It’s finally here: the 100th anniversary of the Leica 1 camera. And to kick of the celebration, the German camera brand is launching its 100 Years of Leica edition of the emblematic M11 model, paying homage to six cities worldwide in the process.
Leica’s Significance
A centennial jubilee is a big deal for any firm, but it’s especially significant if your company means as much to its industry as Leica does to photography. Despite being around since the mid-19th century, the German icon had a big year in 1925, debuting the Leica 1, the first mass-produced 35mm camera that was actually successful. Its simplicity, quality, and elegance allowed for the birth of modern photography, becoming a favorite of journalists, professional photographers, and budding enthusiasts alike.
From Leica 1 to the M Series
While the Leica 1 kicked off this new era of photography, it would be the launch of the M Series in 1954 that would underpin the brand’s identity for generations to come. As the brand’s new flagship, it was the logical next step for the company and the reason why it was chosen to celebrate the Leica 1’s anniversary
The inaugural M3 integrated the company’s already-iconic M mount, rangefinder, and viewfinder into a single, beautiful package. Right around the time when street photography was really starting to boom, the M was an instant, accessible favorite for photographers everywhere, both new and seasoned.
Leica M11 100 Years of Leica Basics
Built on the M11 platform, the new 100 Years of Leica special-edition cameras will pay tribute to the following six cities: Dubai, Milan, New York, Wetzlar, Shanghai, and Tokyo. Each city will receive its own limited-to-100 model over the course of the year. While the Dubai edition already launched when this series was announced, the next drop won’t be until May with the New York Edition, after which one subsequent edition will come out each of the following months.
Being its top-shelf model, the M11 100 Years of Leica has all you’d expect from the camera, including a 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor with Triple Resolution Technology and a large optical viewfinder. Coated in a glossy black paint to nod to past M Series models, the camera will also be accented with a chrome finish on some of the buttons and knobs. Meanwhile, a black cowhide wrap will elevate the visual aesthetic of the camera.
The city designation will be inscribed on the tops of the cameras, as well as a unique xxx/100 edition numbering to mark which camera you’ve received. Instead of the signature red screw over the lens, it will be colored in black here. Also, a 100th-anniversary logo will appear on the hot shoe cover.
Spec Sheet
Model: M11 100 Years of Leica
Sensor: 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor
Limited Edition?: Yes, 100 each (x6)
Pricing & Availability
Limited to just 100 pieces per city model, the M11 100 Years of Leica editions will only be made available in their respective countries. There is no pricing info available yet, but seeing that your standard black M11 is $8,995, you can expect these to be even more. Head over to Leica’s website to learn more, as well as see what other products are getting released for this 100th anniversary.
Recap
Leica M11 100 Years of Leica Edition
Leica celebrates 100 years of its Leica 1 camera with these special-edition M11s, representing six different global cities, including New York. Each camera is limited to 100 pieces.
