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Leica Camera AG, Solms presented this special limited edition of the LEICA M7 of solid titanium at the Photokina 2004 in Cologne to mark the 50th anniversary of the Leica M system. The exclusive camera equipment combines the tradition of a proven photographic tool the Leica M camera with the modernity of the high-tech material titanium and the latest in lens construction. The set includes the camera and the high-speed universal lens SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. The titanium cameras in the set bear the imprint 1954 - 2004 50 Years M System on the camera top. This is the period from the introduction of the first Leica camera with M bayonet,the LEICA M3 in 1954 - through to its anniversary year 2004. The high-tech material titanium is particularly resistant and has high impact strength. As hard as but much lighter than steel, and twice as stable as aluminum, titanium is used in aerospace construction for example, when high stability with a low weight is required. Thus, the special titanium series of LEICA M7 provides a particularly durable exterior without impacting the weight of the camera equipment. Just the opposite, the use of this exclusive metal leaves the titanium LEICA M7 some 80g lighter than the proven M series. In addition, the even and matt-shining, silver-gray titanium surface gives the camera and lenses an unmistakable, exclusive look, making the anniversary edition such an elegant collector's item with an air of luxury, says Jean-Jacques Viau, marketing manager at the Photo Business Unit of Leica Camera AG. The LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. is a complete redesign of the high-speed standard lens for the Leica rangefinder camera. The use of an aspherical element has significantly improved the imaging performance compared with the old model. The LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. was the first Leica M lens to have a floating element: the last lens element alters its position in relation to the rest of the optical system during focusing - thereby achieving outstanding imaging quality even in the close-up range. To achieve homogeneously high imaging performance over the whole field, the LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. not only features high-refraction glass, but also two elements with anomalous color dispersion (partial dispersion), one of which originated in the former Leitz glass laboratory. Whether selective definition in the close range, high-contrast available light applications or landscapes with great field depth - the LEICA SUMMILUX-M f/1.4/50mm ASPH. delivers a convincing performance in all of these situations. Only 500 pieces have been made from this edition of which this one has got serialnumber : 3000104.
