Leica Celebrates 70 Years of Its M-System With Commemorative New Camera

Leica launched its trusty Leica M3 model exactly seven decades ago, marking the beginning of the camera company’s trusted and constantly evolving M-System which still exists today. Launched in 1954, the M-System has grown to consist of a plethora of models including the Leica M9, the Leica M11 and the Leica M11-P, and to commemorate the occasion, Leica is releasing another limited-edition M-System model.

Limited to just 70 units, the Leica M Edition 70 is equipped with a Leica M-A camera, Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH. lens, a Leicavit M fast winder and a film container stocked with film. The Leicavit M fast winder for manual film transport lands in three colorways, also available in black-painted, glossy black-painted, and silver-chromed options.

“The quality and craftsmanship of the materials, the sense of precision in every movement, the soft click of the shutter release and the visual clarity of the viewfinder all combine to create an experience that goes far beyond just taking pictures,” said Mark Shipard, Leica’s head of design.

Arriving alongside the new Leica M Edition 70 is the Leica M anniversary book. At 250 pages, the extensive archive spans the M-System’s history through essays, photographs, and rarely shown archival material.

Take a closer look at the photo book in the gallery below. Expect the Leica M Edition 70 to drop for purchase in early 2025, with the anniversary book coming to Leica flagship locations and its official online store on November 5.