Popular Post Steven Posted January 12, 2022 Popular Post Share #1 Posted January 12, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) This is not a review. There are just my very subjective first impressions. As some of you know, I've had the opportunity to play with the M11 for a little while now. I am not under NDA. I am not doing anything illegal. I am not going to give any information that is not already publicly known and discussed on other threads. I will respect the embargo to post any photos. I also intend to make it short. So here is why I think that the M11 is the best digital yet. Here what I don't like about it. And here is why I think it will be a dividing camera. The reasons why I think the M11 is superior to its predecessors are mainly little improvement of the daily operation of the camera: - Lower base ISO and fast electronic shutter. This lets me shoot my best lenses in bright daylight, without ND filters - Best low light performance yet in a digital colour M. I can now shoot happily at 6400 and go without a problem to 12500 if needed. The colours won't fall apart. - Great colour science and skin tones - Three fully customisable shortcut buttons, better menus and better ergonomics in general - The absence of the base plate. I'm over the baseplate in a digital M. I think the new design is premium, intuitive and extremely convenient. The things I don't like: - I complained a lot about the startup time of the M10. With the new metering method that reads from the sensor, the M11 is even slower at startup. I don't like it at all. To clarify what was said in other threads, the camera is not slower in operation. One doesn't miss the shot. It's probably as fast as the M10. But it doesn't feel good, because there is this clunking noise when the shutter closes to open again that, while not slowing you down, is really not enjoyable and damages the overall shooting experience. That being said, it is something I am willing to learn with, because I think the M11 is the best digital M ever made yet. The things that will divide: - Notice how I havent talked about the IQ yet ? whatever that means. In fact, IQ to me is subjective. What is a fact, is that the M11 renders differently than the M10/P/R. It is a complete new thing. The best way to summarise it is to say that it renders like the SL2S. It's very close to it, especially in low light, which means that it is excellent in low light. I personally love the images it produces, just like I love the SL2S, my favourite camera of all times. But I don't think everyone will catch onto it. I think some people will be nostalgic of the old look. Not because its better. Just because the will have to pick a side. Like it happened with the M9, I think some people will consider the M10 to be the last of its kind. Personally, I am in love with the images produced by my M11, and I will not go back. I am sure that great reviews will pop up tomorrow, by our favourite people. Lots of photos will be posted in the coming days, and I urge you not to make your mind based on one thing or another that one user said. First impressions are subjective, and only you will know if the camera is worth it. For me, once again, it is the best colour digital M ever made ... Enjoy the M11! 21 21 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 12, 2022 Posted January 12, 2022 Hi Steven, Take a look here M11 - My first impressions of the best digital M yet. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Steven Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share #2 Posted January 12, 2022 P.S. I started a new thread to try to get away from the madness of the main M11 thread, where people seem more concerned to reach a certain amount of posts by a certain date, and conversations are all over the place. 6 9 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberti Posted January 12, 2022 Share #3 Posted January 12, 2022 (edited) 6 minutes ago, Steven said: But it doesn't feel good, because there is this clunking noise when the shutter closes to open again Interesting: is this the only metering method or only there when one uses use life-view? Otherwise put: is life view on permanently (like in a EVF camera)? Edited January 12, 2022 by Alberti Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share #4 Posted January 12, 2022 Yes, live view is on permanently. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedwill Posted January 12, 2022 Share #5 Posted January 12, 2022 Thanks for the clarification. I'm still debating about upgrading from the M10R. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share #6 Posted January 12, 2022 I forgot to mention that I also the addition of USB-C for charging and transfer. The battery life seems excellent, and the wifi connection much improved, but I need to test. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share #7 Posted January 12, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) 2 minutes ago, tedwill said: Thanks for the clarification. I'm still debating about upgrading from the M10R. For me, there's no doubt that it's a good move. I love my M11. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxfairclough Posted January 12, 2022 Share #8 Posted January 12, 2022 (edited) I never realised the startup time of the M10 was even a problem for some. I am disappointed at the removal of the baseplate. I liked the nod to their history here. And for a camera that already has a manual ISO wheel etc, the argument for wanting no base plate for a speedier/convenient transaction of SD card or battery, seemed weak to me. Maybe a limited edition will bring back brass and the baseplate. Edited January 12, 2022 by maxfairclough 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share #9 Posted January 12, 2022 6 minutes ago, maxfairclough said: I never realised the startup time of the M10 was even a problem for some. I am disappointed at the removal of the baseplate. I liked the nod to their history here. And for a camera that already has a manual ISO wheel etc, the argument for wanting no base plate for a speedier/convenient transaction of SD card or battery, seemed weak to me. Maybe a limited edition will bring back brass and the baseplate. From talking with executives at Leica, I got to understand that removing the baseplate was a more heated debate than EVF versus RF. I personally was not attached to it, and I think that it feels very premium as it is now. I understand the tradition, but I shoot a lot of film on Leica cameras, so I know that I will spend more time of day with a baseplate than not. I understand your point of view, but I don't think it will ever come back. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberti Posted January 12, 2022 Share #10 Posted January 12, 2022 (edited) Then a next question: I assume the mechanical shutter can be stopped, such as that the image is captured between an electronic curtain - exept at low speeds where the black image is needed for the noise reducion? Guess it would look then a bit like my Lumix_S body 😗 That starts up very fast by the way. Edited January 12, 2022 by Alberti Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share #11 Posted January 12, 2022 As for startup time, the M10 is very slow to wake up. Takes two seconds I think. Enough to miss the shot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share #12 Posted January 12, 2022 Just now, Alberti said: Then a next question: I assume the mechanical shutter can be stopped, so the image is captured between an electronic curtain - exept at low speeds where the black image is needed for the noise reducion? Guess it would look then a bit like my Lumix_S body 😗 I have tried to turn off the mechanical shutter, and if your ok with the silent, vibration less operation, it reacts VERY VERY FAST! But yes, you can turn on electronic shutter all the time. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxtwo Posted January 12, 2022 Share #13 Posted January 12, 2022 39 minutes ago, Steven said: P.S. I started a new thread to try to get away from the madness of the main M11 thread, where people seem more concerned to reach a certain amount of posts by a certain date, and conversations are all over the place. Ha! The “madness” will just move here. Thanks for your impression of the camera. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxfairclough Posted January 12, 2022 Share #14 Posted January 12, 2022 10 minutes ago, Steven said: From talking with executives at Leica, I got to understand that removing the baseplate was a more heated debate than EVF versus RF. I personally was not attached to it, and I think that it feels very premium as it is now. I understand the tradition, but I shoot a lot of film on Leica cameras, so I know that I will spend more time of day with a baseplate than not. I understand your point of view, but I don't think it will ever come back. Thanks for sharing your view. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Bonn Posted January 12, 2022 Share #15 Posted January 12, 2022 (edited) 47 minutes ago, Steven said: I will respect the embargo to post any photos You know it's already the 13th in Japan and places like that right? Just sayin' 😇 Edited January 12, 2022 by Adam Bonn 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanefking Posted January 12, 2022 Share #16 Posted January 12, 2022 45 minutes ago, Steven said: For me, once again, it is the best colour digital M ever made An interesting caveat. I suppose this means that you personally prefer a Monochrom? If so, how does the M11 compare when converted to BW? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted January 12, 2022 Share #17 Posted January 12, 2022 (edited) 17 minutes ago, Steven said: ...I personally was not attached to (the baseplate). I understand the tradition, but I shoot a lot of film on Leica cameras, so I know that I will spend more time of day with a baseplate than not... Not really a relevant factor with the M11 though, Steven.....but you know that! Philip. Edited January 12, 2022 by pippy 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hteasley Posted January 12, 2022 Share #18 Posted January 12, 2022 Good to know. Cannot stand live view shutter on the M10. Hate it hate it hate it. This sounds like a pass for me. 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glogulus Posted January 12, 2022 Share #19 Posted January 12, 2022 Sorry. I'm a bit lost here. Is there an ovf and evf? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share #20 Posted January 12, 2022 18 minutes ago, Foxtwo said: Ha! The “madness” will just move here. Thanks for your impression of the camera. Please no. I've been running away! 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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