First Impression Leica M11 Monochrome: YOU SEE MORE!

[elmars]

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Much has been thought and written about the nature of black and white photography. World-renowned light artist Olafur Eliasson summed it up well for me (though not in a photographic context): "It turns out that in the absence of color, you perceive everything more intensely. You see more."

I guess that's how it is. Black and white is about structure, the essence of things; color distracts from that - unless the essence is color.

There are, of course, technical reasons to buy a camera that can only take black and white photos (more on that later). But above all, such a camera is a statement or expression of a certain idea, namely the idea of seeing the world photographically in black and white and reducing it to black and white. Camera and consciousness influence each other in this process. The desire to take black-and-white photos makes one reach for this camera; the camera causes or helps one to look for "black-and-white motifs" and to fade out color in the search for motifs.

The technical advantages of the M11-Monochrom (M11-M) over the M11 can be summarized as follows: The M11-M has an advantage of almost two f-stops in noise and resolution. In other words: You can get the same results with the M11-M as you can with the M11, but with two stops higher ISO. However, one should not fool oneself. The resolution advantage is not noticeable when printing at 30 x 40 cm and can only be achieved at all under optimal conditions (good light, no camera shake and a subject in which there are the finest details).

Otherwise, the M11-M is an M11. It weighs as much (or less) than the black M11, so it also has an aluminum top plate. It has the same sensor with the same resolution, just without the Bayer filter. And, of course, it has the same features like USB-C, connectivity via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, very good battery life, internal memory with 256MB instead of 64GB, function keys, status menu.

The sensor of the M11-M is one aperture more sensitive than that of the M11, so the base sensitivity is 125 ISO. In bright light and using the Noctilux, you may need a gray filter again.

The High-ISO range goes up to 200 000 ISO. Values up to 100 000 ISO are really usable, very good is it at 50 000 ISO. I would call 200 000 ISO usable, but only use it myself as an emergency option because of the limited reserves.

My conclusion is that the M11-M, like any Monochrom, is fascinating. The limitation improves the image data. Resolution, sharpness and high-ISO capabilities increase. But that is not the main focus. It's actually about thinking in black and white, which the camera promotes. The tool changes the action in this way and ideally improves the creative result.

 

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[mon10a]

Thank you. I like your description.

Also, wonderful photos.

m

[Mikep996]

"It's actually about thinking in black and white, which the camera promotes."

I suppose so but we managed to do that with film cameras that automatically came only with "color viewfinders!"   🤣  

I guess I'm just too old. 🥸  Digital is great but the entire concept that we need ISO 200k or 100k or 50k or 25K or...etc, etc, etc is way beyond me as is the concept that we need a B&W-only camera to shoot B&W pictures.  I can remember when we didn't need either one to produce BW photos.

I'm sure the M11M is a great camera...but I don't get it (or the M10M, or the Q2M, or..etc, etc...)! 🙄

[Kim Dahl]

It is a beautiful camera.  Is it the leather cover like the Leica M-D or is it the same as the M 11. Think the Leica M10 Monochrom is leather?

[AntonPei]

Thanks Elmars, great article and 100% agree!

 

[Jeff S]

7 hours ago, Mikep996 said:

 

I suppose so but we managed to do that with film cameras that automatically came only with "color viewfinders!"   

 

My MM and M10M viewfinders are also set to see in color.  The difference with a Monochrom for me is that, similar to b&w film days, I’m not distracted by looking for color pics since the camera is not capable (Photoshop ‘tricks’ aside). The issue is not about having to make the camera ‘see’ in b/w; it’s forcing the discipline for me to ignore color distractions when out shooting.  It becomes a mindset. After decades with b/w film, I have no trouble ‘seeing’ (visualizing) in black and white; that’s not a problem and doesn’t require a Monochrom.
 

I can make equally fine b/w prints with my color digital cameras (and even have more flexibility via color channels in post), but the shooting experience is not the same.. for me… when color is not a viable option and I’m solely concentrating on finding b/w pics.  
 

For me it also has nothing to do with ISO or with super high resolution.  I shoot at low to moderate ISOs and print smallish.  The M10M does all I need; the M11M is overkill for my purposes.  OMMV.
 

Jeff

Edited April 14, 2023 by Jeff S

[Mikep996]

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I do a LOT of BW shooting, with film - more often 120 than 35 - and with M10 and my Q2.  Last year tried an M10M and couldn't see any improvement in its BW image vs my M10R or Q2 converted to BW at the same relative size image.  Admittedly, I shot the M10M the same way I normally shoot images - max ISO of 1600.  I'm not saying that a monochrome camera wouldn't do better at ultra high ISOs but since I don't have the need for those ISOs, a monochrome camera doesn't offer me anything and actually creates a restriction - no color available.  The days where I carried around multiple cameras are long gone and heck, I now find even multiple lenses to be annoying.  My standard M shooting gear nowadays usually consists of the camera with a 28mm mounted and a 50 in my pocket...or just a Q2!   

 

[elmars]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb Jeff S:

It becomes a mindset.

I think You are right. 

[otto.f]

11 hours ago, Mikep996 said:

I'm sure the M11M is a great camera...but I don't get it (or the M10M, or the Q2M, or..etc, etc...)! 🙄

I just can’t get it why this would be worth 6000€ more than a used Monochrome1, which is ‘a camera made for Napoli’ * as well, as is an M4 with TriX or TMZ in its own right. We are really coming into the domain here where one can ask what on earth is the value of owning a Ferrari. The selling points Elmars mentions are exactly the same as for Leica’s first B&W digital M. And Elmars puts very well that the resolution advantage can only be profited from under certain conditions, let alone that the 60Mp requires faster shuttertimes in the first place, which is already 2 or 3 stops compared to Monochrome1. 
The great advantage above the M11 is that we’re not bothered anymore by its oversaturated MacDonalds colors, which is worth a few bucks indeed. 
 

* 

 

Edited April 14, 2023 by otto.f

[kirkmc]

8 hours ago, Mikep996 said:

I do a LOT of BW shooting, with film - more often 120 than 35 - and with M10 and my Q2.  Last year tried an M10M and couldn't see any improvement in its BW image vs my M10R or Q2 converted to BW at the same relative size image.  Admittedly, I shot the M10M the same way I normally shoot images - max ISO of 1600.  I'm not saying that a monochrome camera wouldn't do better at ultra high ISOs but since I don't have the need for those ISOs, a monochrome camera doesn't offer me anything and actually creates a restriction - no color available.  The days where I carried around multiple cameras are long gone and heck, I now find even multiple lenses to be annoying.  My standard M shooting gear nowadays usually consists of the camera with a 28mm mounted and a 50 in my pocket...or just a Q2!   

 

I have a Q2M, and I love it. But I wonder if, with the much higher resolution we have now - 47 Mp for the Q, 60 Mp for the M11M - you can get pretty much the same quality of BW images without going monochrome only. I've got some pretty nice BW images with the 48 Mp iPhone 14 Pro, so maybe at these higher resolutions, the difference that existed with the early Leica monochrome cameras, at 16 20 24 Mp, simply isn't there any more. I'd love to see some comparisons of high resolution BW conversions vs. monochrom camera photos. 

[Bill W]

I have preordered mine and will trade in my M10M. 

[MaTiHH]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb Bill W:

I have preordered mine and will trade in my M10M. 

Same here, only that the m11m will arrive tomorrow. 🙂

[Parallax]

7 minutes ago, MaTiHH said:

Same here, only that the m11m will arrive tomorrow. 🙂

You must have friends in high places. 😀

[MaTiHH]

Gerade eben schrieb Parallax:

You must have friends in high places. 😀

It available for delivery in the German online store in Wetzlar. Kind inquiry about the delivery mode with high quality service answer and they made it being delivered tomorrow. 

[jonoslack]

On 4/13/2023 at 2:01 PM, elmars said:

Much has been thought and written about the nature of black and white photography. World-renowned light artist Olafur Eliasson summed it up well for me (though not in a photographic context): "It turns out that in the absence of color, you perceive everything more intensely. You see more."

I guess that's how it is. Black and white is about structure, the essence of things; color distracts from that - unless the essence is color.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

There are, of course, technical reasons to buy a camera that can only take black and white photos (more on that later). But above all, such a camera is a statement or expression of a certain idea, namely the idea of seeing the world photographically in black and white and reducing it to black and white. Camera and consciousness influence each other in this process. The desire to take black-and-white photos makes one reach for this camera; the camera causes or helps one to look for "black-and-white motifs" and to fade out color in the search for motifs.

The technical advantages of the M11-Monochrom (M11-M) over the M11 can be summarized as follows: The M11-M has an advantage of almost two f-stops in noise and resolution. In other words: You can get the same results with the M11-M as you can with the M11, but with two stops higher ISO. However, one should not fool oneself. The resolution advantage is not noticeable when printing at 30 x 40 cm and can only be achieved at all under optimal conditions (good light, no camera shake and a subject in which there are the finest details).

Otherwise, the M11-M is an M11. It weighs as much (or less) than the black M11, so it also has an aluminum top plate. It has the same sensor with the same resolution, just without the Bayer filter. And, of course, it has the same features like USB-C, connectivity via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, very good battery life, internal memory with 256MB instead of 64GB, function keys, status menu.

The sensor of the M11-M is one aperture more sensitive than that of the M11, so the base sensitivity is 125 ISO. In bright light and using the Noctilux, you may need a gray filter again.

The High-ISO range goes up to 200 000 ISO. Values up to 100 000 ISO are really usable, very good is it at 50 000 ISO. I would call 200 000 ISO usable, but only use it myself as an emergency option because of the limited reserves.

My conclusion is that the M11-M, like any Monochrom, is fascinating. The limitation improves the image data. Resolution, sharpness and high-ISO capabilities increase. But that is not the main focus. It's actually about thinking in black and white, which the camera promotes. The tool changes the action in this way and ideally improves the creative result.

 

 

Excellent Elmar

Lovely pictures too.

best

Jono

[Chaemono]

It used to be a mindset, now it's a about a wider tonal range.

Edited April 14, 2023 by Chaemono

[jonoslack]

4 hours ago, kirkmc said:

I have a Q2M, and I love it. But I wonder if, with the much higher resolution we have now - 47 Mp for the Q, 60 Mp for the M11M - you can get pretty much the same quality of BW images without going monochrome only. I've got some pretty nice BW images with the 48 Mp iPhone 14 Pro, so maybe at these higher resolutions, the difference that existed with the early Leica monochrome cameras, at 16 20 24 Mp, simply isn't there any more. I'd love to see some comparisons of high resolution BW conversions vs. monochrom camera photos. 

Hi There

You're partly right, it's mostly at higher ISO that the monochrom camera really does better.

If you go to https://www.slack.co.uk and click on the M11M review (top left) you'll see that I've done some comparisons between converting the M11 images and the M11M which you might or might not enjoy!

best

Jono

[geotrupede]

In my subjective view the important is how files can be processed. So the comparisons that are typically found are no use in real life. 

MM1 did output linear files with a huge ability (and necessity) to tweak, and stretch and push, etc.

With colour conversions the issue is when pushing the files hard, then artefact, banding, breaking down of tones start surfacing.  Greys can look really terrible. But with mono files this does not happen.

MM11, of course resolution is more, of course the files have less noise than MM1. To me the difference, the main one is the ergonomics as M11 platform is better, lighter, faster, etc.

If I had the resources I would go for it asap as M11 works really nicely

G.

 

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[kirkmc]

8 hours ago, jonoslack said:

Hi There

You're partly right, it's mostly at higher ISO that the monochrom camera really does better.

If you go to https://www.slack.co.uk and click on the M11M review (top left) you'll see that I've done some comparisons between converting the M11 images and the M11M which you might or might not enjoy!

best

Jono

Thanks, that definitely addresses my questions. (And we share reading tastes too.) I think that with 60 Mp there really is little difference in what you can get from he DMGs, except in low light. This could tempt me to get the M11, and have just one camera going foreword. 

[Mikep996]

"I've got some pretty nice BW images with the 48 Mp iPhone 14 Pro"

My best selling image in the local shop is a 16x20" BW image of Stonehenge taken with my iPhone 11 Pro (12MP)and converted to BW with Apple Photos.  Jpeg was sent to and printed by an on-line shop.  As has often been said, the camera itself actually has little to do with a "good" image.  The only "processing" I did was the conversion to BW and a bit of cropping.