Leica is putting a true one-of-one under the hammer: the “Pope Francis” M-A No.5000000, an all-mechanical 35mm rangefinder, will be auctioned at the 47th Leitz Photographica Auction on November 22 at the Hotel Imperial in Vienna. It’s a standout piece that blends Leica’s legendary craftsmanship with deeply symbolic design touches honoring His Holiness, and it’s aimed squarely at collectors and film purists.
A pioneer of 35mm photography since introducing the landmark Leica I in 1925, the German manufacturer has spent a century perfecting the art of precision mechanical cameras. The M-A (Typ 127), released in 2014, embodies that heritage: it’s entirely mechanical, built from metal, and compatible with the full lineup of M-lenses. As a rangefinder, it lets photographers focus by aligning two superimposed images—no mirror, no blackout, just a bright, continuous view of the scene.
The “Pope Francis” edition elevates the M-A with a bespoke finish. The silver chrome body is paired with a white covering and white-painted accents, including the back door. Engravings are filled in black, gold, and white, featuring the Keys of Peter on the flash cover and the papal motto “Miserando atque eligendo” on the back of the top plate. The accompanying Noctilux-M 50mm f/1.2 also sports a chrome finish with gold and white-filled markings. Its lens caps are engraved with the Coat of Arms of Vatican City and the date the Pope received this unique gift in 2024.
Under the hood, the M-A keeps things pure and reliable. Shutter speeds run from 1 second to 1/1000s, plus Bulb. There’s an ISO speed dial from 6 to 6400, a manual rapid-wind lever for frame advance, and optional support for a winder. A top-mounted hot shoe enables external flashes with a sync speed of 1/50s. The camera measures 138 × 38 × 77 mm and weighs 578 g, giving it a solid, confidence-inspiring feel in the hand.
The Noctilux-M 50mm f/1.2 attached to this set is built with six elements in four groups, including two aspherical elements, delivering the signature creamy bokeh and subject isolation that the Noctilux name is known for. Aperture settings click in half-stop increments from f/1.2 to f/16, and focusing spans from 1 m (3.3 ft) to infinity.
Pre-bidding for the 47th Leitz Photographica Auction runs from October 22 to November 22, 2025. The starting bid for this one-off M-A No.5000000 is €30,000, with proceeds going to charity. For collectors of rare Leica cameras, devout fans of analog photography, or anyone drawn to historically significant gear, this is a museum-worthy piece with real-world shooting prowess—and a story that’s impossible to replicate.
