Leica's Safari Special Edition M8.2 wears olive drab, is anything but

Back in 2006 we were charmed by the classic looks and new-school tech offered by Leica's M8, and then again last year by its successor, the M8.2. Now the company has another update to woo us, confirmation of last year's rumor of an even more visually arresting version, the M8.2 Safari Special Edition. Its olive drab exterior makes it look like something you'd find slung around the neck of the Ernie Pyle's German WWII counterpart, an included waterproof bag means you can safely take this along for your next jungle adventure, and its 28mm f/2.8 ASPH lens should work well for capturing whatever you find out there -- big or small. Only 500 of these are set to be made, one of which can be yours for a typically excessive Leica price of $10,000.

[Via Impress]

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 27th 2009 8:39AM]

My girlfriend is in love with this thing.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 27th 2009 8:56AM]

So am I, man, but I can easily think of 10,000 better ways to waste 10,000 bucks.
Last summer I spent just over 1000 euros to buy my dream's DSLR and although it was a very good business I still suffer from the bites of buyer's remorse every time I think about it.

[flanders Posted Jan 27th 2009 8:44AM]

I love the old school look of Leicas, not too mention the quality and high quality construction. Too bad they're soooo expensive.

[knk Posted Jan 27th 2009 10:28PM]

i wouldn't carry a $10,000 camera through jumanji lol

[Groggle Posted Jan 27th 2009 9:02AM]

I just don't get the appeal of this camera, sorry. Stickin with my D90!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 27th 2009 9:19AM]

You really have to hold one before you can love it.

In my opinion, these kind of cameras (particularly Leicas) are the essence of photography. They don't have a lot of the useful features which you find on modern DSLRs, for example your D90, it's simply you, the lens and your subject.

I think you would have to search quite a long way to find something which has as much soul and passion.

[forex Posted Jan 27th 2009 9:21AM]

Back in the era of film (Aka the darkroom ages) lecia's M series was once of the best camera's you could buy (for a certain segment, i.e. journalists, travelers, people who wanted great images and a compact camera) and buying one of these systems was a lifelong investment. (as it was with many pro-level film bodies) but now it is, sadly, true that lecia's overpriced digital bodies are irrelevent... So sad. I had always wanted an M6 but, there's little reason now...

[lucasvidor Posted Jan 27th 2009 9:16AM]

This is an expensive camera with poor image quality and performance issues. Leica lost its way in the Digital Era.

[Dummy00001 Posted Jan 27th 2009 12:15PM]

I read couple of M8 reviews and most of them were describing "known problems" - and solutions for the problems.

In the end, just like with any other good camera around: you have to know how to use it.

Price tag also clearly indicates that it is not of prosumer segment. Professional photographers really can extract from the camera all its worth.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 27th 2009 10:32AM]

So they are charging $5,000 for a a can of green paint now? Thats awesome!!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 27th 2009 9:25AM]

Calfskin/pigskin strap... as much as I would love this camera, that's a no deal breaker for me, in fact I wouldn't even buy it for $100.

[forex Posted Jan 27th 2009 9:34AM]

You're right... for $10K it should come with pork chops, or veal steaks.

[forex Posted Jan 27th 2009 9:36AM]

@Joe: "I think you would have to search quite a long way to find something which has as much soul and passion."

That captures the idea perfectly.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 27th 2009 9:51AM]

@Joe: "I think you would have to search quite a long way to find something which has as much soul and passion."

Completely different, but I can think of a lot of cheaper things that have a lot more soul. A Yashica TLR will set you back $150 on ebay. Nothing has the soul of focusing through ground glass. A lensbaby SLR lens, even their most basic one, is a blast and brings back tremendous fun to photography. You can get a Holga for $20. (Imagine the film you can buy for $9,980).

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 27th 2009 9:51AM]

That price is an exaggeration right??

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 27th 2009 10:45AM]

For 10 grand, I'd want a maximum aperture that's WAY bigger than f28. 2.8, maybe?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 27th 2009 11:03AM]

Whoops, looks like it's either been fixed or I misread it!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 27th 2009 11:42AM]

I was highly skeptical about rangefinders as well, but after having shot a few rolls on an R2A, I've been selling my SLR equipment to buy an M8...

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 27th 2009 2:50PM]

The bag is make by Billingham. The bag in the image looks suspiciously like the Billingham L2 which sells for around $200.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 27th 2009 1:53PM]

Really, this just proves that Leicas are made to be status symbols.
Photography is what you make of it, regardless of your equipment, not the equipment you use.

[Jorvay Posted Jan 27th 2009 10:30PM]

This reminds me of when they were so impressed with Panasonic's FZ-30 (with a Leica Lens of course), that they decided to change the GUI on the firmware and rebadge as a Leica...at twice the price. How's that for soul and passion?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 28th 2009 12:54AM]

I have a rich great uncle that collects leicas. he has always had some pretty unique cameras. I really hope all the questions i asked him about them as a kid made him like me because he doesn't have children of his own... he has this one leica camera that was made for safari. it was mounted to the end of a rifle butt. I found a picture here... http://www.boingboing.net/2006/12/07/leica-rifle-camera.html. He told me there were only 16 in existence when he showed it to me. My great uncle is a pretty interesting guy i suppose... he got tired of leicas and started restoring indians and harleys. Again... i hope i got on his good side as a kid...

[xValentine Posted Jan 28th 2009 1:15AM]

With that price tag, I can buy both Nikon's and Canon's best DSRL.

But I guess some people are too rich that they don't even have to think when buying something eh?