The original green Leicas were super rare M1 cameras made for the German military and engraved with the phrase “Bundeseigentum”. They’re super expensive collectibles that none of us can afford. So when I saw this Leica MP Olive Kyoto Edition (released in 2008) I was hooked! Hit the jump for more!
The Leica MP Olive Kyoto Edition
The Leica MP Olive Kyoto Edition was released in 2008 to celebrate the opening of the Leica Store Kyoto. The camera kit included a beautiful olive drab body with matching leatherette with silver accents plus a silver 35mm Summilux lens.
It’s frikkin’ beautiful!
The Leica MP Olive Kyoto Edition was limited to only 100 units world wide and is well known for being the rarest Leica MP special edition ever produced. While it may not cost you as much as an original Leica M3 Olive, it’s still out of reach for most people.
But that’s not going to stop me from dooling over this beauty!
History Of Leica Safari Cameras
The first green Leica was the Olive Leica M1 Bundeseigentum that was made for the German military in 1960. The cameras were engraved with “Bundeseigentum” which translates as “federal property” or “government property”. Meaning these cameras were issued to and owned by the German military.
They are known for their rarity and collectibility, and sell for tons of money at auction – especially when they come with their original lenses.
The company adopted the Safari naming convention when they released Leica R3 Safari in 1976. This was followed by a slightly less beautiful M6 TTL in 2000 but the dark body with light green leatherette worked together to create a less than formidable appearance. This little troll of a camera is affectionately called the “Snot Leica” by more than one photographer!
Leica brought the Safari edition into digital era with the M8.2 in 2008, the M-P in 2015, the M10-P in 2019 the M11-P Safari Edition in 2025. All three of these variants kept the modern Leica Safari look with matching body and leatherette. And all three were quickly snapped up by collectors.
The MP Olive Kyoto Edition Is Lust Worthy
The Leica MP is is one of the few modern film cameras still in production. It’s currently available in black paint and silver chrome but the silver version has been discontinued. The MP is a robust photographic tool and a lot of photographers like the complete absense of any forward facing branding as it hearkens back to the early days of the brand.
But as nice as the current production Leica MP cameras are… They’re not green!
There have been a few special editions of the MP through the years including the beautiful Anthracite and Hammertone editions. But these cameras were produced in the thousands so while they may still be considered “special editions” they’re nowhere near as rare as the MP Olive Kyoto Edition.
And also? They’re not green!
I don’t know what it is about these green Leicas. They’re not in any way practical. They stand out like a sore thumb. And they’ll quickly scratch when you use them. It’s definitely not a smart choice for a working photographer’s camera.
But it’s green.
And sometimes that’s all you need!
The Last Word
Listen, I know as much as the next guy that it doens’t matter what color your camera is. None of this makes any difference to the photographic process and is patently superflous in the creative realm. But this camera is GREEN! IT’S GREEN, I TELL YOU!
We’re firmly in the realm of the high end camera collectors when you talk about vintage Olive/Safari Leica cameras. So it’s not even remotely obtainable for most people. But I can still appreciate this camera on an aesthetic level.
It won’t make me a better photographer. But then again, no camera has that power. But at least this one is GREEEEEEEEEN!
What’s your take on the Leica MP Olive Kyoto Edition film camera? Would you ever shoot with a green camera? Or are you a black paint kind of person? Post your ideas in the comments below and keep the conversation going!