Skip to main content

This is the Jony Ive-designed aluminum Leica M camera for upcoming RED auction (Gallery)

Last month we reported that Apple’s Senior Vice President of Design Jony Ive had teamed up with designer & friend Marc Newson to create one of a kind pieces for Bono’s (Product) RED charity auction scheduled for November 23 at Sotheby’s New York. Those pieces included one-of-a-kind 18k sold rose gold Apple EarPods, and Steinway & Sons piano, and other unique items designed by the pair. Today we get a look at another beautifully designed product set to go up for auction next month.

In the gallery below we get a look at the gorgeous aluminum Leica M for (RED) designed by Ive and Newson that features “a laser machined aluminum body and an anodized aluminum outer shell.” The one of a kind camera took 85 days to create with the team going through 561 models and nearly 1000 prototype parts:

Leica Camera is pleased to present The Leica M for (RED), designed by Jony Ive and Marc Newson. The camera, based off the Leica M, will be auctioned off at Southeby’s on November 23rd 2013 to raise money for The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

From a design standpoint, it features a laser machined aluminum body and an anodized aluminum outer shell. A total of 561 models and nearly 1000 prototype parts were made during the 85 days it took to create of this unique, one of a kind camera.

The camera has s a full-format CMOS sensor, high performance processor and new Leica APO-Summicron –M 50mm f/2 ASPH lens representing the best in photography along with its innovative design.

Other items designed by Ive and Newson set to be auctioned off on November 23rd include an aluminium desk produced by Neal Feay Studios, a Steinway & Sons Parlor Grand Piano, a 2012 Range Rover, and the rose gold Apple EarPods.

Last month the official (Product) RED Twitter account revealed that Apple’s contributions to the charity had reached $65 million, making it the largest contributor to the charity out of all participating companies. Apple currently sells Red versions of the iPod shuffle, iPod nano, iPod touch, iPad Smart Cover, and iPhone 4S bumper under the (PRODUCT)RED branding and donates a portion of profits to the charity.

All funds raised through the (Product) RED auction at Sotheby’s next month will go towards The Global Fund to help prevent and treat HIV and AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. ground (@groundmedia) - 10 years ago

    gorgeous until you get some gunk in those tiny holes

  2. It’d be nice to see the real thing instead of just a rendering.

  3. Ah, a must have! If only possible…

  4. William - 10 years ago

    Reblogged this on William's iBlog and commented:
    Aluminum. Of course.

  5. Len Williams - 10 years ago

    Mu first thought is that it looks like one of the original iSight cameras stretched out into the shape of a camera. The holes might be problematic when they fill up with dirt and gunk. I still use my original iSight camera on top of my 30″ Cinema Display, and despite it being 10 years old (came out in 2003) it still works great and delivers excellent quality video via Skype.

  6. Nicholas Vettese - 10 years ago

    I have seen many Leicas in my day, and personally, I think this is the ugliest. I hope that this render is a goof. Leicas have a classic look, and this throws out all of Leica’s class.

  7. Luke Ivie (@LukeIvie) - 10 years ago

    I’m surprised that Jony Ive would put his name on something like this, but then again he put his name on iOS 7. This looks like a poor design if you ask me.

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.