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Leica has released new versions of three of its existing M lenses, giving users a choice of a silver option of the normal 75mm, and two limited edition lenses to match the green M10-P ‘Safari’. The silver anodized APO-Summicron-M 75mm f/2 ASPH will be a standard production model to give all M users an alternative to the black paint version that is currently available. Leica UK will charge a £200 premium for the silver model though it seems to be the same price as the black version in the USA. The Miami Leica store has this model marked as a limited edition of 300 units worldwide but still lists it as the same price as the black model. That may be a mistake.
The Safari green Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH and APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2 ASPH lenses will be limited editions, with Leica producing 500 units of the first and 250 of the second. These two lenses join the Summicron-M 50mm f/2 to form a set of three that match the M10-P ‘Safari’ camera that is finished in the same green paint.
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The original Leica M1 in Olive for the armed forces Copyright: www.schouten-select.com |
All these cameras were marked with the word Bundeseigentum – Federal Property Copyright: www.schouten-select.com |
Leica says these green models follow in the footsteps of the original Leica M1 which was produced in Olive for the German Armed forces in the early 1960s. Those cameras were all marked ‘Bundeseigentum’ to denote that they were the property of the German government and now fetch a good price as, according to Dutch dealer Schouten, there were only 208 units made. The original M1 Olive cameras only had the standard-issue lenses for the time though, so no matching green paint in those days.
The three new lenses will start shipping at the end of February.
- APO-Summicron-M 75 f/2 ASPH. silver anodized: £3,500/$ 4395
- Summicron-M 28 f/2 ASPH. Edition ‘Safari’: £3,800/$ 4895
- APO-Summicron-M 90 f/2 ASPH. Edition ‘Safari’: £4,000/$ 5095
For more information see the Leica website.
Press release:
Leica Camera introduces three new M-lens variations
Wetzlar, February 14, 2020. Leica Camera is delighted to present three new lenses for the Leica M-System: the silver anodised APO-Summicron-M 75 f/2 ASPH. as well as two limited editions, the Summicron-M 28 f/2 ASPH. and APO-Summicron-M 90 f/2 ASPH. which both come in an olive-green ‘Safari’ finish. The technical specifications of the three new lenses are identical to those of their serially produced counterparts.
The APO-Summicron-M 75 f/2 ASPH. is known as one of the most high-performing lenses for the Leica M-System and is particularly suitable for portrait photography. The new lens variation features an anodised finish and in contrast to the black-paint variant, the feet markings on the distance scale as well as the focal length engravings are inlaid in red, while all other engravings feature black inlays, emphasising the sophisticated design of the Leica M.
Leica is also releasing two limited editions, the Summicron-M 28 f/2 ASPH. and APO-Summicron-M 90 f/2 ASPH. with a special, olive-green paint finish. Both ‘Safari’-edition lenses feature red-inlaid feet markings on the distance scale and red focal length markings, while all other engravings are inlaid in white, creating a stylish juxtaposition with the olive-green lens.
The exceptionally hard-wearing, olive-green paint has a long-standing tradition at Leica. The first Leica cameras to be treated with this superior-quality enamel finish were designed for military use in 1960. Shortly after, the cameras became widely renowned as robust tools that could withstand even the most extreme conditions and what had started with the Leica M1 ‘Olive’ for the German Armed Forces went on to become an enduring success story. While the Leica M3 and M4 in olive-green were still manufactured exclusively for military use, a growing demand among private customers prompted Leica to release the first market version – the Leica R3 ‘Safari’ – in 1977. This was followed by the M6 TTL ‘Safari’ in 2000, the M8.2 ‘Safari’ in 2008, the M-P (Typ 240) ‘Safari’ of 2015 and, most recently, the M10-P Edition ‘Safari’ in 2019. Today, the olive-green cameras are highly sought-after by collectors and Leica enthusiasts alike.
Aside from the Leica Summicron-M 50 f/2, released in 2019, the new Summicron-M 28 f/2 ASPH. and APO-Summicron-M 90 f/2 ASPH. are the only M lenses to perfectly match the olive-green Leica M10-P Edition ‘Safari’, making the lenses a desirable addition to any Leica M Camera. Only 500 units will be available of the Summicron-M 28 f/2 ASPH. Edition ‘Safari’; the APO-Summicron-M 90 f/2 ASPH. Edition ‘Safari’ is limited to 250 units.
You can download high-res images here; all three lenses are available from end of February.
RRP:
- APO-Summicron-M 75 f/2 ASPH. silver anodised: £3,500
- Summicron-M 28 f/2 ASPH. Edition ‘Safari’: £3,800
- APO-Summicron-M 90 f/2 ASPH. Edition ‘Safari’: £4,000
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)