Survey: Are you planning to buy the new Leica M11?

[Winedemonium]

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From what I've seen so far they have done a nice job with the M11. 

We M users are a funny lot, because by definition the system is pared back, simple, manual-only, etc. We liked the "downgrade" from M240 to M10 for example, happy with the loss of video, and very happy with the improved form factor. When the first pictures of the M11 were leaked I thought they were just photoshopped from the M10, it looks so similar. That's a good thing. But it also means that those here with the M10/-P/-R, are not getting a revolutionary new camera with the M11. It's more a question of some evolutionary changes that may or may not appeal, because some of us (M10-D users for example) find the M10 already overladen with features. 😁 So, as I am saying, we are a funny lot. 

Therefore I think it was right for Leica to focus first and foremost on the new sensor, because we all care about that. I think it was smart to offer a variable resolution capture option. I can imagine using 60MP for landscape type stuff, and one of the lower ones for moving subjects or low light. That's really smart. But for most M applications 24MP is plenty for most people, and 40MP certainly. Those who are really tempted by high resolution may be drawn instead to medium format or other systems.

In the end I did buy a brand new Leica M just 3 weeks ago - the M10-R BP. I knew many of the (leaked but not confirmed) specs of the M11, but figured that for me, for this type of photography, the M10-R BP offers all that I need, and more. I told myself that if - as the M11 becomes better known - I find myself really wanting something from its feature set, I will get the M11-P (or something like that). But I can also imagine sitting out several releases. The digital M is now a wonderfully mature product. 

Critically though, when I look at the M11, I feel Leica are being faithful to the M, and I'm really happy to see it being updated like this because it means the system is alive, and still important to Leica. The longevity of the M system is in the interests of all M users, so I hope that it is also a real success for Leica. 

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[Ko.Fe.]

Odd choices. Here is no simple NO.

[rivi1969]

Not at all. My M8 and M9P are my rangefinder fix (for life), I don't even see a need to “side-grade” to an M10.

If I would spend top money on a camera, it would be an SL2. 

[jev]

Well unfortunately thew answer is no for me, for several reasons

- let's ignore the price, I have a lot of Leica lenses and cameras

- overall EVF design (240/m10/m11) is prone to breakage, there is a technology already for Hybrid/EVF view finder, I use camera's not baby sit them

- new bottom plate design is simply awful, with the old plate I can remove it and change battery/sd cards, I can have 2 of those one with tripod plate one without. I have Arca Swiss/Mafrotto plates,  do I have to unscrew them every time I need to change a battery/sd card? at least they could have moved tripod screw to the left like in XPAN, otherwise that's a pain in the a....

- 60 MP, it's ok don't care, I try not to crop or crop minimally to level horizon and I can effectively double 24MP resolution in Lightroom via software  

- Admittedly I have not personally handled M11 yet, but based on the YouTube reviews there is problem with new black finish (scratches, etc.), I don't care about chrome camera's, but it's personal choice 

- USB-C is the step in right direction, but I think it's too late, I already have all of my doungles for IPAD pro and New MacBook Pro has SD slot 

  The best and only new feature for me is ability to have much longer exposure times, but it doesn't justify upgrade price.

Edited January 14, 2022 by jev

[_Alex_]

Yes. 

I might wait for an M11-P/Reporter or similar variant, or an M11M. However, the new features of the M11 are fairly exciting. The weight reduction of the black model is nice. I never complained about the aluminum top plate of my M6TTL and sometimes the brass of my MP and my M10-P do feel heavy for such a compact package. The heft has its pros, but dropping 20% in weight is also not a con. 

I already have a 60MP camera, a Sony A7RIV, but it's a completely different beast with a completely different shooting experience. The M11's flexibility in resolution between 60, 36, and 18 megapixels with independently sized corresponding .jpgs is very useful. My prediction is that for 90% of my shooting, I'd leave it set at 36MP, but for the reduced file size and for the increased stop of dynamic range. As I've mentioned before, my M10-P is certainly not as flexible as the Sony when it comes to dynamic range and because I switch between the two I notice it more than if I shot the M exclusively. 

I also find the new metering system pretty exciting. I'm proficient and comfortable with the center-weighted meter on Leica cameras, but a matrix metering mode is welcome. It would be nice to switch between the two, but this new implementation is interesting to me. I'm not concerned about the shutter being open by default. Sony's do this and I've never had issues with sensor cleaning or excessive dirt, etc. Plus, I think (but I'm not certain) that the M11 mechanical shutter closes when the camera is turned off. 

The electronic shutter up to 1/16,000 is pretty fantastic. I'm sure many of us shoot wide open frequently and the increased flexibility to shoot with wider apertures in brighter conditions without filters due to the increased shutter speed and lower base ISO of 64 is a great combination. 

The new customizable buttons and their locations are a nice touch. If you set those three controls up for your shooting style, you will never need to dive into a menu or take your eye away from the rangefinder window or Visoflex. 

One seemingly minor addition that I think is a nice touch is the electronic image stabilization that the rear display and the Visoflex have during magnification for precise focusing. It wasn't terrible to focus this way before, but the electronic image stabilization will be a nice touch. 

Finally, in camera battery charging over USB-C and direct connectivity to peripherals (not to mention 64GB of memory) is a real convenience. Carry an Anker 737  25,600mAh Power Bank and you could travel away from a car outlet or wall outlet for a week or more and charge your camera on the go with a single battery. Throw in a huge SDXC card plus the internal memory and you're set. 

I recommend watching the M11 Keynote on YouTube. Leica clearly took some cues from Apple's presentations on this one and it's worth the ~17minutes of your time if you're even curious about the new M. 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[LVPhoto]

I have decided, that in my 68 years of shooting Leica analog and lately Leica digital capture...there is still something very special when I hold one of my first Leica M3 DS' it just feels right' and I also love that I have never had to upload any new firmware so theses analog Leicas will never be outdated' and like one person said I need to keep my wife "😁happy"

[david strachan]

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I'm still enjoying my M-P.  If i trade for an M11....oh, I'll let you know.

...

[Ken Abrahams]

Maybe wait for the M 11 Monochrom

[stray cat]

I can't see anywhere to insert film so... no.

[digbyhp]

Yes, bought mine straightaway online, together with the Visoflex, collected at the Leica Store Sydney this afternoon ! I must've been lucky with my timing, they said people coming in today were on pre-order already.

This is my first digital M, my M7s now have a companion.

The key deciding factor was the 60 megapixel sensor, as I regard that size as medium format-like. But several other technical improvements over the M10 made the decision easier;

- Internal 64gb memory. 

- Improved Visoflex. Still not exactly attractive to say the least, but better than the previous version.

- Electronic shutter. 

- USB-C for in-camera charging.

- Matrix metering now through the optical viewfinder. (Sorry, don't know what the Leica term for this is, so I use the Nikon term).

- Base ISO of 64.

 

I will now be able to pair a digital M and a film M. I still enjoy the experience of a film camera, and the aesthetics of film images. But I look forward to really pulling the best out of my Leica lenses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NZDavid]

Not right now, love the M10, but it’s the logical move in the future.

Edited January 14, 2022 by NZDavid

[michali]

Not for now, it's going to have to compete with all my other Leica M cameras:

M3, M4, M6, MP, M9 (brick), Monochrom1 & M10 

 

 

Edited January 14, 2022 by michali

[Topsy]

Happy with my M9s but if/when they all fail I will have to consider a 10 or 11 but I will want at least 2.

[mfiorentino]

17 hours ago, criolf said:

No.

Looking at the presentations/hands-on of the M11, present Leica has lost its "shine" for me... It's not a Leica anymore - it's menus and resolution and touchscreen and rolling shutter and/and/and. What's the difference with the latest Sony/Canon/Nikon?

Before was - "are you seeing this? The people at Leica are crazy for introducing this to the market".

Now it has become... just a camera.

I tend to agree. Loosing the bottom plate cover is another step towards removing the uniqueness of the M series. Look at this beauty:

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It has been a war camera (although not while being with me) and has taken some beatings in its lifetime. It is built like a tank. This spells out "reliability". No-nonsense, stripped-down, high-quality, sturdiness are some of the keywords I have come to associate the M series with. I can't see the M11 being in the hands of a war-photographer or photojournalist…

[cirke]

As already said many time ill never buy another M without EVF

The place for the flash is for a flash

And this beautiful M11 looks horrible with that square  box on it

[Viv]

Not a camera for me.

Come on Mister Zeiss, give me a digital version of the Ikon rangefinder film camera!

[SJH]

9 hours ago, Reciprocity said:

Interesting that they all went for the black paint version. Is there any difference between the regular M10-R and the black paint version I don't know about? 

Nope it's just the finish which is stunning

[jaapv]

Thanks. I’ll stick with my M9 and M9M. 

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I handle the black model at local Leica Store. I like the reduced weight, I actually like the rough black finish that is more grippy, but prefer the toughness of brass. May be waiting for the M11P or future black brass edition, I love the improvements but cannot justify buying it and not using M10/SL2 I already own. All the new features are nice to have but not essential. Given secondhand M10 price will drop, even if I sell my M10, it is still expensive. I want one but not need one, so I cannot decide. If I get one now, it will be the silver one. But if I get it, I will use my M10 and SL 2 less, and have a headache which camera to use, an everyday struggle before getting out of the house....help....

Edited January 14, 2022 by :hinting image

[SiOnara]

23 hours ago, sebben said:

Im waiting for the M11D for the pure digital M experience. 

Same.  My M10D is my perfect digital M.  The M11D would be even more perfect! (if it still has the build in thumb rest)