Leica D-Lux 7 Vans x Ray Barbee Edition: The Journey is the Destination

Leica has teamed up with two stars of the skateboarding scene – the fashion label Vans, and the skater, musician and photographer Ray Barbee – to introduce the limited edition Leica D-Lux 7 Vans x Ray Barbee: an extraordinary camera that encapsulates the spirit and lifestyle of the skateboarding culture. “

Ray Barbee summarizes the venture’s core emotion: “The joy is in capturing the journey.”

The Leica D-Lux 7 Vans x Ray Barbee Edition is covered in Vans’ iconic checkerboard pattern. The top plate of the camera features Ray Barbee’s signature, as well as the Vault logo – a sub-brand which Vans reserves for particularly high-end products and exclusive collaborations. The set includes a specially designed carrier strap and matching dust bag, both in petrol blue. One side of the bag is adorned with Barbee’s quote, “The joy is in capturing the journey,” which has become the motto of this joint venture and its resulting products. The other side of the dust bag shows the famous words of Ernst Leitz II: “Ich entscheide hiermit: Es wird riskiert” (“I herby decide: the risk shall be taken”) – which marked the go-ahead for the production of the Leica I in 1924.

Vans has been creating skate shoes and clothing for more than five decades – staying true to its underground essence whilst gaining global renown. The multi-talented Ray Barbee not only counts as a pioneer within the skateboarding scene, but is also known as a successful musician and Leica photographer.

“I am very honored to be working with both Vans and Leica – not just to show the connection between skating and photography, but also to celebrate the enormous contributions of both brands in their respective fields. The coming together of these two brands represents a truly special collaboration.”

The limited-edition Leica D-Lux 7 Vans x Ray Barbee has the same technical specifications as the serially produced model, distinguished by a large Micro Four Thirds sensor and fast zoom lens with a full-frame-equivalent range of 24 – 75 mm. Vans complements the collaboration with specially designed T-shirts as well as shoes (including a petrol-colored model with red eyelets and checkerboard lining) adorned with the afore-mentioned quotes by Ray Barbee and Ernst Leitz II. Selected works by Ray Barbee are on show at the Leica Gallery Los Angeles, coinciding with the camera’s market launch.

Ray Barbee enjoys the balancing act: as far as he is concerned, it is a short step between the extroverted street sport scene and the observational appreciation of the photographic moment.

Rarely seen without his Leica M6, Ray Barbee brings the same unique perspective to the art of black and white analogue photography as he brings to his other passions: the do-it-yourself attitude that has made Barbee successful as a musician and skateboarder is also evident in his photographs, which he has been developing in the darkroom for over a decade. His images are at times loud, at times quiet; they also preserve the explorations, discoveries and experiences he has had in his own life. Despite the absence of colour, every single one of his images radiates joie de vivre, combined with a message about making the most of time.