Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) "Drifter"

35mm MF digital rangefinder camera • Discontinued • Collectible

  • Announced:
  • · May 2019
  • Production type:
  • · Small-batch production: 125 (one hundred twenty-five) units
  • Availability:
  • ● Sold out
  • Country of design:
  • · FRG (Federal Republic of Germany)
  • Order No.:
  • · 10916 - body with SUMMICRON-M 28/2 ASPH. and APO-SUMMICRON-M 75/2 ASPH.
  • System:
  • · Leica M (1954)

Specification

Format:
35mm full frame
Imaging sensor:
35.8 × 23.9mm CMOS sensor
Resolution:
5976 × 3992 - 24 MP
Sensor-shift image stabilization:
-
Leica M [27.8mm]
Shutter:
Type:
Focal-plane
Model:
Electronically controlled
Speeds:
60 - 1/4000 + B
Exposure:
Exposure metering:
Through-the-lens (TTL), stop-down
Exposure modes:
Aperture-priority Auto
Manual
Rangefinder and Viewfinder:
Rangefinder:
Built-in, combined with viewfinder
Viewfinder:
Built-in, combined with rangefinder
Finder magnification:
0.68x
Actual rangefinder base:
69.25mm
Effective rangefinder base:
47.09mm
Bright-line frames:
35mm & 135mm, 28mm & 90mm, 50mm & 75mm
Parallax compensation:
Yes
Physical characteristics:
Weight:
<No data>
Dimensions:
138.6x80x42mm

Manufacturer description #1

One for the road: new limited-edition Leica M Monochrom ‘Drifter’ is Lenny Kravitz’s ode to touring

Leica Camera AG and Kravitz Design have collaborated on a camera built for rock n’ roll nomads who can be found on either side of the lens. The look of the Leica M Monochrom ‘Drifter’ has been created by Grammy-winning musician, actor and artist Lenny Kravitz, who is no stranger to bold style and individual expression. The result is an attention-commanding and soulful Leica camera made for global touring. The name is inspired by how Kravitz sees himself, “I’m a drifter. That has been my life since I was 15-years-old; I’m always on the road.”

This limited edition camera is designed with an eye-catching ‘synthetic python’ snakeskin covering, made from premium-quality vegan leather which looks straight out of the rockstar’s wardrobe. Kravitz was made aware of this synthetic material by his close friend, fashion designer and animal rights activist Stella McCartney, who uses it for many of her own creations. The matching carrying strap made of woven fabric is coated with the same vegan leather as the camera. The camera’s monochrom body is luxuriously retro in special sepia brown paint, and the hotshoe, thumb wheel, shutter and soft-release buttons are made from untreated brass, which will allow a stylish vintage look to develop over time.

Two state-of-the-art lenses are included, both finished in sepia brown; a Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH, and an APO-Summicron-M 75mm f/2 ASPH. In a departure from the standard production model, the Summicron-M 28mm f/2 features a built-in extendable lens hood to match the design of its 75mm counterpart.

This camera demands five-star accommodation; a smart brown leather-like ‘Drifter Traveller’ bag, two pouches and cases for both lenses are included, so your kit is always protected.

Lenny Kravitz was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1964 to an Afro-American mother and a Ukrainian-Jewish father. He is not only a world-famous musician, songwriter, producer and actor but also an accomplished photographer. As a musician, Kravitz is a multi-instrumentalist who uses analogue recording technology to underline the retro-character of his songs. As a visual artist, he has enjoyed success with his design studio, Kravitz Design, and has also become an accomplished photographer publishing ‘Flash’, a book of his black-and-white photographs in 2015. “I love the quality of the Leica’s monochrom system’ says Kravitz, “it’s exquisite. I tend to see things in black-and-white. It looks more real to me, and timeless.”

This is the second time Lenny and his design team have collaborated with Leica on a limited-edition masterpiece. In 2015, he was inspired by the life of his father, a Vietnam War reporter and TV news producer, to create the ‘Correspondent’, a vintage-look Leica M-P. This time, Lenny has looked within himself and authored a design which reflects the lifestyle of a cosmopolitan artist and travelling musician stopping to capture his or her unique experiences.

With production limited to 125 units globally, the Leica M Monochrom ‘Drifter’ is incredibly exclusive and highly collectable; RRP is £20,500.

Manufacturer description #2

Leica M Monochrom “Drifter” by Kravitz Design

Leica Camera is proud to announce the latest special edition camera and second collaboration with world-renowned musician, designer and photographer Lenny Kravitz – the Leica M Monochrom “Drifter” by Kravitz Design. This incredibly unique special edition set consists of an ornate Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) camera finished in sepia-brown paint and wrapped in a vegan python leatherette, two matching sepia-brown paint lenses, two vintage-style brown lens cases, a woven carrying strap adorned with vegan python accents, all-purpose travel accessory pouches and a beautiful yet discreet weekender bag dubbed “The Drifter Traveler”.

This special M Monochrom camera is accompanied by a Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 ASPH. and APO-Summicron-M 75 mm f/2 ASPH., all finished in the unique sepia-brown paint. The front rim of each lens – along with the camera's thumb wheel, flash shoe, shutter button and soft release – are made of untreated brass. As a departure from the standard production model, the Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 ASPH. features a built-in telescoping lens hood, matching the design of its 75 mm counterpart. The unique lens cases included in the set are rigid vintage-inspired quivers that perfectly fit each lens and protect them while in transit. Fitting with the nomadic “Drifter” lifestyle of always being on the road, the set is completed by two all-purpose accessory pouches that can be used for photo equipment or travel essentials, and a lovely “The Drifter Traveler” weekender-style bag to carry it all in.

The unique vegan python leatherette was sourced from Kravitz's personal friend and revered designer Stella McCartney, known for her dedication to cruelty-free fashion standards.

The Leica M Monochrom “Drifter” is limited to 125 sets worldwide, and will be sold exclusively through Leica Stores and Boutiques. Please note that the set will ship as a “soft bundle” – one box containing the body and two lenses and one box containing the bag, lens cases, and accessory pouches.

Musician, Designer, Photographer, Drifter

Lenny Kravitz, the world-renowned musician and recording artist as well as creator of Kravitz Design, is also a passionate photographer. Having once collaborated with Leica Camera on the M-P “Correspondent” Set, his sophomore creation with Leica is a celebration of his love for black and white photography and passion for adventure. Always on the road and on the move, the “Drifter” Set embodies his nomadic lifestyle and free spirit. Accompanying it will be his new “Drifter” photo exhibition, making its world debut at the Leica Gallery in Wetzlar.

Other Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) special editions (9)


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