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A rare Leica camera prototype designed by former Apple fixture Jony Ive and famed designer Marc Newson is auctioned off in June. The device, which is described as being in “B +” condition, has a starting price of € 100,000 (approximately $ 118,000), and auction house Leitz Photographica estimates that it will sell for between 200,000 and € 250,000 (between approximately $ 235,000 and $ 295,000)).
The prototype was produced during the development of the Leica M camera for unique (RED), which was sold at a charity auction in 2013 for $ 1.8 million. While the design of the final product shared many similarities with Apple’s “cheesegrater” Mac Pro, this prototype appears to have a smooth, reflective finish that resembles an absolute fingerprint magnet.
The prototype, which is described as showing the “final stage of development” of the design process, is fitted with an Apo-Summicron 2/50mm ASPH lens. There is no question, however, of whether it actually functions as a camera. Here is the full description of the Leitz Photographica auction:
A beautifully sculpted aluminum body with a matching Apo-Summicron 2/50mm ASPH. lens – both showing distinctive features for which both designers are famous. Only one finished camera was made and was auctioned off in 2013 for an incredible $ 1.8M! The prototype we are pleased to bring to you shows the final stage of development when the camera took its final shape after hundreds of prototype parts had been manufactured and tested. It is a beautiful piece of design and a very special opportunity for Leica collectors! “
At the time, Leica said that “a total of 561 models and nearly 1,000 prototype parts” were made during the camera design process. The latest Leica M camera for (RED) was sold along with over 40 other items at the auction, raising around $ 26 million in total for charity. Newson then joined Apple to work under Ive the following year.
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