Golden Lugs is here. The oddly named “Daniel Craig x Greg Williams” special edition is launched today. Only 750 examples will be made and the recommended price in the UK is £5,600, including tax. This represents a reasonable £600 premium over the standard model. [Correction: that figure was based on the Q2-M price. This special edition is actually £1,000 more expensive than the standard Q]
Daniel x Greg (is that supposed to be a sneaky ampersand?) have gone big on gold in this latest extravagance from Wetzlar. The Leica logo is in gold on a black dot, the engravings are in gold; even the strap lugs are gold, looking to me rather like over-prominent royal ears.
A unique touch (as far as I am aware) is the laser engraving of the camera cipher (DG x GW) and serial number under the glass cover of the display. Believe it or not, it’s lasered in gold. The collectors will be fussing over this one.
Serial number and camera name are laser-engraved beneath the rear screen. All engravings in gold and just savour those golden lugs
The diamond-pattern Nappa leather body covering is carried over to the included carrier strap which has gold split rings in order not to clash with the lugs. To round off all this sybaritic luxury, you get a “specially designed, hinged-lid presentation box with gold lettering and a black silk lining”.
The golden Leica is technically identical to the bog-standard Q2 and there’s no gold filter.
If you fancy fingering this golden Q2, you’d better get on the blower to your dealer pronto. This one is sure to be a popular addition to any collector’s display cabinet.
Read on the Leica Q and Q2
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I’m actually quite tempted by this and have placed an order, fearing it might be out of stock. I also have an M240 and the new elmarit 28. I love the character that elmarit has, very contrasty and sharp not to mention the tiny size. Has anyone got both a Q/Q2 and the elmarit and mind sharing any thoughts? It is just an open question as there are obvious differences between the two- aperture, size, ability to change lenses than a crop, but also ease of cropping with Q, etc.
I’m afraid here in USA the price is higher cause the stores closed longer due to COVID, and people see opportunity to get what they can.
“Daniel x Greg (is that supposed to be a sneaky ampersand?)”
Maybe we are to read it as Daniel Craig by Greg Williams.
Ingenious. It’s too clever by half and I really have no idea what it’s supposed to be. Maybe it’s a multiplier?
It’s X as in ‘cross’. In other words, a Daniel Craig ‘crossed with’ Greg Williams special.
It’s common in the fashion business, especially with fancy training shoes.
They nicked it from the horticulture industry, who use the ‘X’ to indicate hybrids between plant species.
At least that’s what my teenage daughter tells me.. 😉
Good job you have an oracle on hand …
Dunk re your alternative for fish fingers, here in Oz we have Budgie smugglers.
Cheers
Philip
Very attractive camera but for another £399 I could buy a recently listed, EXC++, 1989 Platinum M6 c/w matching 50/1.4 Summilux M… with potentially better longevity and certainly easier UK repairability. However, ‘Golden Lugs’ is bound to be a sell-out … but not so sure about the ‘shower of gold’ ??? … Reminds me that in 1955, Birds Eye Gt Yarmouth were advised not to call their latest product ‘Cod Pieces’ … so they opted for ‘Fish Fingers’ instead … to avoid upsetting customers!
I like the Golden Lugs monika that could catch on. 🤣
I think this camera can be best enjoyed by…. Daniel Craig and Greg Williams.(Renowned photographer we have never heard of. The camera appears to help him take snapshots at the oscars.) The rest of us will be just fine with the original.
Agreed. I tend to take a jaundiced view of special editions such as this (although that hold logo is rather nice). But I am told that this seemingly never-ending flood of specials is Leica’s way of making a bit of dosh on the side with a view to keeping down the cost of cameras designed for mere mortals. Of this I am not convinced, but it’s a good line. If you ask me, I’d prefer a Q2-M to this particular special edition.
Does it come shaken, not stirred.
I wonder if these were meant to tie in with the currently covid unreleased Bond film.
You have to turn off IBIS if you want it shaken.
Yes I can see that.
How would like your camera Mr Bond?
Ibis off, not on.
🤣
Well if no one buys it they can rename it the John Player Special Edition and you get a free Colin Chapman corduroy black cap into the bargain…
In the US the price difference is more significant: $6,995 versus $4,995 for a regular Q2
Now that is interesting. I wonder why? It can’t be tax since both cameras attract the same duties. If you can find out any more I’d be interested.
Maybe part of the reason is that the list price for the standard Q2 is £4,500, £1,100 less than the Bond special? It is the Q2M which goes for a fiver shy of £5k. Admittedlly it does not account for the entire difference but considerably narrows the margin.
Thanks, Michael. This looks like an error on my part so I will check and amend if so. Mike
[Correction posted – thanks]
Don’t you think serial number 007/750 should go for more?
I am sure that someone has that one booked already.
William
I bet they’ve not released 007, or if they have it will go to one or other of the x duo. It’s a pity there’s no 888 because that would have been a winner…
Isn’t Daniel Craig the chap who plays James Bond these days? The last time I saw Bond with a camera, he was using a Minox spy camera, but I haven’t been to see a Bond film for about 50 years except for once about 12 years ago when my grandson wanted to see one with Craig in it. Minox made a nice series of miniature Leica replicas. I have their M3 replica. I haven’t heard of Greg Williams before, I must look him up.
The point about these ‘special editions’ is that they are limited editions, but even as limited editions they also need to have a sustainable cachet. Time will tell whether this one will last the course. The subtle gold decoration looks nice, though.
William
Must say I haven’t heard of Greg Williams either. And who is Daniel Craig when all his chairs are at home (old Lancashire expression)?