Leica is a specialist in pricey special edition cameras, but its latest creation isn’t simply a new colorway, but one to mark 70 years of its legendary M-system. The new Leica M3 Edition 70 is a nod to the rangefinder camera that started it all back in 1954, the M3, and it’s a stunner.
Naturally, the M3 Edition 70 costs a pretty penny, but even by Leica standards it’s an ultra-rare, ultra-expensive proposition – it’ll set you back £19,000 (that’s around $25,000 / AU$37,000).
That’s if you can get your hands on one. Leica has limited this special platinum-plated edition M3 to just 250 units, with each unit’s unique number engraved on the camera’s hotshoe (see 001/250, below).
It’s not just the camera that comes in what we expect is an extravagant presentation box. The M3 Edition 70 is bundled with a Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 APSH lens, Leciavit M fast winder and a film container (probably the sexiest film container ever and yes, there’s a roll of film inside).
Film container not sold separately
That Leicavit M fast winder is also available separately in three versions; black-painted, glossy black-painted and silver-chromed, for £900 (about $1,200 / AU$1,750). Sadly for most of us, we don’t think that gorgeous film container is available separately.
Leica M3 Edition 70 will be available in 2025 from select Leica stores, although there’s no specific sales start date just yet.
If you want a piece of Leica history but can’t quite stretch to the M3 Edition 70, Leica is also publishing a new Leica M’ book, which covers the history of the Leica M-System over 250 pages, complete with iconic photographs, which costs £45 (around $60 / AU$90). The book will hit online stores and authorized dealers from November 5.
Interested in giving film photography a go? Check out our best film cameras guide for our favroite options. It includes the recently reviewed the Leica MP, another rangefinder in Leica’s M-System which, like the M3, is a wonderful antidote to today’s fast-paced digital world.
Best film cameras 2024: the finest classic and new analog cameras you can buyWant a super-rare Hasselblad? A new ‘Earth Explorer’ edition of the X2D 100C has been launched…for $14,000Street photography with the Leica M11-D is the closest experience I’ve had to analog using a digital camera