Leica Marks 100 Years with Special Edition Cameras and Optics
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Leica I—the first mass-produced 35mm camera introduced at the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1925—Leica Camera AG has announced a comprehensive range of special edition products under the “100 Years of Leica” banner. This collection includes new iterations of the Leica M11-D rangefinder, the new D-Lux 8 compact camera and Sofort 2 hybrid instant camera, Trinovid binoculars and a commemorative photobook titled 100 Leica Stories.
The Leica M11-D 100 Years of Leica Centenary Set stands out as the centerpiece of the collection. This edition draws heavily from the design of the original Leica I, replacing modern conveniences with stylistic references to the past. The camera features a solid brass top and bottom plate with a high-gloss black finish designed to develop a patina over time, echoing the materials used in 1925. It omits the rear display and strap eyelets and the characteristic red Leica logo has been removed. Instead, it bears the engraved “100” logo on the hot shoe cover and a white “Ernst Leitz Wetzlar” inscription on the conical shutter release collar. All external controls—including the shutter release button, power switch and shutter speed dial—are constructed from aluminum with nickel-colored anodization and the same cross knurling found on the original Leica I.
Technically, the M11-D remains identical to the standard M11, with a 60-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and Leica’s Maestro III processor, and it will be released in an edition of 100 numbered units. Among these, one particular camera—the serial #6000000—will mark Leica’s one-millionth M-series camera. This unit, engraved with “000,” will not be sold but will be exhibited at Leica Welt in Leitz Park next to the original Leica I serial #126.
The Centenary Set also includes two lenses. The first, the Leica Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH., incorporates retro design elements such as cross knurling on the aperture ring and a nickel-colored aluminum body. The second is a modern reinterpretation of the Leitz Anastigmat 50mm f/3.5 lens that was initially supplied with the Leica I in 1925. The reengineered version preserves its retractable construction and is now built from aluminum with an anodized nickel finish, compatible with the M mount.
Accompanying the M11-D and lenses is a curated selection of accessories, including a leather protector with strap inspired by early Leitz designs, a wooden presentation box with a glossy black finish and an SD card case. The M11-D Centenary Set is scheduled for release in spring 2026 at select Leica Stores, but pricing has not yet been disclosed.
Leica has also released two special edition compact cameras. The Leica D-Lux 8 100 Years of Leica edition features design cues drawn from the Leica I, including nickel-colored accents, a black textured leatherette body, engraved model name on the top plate and removal of both the red Leica logo and the thumb rest. Despite its retro aesthetics, it houses a 22-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor and a 24–75mm equivalent zoom lens. This edition is currently available at a retail price of $2,150 or €1,850.
The Leica Sofort 2 100 Years of Leica edition instead is a hybrid instant camera presented in an all-black finish with a nickel-colored lens cap and glossy black photo output frame. It is equipped with a 1/5-inch CMOS sensor and a 28mm equivalent fixed lens. The camera can instantly print photos or transfer them to a smartphone. It is available now for $499 or €495.
Completing the product lineup is the Leica Trinovid 10×40 100 Years of Leica binoculars. These feature a hand-polished black anodized aluminum housing, a textured leatherette covering, and nickel-colored accents in place of the standard red Leica dot. Only 100 units will be made, each priced at $2,799 or £2,350.
Additionally, Leica has released a series of Leica M11 special editions engraved with the names of cities where centenary events are taking place. Among these is the “Wetzlar Germany” edition, launched today, limited to 100 units and available exclusively at Leica stores in Germany for €9,500.
To accompany these hardware announcements, Leica has published 100 Leica Stories, a bilingual (German and English) commemorative book that chronicles the brand’s milestones, innovations and impact on photography. Priced at €70, the book is already available in Germany and will be released internationally on July 14.
