The new Leica M10-P Reporter pays homage to the great professional photo-journalism cameras of the past, including the 1933 Leica 250, and the 1956 MP. The Reporter features a dark-green finish and Kevlar trim. It is on sale from today and will cost £7,100, including 20 per cent Value Added Tax in the United Kingdom. The standard M10-P, which is technically identical, is £610 cheaper.
We understand that only 450 examples of the Reporter are being produced. If this is true, and bearing in mind the relatively reasonable premium over the standard camera, it represents good value—if you can get hold of one, that is.
All images Leica Camera AG 
PRESS RELEASE
Leica M10-P ‘Reporter’: A homage to the great reportage photographers of our time
Wetzlar, 21 January 2021. Leica Camera is pleased to launch the M10-P ‘Reporter’ following the special announcement made at the 40th anniversary of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA). This limited-edition camera celebrates Leica’s history of making cameras to meet the needs of press and reportage photographers. The M10-P ‘Reporter’ now follows in the footsteps of cameras such as the Leica 250 (1933), whose film cassette held 250 exposures and the Leica MP (1956) – a Leica M3 variant which was equipped with the Leicavit rapid winder, following the suggestions of renowned photographers, Alfred Eisenstaedt (1898–1995) and David Douglas Duncan (1916–2018).
In terms of its technical specifications, the M10-P ‘Reporter’ is identical to the Leica M10-P; exceptionally discreet and concentrates entirely on the most essential camera functions, the Leica M10-P embodies the essence of the M-System philosophy and retains the celebrated and iconic, yet understated design of previous models. The M10-P ‘Reporter’ features a unique dark green finish and Kevlar camera trim, an extremely high-strength synthetic fibre frequently used in the production of ballistic-protective clothing and reflects the challenging conditions under which many of the most remarkable reportage photographs of our time were created.
The light green engravings are inlaid to create a more discreet effect than the white inlays customarily used on black-finish cameras; its diamond-weave texture gives the camera extra grip and makes it comfortable to hold. In a unique feature, the camera’s body armour will gradually turn the same colour as its top and base plates through exposure to sunlight, developing its own patina over time and making each camera completely unique.
The Leica M10-P Reporter is on sale from today at selected Leica stores, including Leica Mayfair, with a recommended retail price of £7,100.
Looks great but I can’t picture Catherine LeRoy with anything but her M2 around her neck, but the muted colors are better than the chrome. I would love to see any present reporter with any Leica dangling from their neck.
Carrying on the tradition of its name, shouldn’t it have a large circular compartment at either end holding (say) a 15 Tb SSD? I think I’m joking …
Well the press release did waffle on about the Leica 250 to the extent that I expected two SD cars slots, one at either end of the baseplate.
A lot of the 250 Reporters in the UK ended up being used by seaside photographers, a long disappeared trade even before everyone had a camera in their pocket/purse.
William
Those were the days before most people had even heard of Spain or Greece. Blackpool, Scarborough, Morecambe: Those were the places for the annual holiday. And, as you say, the seaside photographer was in his heyday. It’s a pity I didn’t take much notice of the cameras. I could well have seen a 250 Reporter being used on the “prom” at Morecambe in my early years.
I also remember Lobby Lud. A national newspaper, variously the News Chronicle or the Daily Mail, would sponsor a character named Lobby Lud who would walk incognito around Britain’s seaside resorts. There was probably one Lobby for every resort. If you thought you spotted Lobby, the routine was to go up and say “You are Lobby Lud and I claim my five pounds”. That was a lot of money, and I constantly had my young eyes peeled for anyone who could fit the description. Come to think of it, that’s not a bad idea as an opener for street photography. Maybe we should resurrect the promotion…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobby_Lud
This is certainly a beautiful camera. Far more tasteful than say the Lenny Kravitz special issue.
However, I am afraid that not a single one might be used in a way the name suggests. Reporters have a different attitude towards their gear than collectors or amateurs. Maybe my article will give you an idea of that: https://www.macfilos.com/2020/03/09/leica-cameras-90-years-of-photojournalism/
Nevertheless I would not mind working with this new M10-P. Its unobtrusive appearance is certainly helpful for avoiding barriers between photographer and subject. In this respect, my worn M262 with a black Leica logo (attached by the person who owned it before me) is as good as this latest offering.
JP
As you gather, that was very much a tongue-in-cheek intro. I’m not one for special editions and the thought that a fancy coat turns a camera I to a better reportage tool is faintly ridiculous. But as things go, at a small premium and in view of the 450 quantity, it’s probably a good buy.
Normally I hate the Leica limited editions… but that is one great looking camera.
I’ve not bought any cameras (this year!)
I am with you, it looks amazing, but I would want to use it. So not sure it would hold its value as the usual collectors keep them in mint, boxed and unused.