Overkill? Get both m10m and m10r or go with M11?

[twogun]

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I have an opportunity to purchase both an M10M and an M10R used. The cost for both equates to just about the same cost as a new M11

I photograph color, street photography mostly, but lately, I've been intrigued and have been doing more B&W.

Wondering, from a functionality and value standpoint if it's overkill to get both and dedicate the m10r for color and m10m for BW or instead get a single  M11 for about the same price?

Does anyone here have both or had a similar decision point? 

 

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[rustyrus]

Internal storage, better battery, usb-c charging, supports VisoFlex 2, better metering, no silly baseplate pretending its film etc. Sounds simple but charging my ipad the same way I charge my M11 allows for simplistic travel. I truly love the old school style of the M11 with modern niceties. 

 

For those reasons, I would get the M11. If those don't matter, get the M10M and M10r. 

[RS-Colo]

I have settled on a system that is two cameras and four lenses. The cameras are the M-10R and M-10M. The lenses are the 28mm Elmarit, 50mm APO ASPH, 90mm Macro and 135mm Elmar. Everything, except the 135mm, fit in a medium sized shoulder bag. The 135mm is in a padded lens case on the strap. All four lenses use the same 39mm filters. I also have the M10 Visoflex. That whole system is extremely flexible, compact and replaces a whole backpack full of micro-4/3 stuff. For me, this is the perfect system and I will probably stay with it for many years to come.

I love both color and B&W. When I head out to shoot I usually decide before hand which I am going to use and tend to stick with my decision. I have in the past, before this system, shot color and converted to B&W after the fact when I think an image might look better. But that is different than starting out thinking in B&W. A Leica Monochrom is a unique camera that leads to a frame of mind. I would highly recommend the pair.

[Alberti]

Both have same battery, same ergonomics.

The M has something amazing.

The R has something amazing.

Go for it!

[rpsawin]

2 minutes ago, Alberti said:

Both have same battery, same ergonomics.

The M has something amazing.

The R has something amazing.

Go for it!

Yep. And I am extremely happy and satisfied with them both...best of both worlds.

[Kwesi]

1 hour ago, twogun said:

I have an opportunity to purchase both an M10M and an M10R used. The cost for both equates to just about the same cost as a new M11

I photograph color, street photography mostly, but lately, I've been intrigued and have been doing more B&W.

Wondering, from a functionality and value standpoint if it's overkill to get both and dedicate the m10r for color and m10m for BW or instead get a single  M11 for about the same price?

Does anyone here have both or had a similar decision point? 

 

For about 3 years I owned both the M240P and the M246 Monochrom cameras.

The Pros for me were that:

I could concentrate on a purely b/w workflow when I needed to and indeed that's what I did for the most part.

The cons: for me were that:

I was constantly removing yellow filters and replacing them with UV filters depending on wether I was going out to shoot color or black and white.

At the end of the day even though both cameras have interchangeable accessories you really don't have two cameras in a practice sense, you have one type each. 

I say try it for a while and see if the logistics don't overwhelm the novelty. In the worst case scenario you just end up trading both in for the latest  M - which is what I did, in my case, was the M10-P.

I now own the M11

Edited April 25, 2023 by Kwesi
M10P not the M11, the M11 is now my current camera

[maxpower]

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Wow that sounds like an incredible deal if you can get a M10M and M10R for the price of an M11, even at used prices I feel like I haven't seen anything like that? 

As to your question, both options are fine. It all depends on your usage. If you end up not liking the M10M / Monochrom lifestyle would you still be happy with the M10R or would you regret not having picked the M11? If you think that might be the case, go M11. Shooting B&W is cool but remember that on a Monochrom camera it's a commitment, on the M10R or M11 it's a choice. 

[KFo]

I wouldn't buy two very similar cameras just to have one for mono.  It strikes me as completely ridiculous.  I would dislike everything about it.  And I have seriously considered getting a monochrome.  I decided that the mono would add nothing to my particular vision.

If I were choosing today, it would be M11.

Buy the ticket take the ride.

[pippy]

I'm yet another who has both Mono and Colour bodies and am very happy with that situation so, unless there is some compelling reason to buy an M11, I'd say go for it.

Philip.

[Jeff S]

I have the M10-R and M10 Monochrom, but never use them together.  For me, the key benefit of the dedicated Monochrom is to avoid color distractions altogether and concentrate on just b&w opportunities.  Otherwise, I would use the M10-R (not the M11.. no need) for both color and b&w conversions, and gain the added flexibility of using color channels in post.

Jeff

[RexGig0]

Having two cameras means that one will still have one functional camera, in the event that one camera has a mishap or failure. I have dropped an M10 camera, so do understand this. (It was wrapped in a neoprene camera wrap, which prevented exterior damage, but, there was significant internal damage.)

I appreciate owning both color and Monochrom M cameras, though, in my case, original-version M10, and M Type 246 Monochrom. I bought a pre-owned M 246 while my M10 was out of service, after the above-mentioned mishap. I rarely use both, at the same time, but, on occasion, such as experimenting with landscapes, I will use both.

The first owner of a new camera experiences the most-significant depreciation in resale value. In addition to the above-mention M 246, my several Leica lenses have all been bought pre-owned.

 

[lldd]

If you can get your hands on a couple of monochrom files, you can get a taste of the post processing differences between the color and mono files.  You give up some control using the monochrom as you lose the color channels, but gain a bit of detail, tonal gradations, etc. with the mono.  For some this isn't an issue, but it's two completely different post processing workflows once the images are captured.

[Kiwimac]

I have considered doing it but in the end I like colour and whilst the B&W files out of a Mono are better as is the high ISO detail, I really do not shoot enough critical B&W imagery to warrant a specialist camera for it. Perhaps a pre owned Q2 Mono would scratch that itch for me.

The M11 Mono is approaching Hasselblad X2D money now and whilst obviously the cameras are not the same, I think the M11 Mono at that price is heading towards too expensive even by Leica standards. It is about NZ$2,000 more than a standard M11 and you get less...!

I might p/x my M10R for an M11P when that appears.

However having fitted a KameraKraft grip to the M10R I now have access to card and battery without removing the baseplate, as well as Arca Swiss mounting, so that cancels one plus from the 11.

[Jeff S]

4 hours ago, lldd said:

If you can get your hands on a couple of monochrom files, you can get a taste of the post processing differences between the color and mono files.  You give up some control using the monochrom as you lose the color channels, but gain a bit of detail, tonal gradations, etc. with the mono.  For some this isn't an issue, but it's two completely different post processing workflows once the images are captured.

And different shooting workflows if one uses colored lens filters with the Monochrom (in addition to a potentially different shooting mindset). 

Jeff

[dbeids]

I have an M10-r and an M10-M. I use them both but reach for the monochrom first and usually. I see no need for an M11 with those two. 
I especially enjoy using the mono with color filters…it’s a black and white mindset…free from the distractions of color in a shot. There is some loss of flexibility in post (no color channels)…one has to get it in the photo… If you’re intrigued by shooting black and white, get the M10 Mono and the M10-r  In my opinion it’s the best of both worlds

I’d go for the two tens. 

[pgh]

I’d rather an m10-r alone than an m11 (and no it’s not bc I care about a baseplate), so sure why not throw in a mono with it. 
I have a regular m10 and a m10 mono fwiw. Usually use the mono these days. 
Also, I’ll probably never buy a new Leica again. 3/3 in getting digital with factory flaws over the last decade. Have spent many months without the new cameras I’ve bought as I waited for them to be fixed to the condition I paid for them to be in.
Buy used and that issue is sorted out. Someone else did the testing. 

Edited April 27, 2023 by pgh

[twogun]

Man! This forum is fantastic with everyone's feedback and help! I appreciate it.  I'm still undecided 

Many have suggested the M11 but the more I look into it, the more I'm unconvinced. Maybe it's just because I always try to steer away from the latest released model.

I made a bold move and sold my Q2 and purchased the M10M and waiting for it to arrive. I have several M lenses that I haven't had a chance to use and pushing myself into the BW world. I'm still weighing in on getting the m10r. 

[lucy63]

I really enjoy and prefer the rendering of the M11 over the M10-R. 

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[lucy63]

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Edited April 27, 2023 by lucy63
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[lucy63]

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