either black or silver chrome;
Engraving with the centennial logo on top of the camera;
Limited to 250 black and 250 chrome units;
Launch price: $8,600;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

May 2014

Leica X Vario Leitzpark

Official opening of the new company complex in Wetzlar ;
Leica X Vario compact camera;
Engraving of "Leitzpark" on the top;
Limited to 200 units;
Price: check offers on ebay.

Mar 2014

Leica D-Lux 6 Edition 100

Commemoration of Leica's centennial anniversary;
Leica D-Lux 6 compact camera;
Two-color finish with a silver lens and a high-gloss black camera body;
Engraving with the centennial logo on the camera front;
Limited to 5,000 units;
Launch price: $950;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Feb 2014

Leica S Edition 100

Commemoration of Leica's centennial anniversary;
Leica S (Typ 006) with Summarit-S 70 mm f/2.5 ASPH CS and Elmarit-S 30 mm f/2.8 ASPH CS;
Engraving with the centennial logo on both camera and lenses;
Launch price: $34,500;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Nov 2013

Leica M for (RED)

Leica M designed by Jony Ive and Marc Newson;
Custom made for the (RED) charitable auction 2013;
Main body of magnesium die-cast;
Outer shell of milled and anodized aluminum;
Lens based on APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH;
Only one unit made;
Winning auction bid: $1,8 million.

Jun 2013

Leica D-Lux 6 Edition G-Star Raw

Collaboration with clothing manufacturer G-Star Raw;
Leica D-Lux 6 compact camera;
Camera front and sides covered in textured leather;
Top plate engraving "LEICA BY G-STAR RAW...JUST THE PRODUCT";
Custom leather carrying case, neck strap and wrist strap;
Launch price: $1,150;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Jul 2012

Leica M9-P Edition Hermès - Série Limitée Jean-Louis Dumas

Dedicated to the memory of Jean-Louis Dumas, the former president of Hermès;
Silver-chromed M9-P and three lenses;
Leica Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 ASPH;
Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95;
Leica APO-Summicron-M 90 mm f/2 ASPH
Camera covered by "Veau Swift" calfskin leather in "ocre";
Redesigned top deck, base plate, shutter speed dial, multifunction wheel and shutter release;
Limited to 100 sets;
Launch price: $50,000;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Jun 2012

Leica M9-P Edition Hermès

Collaboration between Leica and fashion house Hermès;
Silver-chromed M9-P with Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH;
Camera covered by "Veau Swift" calfskin leather in "ocre";
Redesigned top deck, base plate, shutter speed dial, multifunction wheel and shutter release;
Limited to 300 units;
Launch price: $25,000;
Street Price: check offers on ebay.

Selected Leica M-system limited editions
Model		Year	Limit	Description	Launch price	Ebay price
	Leica Monochrome (Typ 246) Blue Stain	2017	10	Body in Blue Stain finish; with 1.4/50	€18,880	check
	Leica M-P (Typ 240) Grip by Rolf Sachs	2016	79	Body covered by red rubber nubs; with 1.4/35	$14,950	check
	Leica M-P (Typ 240) Titanium Set	2016	333	Top, base and controls in titanium; with 2/28 and 2/50	$22,900	check
	Leica M-P (Typ 240) Titanium Ginza	2016	50	10th anniversary of the Leica Store Ginza/Tokyo	..	check
	Leica M-P Marina Bay Sands Edition	2016	18	Opening of a new store at Marina Bay Sands; with 1.4/35	SGD 19,000	check
	Leica M-P Galerie Frankfurt	2016	50	Set with 1.4/50 and Oberwerth bag	..	check
	Leica M-P Brass 35 Edition	2016	35	Collaboration with luxury retailer The Hour Glass	$35,000	check
	Leica M Panda Edition	2016	60	Honoring the Panda in China; with 2/28mm or 1.4/35	$20,000	check
	Leica M-P Safari	2015	1,500	Olive green safari-look; bundled with 2/35mm	$9,990	check
	Leica M-P Correspondent	2015	125	Intentionally aged look; designed by Lenny Kravitz	$24,500	check
	Leica M Edition 60	2014	600	60 years of M-system; bundled with 1.4/35mm	$20,000	check
	Leica M Limited Edition	2014	500	100 years of Leica; centennial logo engraving	$8,600	check
	Leica M Monochrom Leitzpark	2014	100	Openning of the new company complex in Wetzlar	..	check
	Leica M for (RED)	2013	1	Designed for charitable auction; bundled with 2/50	$1.8 million	check
	Leica M9-P Hermès - Jean-Louis Dumas	2012	100	Set with 2/28, 0.95/50, 2/90; calf-skin leathering	$50,000	check
	Leica M9-P Hermès	2012	300	Set with 1.4/50mm; calf-skin leathering	$25,000	check
	Leica M9-P White	2012	50	Opening of Leica Daimaru Tokyo store; with 0.95/50mm	$31,000	check
	Leica MP Taiwan Centenary Establishment	2012	100	Grey upper and lower lids; plum blossom engraving	$12,000	check
	Leica M9-P White	2012	50	White leather body with Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 ASPH	$30,000	check
	Leica M9 Titanium	2010	500	Titanium body designed by Walter de Silva; with 1.4/35	$29,000	check
	Leica M9 Neiman Marcus	2010	50	Ostrich leather body cover; with 2/35	$12,950	check
	Leica M-P Gold "60 Years PRC"	2009	60	Body gold plated and covered in red calf's skin	$29,300	check
	Leica M8 White	2009	275	Set with Elmarit 2.8/28mm	..	check
	Leica M7 Hermès edition	2009	200	Collaboration with French fashion house Hermès	..	check
	Leica M-P Titanium (0.72) Japan	2007	196	First anniversary of the Leica Ginza Store, Tokyo	..	check
	Leica M7 Titanium	2003	1,000	Commemoration of 50 years of Leica M	..	check
	Leica M-P Grey Hammertone LHSA	2003	600	Commemoration of 35 years of LHSA	..	check
	Leica M6 TTL Sheik Saud Al-Thani	2001	16	First prize in annual Qatari photo competition	-	check
	Leica M6 Jaguar XK	1998	50	50th anniversary of the Jaguar XK sports car	£3,600	check
	Leica M6 Ein Stück Leica	1996	996	Commemorating the stock exchange listing of Leica	..	check
	Leica M6 Sultan of Brunei	1996	350	Gold plated body with elaborate engraving and 1.4/50	..	check
	Leica M6 Historica	1995	150	20th anniversary of Leica Historica Germany	..	check
	Leica M6J	1994	1,640	40th Jubilee of the Leica M-series	..	check
	Leica M6 Platinum "150 Years"	1989	1,000	Commemorating 150 years of photography	..	check
	Leica M4-P "1913-1983"	1983	2,500	70th anniversary of Leica	..	check
	Leica M4-2 Oskar Barnack	1979	1,000	100th anniversary of Oskar Barnack	..	check
	Leica M5 Jubilee	1975	1,750	Commemoration of 50 years of Leica cameras	..	check
Selected Leica S-system limited editions
Model		Year	Limit	Description	Launch price	Ebay price
	Leica S Summicron 100 edition	2014	100	Leica S with 2/100mm; "Linsenschnitt" engraving	$30,000	check
	Leica S Edition 100	2014	..	100 years of Leica; Set with 2.8/30 and 2.5/70	$34,500	check
	Leica S Leitzpark	2014	20	Openning of the new company complex in Wetzlar	..	check
Selected Leica R-system limited editions
Model		Year	Limit	Description	Launch price	Ebay price
	Leica R6.2 Gold Hongkong	1997	300	Changeover of Sovereignty from UK to China	..	check
	Leica R6.2 Gold Singapore	1995	150	30th Anniversary of Singapore's Independence	..	check
	Leica R7 Urushi Nihon Siber Hegner	1995	200	130th anniversary of Leica dealer Nihon Siber Hegner	..	check
	Leica R-E Olympische Spiele	1992	5,000	Set for the Olympic Games 1992; with 28-70mm	..	check
	Leica R4 Gold	1984	1,000	Gold plated top and base; snake leather; matching 1.4/50	..	check
	Leica R4 Everest	1982	200	Successful scaling of Mount Everest	..	check
	Leica R3 Oskar Barnack	1979	1,000	100th anniversary of Oskar Barnack	..	check
	Leica R3 LHSA	1978	100	10th anniversary of Leica Historical Society of America	..	check
	Leica R3 Safari	1976	2,500	Olive green body (with case and matching lenses)	..	check
	Leicaflex SL-2 "50 Jahre"	1974	..	50-year anniversary of Leitz Camera	..	check
Selected Leica fixed-lens camera limited editions
Model		Year	Limit	Description	Launch price	Ebay price
	Leica Q Indonesia	2016	45	Green body cover; map of Indonesia engraved on top	$5,000	check
	Leica X Edition Moncler	2014	1,500	Collaboration with French fashion house Moncler	$2,950	check
	Leica X-Vario Leitzpark	2014	200	Openning of the new company complex in Wetzlar	..	check
	Leica D-Lux 6 edition 100	2014	5,000	100 years of Leica; "Centennial logo" on front	$950	check
	Leica D-Lux 6 by G-Star Raw	2013	..	Collaboration with Dutch denim producer G-Star Raw	$1,150	check
	Leica X2 Paul Smith	2012	1,500	Eye-catching orange/green/yellow design by Paul Smith	€2,399	check
	Leica X1 Jochen Rindt	2010	68	40th anniversary of the death of F1 driver Jochen Rindt	€2,150	check
	Leica D-Lux 4 Safari	2009	6,000	Olive green anodized body	$995	check