Leica’s new $23,000 film camera is platinum-plated and destined for collector shelves

Saturday, 26 October 2024

Leica’s new $23,000 film camera is platinum-plated and destined for collector shelves

by BD Banks

It’s the Leica M’s platinum anniversary, and this camera costs as much (or more) than most weddings. | Image: Leica Camera

Leica is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the M rangefinder camera, but the most precious gift it’s giving for the occasion is for only 250 rich people and costs $22,995. The ludicrously expensive Leica M Edition 70 set includes a platinum-plated Leica M-A 35mm film camera with Leicavit fast winder, a matching 50mm APO-Summicron-M f/2 lens, and a metallic film container with a roll of black-and-white film.

Yes, the film container is also platinum, and yes, that’s completely ridiculous.

This anniversary edition commemorates when the Leica M3 was released in 1954 as the first M camera. Leica goes to great lengths to honor the M3 and the brand’s legacy just about whenever it can. Back in 2014, the Leica M Edition 60 did the same thing…