Leica introduces M10-P and the Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ‘Safari’ limited edition camera and lens
When Executive Essentials visited Leica CEO Dr. Andreas Kaufmann last year and engaged on an exclusive interview at the newly-built Leitz Park complex in Wetzlar, Germany, he intimated that it will be the direction of Leica to continue to offer exclusive and limited edition cameras particularly in the Mseries.
So it comes as no surprise that Leica Camera AG is again writing the next chapter of successful and sought-after special editions by introducing another Mseries now finished in olive green enamel, and now presents the latest model in this series – the Leica M10-P Edition ‘Safari’.
Technically, it is identical to the serial production M10-P model in terms of performance and specifications. Its most distinct special features its eye-catching olive green enamel finish and specially designed accessories supplied with the camera. It comes with a leather carrying strap and a case for SD memory cards and credit cards, both crafted from brandy-colored, genuine full grain cowhide, that underline the aesthetics and the unusual looks of the limited special edition which is limited to only 1,500 examples.
What is a bit unusual about this model is that it can be paired with a matching Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2 Edition ‘Safari’ premium lens but it will be offered separately. It is the first-ever Leica M-Lens in its history to be produced in olive green enamel finish that matches perfectly with the camera. However, Leica will only produce 500 pieces of this specially colored lens.
In addition to the special enamel finish, the Leica Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 Edition ‘Safari’ is also distinguished by other design features. The distance scale in feet and the focal length engravings are picked out in red paint, and stand in contrast to the otherwise white engravings on the lens. While the technical specifications and optical performance are identical to those of the serial production model, the regular production lens will not color match the ‘Safari’ camera.
All visible metal components of the Leica M10-P Edition ‘Safari’ and the Leica Summicron-M 1:2/50 Edition ‘Safari’ premium lens are elaborately machined from solid brass. What is extra special about this limited edition set is that its premium stove enamel finish in olive green makes the camera and lens more resistant to finger marks and scratches, and provides enduring protection against solvents, chemicals and UV light.
The first Leica cameras to use this high quality stove enamel finish in olive green were originally designed and constructed for use in the field back in the 1960s. Their reputation quickly grew as a robust and reliable tool that can be used under extreme conditions and it all started with the Leica M1 ‘Olive’ manufactured for the
German armed forces in 1960 and since then went on to become a success story.
Its succeeding models using the olive green finish were the M3 and M4 cameras that were manufactured exclusively for military use in the field. But in 1977, the first olive green Leica R3 ‘Safari’ camera was introduced in response to increasing demand by private Leica enthusiasts. After over two decades, the Leica M6 TTL ‘Safari’ was introduced in 2000 followed by the M8.2 ‘Safari’ in 2008 and, in 2015, the M-P (Typ 240) ‘Safari’. These classic olive green cameras were very much sought-after and enormously popular among Leica collectors and camera enthusiasts.