This Collector’s Guide is a reflection of personal preferences. It contains rare and collectible limited edition Leica Cameras. The guide will be continuously updated with Leica collectibles.
Leica KE-7A
Leica M3 Olive
Leica M6J
Leica M6 LHSA
Leica M6 Millennium
Leica M6 Green Paint
Leica MP3
Leica MP6
Leica MP Olive
Leica MP Classic
Leica MP Titanium
Leica MP Anthracite
Leica MP Hammertone
Sun Tao is from Wuhan, Hubei Province of China. He graduated with Master Degree from Chinese Ministry of Culture and Chinese Calligraphy Court. Sun Tao is the Arts Director of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Appointed Calligrapher for the Chutian Calligraphy Court of Hubei Province.
Since the 1980s, Sun Tao has been recognised by the Ministry of Culture, the China Federation of Art and Literature, the Chinese Calligraphy Association, the Chinese Disabled Persons Federation, the Central Committee of China and many other institutions. Sun Tao have won multiple awards including the "Chutian Star Award", "Huanghe Group Star Award" and “International Handicapped Painting and Calligraphy Awards".
Sun Tao has participated in large-scale cultural performances of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He has taught more than 10,000 students from all around the world. Sun Tao has also participated in many Cultural and Art exchange between China, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. His works have been collected by political figures and individuals from more than 30 countries.
孙涛是中国湖北省武汉市人，中国文化部中国书法院研究生毕业，华中科技大学同济医学院书艺指导。湖北省楚天书法院特聘书法家。
自上世纪八十年代多次获文化部，中国文联，中国书协，中残联，民革中央等机构举办的”楚天群星奖“ ”黄鹤群星奖“ 历届 ”国际残障人书画奖”，培养大，中，小学生及外国留学生逾万名。
曾参加北京2008奥运会大型文艺展演，曾多次参加中韩，中澳，中新，中日文化艺术交流活动，作品被三十多个国家政要与个人收藏。
2018年7月28日，在悉尼chatswood 的中华文化中心举办了【孙涛悉尼书法展】，来自悉尼的华人议员和文化精英等嘉宾约200多人参加了剪彩仪式。
On 28 July 2018, the Sun Tao Sydney Calligraphy Exhibition was held at the Chinese Cultural Center in Chatswood, Sydney. More than 200 guests of Australian and Chinese elites attended the opening ceremony.
澳大利亚美术家协会，澳大利亚琴棋书画协会，澳大利亚中国文化传统协会，湖北同乡会联合主办的此次展览，展示了孙涛老师近年创作的书法精品，展现了他的师承渊源及深厚的书法造诣，受到了行内专家和观众的高度评价。
The Australian Artists Association, the Australian Chess and Calligraphy Association, the Australian Chinese Cultural Tradition Association and the Hubei Fellowship Association jointly hosted the exhibition, which exhibited the calligraphy works created by Sun Tao in recent years. The exhibition showcasing his mastery and profound calligraphy that is highly praised by audiences and experts in the calligraphy industry.
孙涛书法作品国外展出场馆
Sun Tao Calligraphy Worldwide Exhibition Venues:
孙涛书法作品收藏机构
Sun Tao Calligraphy Collection Institutions:
Leica MP stands for “Mechanical Perfection” which marks the pinnacle of Leica film cameras. Leica MP is a personal favourite film camera and I have had the pleasure of owning all sorts of variants Leica MP cameras including Leica MP Black Paint, Leica MP Matte Chrome a la carte, Leica MP-6, Leica MP3 LHSA, Leica MP Anthracite and other Limited Editions.
Read below for the Most well-known and Rare collectible Leica MP Editions:
Ongoing Production
The Leica MP with its perfection craftsmanship incorporating cosmetic features of the M3 including the advance and rewind levers combined with the modern conveniences of the M6 such as TTL metering, shutter speed dial, film loading and motor interface. This combination created the most mechanical perfected film camera ever by Leica hence named the “Leica MP.”
Limited to 1000 Pieces (Worldwide)
Leica MP-3 was produced for LHSA (Leica Historical Society of America) back in 2005. The Leica MP-3 retains that Classic M3 look incorporating the convience of a Leics MP body, this combination is what is making it highly desirable. Leica produced 1000 sets of the MP-3 including 500 in chrome and 500 in black paint. All of the sets came in a very nice presentation box, with the camera, Leicavit winder (classic style) and a special edition 50mm Summilux APSH Lens.
The Leica MP3s are a close reproduction of the original Leica MP from the 1950s and 1960s. Only the front battery cover and the back adjusting dial for film speed indicate that the MP3 body is based upon the M6. The MP3 has the raised viewfinder window frame, extended eye bolts (for attaching the strap), and an external frame counter.
Limited to 250 Pieces (Japan)
The Leica MP6 was the Prototype Leica MP made exclusive for the Japan Market and only 250 units made out of the factory, making it extremely rare and collectible.
The MP-6 was basically the same as a regular MP, but it comes with the classic vulcanite leather found on the older Leica cameras, a Leica Camera AG Germany engraving on the top plate and on some of the later models an M6 iso selector. These simple cosmetic differences may not sounds like much, but they really make a difference and are instantly noticeable. They set the camera apart from the regular MP.
Limited to 1000 Pieces (Worldwide)
The Leica MP Grey Hammertone LHSA is the 35th Anniversary model for the establishment of the Leica Historical Society of America.
The Camera incorporating a distinctly rare and unique grey hammertone finish, appers to be struck by a hammer. The Leica MP Hammertone Kit includes a Summicron-M 2/35 ASPH lens with the retro look of the 1950s and a Leicavit-M Rapidwinder.
Limited to 600 Pieces (Worldwide)
The Highly Exclusive Special Edition Model was designed especially for the Japanese market and only limited to 600 pieces. Its lacquering is entirely hand-applied with Anthracite, and is resistant to abrasion. Anthracite came from Greek word, literally means "a type of coal", from Anthrax. It is a hard, compact variety of mineral coal that has a high lustre. It has the highest carbon count and contains the fewest impurities of all coals, despite its lower calorific content.
Limited to 500 Pieces (Worldwide)
The elegant LEICA MP Hermès Camera, known as the “Edition Hermès” is a special edition of 500 silver-chrome Leica MP cameras covered with exquisite Barenia calfskin supplied by the famed Parisian high-fashion house Hermès.
Limited to 100 Pieces (Japan)
Leica MP Olive Set which was released to commemorating the opening of the Leica Kyoto store.
Leica MP olive set combines a Leica MP analog film camera with a 35mm f1.4 Summilux-M in silver finish and a cognac color strap. The body and the top and blase plate are made with a olive-colored finish. All operating parts are finished in silver chrome. The set is limited to 100 sets worldwide.
Limited to 10 Pieces (Germany)
Leica Camera AG specifically the Leica Store Berlin will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a very special Limited edition Leica MP Camera, which limited to only 10 units worldwide.
"The camera housing with all controls as well as the complete version of the Summilux-M 1.4 50mm ASPH. Are neither lacquered nor chromium-plated, but are treated with blue lacquer. Blue Stain (german: "Blaubeize") is an intermediate step in production and stretches as the carrier surface for a later painting. Instead of the varnish we sealed the blue stain two times. This gives the combination a unique look which, on the one hand, subtly underscores the tool character, but on the other hand it also gives a subtle elegance. Each of the 10 cameras has a slightly different "pickling" and is absolutely individual."
Finishing off the camera is a housing cover made of soft grey cowhide and the black frame counter has red engravings. Each one also comes in a special edition box with neck strap.
Limited to 150 Pieces (Japan)
The Leica MP Titanium (0.72) camera was introduced in April 2007 to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the opening of Leica Store Ginza in Tokyo, Japan. It was produced exclusively for the Japanese market and limited to only 150 pieces, which was never made available for sale anywhere other than the Ginza store in Japan.
All exterior metal parts and fittings are made of titanium, similar to the Leica M7 Titanium and the Leica M9 Titan. The camera weighs approximately 90 grams less than a regular MP. Even the special body cap is made from titanium, as is the ISO selector disc on the back of the camera. Titanium is a strong and lightweight metal which is also corrosion resistant, so this camera is very well protected. Unfortunately titanium is a very difficult metal to work with, as it has a very high melting point temperature making it an expensive metal to use in mass production. The Leica MP Titanium is one of the rarest and most beautiful modern M cameras that Leica has ever produced.
Japancamerahunter ©
Recently I have acquired this mint condition Canon 50mm F0.95 lens and decided to customise it to match my Leica Monochrome. The Monochrome is a special paint camera with Matte Black colour coating and my personal preference has always been stealthy and low-key. Since decided to paint the Canon 50mm F0.95 "Dream Lens" in Matte Black to match with the Monochrome camera body then I reached towards the help from Bellamy Hunt known as the "Japancamerahunter", who is an expert in camera gear customisation and see the result that we have produced.
Japancamerahunter ©
Japancamerahunter ©
The Mijonju Show Demostrates The "Stealth Mode" Canon 50mm F0.95 Dream Lens in The Video Below:
In the Past, I have obtained several of my unique collections from the Japancamerahunter and strongly recommends everyone to check out his customisation service in the link below:
Camera Gear Customisation - Japan Camera Hunter
Below is my collection of the "Holy Trinity" Royal Gold and Blue Cameras that realised the Collector's Ultimate Dream.
This is Hasselblad's 1941-1991 50th Anniversary model and the camera is particularly distinctive with Dark Blue vinyl leather covering on the 24K Gold-Plated body. This is a highly collective camera and only 700 units ever made worldwide.
Photo courtesy and Copyright 2000 of Duncan Meeder, Foto Henny Hoogeveen, Holland.
This is the most exclusive Rollei 35 ever made. The Top and bottom plate is finished with Japanese hand painted blue shimmering Japanese "Urushi" lacquer, with the rest of the metal part coated with 24 Carat Gold. Each camera came with a Wooden casket, Real leather case, Gold-tipped strap and a 20REB Rollei Flash. Only 1,000 units built in Braunschweig of Germany in part runs of just 200 units a year.
This is the most exclusive Special Edition with Gold plated surfaces covered with Brown African Lizard and Hand-finished Japanese Urushi high gloss lacquer in Royal Blue. It is the most exotic Rolleiflex produced and is limited to just 150 pieces in the world.
Below are a selection of my Leica camera collections and this post will be updated once I acquire further unique camera gears.
The highly exclusive special-edition model was designed especially for the Japanese market and only limited to 600 pieces. Its lacquering is entirely hand-applied with Anthracite, and is resistant to abrasion. Anthracite came from Greek word, literally means "a type of coal", from Anthrax. It is a hard, compact variety of mineral coal that has a high lustre. It has the highest carbon count and contains the fewest impurities of all coals, despite its lower calorific content.
The Leica MP-6 was the prototype Leica MP made exclusive for Japan and only 250 pieces made out to the entire market. It distinguishes from a regular MP with classic vulcanite leather, Leica Logo engraving on the top plate and ISO selection dial at back of the camera.
Leica MP-6 with matching Leica 50mm F1.4 Summilux in Black Paint.
Leica 0 Series with 35 Anastigmat 1:3,5 F=50mm
Originally produced in only small quantities in 1923/24, this series can be regarded as the basis of modern 35mm photography and the precursor of the first commercially marketed photographic camera, the Leica I, launched in 1925 by the Optical Works of Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar.
-Leica-
Leica M Typ240 (Chrome)
Leica M Monochrom Typ246 (Matte Black)
Leica M9 Sliver (Custom Carbon)
Leica M9-P (Black Paint)
Leica Monochrom (Chrome)
Leica MP à la carte (Matte Black)
Leica MP Anthracite (Limited Edition)
Leica M-A (Chrome)
Leica MP-6 (Japan Edition)
Leica M6 Black
Leica M3 Olive Bundeseigentum
Leica M3 Black Paint
Leica M2
Leica 0 Series
Lenses:
Leica 50mm F0.95 Noctilux (Brass Chrome)
Schneider Xenon 50mm F0.95
Canon 50mm F0.95 "Dream Lens"
Canon 50mm F1.2 LTM
MS Optical 50mm F1.1 Sonnetar M
Leica 50mm F1.4 Summilux ASPH (Black & Chrome)
Leica 50mm F1.4 Summilux Type 2 (Black)
Leica 50mm F1.4 Summilux Black Paint
Zeiss 50mm F1.5 Sonnar ZM
Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1.1 VM
Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1.5 Aspherical VM
Leica 50 F2.0 Summicron
Leica 75mm F1.4 Summilux V2
Leica 35mm F2.5 Summarit
Leica 35mm F2.4 ASPH Summarit (Chrome)
Voigtlander 35mm F2.5 Colour-Skopar Pancake VM
Leica 21mm F1.4 Summilux ASPH
Leica 21mm F3.4 Super-Elmar ASPH
Zeiss 25mm F2.8 Biogon T* ZM
Leica WATE 16-18-21mm f/4 Tri-Elmar
Zeiss 15mm F2.8 Distagon T* ZM
-Hasselblad-
Hasselblad 2000FC/M
Hasselblad 201F
Hasselblad 503CX CF "Golden Blue" 50th Anniversary Edition
Hasselblad SWC
Hasselblad X-PAN
Lenses:
Carl Zeiss 150mm F4.0 Sonnar CF T* lens
Carl Zeiss 100mm F3.5 Planar C T* lens
Carl Zeiss 38mm F4.5 Biogon C T* lens
Carl Zeiss 110mm F2 Planar F T* lens
-Rolleiflex-
Rolleiflex 3.5E with Schneider Xenotar 75mm F3.5
Rolleiflex 2.8 GX Royal Urushi Gold Edition
Rollei 35 Royal Urushi Gold Collection
-Sony-
Sony Alpha NEX-7 Camera
Sony A7 Camera
Lenses:
Sony 16mm F2.8 Pancake
Sony 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 lens
Leica Lenses Adapter
-Ricoh-
Ricoh GR1v
Ricoh 28mm F2.8 lens
Ricoh GR Digital
-Polaroid-
Polaroid 110B
Polaroid SX-70 Customised
-Canon-
Canon 60D
Canon 5D Mark II
Lenses:
35L
50L
85L
70-200 F2.8 II
100L Macro
17-55mm F2.8
24-70L
24-105L
17-40L
Do you ever have that feeling there isn't much happening around where you live? That you are just taking the same boring shots after another? Most photographers do get that feeling at some stage of their photography journey, they feel that there isn't too many interesting things in the city where you live day-by-day. Well, this is not true, THERE IS ALWAYS INTERESTING PEOPLE OR SUBJECTS AROUND YOU EVERYDAY! If you have or are having this feeling, then It is time for you to re-think about your photographic subjects or starting a new project that will open a new dimension for your photographs.
Next time when you want to go out your home and hit the streets, you should try walking a different route, taking photos of different subjects or keep an eye open for interesting people that captures your attention. I personally believe that EVERY single person has their own story and it is a street photographer's duty to capture that in the best of his/her abilities. If you are afraid of approaching to strangers then you can try all those street photography techniques such as shoot-from-hip, low angle shots, pretending you are shooting something else, etc. However, it is best if a photographer can eventually engage with his subject by approaching them personally and communicate with them, trying to get a glimpse of their moment or their story is the best way to get a natural photograph of the person.
Just remember, there are ALWAYS interesting subjects around you and it is your obligation as a photographer to find them, be open about your photographs, get creative as this will open a new realm of interesting moments.
More of my "Street Portraits" work at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerrybay/sets/72157633113750711/
I am a street photographer based in Sydney and I have a strong passion for photography in general. I used the Leica M9 and MP as my main tools for street photography in the past couple of years but recently decided to acquire something different. The temptation of medium format have always been there but I could not justify the cost of digital medium format cameras, at least for now.
Hasselblad has always been my dream medium format camera and luckily I got the chance to buy a Hasselblad 2000FC/M camera body with a A12 magazine at a very reasonable price that got me started into medium format. The world of medium format film photography was new to me so I had to learn everything from the start. I got a grasp of how the Hasselblad V system works very quickly since I had quite a bit of experience shooting film before.
First thing I noticed when holding the camera is its superb build quality, I have held many Leica cameras before but this thing is different, it is built like a tank; heavy and solid. The Hasselblad 2000FC/M with a lens attached is significantly heavier than my Leica M9 with a 50 Summilux ASPH combo but still lighter than a full-frame DSLR setup.
The viewfinder on the Hasselblad V system is like nothing else I have experienced, big and beautiful. It is almost like a live-view 3 inch LCD screen in the modern days but even better since it is all optical rather than electronic. Viewing through the viewfinder is a pleasure and truly a treat to eyes. I have upgraded the original stock viewscreen to a even brighter Accute Matte D screen that helps to achieve faster and more accurate focusing for street photography.
The Hasselblad V system is equipped with a waist-level viewfinder and it is perfect for street photography. You can simply hold the camera at your waist aimed at your subject and most people don’t even know that you are taking a picture. It’s discreteness is perfect for the streets. The shutter click sound is no where as quite as a leaf shutter or Leica quietness but it is still a pleasure to hear the mirror flipping when the shutter fires.
One of the big advantage of the Hasselblad system over other medium format film systems is its inter-changeable backs, which allows swap between different films on the go. There are several different types of film magazines available that can shoot different number of exposures. The most common is the A12 magazine, which allows photographers to shoot 12 frames of 6×6 exposures of 120mm film. You simply insert the dark slide to remove the film back and apply another back loaded with the film you desire. Therefore, you don’t have to wait until all exposures to be finished and able to shoot B&W or Colour during the same photo-shoot.
The lenses are made by Carl Zeiss thus equates to superior image quality. There are several different types of lenses for the V system, some with lens built-in Synchro Compur shutter like in C and CF lenses and some without that uses the in-camera shutter like the F lenses. My Hasselblad 2000FC/M can uses all three types of lenses since it has a built-in shutter and a top shutter speed of 1/2000 second. The optics are all made by Carl Zeiss and has the typical Zeiss quality with its renowned 3D rendition. Some people buy the system because of their famous lenses. There are also difference in lens coating and are noted by the T* sign. The lenses I used are the Carl Zeiss 150mm F4.0 CF T* lens which is equivalent to 94mm in 35mm format, which is the perfect lens for head and shoulder portraits. I am also using the “magical” lens in the Hasselblad world , the Carl Zeiss 100mm F3.5 C T* lens that is equivalent to 63mm and it is a mysterious lens that is rarely used but contains some magical qualities. One day I hope to get the “Noctilux” of Hasselblad, which is the Carl Zeiss 110mm F2 lens that will produce stunning bokeh!
I loved shooting with 35mm film on my MP, although the film qualities are presented i.e. the great exposure latitude, dynamic range and tonality but the sharpness is not up to the standard that I desired. Medium format film seems to be the “Perfect” solution for this, it has incredible sharpness, even at 100% crop looks tack-sharp amazing to me. Although with the significant gain of resolution over 35mm film but it still retains all the film qualities that makes it so attractive. There is also a great gain in shallower Depth-of-Field and the bokeh from the lenses are incredible. The frame is 6×6 which makes it a unique square shape that stands out from all other images. I have yet to print those images in large sizes but have heard that you can even blown them up to 2 by 2 meters prints, which is perfect for commercial usage.
It has been a real joy to use the hasselblad and I am still amazed at its quality. While my journey in the medium format world continues that I would highly recommend for anyone wanting try out medium format film photography : do not hesitate!
Please feel free to visit my Flickr or 500px to see more of my work:
Flickr: HYPERLINK “http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerrybay/” http://www.flickr.com/photos/jerrybay/
500px: HYPERLINK “http://500px.com/jerrybay” http://500px.com/jerrybay
"UFO" - Kodak Ektar 100
"J&M" - Fuji Pro400H
"Circus Lady" Kodak Portra 400
"French Nun" - Fuji Reala 100
"Gossip Girls" - Kodak Portra 400
"In the Wind" - Fuji Pro400H
"1958 Chevrolet-Corvette" - Delta HP5+
"Black Riders" - Delta HP5+
"Father & Son" - Ilford Delta 400
"Hairy Chest" - Delta HP5+