Today, Leica has announced two limited production “Leitz Wetzlar” variants. The first, the Leica M10 Monochrom “Leitz Wetzlar” is a nice surprise, given that the M10 Monochrom was just released about a month ago and we usually don't see special editions until months or even years after introduction. The second is the venerable Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH “Leitz Wetzlar,” a favorite of M shooters everywhere.
The specially designed Leitz Wetzlar versions commemorate the 150th anniversary of Ernst Leitz taking over management of the Optical Institute in Wetzlar, Germany. The new company, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar, would go on to introduce the world's first 35mm still camera in 1914 and later create some of the most legendary photographic tools of the 20th Century. Today's Leica Camera was born from Ernst Leitz Wetzlar after another renaming of the company in 1986. And with owner Dr. Andreas Kaufmann's push to return to its roots, Leica Camera opened its doors in 2014 at Letiz Park, back in Wetzlar.
Leica M10 Monochrom “Leitz Wetzlar”
Limited to 650 pieces worldwide, the Leica M10 Monchrom “Leitz Wetzlar” features the same technical specifications as the standard M10 Monochrom. The only change is a cosmetic one, with the classic Leitz Wetzlar Germany script engraved in white sitting atop the top plate. This is extremely similar to the M Monochrom (Typ 246) “Leitz Wetzlar,” introduced last year on the previous generation Monochrom camera. With a price of $8,295, the limited edition shares the same price as a standard production camera. The choice simply comes down to which you prefer.
Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH “Leitz Wetzlar”
The Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH “Leitz Wetzlar” is limited to 500 pieces worldwide and has a bit more customization. Again, sharing all technical specifications with a standard 35mm Summilux ASPH, the modifications are purely aesthetic. Here, all the lens engravings are completely monochromatic. The typically orange distance scale markings are gray and the red mounting alignment dot is white. On the front of the lens, “LEICA” is replaced by “LEITZ WETZLAR” engraving. Priced at $6,195, the special edition carries a small premium over the standard version.
Availability and Ordering
The Leica M10 Monochrom “Leitz Wetzlar” camera is expected to start shipping by late April 2020 for a price of $8,295. The Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH “Leitz Wetzlar” lens is coming sooner, with deliveries starting within a week or so, priced at $6,195. Both items are limited production runs, so once they are sold out, no more will be produced. If you are interested in purchasing either the M10 Monochrom “Leitz Wetzlar” or the Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH “Leitz Wetzlar”, you can do so at Leica Store Miami by clicking the buttons below, calling 305-921-4433 or sending an email to info@leicastoremiami.com.
Press Release
Leica Camera announces a limited production series of the Leica M10 Monochrom “Leitz Wetzlar” cameras and Leica Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH. “Leitz Wetzlar”. These specially designed variants are made to honor the 150th anniversary of Ernst Leitz taking over management of the company and branding it with the Leitz name. The M10 Monochrom “Leitz Wetzlar” is limited to 650 pieces worldwide while the Leica Summilux-M 35
f/1.4 ASPH. “Leitz Wetzlar” is limited to 500 pieces worldwide.
The camera is the same as the standard M10 Monochrom with an added “Leitz Wetzlar” engraving on the top plate for a classic look. The lens has a “Leitz Wetzlar” engraving on the front with an overall monochromatic design aesthetic, featuring gray and white engravings and a white index dot, to perfectly match the camera body.
Hi David
Is it fair to conclude that since Leica are pairing this variant of the M. 35 mm lens with the M10M that they are positively asserting it is capable of matching the extra resolving power of the sensor ? Ideally, one would pair the 50mm f2 Summicron APO with this camera (I think) but that might have to wait. While the SL lenses, which I own and use, have all been designed with high resolution sensors in mind I do wonder which of even the most modern M lenses are really commensurate with the resolution which this sensor is capable of outputting. The other advantages – pleasing noise (?), fine tonal gradations and stellar low light performance may not require a lens to quiet match the camera. However, before many people wax about the medium or larger format resolving abilities of the M10M seems to me important to know that the lenses will resolve fine and rich detail to a comparable level. This is a 5-7 year camera to get me to 60. I would love to know which of the M lenses you would recommend investing in to go with the body. Is the M10 , for example, going to be completely underwhelmed by an affordable 90 mm F2 summicron ? You have done more with SL lenses and the M10M than just about anyone else out there so it would be great to have your take on which lenses are truly up to this sensor. Any thoughts most gratefully received.
Thought you might be interested in this little hiccup in Leica production:
I received my Leitz Wetzlar M10M a couple weeks ago and am very happy with it. Of course I shared my new baby with a couple forums, and there I discovered that mine is different than most others I saw. Specifically only the custom script on the top is in white, and all other lettering, notably including the rear “Leica Camera Wetzlar Made in Germany” is black.
Other copies out there have the rear lettering in white, with white ISO and Shutter Speed indicator marks also called out in white. Odd eh? I contacted Leica AG and they responded, saying some early cameras left their facility without the additional white lettering and offering to paint mine like that. NO THANKS 🙂
My camera was #138 off the line, and the ones with white are later, so my bet is that around 150-200 they went to extra white, more closely matching the normal black M10 in aesthetic than the M10M.