Decided on M11…how durable is the new black aluminum, or should I just stick with silver brass?

[maidenfan84]

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I’ve been wrestling with which M model camera to get…a used M10 or a new M11. My intention is to keep and use it for at least a good 7-10 years. Considering the age of the 10 already, just seems to make more sense to get the newest version. With that said, how is the new black color holding up and how durable is the aluminum material? I’m not looking to abuse the camera but it’s not going to be a safe queen, either. It’s going to be carried daily in a sling and on any and all journeys. Or, is the general consensus the silver brass will be the more durable one in the long run? 

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[Photoworks]

it is hard to give a 10-year opinion on it, plus I think it comes to individual use and taste.

PS Black is durable.

 

[dugby]

Very soon,

 

a sub-group will post photos of  their wet-n-dry emery-sanding efforts on the black M11’s body edges, to have that unique street look 🥷

[Marley]

to the OP, would like to share my recent experience. Torn between the black or silver as this is my 1st M body so don't really know what to expect in terms of weight and feel. 

To cut the long story, I chose silver because of the added weight and feel of the brass body. The black is cool and very light I just don't like the abrasive matte feel of the spray paint when I held it on my hands. Also, I chose my first lens in silver so both looked really good. Good luck with your decision! 

[Pyrogallol]

I wouldn’t worry about the durability of the metal exterior of the camera. It’s a computer so has a limited life span compared to a film Leica, which gains value as it shows its “brassing”.

[lct]

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Edited July 6, 2023 by lct

[bkphoto]

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Ultimately I went with black for weight savings. From anecdotal reports, the finish seems very durable. Ultimately you’ll need to come to terms with the fact your camera will get marked up eventually, regardless of color. 

Brass vs. aluminum+magnesium is likely negligible in use. 

[colint544]

I went for black as well. It feels great in the hand at that lighter weight. Had the camera for nearly three months, and it gets almost daily use. It either goes in a camera bag, or over my shoulder. Finish is holding up pretty well so far.

Upon very close inspection, the camera strap is making a shiny mark on either 'shoulder' of the camera, and there is the faintest bright edge just starting to appear on the shutter release collar. I'm not bothered about this, but I suspect the silver chrome finish might be a touch more durable.

However, I really like the dry, rough feel to the black finish. It's very grippy.

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Edited July 7, 2023 by colint544

[mumu]

I like it, if the camera body shows us the signs of use. It is not such a clean look from a new one. We have the signs of our lives as well.

[jakontil]

11 hours ago, colint544 said:

I went for black as well. It feels great in the hand at that lighter weight. Had the camera for nearly three months, and it gets almost daily use. It either goes in a camera bag, or over my shoulder. Finish is holding up pretty well so far.

Upon very close inspection, the camera strap is making a shiny mark on either 'shoulder' of the camera, and there is the faintest bright edge just starting to appear on the shutter release collar. I'm not bothered about this, but I suspect the silver chrome finish might be a touch more durable.

However, I really like the dry, rough feel to the black finish. It's very grippy.

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I miss the industrial looks on the m10-D black chrome after some use 

[colint544]

5 hours ago, jakontil said:

I miss the industrial looks on the m10-D black chrome after some use 

There's something about a well-worn black chrome M. The word 'industrial' is spot on - the look is of a purposeful machined tool.

[Kiwimac]

Mine is black. 
 

I’ve zero qualms about the robustness of aluminium as a product. They build aircraft from it, not from brass. The weight saving in the hand is worth having. 
 

The paint is harder to say but seems tough. 
 

I dislike silver cameras as a personal preference. If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say the M12 will be all aluminium regardless of the silver or black. The lenses are now all aluminium regardless and I think the cameras will follow, with a Brass Edition limited to 1000 units for an extra $10,000. 

Edited July 9, 2023 by Kiwimac

[jakontil]

23 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

Mine is black. 
 

I’ve zero qualms about the robustness of aluminium as a product. They build aircraft from it, not from brass. The weight saving in the hand is worth having. 
 

The paint is harder to say but seems tough. 
 

I dislike silver cameras as a personal preference. If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say the M12 will be all aluminium regardless of the silver or black. The lenses are now all aluminium regardless and I think the cameras will follow, with a Brass Edition limited to 1000 units for an extra $10,000. 

U cant compare with aircraft aluminum because it contains more zinc than the more pure aluminum found in M11

anyway, it is still quite durable…but i picked silver for its brass nostalgia 😀😀😀 may become rare, already lost a baseplate

[Kiwimac]

I didn’t realise we knew what kind of aluminium was used in the M11. 

[THEME]

On 7/7/2023 at 8:39 PM, colint544 said:

I went for black as well. It feels great in the hand at that lighter weight. Had the camera for nearly three months, and it gets almost daily use. It either goes in a camera bag, or over my shoulder. Finish is holding up pretty well so far.

Upon very close inspection, the camera strap is making a shiny mark on either 'shoulder' of the camera, and there is the faintest bright edge just starting to appear on the shutter release collar. I'm not bothered about this, but I suspect the silver chrome finish might be a touch more durable.

However, I really like the dry, rough feel to the black finish. It's very grippy.

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

 

What strap is that?

The black's weight seems perfect. Even if quite lighter than the brass silver, it's a solid weight, allowing to hold the camera steadily. 

[colint544]

38 minutes ago, THEME said:

What strap is that?

The black's weight seems perfect. Even if quite lighter than the brass silver, it's a solid weight, allowing to hold the camera steadily. 

It's a leather Tap & Dye strap, about six years old. The 'O' ring doesn't touch the camera body, it's just where the strap itself rubs the paintwork.

[chasdfg]

3 hours ago, THEME said:

What strap is that?

The black's weight seems perfect. Even if quite lighter than the brass silver, it's a solid weight, allowing to hold the camera steadily. 

I agree, the black M11 has enough heft to feel solid and also "not cheap". Honestly if you don't hold the black M11 side by side with another M with brass top plate, you'd feel it is lighter but not to the extent youd wonder if it wasn't brass. I don't think i could go back to a brass M body (or well, i could, but I don't want to). I didn't think I'd appreciate the weight this much. It makes borderline large/heavier M lenses more bearing to bring out for the entire day. The paint is also very durable.

I do admit the silver has a more satin and classy paint. The black one is grippier. 

[archinaut]

Just a reminder that the black M11 with battery and SD card weighs only 3 grams more (on my scale) than an M4* (without film), making it a pretty authentic 'Leica weight'.

*black chrome Midland M4

Edited July 11, 2023 by archinaut

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[Jewl]

I think there are a couple of pro/cons threads regarding the finish of the M11 but I‘d say as well, black seems to be quite durable. Also the combination of lighter weight and the grip of the finish is also very pleasant and convinced me especially if I compare it to my M10-P I had before and the MP black paint (long-term, would go for it once again). 

Edited July 12, 2023 by Jewl

[jonoslack]

Hi There

Mine arrived in July 2021, and it's been used daily since then, including a drop from 5ft on to a tarmac road which made one bright corner. Other than that the paintwork is fine, slightly shiny at the corners (nicely so), no visible scratches anywhere (apart from the bright corner) 

It's looking pretty good!

best

Jono