Leica M-A Hammertone Edition Announced for Ginza Store 20th Anniversary

Leica Camera AG is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its flagship Ginza store in Tokyo with a limited-run version of its M-A film camera.

To mark the occasion, the company is releasing just 100 units of a special Leica M-A “Hammertone” edition, available exclusively through the Ginza location.

A Classic Mechanical Rangefinder

The Leica M-A (Type 127), originally released in 2014, is one of the company’s most stripped-down cameras. It’s a fully mechanical 35mm rangefinder with no light meter, no electronics, and no need for batteries.

In many ways, it’s a throwback to earlier Leica designs—often compared to models like the M4-P from the early 1980s. 

A Distinctive Hammertone Finish

This anniversary edition stands out with a medium-gray hammer tone metallic finish paired with a black leather body, giving it a more industrial look compared to Leica’s usual designs. “This finish is widely used in industrial design and has become established as the exterior finish for high-quality technical equipment, particularly in Germany. Its appearance is recognized as a symbol of durability, functionality, and precision,” Leica says.

It also features a “20 Jahre” engraving on the front—German for “20 years”—along with a specially engraved body cap to match.

Not the First Ginza Anniversary Leica

Leica has a history of marking milestones at its Ginza store with limited editions.

Back in 2011, the company released a Leica M9 Hammertone to celebrate the store’s fifth anniversary, also limited to 100 units.

There’s also precedent for the finish itself. A Leica M-A Hammertone edition was released in 2016 for the Vienna store anniversary, though that version was limited to just 25 units and included additional accessories. One of those sets later sold for €132,000 at auction, highlighting the collector appeal of these special editions.

A Collector-Focused Release

With only 100 units available, this new M-A Hammerstone edition is clearly aimed at collectors as much as photographers.

Limited Leica releases—especially fully mechanical film models—tend to generate strong demand, and availability is expected to be extremely limited.

Anniversary Exhibit at Leica Gallery Tokyo

Alongside the camera release, Leica is also hosting a special exhibition titled Timeless Vision at the Leica Gallery Tokyo.

The exhibit will feature 35 works from 12 photographers who have previously shown at the gallery, and will run from April 26 through July 19.

A Landmark Location for Leica

The Ginza store holds a unique place in Leica’s history as its first flagship store, opening in 2006.

It also houses the Leica Gallery Tokyo on its second floor, making it one of the brand’s key cultural and retail spaces outside Germany.