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LEICA M6 Traveler Kit Edition, 1994
I am not sure any of you are aware
back in early 1990, Nikon had released a 200 units special edition of a Nikon FM2/N Tropicana Edition issued which bundled with few prime lenses, MD-12 motor drive and close-up accessories, all packed in a very solidly made aluminum
box. I am not sure if the 1994 LEICA Traveler Edition was introduced later or Nikon's
equivalent was inspired by Leica initiative in releasing such an attempt to serve
targeted frequent travelers who may also are keen Leica photographers.
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We all know how messy can it be while preparing for travel,
one seriously need to be a packaging artist to configure what to bring and what's
not to in our luggage. Generally, there are so many things that you wish the airline
would provide 50kg of free packaging without worrying overweight. Note book, camera/DV
camcorder, mobile phone(s), important business and/or travel documents are usual
hand luggage items. Most often cameras can only be brought along in simplest setup.
What would you think if there is a way that most of these headache can be resolved
with an elegantly designed, business-class-liked briefcase that also can doubled
as a camera kit ?
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The Nikon TROPICANA Edition was adopted a more conventional
approach in using a hard metal-covered aluminum box. It is rugged and serves its
purpose to protect the gears in rough terrain or working in high humidity environment
for long or extended period. LEICA approach in this Traveler Edition was more like
a signature designer outfit mainly serving businessmen who may be having interest
in bring their LEICA along while traveling. To those who are financially capable
user group, a "Nikon is still a Nikon" while many Leica photographers
may be are accomplished businessmen cum Leica photographers who might not be too
happy sharing the same mentality in bringing an aluminum box as hand luggage
(beat up me if this quote had, in any ways offended anyone out there, hehe .....).
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| Anyway, regardless of it was originated by special request
from someone or an establishment; somehow LEICA AG had concluded it was a good idea
which followed with a working partner in preparation for such an edition. Although
Germany has not many designers inspired high end labels such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes,
Gucci, etc. Quality Germany leather goods especially Sofa and furniture sets from
Germany has always been maintained a very good names in the market. I guess neither
LEICA would like their planned release to have a Samsonite, Victorinox or TravelPRO
logo sticks onto it because regardless, the priority was still trying to source the
materials and craftsmanship from local resources in complimenting the edition as
an original, native produce in an all-German tradition. I wasn't too sure what happened
during that time, the identified partner in this production was a German Company
who was a native specialist in this sector, Offermann. |
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Found in 1842 with a long tradition
in making top quality hand crafted leather goods, esp. in the specialized fields
of business-class traveling suitcase, briefcases and others for men and ladies. OOFERMANN
products are famed in the industry for their functional design, as well as the smooth
and soft lamb leatherette. Today Offermann has its distribution network spreading
across EU countries, US and many major cities in the far east.
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The LEICA Traveler Edition consists of
a LEICA M6 Chrome body, a E43 Summilux-M 1:1.4/50mm with lens hood 12586 front metal
lens cap/rear plastic cap. black soft leather carrying case and leather briefcase,
fitted leather cases with carrying strap. The Offermann designed traveling case looks
exactly like a business use suitcase where inside you will find another soft all
leather hand bag for storage for other traveling accessories It has slots N compartments
to accommodate the camera body as well as supplied with individual leather cases
for the lens and other fittings - all these a can be stored inside the traveling
compartment neat and orderly.
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| The LEICA M6 "TRAVELER EDITION" camera was
an integrated part of the kit. It has a companion Summilux-M 1:1.4/50mm in silver
chrome finish. Technically, there is no difference for anyone who prefers to get
a Samsolite-kind of briefcase and put your camera / lens inside except that the Kit
has supplied with various sub-leather pouches as well as compartments tailored fit
to keep the camera, lens and other accessories properly. Well, not entirely was the
case, if ever this was intended, LEICA could had easily assigned Offermann Germany
to mass produce a shipment and put a red roundel on it right ? IF you take notice
of the camera which bears all basic features of a standard, regular production M6
Chrome, there was a tiny difference in the camera, with the film rewind knob in chrome
but the crank was in black. |
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I am not sure if the black crank feature was intentionally
made so as to provide a quick visual for identification purpose or like those LEICA
"Panda" with black fittings during the period. Next, the Summilux-M 50/1.4
was a brass construction version, uses E43 thread and has no built-in lens hood.
Anyway, these are minor points and conclusively they were still look and behave like
any standard chrome M6.
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I have seen some people was trying to sell the lens individually
and hope to get a premium over standard Summilux-M but I doubt it has any significant
edge over regular model(s). If one has an intention to preserve some basic value
for this kit, just keep the lens with the body as well as other components in the
Traveler Edition.
From a post the at I-camera forum, a gentleman has offered a reference for all the
Summilux-M for this edition with S/N from: 34950xx ~ 355891xx. Two of the M6 traveler
editions here has the lens falls within the S/N. It may has some basis
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Here are series of photos that illustrated various views
of the LEICA M6 that was supplied with the Leica Traveler Edition. There are a few
points that relate to this LEICA M6 that may be offered as consideration. I would
think the LEICA M6 Traveler Edition was more like a solution to satisfy desire for
such kind of desirable setup during that period.
It can be difficult to relate a Leica photographer that still had not built-up a
system on his own yet and would require a traveling kit with all essential personal
belonging with additional inclusion of a bare basic setup of a M6 body with a standard
lens configuration.
In a most ideal scenario, a two or at most, a three-lenses configuration would be
most ideal but this would add tremendous weight as a hand luggage adding the fact
there are other personal tools such as mobile phone, notebook etc. This was primarily
the main issue why there was only a one-lens setup with the M6.
Well, to confine this to only serving Leica business travelers may be too conclusive
as the Edition makes a perfect corporate gift esp. for those who had not had a Leica
yet. In particularly the high quality, elegantly look OFFERMANN designed kit would
double acted as a briefcase and/or suitcase. The M6 w/Summilux 50/1.4 was something
like icing on the cake. For those who may be only spending all their life with Leica
collectibles, this Traveler's M6 could well fit the requirement for a Leica that
can be for general photography without having to take care the collectible Leica
like a secret mistress brought along with the business trip.
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As for those who had the strong belief this LEICA Traveler
Edition has tremendous collectible value and would appreciate in its value, just
ensure all the supplied components as well as accessories are intact. For me, I am
quite excited over the compartments and thought that was quite a brilliant idea.
But I am not so sure if OFFERMANN still produce these kit. An important point for
considering for this Edition was the OFFERMANN designed compartment case which indirectly
had helped to enhance its overall value as well as presentation.
As a matter of reference, a typical LEICA M6 Traveler
Edition with all component in place has an auction or resale price ranging between
approx. USD2,880 ~ 5,580-00*
* NOTE;- Indicative price(s) herein
is/are based original prices published on previous auction literature/references.
Prices may vary according to gradual yearly premium, supply/demand equations, and/or
other renewed valuation methods.
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Main Index Page
- Leica M6-series models / Main Index Page - Leica-M Rangefinder
camera Models
Nomenclature / Main Reference Map for Leica M6 Standard Model(s) applicable to this M6 Edition
Instruction Manuals:- Leica M6 Classic in PDF (3.8mb) applicable to this M6 Travelers Edition by Niels
H. S. Nielsen
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