A NEW Leica Q Special Edition “SNOW” Is Announced.

Leica Camera Presents the Leica Q ‘Snow’ by Iouri Podladtchikov
A new special edition camera, designed by the
Swiss Olympic gold medalist and passionate Leica photographer

From Steve: Ahhh this so reminds me of the WITE Leica M8 from years ago.

The white M8 was cool, and I admit I sort of wanted one back in the day, but never did get it. I remember seeing ONE in the wild, at my 1st ever workshop/meetup in NYC ever. A wonderful woman who attended my Workshop had one, and it was beautiful! Even so, white is white and I would imagine over years of use the white leather would get pretty dirty. I know mine would! Today we have the new Leica Q SNOW, which is an all white and silver Leica Q. Press release below but check with your fave Leica dealer to get one, if you desire ; )

February 12, 2018 – In celebration of the 2018 Winter Olympics, Leica Camera presents a new special edition of its renowned high-performance compact camera with full-frame sensor and fast prime lens: the Leica Q ‘Snow’ by Iouri Podladtchikov. This limited edition has been created in collaboration with Swiss Olympic gold medalist and world champion half-pipe snowboarder Iouri Podladtchikov, who conceptualized the unique design of the camera.

The Leica Q ‘Snow’ by Iouri Podladtchikov is based on the silver anodized version of the Leica Q, with an aluminum top plate carved from a single block and baseplate and control dials all anodized in a crisply bold silver color. The design concept also features a new hot shoe cover made from aluminum, for an all-encompassing silver styling when viewed from above. The highlights of the special edition include the front cover of the camera – a unique premium cowhide leather in pure white color that gives the special edition its name and gives the user an exceptional grip with a luxurious touch and feel. The edition is strictly limited to only 300 units worldwide, each of which bears a special serial number.

In the words of the passionate Leica photographer, Podladtchikov says: “As a brand ambassador, it’s a fascinating feeling to have inspired a special edition of a camera, but I also see it as an enormous responsibility.” His choice of color has deep meaning to him: white is of course is the color of snow, but as the accomplished snowboarder and photographer puts it, “White – for me, that also means ‘carte blanche’ – it’s up to you. It’s time to get creative.”

The Leica Q ‘Snow’ by Iouri Podladtchikov is presented as a set, complete with a case in soft white leather and an exquisite color-matched leather carrying strap. It will be available beginning March 2018 at Leica Stores, Boutiques and Dealers worldwide. Price will come in at $5,395.

The technical specifications of the Leica Q ‘Snow’ by Iouri Podladtchikov are identical to those of the standard model Leica Q, complete with its fast Leica Summilux 28 mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens, high resolution electronic viewfinder, integrated Wi-Fi and minimal yet logical controls and menu system – all with ideal and comfortable ergonomics. These features blend into a whimsical synergy that guarantees users get a camera which takes top quality pictures in any lighting scenario, and get a clear view of their subjects and settings while having the freedom to download and share their pictures remotely while on the go. The Leica Q makes a perfect everyday companion for both the most discerning photographers and casual enthusiasts alike – and with the Leica Q ‘Snow’ by Iouri Podladtchikov special edition, the camera has a newfound bold sense of fashion and style.

About Iouri Podladtchikov

Known around the globe by snowboarding fans for his amazing accomplishments at the Winter X-Games, FIS Snowboarding World Championships and Winter Olympics, Iouri Podladtchikov is also a passionate and accomplished Leica photographer. At the age of 29, Iouri Podladtchikov has already published two books of his photography and will soon be opening his own studio. He has been shooting Leica cameras since his early 20’s.

32 Comments

  1. Cameras as silly fashion statements. Just what the photographic world needs. I’m going to go out on a limb here, but my guess is that most of the people who are drawn to special edition cameras for their unique styling are not particularly serious about photography or good at it. They are either fashionistas or collectors.

  2. I love my Q it just produces the goods every time.
    All of these different variations on the Q recently including the ‘Australian edition’ announced last month makes me think that there may be a new Q in the works this year.
    Would love to get my hands on a Q 50 . 🙂

  3. I love my Q it just produces the good every time.
    All of these different variations on the Q recently including the ‘Australian edition’ announced last month makes me think that there may be a new Q in the offing this year.
    Would love to get my hands on a Q 50 . 🙂

  4. Pro tip. For about $20 you can re-skin your camera in any colour leather that you want.
    Roll your own limited edition camera.

    aki-asahi.com is a good place to start.

  5. I wish they spent more time on their quality control and turnaround times than on fashion shows.
    I dumped about 30,000€ of Leica equipment after numerous new digital bodies and new lenses showed serious defects. Service was excellent but sloooooooooow.
    To be honest, everytime I look at the thousands of images I took in some 40 years of Leica use I still regret selling and who knows I might….
    But things like this cosmetic game don’t make it more likely.

  6. I wish they spent more time on their quality control and turnaround times than on fashion shows.
    I dumped about 30,000€ of Leica equipment after numerous new digital bodies and new lenses showed serious defects. Service was excellent but sloooooooooow.
    To be honest, everytime I look at the thousands of images I took in some 40 years of Leica use I still regret selling and who knows I might….
    But things like this cosmetic game don’t make it more likely.

  7. Hi, to me the M8 white looks like a pice of Art but the Q, well didn’t quite match ( I own the black Q and it is a fantastic camera). I would love a 50 mm as well but they say its getting to big with autofocus. Happy to wait for a 40 mp+ sensor = 10 MP cropped 50 mm as long as they maintain stellar IQ.

  8. Steve, I was at that workshop and I remember the wonderful woman with the white M8. I think I have several pictures of her using it inside Chelsea Market. It remains the only white M8 I’ve ever seen in the wild as well. And it was indeed quite cool!

    • wow! internationally remembered for my White Leica M8!!!!
      So cool that you guys remember…i’m still alive and so is the White M8…charging her up as we speak!
      i still come to Steve Huff Photo everyday and make donations whenever i can! Also i buy as much stuff as i can thru your links Steve! (Still addicted to gorgeous gear!)
      i have learned so much from your site Steve…from both you and your many contributors!!! Thanks for that…keep on keeping’ on Steve…you are the BEST!! All my best to everyone …especially all those that were at that very first ever Steve Huff Photo meet-up!!!! Kindest regards!

  9. Would prefer real updates and technical improvements over those „chi-chi“ cosmetics… Clear sign of lack for innovation.

    • Same thing Leica has done forever. They always have released special editions and colors over time, and they only release updates every 3-4 years, which to be honest is much better than every 6 months to a year.

    • “Would prefer real updates and technical improvements…”

      Well, to be entirely fair, the Q remains very competitive in several key respects, even nearly 3 years after its launch: wonderful design, 3.6M dot EVF (still ahead of most manufacturers), the innovative AF/manual clutch lens control, and the fast, positive autofocus. And, of course, an optically excellent lens. Sure, you could get higher resolution, but quite frankly, unless you make massive enlargements, or are so horrible at composition that you crop aggressively all the time, anything you can practically do with 42 megapixels you can pretty much do with 24. Content matters more than megapixels.

  10. It should be Q f:2.8 lens barrel half the size and 50/2 with size of 28/1.7.
    Ricoh GXR had APS-C 50macro the only APS-C 50mm synchronising up to 1/4000sec . If Leica made FF 50mm ( call it HCB) it would be only FF 50mm with flash synchro up to say 1/4000sec.

  11. Stupid marketing!
    Should be available BEFORE the Winter Olympics, not AFTER…
    when SNOW is still HOT!
    Imagine, showing up at the Olympics with that white beast…

  12. It will need an App “Find my Leica Q” (in the snow), if he looses it whilst snowboarding !!! I would prefer one with one with a polished magnesium body which hopefully will stay bright for most of its life. Just day dreaming as I probably can’t afford one.

    • For that you want luminous orange. White is for hot desert climate. I wonder whether the white, real leather withstands normal use with occasionally sweaty or dirty hands. Otherwise it is just another fabricated item for the hard-core collectors’ community, eventually an accessory for Oligarchs’ wifes, with no damage to the plain Leica users. On the contrary, the raised cash helps Leica to stay alive and to evolve.

  13. Steve, you got fooled by their PR photos as well. The Leica Q snow is not “all white and silver” as in the M8 white and M9P white. This edition is sloppy. Look carefully and you will see the back casing is black, not all white.

  14. A white version of an existing camera ‘designed’ by a snow boader? Oh no hang on, apparently he ‘conceptualised’ the design.Oh well in that case I’ll have two.
    FFS Leica what do you take us all for? I despair with the complete vacuous nonsense that Leica descends into with this wankpuffin special editions that are only bought by complete cockwombles to stick in display cabinets and never actually use (because they have neither the talent nor the motivation to develop any).
    And I shoot with a Leica. Makes me hang my head in shame it really does.
    Rant over.

    • Or perhaps better, if Leica optical quality could be maintained: Fixed 35mm with wide-angle 28mm converter and 50mm converter for you! (Hope you are listening, Leica!)

    • It should be Q f:2.8 lens barrel half the size and 50/2 with size of 28/1.7.
      Ricoh GXR had APS-C 50macro the only APS-C 50mm synchronising up to 1/4000sec . If Leica made FF 50mm ( call it HCB) it would be only FF 50mm with flash synchro up to say 1/4000sec.

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