Special Limited Edition: Leica M-A Hammertone "Leica Store Ginza 20th Anniversary"
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Leica Store Ginza, Leica is releasing a highly exclusive 100-unit limited edition purely mechanical camera, the "Leica M-A Hammertone". A commemorative photo exhibition will also be held.
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- 📰 Published: April 25, 2026 at 05:00
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The Leica Store Ginza, which opened in April 2006 as the world's first Leica directly-managed store by Leica Camera Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), celebrates its milestone 20th anniversary this year.
To commemorate this occasion, we are releasing the Leica Store Ginza 20th anniversary special limited edition model, the "Leica M-A Hammertone 'Leica Store Ginza 20th Anniversary'," limited to 100 units.
The "Leica M-A" is a true mechanical rangefinder camera that symbolizes a return to the essence of photography. Based on the film camera "Leica MP," it does not require a battery as the light meter has been removed. The front left side of the special edition body features an engraved "20 JAHRE" to denote the 20th anniversary, and the top cover features the classic "Leica" logo engraving, highlighting an elegant presence and a classical appearance.
The surfaces of the top cover and base plate are finished in a gray "hammertone" paint, where intricate textures create a unique expression. This textured coating is characterized by a distinctive surface finish that looks as if it were struck by a hammer, giving it an artisanal appearance. This finish has been widely adopted in industrial design, particularly in Germany, where it became established as an exterior for high-quality technical equipment. Its appearance is recognized as a finish symbolizing durability, functionality, and precision.
Since the late 1950s, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar frequently applied this finish to relatively large products such as microscopes, slide projectors, enlargers, and the Leicina "Leicina Super 8" cine-cameras. However, instances of this finish being applied to Leica cameras were extremely rare. Examples include the copy camera "Leica MD" designed for the "Leitz Reprovit" reproduction system, and the prototype "Leica 'MS'" developed for handheld aerial photography. Today, these models are exceptionally rare and highly popular among collectors.
*Lens sold separately
The Leica Store Ginza 20th Anniversary Special Limited Edition "Leica M-A Hammertone 'Leica Store Ginza 20th Anniversary'" is scheduled to be released at Leica Stores in Japan starting Saturday, April 25, 2026.
20 Years of Retail
In 2006, the Leica Camera Group began shifting its sales structure towards selective distribution. The catalyst for this was Hermès, a shareholder at the time, which had long been conducting its own direct sales. Today, there are approximately 120 Leica Stores worldwide, establishing a unique position through a multi-channel model integrating physical stores with e-commerce and auctions.
Leica Store Ginza
"Timeless Vision: Leica Store Ginza 20th Anniversary Exhibition" - A photo exhibition commemorating the 20th anniversary
Leica Gallery Tokyo was born as the world's second Leica directly-managed gallery following Wetzlar, Germany, and is also celebrating its 20th anniversary milestone.
Leica Gallery Tokyo (Leica Store Ginza 2F)
From Sunday, April 26 to Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Leica Gallery Tokyo and Leica Professional Store Tokyo will host the 20th-anniversary photo exhibition "Timeless Vision."
This exhibition is a group show comprising 35 works by 12 renowned domestic and international photographers who have previously held exhibitions at Leica Gallery Tokyo. It is curated by Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, Art Director and Chief Representative of Leica Galleries International.
The exhibition consists of carefully selected masterpieces from the archival collection symbolizing Leica's photographic history by Elliott Erwitt, Sebastião Salgado, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Constantine Manos, Jürgen Schadeberg, Bruce Gilden, René Burri, Robert Doisneau, and Marc Riboud, alongside representative works by Herbie Yamaguchi, Kikuji Kawada, and Yoshino Oishi that symbolize their journey and connection with Leica.
About Leica Camera
Leica Camera AG is a global premium manufacturer producing and selling cameras, lenses, and sports optics. In recent years, it has expanded its business domain as part of its growth strategy, entering the field of mobile imaging (smartphones). It also manufactures high-quality eyeglass lenses and wristwatches and has entered the home cinema market with its own projectors. The headquarters is located in Wetzlar, Germany, with a second factory in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal.
To commemorate this occasion, we are releasing the Leica Store Ginza 20th anniversary special limited edition model, the "Leica M-A Hammertone 'Leica Store Ginza 20th Anniversary'," limited to 100 units.
The "Leica M-A" is a true mechanical rangefinder camera that symbolizes a return to the essence of photography. Based on the film camera "Leica MP," it does not require a battery as the light meter has been removed. The front left side of the special edition body features an engraved "20 JAHRE" to denote the 20th anniversary, and the top cover features the classic "Leica" logo engraving, highlighting an elegant presence and a classical appearance.
The surfaces of the top cover and base plate are finished in a gray "hammertone" paint, where intricate textures create a unique expression. This textured coating is characterized by a distinctive surface finish that looks as if it were struck by a hammer, giving it an artisanal appearance. This finish has been widely adopted in industrial design, particularly in Germany, where it became established as an exterior for high-quality technical equipment. Its appearance is recognized as a finish symbolizing durability, functionality, and precision.
Since the late 1950s, Ernst Leitz Wetzlar frequently applied this finish to relatively large products such as microscopes, slide projectors, enlargers, and the Leicina "Leicina Super 8" cine-cameras. However, instances of this finish being applied to Leica cameras were extremely rare. Examples include the copy camera "Leica MD" designed for the "Leitz Reprovit" reproduction system, and the prototype "Leica 'MS'" developed for handheld aerial photography. Today, these models are exceptionally rare and highly popular among collectors.
*Lens sold separately
The Leica Store Ginza 20th Anniversary Special Limited Edition "Leica M-A Hammertone 'Leica Store Ginza 20th Anniversary'" is scheduled to be released at Leica Stores in Japan starting Saturday, April 25, 2026.
20 Years of Retail
In 2006, the Leica Camera Group began shifting its sales structure towards selective distribution. The catalyst for this was Hermès, a shareholder at the time, which had long been conducting its own direct sales. Today, there are approximately 120 Leica Stores worldwide, establishing a unique position through a multi-channel model integrating physical stores with e-commerce and auctions.
Leica Store Ginza
"Timeless Vision: Leica Store Ginza 20th Anniversary Exhibition" - A photo exhibition commemorating the 20th anniversary
Leica Gallery Tokyo was born as the world's second Leica directly-managed gallery following Wetzlar, Germany, and is also celebrating its 20th anniversary milestone.
Leica Gallery Tokyo (Leica Store Ginza 2F)
From Sunday, April 26 to Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Leica Gallery Tokyo and Leica Professional Store Tokyo will host the 20th-anniversary photo exhibition "Timeless Vision."
This exhibition is a group show comprising 35 works by 12 renowned domestic and international photographers who have previously held exhibitions at Leica Gallery Tokyo. It is curated by Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, Art Director and Chief Representative of Leica Galleries International.
The exhibition consists of carefully selected masterpieces from the archival collection symbolizing Leica's photographic history by Elliott Erwitt, Sebastião Salgado, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Constantine Manos, Jürgen Schadeberg, Bruce Gilden, René Burri, Robert Doisneau, and Marc Riboud, alongside representative works by Herbie Yamaguchi, Kikuji Kawada, and Yoshino Oishi that symbolize their journey and connection with Leica.
About Leica Camera
Leica Camera AG is a global premium manufacturer producing and selling cameras, lenses, and sports optics. In recent years, it has expanded its business domain as part of its growth strategy, entering the field of mobile imaging (smartphones). It also manufactures high-quality eyeglass lenses and wristwatches and has entered the home cinema market with its own projectors. The headquarters is located in Wetzlar, Germany, with a second factory in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal.