M10 Mono vs. M11 Mono exposing for highlights and high ISO noise (a couple of DNGs included)

[Chaemono]

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I had some time to compare the two cameras a bit further in order to decide whether to keep the M10M, too. There are certain cameras one regrets selling, M9 (last digital FF M with a CCD sensor), M9 Mono (only digital FF M with B&W CCD sensor), M10-P (last digital color M that can achieve critical focus at 1/f sec. consistently handheld and an impressively quite mechanical shutter), S3 (likely last MF Leica with a 64 MP non-BS...FSI sensor).

Both cameras expose similarly for highlights. I tried a scene with sunlight hitting a white wall in the background. I set EV at -1 on both cameras. It also didn't matter whether I chose centre-weighted or highlight-weighted on the M11 Mono. It resulted in the same shutter speed in this scene. Both cameras blew the highlight.

For more information how the two cameras compare for highlight headroom I recommend reading ReidReviews.

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[Chaemono]

How about high ISO noise. M10M has very pleasing noise up to ISO 12500 with LR default settings, M11M up to ISO 6400. Sean Reid found out that M11M has more noise in a certain high ISO range in its native size but is equal to M10M noise if downsized to match. I concur with that. I still have to decide whether I like the processed ISO 12500 and ISO 25000 files from the M11M as much as the M10M ones. The focus point was off for the M11M in the two below and I have to redo them.

What I can say is, pushing the following two ISO 12500 and ISO 25000 M10M files by roughly 2.5 stops (combination of lifting exposure and shadows) is a breeze and results in really/still nice pictures for M10M ISO 12500/ISO 25000. That alone makes the M10M a keeper for me until I feel comfortable that I will like the M11M ISO 12500/ISO 25000 files equally. BTW, Sean Reid is seeing banding in M10M ISO 12500 and above and thinks the M11M pulls ahead at that point, therefore. I can't confirm that. Severe banding starts to show at ISO 50000 for the M10M and equally for the M11M. 

For the moment I'm thinking Leica should stick the same S3 64 MP FSI sensor (M10M sensor is a B&W cut-down version of it) in the mirrorless S4 rather than go with a BS...BSI 100 MP sensor. M10-R also has a cut-down version of it but that camera showed tons banding in high ISO pushed shadows so I gave it back. Maybe I had a faulty M10-R. 

Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-hv4mvG/

M10M ISO 12500 processed in LR and Topaz DeNoise. DNG can be download here: https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g912873336-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=-EDlsKAF1ue0A2IPPAOImjOmB7T3wlnKpFzj9rLOUrs= 

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Edited May 29, 2023 by Chaemono

[Chaemono]

M10M ISO 25000

Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-hv4mvG/

DNG can be download here: https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g816285601-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=vz8jcadG1i8Qja_fR4ckRtfENZu926dLn-coSLXDTdg=

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