Leica Camera Unveils Special Edition M Camera
with Striking Red Anodized Finish
The Leica M (Typ 262) ‘red anodized finish’ is limited to just 100 units worldwide
December 14, 2017 – Leica Camera presents a special new addition to the Leica rangefinder system – the Leica M (Typ 262) ‘red anodized finish’. The unique color scheme of this special edition camera takes the classic styling of the Leica M and couples it with the bold statement of a bright red hue. The top plate and baseplate of the Leica M (Typ 262) are machined from solid aluminum and anodized in red. This lends the camera a unique look that perfectly matches the color of the special edition Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. lens released in 2016. The exclusiveness of this striking edition is further underlined by the strictly limited number being made available: As was the case with the lens, the Leica M (Typ 262) ‘red anodized finish’ edition is limited to just 100 cameras worldwide, each with a unique serial number.
The technical specifications of the special edition camera are identical to those of the standard production Leica M (Typ 262). With its concentration on the functions essential for photography and intuitive handling, it is the perfect camera for experiencing the pure enjoyment of Leica M-Photography. The Leica M (Typ 262) embodies all the essential advantages of the Leica rangefinder system, while consciously eschewing extraneous features that can distract from the pure rangefinder experience. Its full-frame CMOS sensor is conceived exclusively for rangefinder photography and intentionally does without additional functions such as Live View and video recording. Its 24-megapixel resolution ensures exceptional imaging quality and extreme sensitivity to light, which also makes the Leica M (Typ 262) a perfect camera for photography in any available light situation. Supporting the sensor’s versatility to capture top-quality photographs in any situation, the camera’s Maestro processor guarantees fast processing of captured images and immediate readiness to shoot.
The handling of the Leica M (Typ 262) fulfills everything that discerning photographers expect from a Leica M. All controls and functions are logically and ergonomically located exactly where the photographer expects them to be. Just like every other M, it allows fast manual focusing with the coupled rangefinder and the focusing ring of the lens. It also offers a choice of manual or automatic aperture priority exposure. Due to the omission of Live-View and video capability, the menu is extremely lean and consists of only two pages. This ensures that all camera settings are easily and rapidly accessible at all times. This also applies to white balance, where the M (Typ 262) has a dedicated WB button on the back of the camera.
The Leica M (Typ 262) ‘red anodized finish’ will be available exclusively at Leica Stores and Boutiques beginning today, for the price of $6,995.00. Leica Store Miami Has Them HERE.
Dear Leica friends and enemys!
I really don’t care about all your comments about the M 262 red limited edition! For me it is a wonderfull peace of camera design and much nicer than any Hermes edition I saw before. Of course I can imagine that the selling orice of Leica cameras polarizes people to worthship a product that is undoubtable a masterpiece to practise shootings in a different way. Maybe it is a good marketing deal for Leica to sell another 100 M 262 that compared to Sony A 7 R 3 is not competitive, for nearly double of the price. On the other side it is a collectors fetish that is may be wonderfull to have?! In any case it is a very decorative camera to work wirh especially if you wear a red tie in combination with it. Sometimes it is even nore than “Das Wesentliche” that colours our lives…
It’s amazing to me how Leica continues to evoke such strong emotions in people. I doubt if anyone cares about people buying other Veblen items such as a Rolex or Porsche, but people certainly get agitated about Leicas. I don’t know if Leica Camera AG makes cameras that are in any way ‘worth” their price but they are certainly geniuses at marketing, consumer psychology, and making very expensive versions of their products highly collectible.
By the way, since people use the term a lot, Veblen goods are “a luxury good for which demand increases as the price increases, because of its exclusive nature and appeal as a status symbol”.
The color is thief repellent ! Leica guy are genious.
Leica is becoming the Louis Vuitton of the camera trade. Both have a long history of high quality craftsmanship, but recently they are aiming mainly at the ones among us with the deepest pockets. Here in Amsterdam Leica even opened their own brand store in the most expensive shopping area in town, amongst the Gucci’s, Bvlgari’s and Prada’s. The classic professional Leica photographers as I learned to know them in my design practice were very different. They could be a bit stubborn, sometimes even fundamentalistic about their beloved brand. But most of them were also emphatic and social people. And not rich at all. I even remember a guy who lived on oatmeal porridge for a year to be able to buy his favorite lens.
You all being negative to the idea missed the point. Believe me, they will be sold out in a jiffy if not so in China. Red is there a color traditionally associated with fortune and good luck. It“s especially relevant at chinese New Year. A perfect wedding camera too. As far I remember Pentax and Hasselblad made red versions too of their MF cameras.
i AM A CHINESE, THIS RED IS NOT LIKE CHINESE FLAG RED… SORRY, TOO SHINING FOR CHINESE,BUT IT WILL SOLD OUT VERY SOON. IT’S A LIMITED LEICA AFTER ALL.
Think how vintage gorgeous it will be in 20 years once that patina sets in … NOT! 😉
Red is a popular colour in some cultures
Best theft protection possible. Smart.
To people who love kitsch…
Hmm.
When Nikon makes a red camera everyone is cool with that:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1275033-REG/nikon_1572_d3400_dslr_camera_with.html
When Canon makes a red camera everyone is cool with that:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1225991-REG/canon_powershot_sx420_is_digital.html
When Olympus makes a red camera everyone is cool with that:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1335060-REG/olympus_v104190ru000_tg_5_digital_camera_red.html
But when Leica makes a red camera, they get their panties all bunched up.
Interesting…
Equally awful in a camera for serious use. But see the difference
Olympus Tough TG-5 Digital Camera (Red)
$399.00
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS Digital Camera with Free Accessory Kit (Red)
$229.00
Nikon D3400 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Red)
$396.95
The Leica M (Typ 262) ‘red anodized finish’ will be available exclusively at Leica Stores and Boutiques beginning today, for the price of $6,995.00.
Nobody was ever cool with a red camera, no matter who made it.
So the difference is it costs more?
This is the difference between regular cameras and any Leica camera.
It is apparent the colour has nothing to do with it.
No, difference is about exclusivity. Leica is a regular expensive camera. Red doesn’t make is better, it’s a camouflage
“No, difference is about exclusivity. Leica is a regular expensive camera. Red doesn’t make is better, it’s a camouflage”
It does to the 100 people who are going to buy it.
Think about this for a car perspective. Most mgs have a base set of paint colours, and then premium paint colours that they sell for much more over the base. Let’s take Porsche for example, another fine German luxury brand. Standard paint is “$0”. Metallic paint is $720 extra. Special paint is $3150 extra. Custom paint is $7000 extra.
Do these paint options make it ‘better’? It does to the person who, of their own free will, decides whether that is worth it.
Someone wants to buy a red Leica? Go ahead, more power to them.
“Nobody was ever cool with a red camera, no matter who made it.”
Of course they are which is why the mfgs make them in red. They wouldn’t make them if no-one bought them.
Some people will buy them. But not more than one hundred
In other words: sour grapes …
It’s a good photographs repellent
Coming next he limited edition Trump ‘Fake Tan’ Leica. In vibrant orange, obviously.
The top plate will have the engraving “Zorki – Make Russia great again”
I don’t understand the two comments. I don’t like red cameras, I don’t like red cars as well. So what? Let’s say it’s a gimmick and Leica is trying to sell some more 262 cameras. What’s wrong with it. They don’t have to buy red cameras, or any other color. just take it proportionally
Have a feeling most of them will be under glass on the desk or in a bookcase for show, used only when the owner desires to show it off and be the center of attention .
Not a bad thing at all if you have the funds and it pleases you why not?
The perfect camera for discreet street shooting!
Lol
Love it!
Wish I had enough money.
Dirk.
ONLY for discrete Leica owners who hadn’t enough with ONLY a red dot.
Very cool. A cartoon Leica.
Will they also be offering a “Limited Edition” carbon fiber Leica branded matching strap?
Asking for a friend.
You underestimate its usefulness. Think how stealthy you’d be hiding in a giant bouquet of red roses…
Come on now Leica! Your are better than this. You must know that no real photographic enthusiast would ever buy such a camera, even less, shoot pictures with it. The real photographer does not want to attract attention to him/her self. This camera does the opposite. It says: “Hey, look at me, I own a Leica”. This is a cynical way of trying to sell a few type 262’s that are being phased out. There are better ways to promote your business Leica, than to sell product designed to be looked at rather than used.
Nicely stated, Jamesm1291. I completely agree that one’s “camera” should not draw attention to itself, and especially so for those documentary/street photographers who may be working in less than hospitable areas. I don’t understand how a “camera company” thinks this camera in any way promotes the Art of “Photography”. Sort of reminds me of the ridiculous re-branding of the Sony NEX by Hasselblad.
I have met a handful of Leica users from buying and selling used gear with them. As far as i can make out they were all Leica “collectors” They all talked about completing there collections. You just new they hardly used the gear. BUT, I believe if it makes them happy, then why not? We all like photography for different reasons. If i could afford it too i would collect camera gear. Leica know their target audience….That includes many collectors.