Apple’s legendary design chief Jony Ive and acclaimed industrial designer Marc Newson collaborated to create an extraordinary one-of-a-kind Leica M rangefinder camera for Bono’s (Product) RED charity auction. Held at Sotheby’s New York on November 23, 2013, the rare camera raised vital funds for The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
From Leica:
“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.”
What do you think of Jony Ive’s camera?
*UPDATE: Estimated to sell for $500,000–$750,000, the camera ultimately fetched a record $1,805,000 (hammer price with buyer’s premium) at Sotheby’s. The wider (RED) auction raised $26.2 million for global health initiatives
[ Sothebys ]