Iconic red dot aside, Leica cameras usually fly under the radar. It’s why they go together with street photography like gin goes with tonic. The subtle styling and minimal interface let you shoot strangers without drawing too much attention – but maybe attention is exactly what you’re after? The D-Lux 7 BAPE x STASH limited edition is no shrinking violet.
The German camera maker has teamed up with hype beast clothing brand A Bathing Ape and New York graffiti artist Stash for two bespoke variants of the D-Lux 7 Micro Four Thirds compact. Both are covered in BAPE’s signature ABC camouflage pattern and ape head insignia, along with Stash’s wildstyle graffiti tag. The black-finish version will be sold by Leica, while the silver one will be exclusively available through A Bathing Ape.
Each camera comes with a specially-designed carry pouch, extra carry strap and a customised auto lens cap that opens and closes as the lens extends and retracts.
Underneath the suitably street styling, the limited-run D-Lux 7 is unchanged from the standard model. It’s packing a Micro Four Thirds sensor with effective 17MP resolution, paired to a 24-75mm, f/1.7-2.8 lens. Burst mode is good for 11fps stills, and you can also record 4K video at 30fps, or Full HD clips at 60fps.
It’s fully manual, with EV and shutter speed dials on the top plate, and an aperture control ring on the lens barrel. There’s an EVF viewfinder for composition, or you can use the touchscreen display. Leica bundles a detachable flash, which bolts onto the hot shoe mount up top.
The D-Lux 7 is no stranger to a special edition, having previously seen a 7 Vans x Ray Barbee collab with the skate shoe brand’s famous checkerboard black and white pattern covering the front plate.
This latest BAPE x STASH model is a strictly limited-run drop, with no indication of how many will make it into the wild. Those looking to snap one up should head to the Leica website, where the black-finish model is on sale for £1750.
