LEICA Unveils Limited Edition M9 Titanium

Leica announced four new cameras at Photokina today (more on those later), but the one that caught our eye is the new limited edition model of the M9. The LEICA M9 Titanium was designed in collaboration with Walter de'Silva, Volkswagen's Group Chief Designer, who is responsible for Volkswagen's latest design concepts.

The LEICA M9 Titanium is constructed of…can you guess? Solid titanium. All visible metal parts of the camera body are made of the extremely strong and durable metal. This special edition is limited to only 500 cameras worldwide and is offered as a set with a LEICA SUMMILUX-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens, whose exterior metal components are also made from solid titanium.

In addition to collaborating on the design of the camera, Walter de'Silva also focused on its handling and technical features, including the new LED illumination of the bright-line frames in the viewfinder, as well as a new way to carry the camera. Instead of standard strap lugs usually found on cameras, Walter de'Silva and Leica worked together to create a camera carrying concept using just one mounting point on the camera body. The metal finger loop is covered with Nappa leather and gives you a secure, ergonomic grip when shooting or carrying the camera with only one hand. The M9 Titanium also includes a newly designed shoulder holster which protects the camera and lens and keeps it handy for shooting at a moment's notice.

The camera's trim features leather used on the interiors of Audi's premium Automobiles and exposed surfaces of the camera are treated with a hard coating applied by a specialized company in Switzerland. A scratch-resistant, sapphire-crystal glass is also used as a protective cover for the camera monitor. The grip also has a specially designed and embossed diamond structure. The M9 Titanium also sports a restyled Leica logo, hand-engraved in resin, inlayed with white enamel and sealed with a clear varnish and polished.

The LEICA SUMMILUX-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens of this special edition also features a new design. It has a round, screw-mount lens hood and is constructed with four slits around its circumference to prevent obstruction of the view through the finder.

The LEICA M9 Titanium special-edition set includes the camera body, Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens, shoulder holster, carrying strap and finger loops in two different sizes. A book about the design process leading to the creation of the special titanium edition is included as part of the set. The set comes in a handcrafted black casket with recesses for the camera and lens lined with Alcantara microsuede in Leica red.

The other three cameras announced today are the Leica V-LUX 2, Leica D-LUX 5, Leica X1 Black. Find out more information at http://us.leica-camera.com.

The LEICA M9 Titanium will be available starting November 2010.