Another week, another Leica special edition. They come so fast these days that it’s hard to keep up. This week it’s the CL getting the treatment in the form of the Urban Jungle by Jean Pigozzi.
This latest confection is indeed the embodiment of stealth. With one of these camouflaged snappers round your neck (hanging on the included grey rope strap, of course) you will be almost invisible on the streets of any major city. According to Leica, the edition is “visually captivating”.
Urban aesthetic
“With this design,” Jean Pigozzi explains, “I wanted to do something completely different and create something (that) is unique from all the other cameras around. To bring the urban aesthetic to life, I tried to visualize the structures of a big city like New York to replicate what I define as an ‘Urban Jungle.”
The Urban Jungle CL special edition set is complete with a Leica Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH lens, “lovingly packaged together with the camera in an elegant presentation box” (see box below)
Only 150 of these timeless pieces have been produced and, as I hear, have already been sold. They went for £3,300 in the UK and $3,950 in the USA. You can put your credit card back in your wallet.
Hyperbole follows……
PRESS RELEASE
Leica Releases Limited Edition Camera Inspired by the Aesthetic of the Concrete Jungle
The LEICA CL “URBAN JUNGLE by JEAN PIGOZZI” pairs unparalleled imaging quality with a unique camouflage design
The visually-captivating LEICA CL “URBAN JUNGLE by JEAN PIGOZZI” is the newest special edition release of the Leica CL compact system camera presented by Leica Camera. Created in collaboration with French-Italian photographer, entrepreneur and art collector Jean Pigozzi, this eye-catching camera features a striking urban camouflage pattern on its leather covering, with an accompanying gray rope strap. Just as the Leica CL strikes a balance between traditional controls and contemporary design, Pigozzi’s thoughtful design language takes the functional pattern of camouflage and elevates it with a high-fashion and ultramodern aesthetic.
“With this design,” Pigozzi shares, “I wanted to do something completely different and create something is unique from all the other cameras around. To bring the urban aesthetic to life, I tried to visualize the structures of a big city like New York to replicate what I define as an ‘Urban Jungle.”
The LEICA CL “URBAN JUNGLE by JEAN PIGOZZI” sports the same top-level performance, intuitive handling and exceptional image quality as the standard production Leica CL. A few highlights include the built-in EyeRes® electronic viewfinder that enables users to preview the final image before the picture is taken, high-resolution image quality that performs exceptionally well in low light, and a supremely fast and accurate autofocus; all of which are packaged efficiently into a compact system camera that travels effortlessly to any urban jungle the world over. The special edition set is complete with a Leica Elmarit-TL 18 mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens, lovingly packaged together with the camera in an elegant presentation box. With a focal length ideal for everyday travel and street photography, the Elmarit-TL lens helps this set bring the urban spirit to life.
Pigozzi’s latest design is his sophomore collaboration with Leica Camera, following the Leica Sofort “Limoland” by Jean Pigozzi in 2017, which sported vibrant, colorful graphics of “Mr Limo,” the logo of Pigozzi’s LimoLand fashion label.
The LEICA CL “URBAN JUNGLE by JEAN PIGOZZI” is limited to 150 sets worldwide and will be on sale for £3,300 or $3,950 beginning June 25, exclusively available at Leica Stores and Boutiques.
I worked for Leica for 20 years in the Microscope division in Australia.
We were presented with “gifts” whenever we achieved our budget of Aus $1,000,000.
This happened frequently enough for me to be the proud owner of a backpack (with Leica ) stitched to the outside, a pair of white socks, same addition, a travel alarm that is as heavy as my M10, so never taken outside the house etc etc etc. All made by the cheapest maker of course.
When I retired after 20 years , I was given a “Leica watch”, made by Braun and costing the firm
$aus 70. So it is not just Leica cameras who distribute souvenirs.
Philip Ramsden
That should have been “diminish” the value of the brand…
I tend to agree as you can imagine. I also have a background in PR and advertising and I do wonder what is going on at Leica.
It seems to me that the Boutique Berties who are interested in this type of thing are not the typical Leica enthusiast. There is a danger that too much pandering to a nebulous alternative market could result in the foundations beginning to crumble.
“Jenga Marketing” – randomized…
I have been told by “experts” that this is good marketing, but having spent 35 years advising Fortune 100 Companies on marketing I would have to disagree. As these LEs only offer a lick of paint and no intrinsic added value, they finish the value of the brand, not enhance it. All LEs like this do is add to cash flow. They neither grow share nor enhance brand perceptions or desirability.
Like other camera manufacturers Leica is living on a shrinking island with sea levels continuing to rise. Severe price cuts on some models is a sign of distress. The latest job cuts and software engineering additions smack of being reactionary rather than proactive. The so called 2nd Digital Revolution has been going on for some time now: if this is all preplanned, then what’s the plan? If it’s not preplanned then what kind of future does Leica have as a camera manufacturer?
Is Leica the Aston Martin in the photographic world or Lamborghini? Different models for survival and a means to thrive. I’m not sure as an outsider any of this is clear, maybe deliberately so, but it begs for clarity and certainty for photographers intent on investing in premium equipment.
Limited to 150, must have run out of crayons!
The Emperor has new clothes (sic).
😂
This is total rubbish. It’d difficult to understand how a supposedly premium brand can put out such nonsense.
Inspired by a childs jigsaw drawing in reality.
Clearly the end is nigh for the current CL.
I agree. The worst part, if recent pricing becomes a tradition, they will be available for about a thousand less in about 3 months….I got burned on the Q-P and next time I am waiting for the steep price reduction. Hopefully Leica dropped the marketing person responsible for pricing in the recent right sizing.
I suspect you won’t be the only person who considers this with future Leica purchases.
Pssst. I’ve got some luverly watches for sale 😂
So has Dr Kaufmann — The Leica L1 and L2 st £10,000 a pop. What we need now is a range of Leica-branded clothing and Leica running shoes. We already have Leica bags. Oh, and a store at the Bicester Village outlet mall for last year’s designs.
In fairness to Leica, people do seem to buy these special editions (and let’s bear in mind that only 150 of this example have been made), so there is clearly a limited demand. But there is a difference between an M edition and one based on a camera, such as the CL, that could be history within a year. A few of these will go to museums around the world and some will be hoarded in the hope of future profits. But I wouldn’t be an investor.
Oh Leica Running shoes, that piqued my interest. My current Nike Pegasus cost around £75 and I get about 800 miles at push on a decent pair. With Leica, I could pay £500, and be unsure if it will last the full 800 miles. But – they would look good in my closet with their red badges, and potentially if unused be worth a fortune in the future.
I agree with the exception of the weird Lenny K M edition, the M special editions are unique for collectors, but please no to their other digital creations – anyone for a french flagged X typ. lol.