You’ll really want to get hold of the Leica M-P “grip”

Is that a camera, or a stickle brick?

You’re really showing your age with that reference, my friend. But no, it’s not a stickle brick – it is indeed a camera. And a Leica camera, no less.

It just happens to have a stickle brick-inspired design, then?

In addition to being no spring chicken, you’re obviously no culture vulture either. This is the Leica M-P “grip”, a special edition of the M-P created in collaboration with German-born, London-based artist and designer Rolf Sachs, who has given it not only a bold red finish but a surprising knobbly texture. One that a person unfamiliar with the ins and out of great design might describe as “a bit like that of a stickle brick”.

I suppose as well as looking striking, this texture has the perk of aiding grip.

It does indeed – hence the camera variant’s name. The trim is made from the same rubbery material as you’d find on a table tennis bat, so between that and the bumpiness of its surface, this should be one camera you shouldn’t find slipping out of your grasp.

The camera also sports matching red accents on the dials, buttons and switches on its top plate, as well as on the engraving of its individual number – it’s limited edition, with only 79 being manufactured.

Inside, however, it’s the same as the regular M-P rangefinder camera: 24MP full-frame sensor, 1080p HD video recording, 3in sapphire crystal-protected LCD screen.

Dare I ask how much this will set me back?

Hope you’re sitting down. The Leica M-P “grip” is £12,500. That’s a darn sight more than the £5,000 or so you’d pay for a standard M-P, but the “grip” does come with some extras: it’s presented in a tough outdoor case that contains not only the camera but a Summilux-M f/1.4 35mm lens (usually around £3,000 itself), strap, flash unit and a special brush for cleaning the knobbly trim.

Still tempted? Look out for it at Leica dealers in November.