Leica CL gets a makeover with a new Urban Jungle model

Leica CL Urban Jungle
Image credit: YouTube

If any manufacturer has a tradition of producing cameras with understated style, it's Leica. From its long-loved M series rangefinders to its most recent Q2 compact, subtlety and blending into the background is key.

But the brand clearly feels it can go one better on the blending-in front, in the shape of a new special-edition camo-clad version of its CL compact system camera that's set to be with us shortly.

The model, which has been designed in collaboration with French-Italian photographer Jean Pigozzi, is based on the original CL that was released two years ago. 

While the internals are the same as before – a 24.2MP APS-C sensor, EyeRes viewfinder and Maestro processor being the key components – the new arrival bears an urban camouflage pattern on its leather body covering, which previously was a plain black.

Leica has made a short video introducing the camera, which you can watch below:

It arrives with a new grey rope strap to match the body's styling, and comes complete with the teeny pancake-like Elmarit-TL 18 mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens, which gives the user an effective focal length of 27mm to work with in 35mm terms.

As with the CL, the camera can also work with further TL prime and zoom lenses, as well as SL-series objectives, although using it with the L adapter opens up the opportunity to use decades' worth of older optics designed for the company's more established M and R lines.

Keen? The camera goes on sale on June 25 in Leica stores and boutiques, but you'll have to get in there sharpish, as only 150 of these are set to be produced. As is the case with many Leica cameras, you'll also have to be fairly flush, with its $3,950 / £3,300 / $AU6,000 asking price making it fairly costly for an APS-C camera.

Latest in Mirrorless Cameras
Hasselblad X2D 100C camera in user's hand, their blue jacket in background
My dream Hasselblad camera is getting a sequel soon, according to new leaks – here are 5 upgrades I’m hoping for
Sigma BF silver camera in the hand at The Photography Show, UK
I tried the Sigma BF camera everyone is talking about – it's truly stunning, but has one fundamental flaw
Nikon Z5 mirrorless camera on green background with lowest price text overlay
These record-low Nikon Z5 prices suggest the cheap full-frame camera’s Z5 II upgrade could land soon
Panasonic Lumix S1R II alongside Panasonic Lumix S5 II on a split green / orange background
Panasonic Lumix S1R II vs Lumix S5 II: time to upgrade?
Panasonic LUMIX S1RII
Preorder the Panasonic Lumix S1RII and get a free memory card or solid state drive
Panasonic Lumix S1R II mirrorless camera held up to user's eye, 24-70mm lens attached
Flagship Panasonic Lumix S1R II unveiled: here's why the 8K hybrid beats its Sony, Canon and Nikon rivals for video
Latest in News
Reacher looking down at another character from the Prime Video TV series Reacher
Reacher season 3 becomes Prime Video’s biggest returning show thanks to Hollywood’s biggest heavyweight
Image showing detail of the Leica D-Lux 8
Still can't get a Fujifilm X100VI? This premium Leica compact costs less, and it's in stock
Man using iMessage on an iPhone
Apple will finally enable encrypted RCS messages between iOS and Android, and it's about time
Google Messages update
Google Messages could soon follow WhatsApp with an upgrade that makes it much easier to join group chats
Jason Sudeikis' Ted Lasso pointing at someone in Ted Lasso season 2
Believe it, baby: Ted Lasso season 4 is officially in development for Apple TV+ and Jason Sudeikis will reprise his role as the titular soccer coach
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #1146)