Just saw this. I'm not into the SL cameras, but have to say I like the aesthetics. I think it's same as the existing SL3 except for removal of red dot and slightly higher price, in addition to exterior appearance.
I’ve never understood the appeal of the Reporter cameras. Why are they green? What does it have to do with reporters? And why, when Pentax offers a range of colors, people smirk, but when Leica makes a green camera, we’re supposed to think it’s special?
johnvanr wrote:
I’ve never understood the appeal of the Reporter cameras. Why are they green? What does it have to do with reporters? And why, when Pentax offers a range of colors, people smirk, but when Leica makes a green camera, we’re supposed to think it’s special?
End of rant.
Me neither - I don't find the color too appealing, but Leica obviously ran a successful marketing strategy here since they seem to sell well as special edition.
johnvanr wrote:
I’ve never understood the appeal of the Reporter cameras. Why are they green? What does it have to do with reporters? And why, when Pentax offers a range of colors, people smirk, but when Leica makes a green camera, we’re supposed to think it’s special?
End of rant.
I assumed it was a throwback to war time reporters, but I'd love to know if this is correct.
Well the branding used to be 'Safari'. There does seem to be something vaguely un-woke about that branding in 2025 so 'Reporter' I think is a worthy replacement. I think they look good, the M11P Reporter actually looks great. I'm glad they're not 20k special editions like they used to do in the M9 days.
I would seriously consider an M6 reissue in this style. Also, the special edition Hasselblad X2D looked great.
These cameras are like 50% about photography tool and 50% lifestyle appeal. And I'm not criticizing that, I am susceptible to that type of marketing myself. I could have bought a cheapish M4-2 but I spent a little extra and got a chrome M4-P. I love the way it looks!
If the M11P Safari had this more subdued green color and only on top and bottom plate like this SL3 Reporter, it would have appealed to me - although probably not enough to make me ditch my silver M11P which I think is a gorgeous Leica classic look.
Tarekith wrote:
I assumed it was a throwback to war time reporters, but I'd love to know if this is correct.
That would be new to me. Besides, many, if not most, carried Nikon or Canon with maybe a Leica as the third camera.
I may be too sensitive to this kind of stuff as a former reporter myself (written media), but something similar is going on with notebooks. Brands sell a ‘reporter notebook’ for $10 without that notebook having even a hard back cover. The essence of a real reporter’s notebook is that hard cover, so you can write without the paper bending on you. And those real ones sell for $25 for a 12-pack.
speedgraphic wrote:
Well the branding used to be 'Safari'. There does seem to be something vaguely un-woke about that branding in 2025 so 'Reporter' I think is a worthy replacement. I think they look good, the M11P Reporter actually looks great. I'm glad they're not 20k special editions like they used to do in the M9 days.
I would seriously consider an M6 reissue in this style. Also, the special edition Hasselblad X2D looked great.
These cameras are like 50% about photography tool and 50% lifestyle appeal. And I'm not criticizing that, I am susceptible to that type of marketing myself. I could have bought a cheapish M4-2 but I spent a little extra and got a chrome M4-P. I love the way it looks! ...Show more →
Safari and Leica was silly too. I have nothing against the P and whatever editions and prefer some myself. It’s just this green.
I won’t go into their special over the top limited editions. That’s just crazy s**t, up there with Trump’s golden Oval Office, all bling, no purpose. Oh, sorry, I got into it.
johnvanr wrote:
Safari and Leica was silly too. I have nothing against the P and whatever editions and prefer some myself. It’s just this green.
I won’t go into their special over the top limited editions. That’s just crazy s**t, up there with Trump’s golden Oval Office, all bling, no purpose. Oh, sorry, I got into it.
if you were really sorry you'd just delete your post which offends some people and violates Fred's request that political comments be avoided.
Leica have produced these cameras for decades. Most manufacturers used to make special editions. Nikon made them in gold for a bit. Usually, they're released closer to the end of a production run and a new model is on its way in a few months. For Leica it's usually about a year or so. Hasselblad did something similar with the Earth Explorer edition of the X2D.
The safari editions are for M cameras and have a different green and leatherette. The reporters are for the AF cameras and have Kevlar coverings.
In real life the reporters and safari cameras are very attractive. My M11-P safari is quite beautiful I'm pleased to see it's the proper SL3 that gets the reporter treatment this time. It was the SL2-S last time. Leica people seem to love the reporters and safaris (I do too) and they usually do well for Leica, which remains one of the few profitable camera companies. In a contracting market these cameras are good for Leica's bottom line and make it a healthy company.
brick33308 wrote:
if you were really sorry you'd just delete your post which offends some people and violates Fred's request that political comments be avoided.
See the smiley face? The color scheme of the Oval Office isn’t political. It’s a matter of taste. And I’m by far not the first one to express doubts about Leica’s limited editions.
If they seriously want to improve looks and user response, replace the monster L E I C A test - clearly designed to cover virtually the entire surface - with a tasteful choice of logo bearing the early name (until 1986, when the accountants got hold of things):
Leitz
'The official company name change was part of a larger corporate restructuring. In 1986, the Leitz company established Leica GmbH to consolidate all its photographic activities. The following year, in 1987, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH merged with Wild Heerbrugg AG, a Swiss optical company, to form the Wild Leitz Group. The "Leica" name was adopted for the broader company name during these mergers.'
I'm not sure 'Wild Leica' would do the trick. But they have a very good reason to go back to where they came from. Leitz make several wonderful lens ranges in the cine field, all most easily accessed under their true name: Leitz.
An example of escaping the shouting in makers' names on the faceplate below. And the pronunciation closely resembles the English word 'lights'. And one if they really need the upper case.
johnvanr wrote:
I’ve never understood the appeal of the Reporter cameras. Why are they green? What does it have to do with reporters? And why, when Pentax offers a range of colors, people smirk, but when Leica makes a green camera, we’re supposed to think it’s special?
End of rant.
"Why Leica Chose Green... The video[briefly] traces the colour's evolution from military origins to a stylish modern finish"
flash wrote:
Leica have produced these cameras for decades. Most manufacturers used to make special editions. Nikon made them in gold for a bit. Usually, they're released closer to the end of a production run and a new model is on its way in a few months. For Leica it's usually about a year or so. Hasselblad did something similar with the Earth Explorer edition of the X2D.
The safari editions are for M cameras and have a different green and leatherette. The reporters are for the AF cameras and have Kevlar coverings.
In real life the reporters and safari cameras are very attractive. My M11-P safari is quite beautiful I'm pleased to see it's the proper SL3 that gets the reporter treatment this time. It was the SL2-S last time. Leica people seem to love the reporters and safaris (I do too) and they usually do well for Leica, which remains one of the few profitable camera companies. In a contracting market these cameras are good for Leica's bottom line and make it a healthy company.
They've always done well for Leica and seems hold their value much better on the used market. I'm not sure that'll be true for the M11-P Safari since it isn't a limited edition, but it certainly was for the M10-P Safari, which Leica produced in only about 1,500 units. Not sure how the SL line holds up with this special edition theme. Leica seems to favor the "Reporter" theme for the SL body since it pairs better with black lenses, which make up nearly the entire SL lineup. (The Safari theme looks better with silver lenses)
I never really understood the appeal of the green finish until I saw one in person. I have to agree with you, Gordon, it's stunning...photos just don't do it justice. It's purely cosmetic, of course, but then again, Leica M cameras are pretty much built on the beauty of the cosmetic.
speedgraphic wrote:
Well the branding used to be 'Safari'. There does seem to be something vaguely un-woke about that branding in 2025 so 'Reporter' I think is a worthy replacement. I think they look good, the M11P Reporter actually looks great.
It's actually the opposite of what you said. The Safari edition didn't go away. In fact, there aren’t any M11-P Reporter versions right now, only the Safari.
philip_pj wrote:
If they seriously want to improve looks and user response, replace the monster L E I C A test - clearly designed to cover virtually the entire surface - with a tasteful choice of logo bearing the early name (until 1986, when the accountants got hold of things):
Leitz
'The official company name change was part of a larger corporate restructuring. In 1986, the Leitz company established Leica GmbH to consolidate all its photographic activities. The following year, in 1987, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH merged with Wild Heerbrugg AG, a Swiss optical company, to form the Wild Leitz Group. The "Leica" name was adopted for the broader company name during these mergers.'
I'm not sure 'Wild Leica' would do the trick. But they have a very good reason to go back to where they came from. Leitz make several wonderful lens ranges in the cine field, all most easily accessed under their true name: Leitz.
An example of escaping the shouting in makers' names on the faceplate below. And the pronunciation closely resembles the English word 'lights'. And one if they really need the upper case. ...Show more →
I very much like the blacked out Leica logo, even better on the black SL models.
