Leica matte black M Monochrom 'Stealth Edition' 2018

Back in 2018 Leica is unveiling a special edition of its Monochrom camera, enhancing its appeal with an almost entirely black design that perfectly complements its black-and-white sensor, and it's nothing short of stunning.

The "stealth edition" Monochrom (Typ 246) is priced at $15,750, nearly double the cost of the regular model. However, this price includes a significant addition: the Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH lens, which typically retails for about $3,000 on its own. With the standard model selling without a lens, the premium for this limited edition's unique design elements is effectively around $5,000.

For enthusiasts who don't mind investing in high-end Leica cameras, this edition could be a worthy expenditure. It features an all-black aesthetic, eliminating the silver, yellow, and red accents found on the standard camera and lens, and introduces a smoother leather grip for a refined, matte black finish. While the Monochrom's design inherently lacks color, this edition's subtle changes enhance its appearance significantly.

A few colored details remain on the stealth edition, such as select white markings on the lens and shutter speed dial, which are designed to stand out and even glow green in the dark. The predominantly black-on-black markings might reduce the camera's ease of use compared to the more readable standard version, but Leica's clientele likely prioritizes design over functionality.

With only 125 units being produced, available from March 20th, this camera is poised to be an exclusive acquisition for the affluent.

Leica collaborated with Marcus Wainwright, the founder and CEO of Rag & Bone, to produce this stealth edition. Apart from its visual modifications, the camera's technical specifications remain unchanged from the original.

Introduced in 2012 and updated to the Type 246 in 2015, the Monochrom stands out from typical digital cameras by lacking a color data-collecting filter over its sensor. This limitation to black-and-white photography comes with the advantage of capturing more light and detail, resulting in images with unparalleled richness and sharpness compared to those from color cameras.