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Gray body, Leica
MP 0.72x Anthracite* Kit w/ matching grey-colored Leicavit-M
Credit: Image(s) courtesy of Mr. Duncan Meeder
from LEICAplace@Ebay, Holland who also operates a popular
www.fotohennyhoogeveen.nl® Image
Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of
the contributing photographer.
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Leica did had some rare instances where some of their
cameras were having grayish or Hammer tone design (Check LEICA MP Hammer tone, LHSA 1968~2003 special edition section for more info). But in
comparison, LEICA cameras in Anthracite-finish are more rare in nature. In 2001,
we have witnessed a LEICA M6 TTL William Klein Special One-Unit Edition in Anthracite-finishing was auctioned by Christie's to support a French based NGO
foundation. It could well be the first LEICA rangefinder model that had surfaced
with such a distinguished body finishing after the millennium.
Since LEICA AG offers à la carte service.
It may appears there could be some customary designed LEICA MP or M7 in different
forms. Majority of those à
la carte Leica bodies were mainly confined to change of leather color, types
or in their respective viewfinder magnifications.
However, whatever the request is, it is quite rare that relates to change of body
colour or texture. Mainly it involves with very high premium for such request as
it involves with production of various components/parts. Here is a very rare variant
in grey as well as matching color LEICAVIT-M, also was supplied in a unique grey
finishing.
The owner, Mr. Duncan Meeder from www.fotohennyhoogeveen.nl®
states "...The highly exclusive Leica MP Anthracite* special-edition
model was designed especially for the Japanese market. Its lacquering is entirely
hand-applied, and is resistant to abrasion. The camera is available as a set, with
a Leicavit in anthracite, in a limited edition of 600 units. Individual examples
are also available outside Japan. Other infor: Leica 50th Anniversary MP gray chrome
Anthracite Titanium was made for the Japanese home market, reportedly 400 made with
matching Leicavit and 35/2. It has a .72 finder, and classic old style vulcanite
body covering. The box is clearly labeled "Leica M Series 50th Anniversary Model"
but unfortunately the body has no such engraving. It's a beautiful camera, but what
was Solms thinking in not engraving the body and winder? Only a handful were officially
imported into the USA with USA warranty.....".
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Leica AG Site has furnished only these infomation but
exclude the detailed specification: " ...The highly exclusive Leica MP Anthracite
special-edition model was designed especially for the Japanese market. Its lacquering
is entirely hand-applied, and is resistant to abrasion. The camera is available as
a set, with a Leicavit in anthracite, in a limited edition of 600 units. Individual
examples are also available outside Japan. Stylish complement: The LEICA SUMMICRON-M
35 mm f/2 ASPH. in a silver chrome finish is the ideal complement to the MP Anthracite.
The set includes an anthracite lens hood and a silver chrome metal lens cap. These
lenses are limited to a production run of 400 ...".
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There was no other specific information such as which organization or group that
had requested this highly unusual Leica MP unit to be produced. For those who can
offer other information with this rare Anthracite Kit set, please help to
furnish the complete info***. The 35/2 was not presented and I am not sure if it was also
being furnished in matching gray.
*
By the way, Wilkipedia explains
the word: Anthracite came from Greek word, literally means "a
type of coal", from Anthrax. It is a hard, compact variety of mineral coal that
has a high lustre. It has the highest carbon count and contains the fewest impurities
of all coals, despite its lower calorific content. ** as shown on the top
plate, the serial serial number is encoded with 14x/600 - meaning this is a limited
edition of 600 units.
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***
A Japanese site has quoted the camera was meant to commemorate "50th Anniversary of Leica-M photography
in JAPAN" and only intended to
be sold within the domestic martket. It has full kit which includes other matching
accessories such as LEICAVIT-M, a SUMMICRON-M 1:2/35mm ASPH (11617) as well as a
matched color lens hood. SEE A SEPARATE
PROFILE FOR THE JAPANESE KIT/VERSION by a Leica distributor, DKSH JAPAN. This version of the explanation
pf the LECA MP ANTRACITE could be more acceptable. |
| If the above is convicing, then the following showcased
unit could be the "Export" model or additional models that have been made
to satify deamdn from overseas market. The only thing is, was the lens w/macthed
lens hood was supplijed as it has a lesser number of 400 units being produced than
the official 600 units of MP Antracite. I would think some of the quantity was made
without the accompanying lens. |
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RELATIVE:- Compare this grey-color Leicavit-M with either the Original Leicavit MP or
Grey Hammertone Finish Leicavit-M for Leica MP LHSA 1968~2003 Special Edition
This is the original box/packing
for the Gray colored, Leica MP Anthracite* Kit w/Leicavit-M, specially retaken by
Mr. Duncan.
Credit: Image(s) courtesy of Mr. Duncan Meeder
from LEICAplace@Ebay, Holland who also operates a
popular www.fotohennyhoogeveen.nl® Image
Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of
the contributing photographer.
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1/3
Another Leica MP Anthracite S/N 30058xx in different perspective and picture
angles by Digifan@CN
Page One | Page Two | Page Three
LEICA MP-Specific
models/variants - Visual Profiles on selective Leica bodies:- Leica MP Prototype, 1955 | MP Betriebsk w/Electric Motor, 1956 | Leica MP-88/MP-150
Black paint, 1957 | Leica
MP-167; Leica MP-171/MP-313/old/new Leicavit visual, 1957
| Leica M3E1 / MP 271/288 Alfred
Eisenstaedt | Leica MP 367 & 368
Dual, 1957 | Leica
MP-375, MP-368 &
MP-386 | Leica
MP 'Edition Hermès', 2003
| Leica MP Betriebsk 0.72x | Evential production model MP 0.72x Black paint, 2002
| Leica MP classic
Kit Set 1 / Set 2 | Leica MP chrome
0.58X(2 parts) | Leica
MP
Black Lacquer 0.58x
| Leica MP
Black Lacquer 0.72x
Standard | Leica MP 0.85x
Finder Mag. model | Leica MP Anthracite* Limited Edition Set | Leica MP LHSA 1968~2003 Special Edition Grey Hammertone Finish (3 parts) | Brief Introduction on Leica à la carte:- Leica
MP Red
Leather 0.85 / Nappa racing Green Leather 0.58X | Others:- Visual
case study on counterfeit LEICA MP ; Leica MP Prototype
w/Prototype Leicavit-M;
Leica MP-3 LHSA;
Leica MP
TITAN, 2007
| Leica MP Nomenclature | Leica MP Instruction manual (1MB PDF) |
Technical Specification (96k PDF)
|
Recommended resources
/ Reviews on Leica MP Models (External
Links): Popular Photography (4 parts) | Shutterbug (2 parts) | Stephan gandy/Cameraquest
on MP | Photonet;
Others:-How to load M6/MP w/Rapidwinder-M(Video); Comparing M3 with MP (Leica FAQ); Price indications: Westlicht
Auction House; Ebay Search on Leica MP
Visual Library on Leica M3 Prototype, 1952; Leica M3 Test model, 1953/4 | A photo showcase on early series
of Leica M3 DS bodies:- Leica M3-700131
/ M3-700170 / M3-700000/M3-70031x/M3-70051x | M3 double
stroke chrome 1954~1957 bodies:- Part 1/Part 2/Part 3/Part 4; Leica
M3 Single Stroke 1957~60/1961~66
| Leica M3 Black Paint:-1955/1958/1962~1964/66
/ Case
study on Prices | Leica M3 ELC, 1955/56
Other Leica M3 Variants:- Leica M3 chrome Leica-Technik 57
1954; Leica M3
GOLD Edition, 1956 | Leica M3 DS United Nation Edition, 1957 | Leica M3 Olive Bundeseigentum outfit 1957/ Olive Green Bundeseigentum outfit, 1959 (2 Parts) w/info on high quality M3 Olive Conversion | Leica M3 Betriebskamera/ Betriebsk 1960
| Leica M3 Royal
Dutch Marine Periscope Model,
1966 | Leica M3
Dummies / Riesen-Mode (Giant scale Model); Leica M3 Cutaway Display Unit , 1954
Recommended External Link:
Leica FAQ
| Leica M3 Instruction Manual 1) Location 1 (1.35mb PDF) by Joe Chan; Location 2 (1.2mb PDF) by M.Butkus < Mike@bukus.org>;
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