Leica M11-P: New Flagship With Content Authentication

[LUF Admin]

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Leica today introduces the Leica M11-P, a new member of the rangefinder family. It is based on the Leica M11 in the standard version, but takes over the design from the monochrome variant (M11-M).

256 GB Internal buffer memory is  the most relevant new feature for photographic practice.

A real pioneer - not only in the Leica product range - is the integration of CAI (Content Authenticity Initiative) technology, which can be used to reliably verify the authenticity and origin of images.

A black and a silver version of the Leica M11-P will be available globally at all Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store and authorized dealers starting now. The retail price will be €8,950.

Leica M11-P Images

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The press release:

New: Leica M11-P

The world’s first camera to create a seamless chain of authenticity from capturing to publication with Content Credentials

Wetzlar, 26th October 2023. Like hardly any other camera, the Leica M has stood for vivid and authentic images taken at the center of action since its launch in 1954. The intuitive, unique, and unobtrusive style of M photography is especially appreciated by photojournalists working in conflict areas. Since then, countless iconic pictures have been taken that reliably document the history of the world.

In today’s digital era, however, content can be easily manipulated. Forged and artificially created images deprive consumers of their trust in the accuracy of digital content and make it difficult to prove the authenticity of one’s own pictures. A fatal problem, which threatens the basis of photographic reporting.

Leica Camera AG once again shows a pioneering spirit and creates another milestone in the history of photography by introducing the Leica M11-P. It is the world’s first camera to store metadata by attaching Content Credentials at the point of capture to protect the authenticity of digital images. Content Credentials are the digital nutrition label and most widely adopted industry standard for content of all kinds, and the foundation for increased trust and transparency online. With the M11-P, Leica acknowledges the invaluable work of all photographers and preserves the trust and transparency in digital content and its sources.

The M11-P pioneers the use of secure metadata in compliance with the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) open-source standard. This feature provides an additional layer of transparency when designing and modifying an image. It allows information such as names, dates, changes made and tools used to be securely attached, creating awareness of the file's origin. With Content Credentials, each Leica M11-P image captured receives a digital signature backed by a CAI-compliant certificate. The authenticity of images can be easily verified at any time using a freely available, open-source CAI tool or by visiting https://contentcredentials.org/verify .

Leica ́s Content Credentials technology ensures the picture’s authenticity by means of special hardware in the camera. It includes a special chipset for storing digital certificates of the German Federal Printing Office. The state-of-the-art integration guarantees complete verifiability of a picture’s origin. Thus, Leica is setting a new standard for the protection of digital content in cooperation with Adobe and the global community of nearly 2,000 members, including media and tech companies, NGOs, academics, and more to promote adoption and implementation of Content Credentials.

Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Leica Camera AG: “Leica cameras have always stood witness to iconic moments in world history. However, determining the authenticity of visual content has become increasingly difficult and important in the age of digital photography. Now with the ability to provide this proof, we are once again strengthening trust in digital content and re-establishing Leica cameras as authoritative tools in the documentation of world events.”

Santiago Lyon, Head of Advocacy & Education, Content Authenticity Initiative, Adobe:

“We're thrilled to see Leica pioneering the integration of Content Credentials into their flagship M11-P cameras. This is a significant milestone for the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) and the future of photojournalism: It will usher in a powerful new way for photojournalists and creatives to assert their digital rights, combat misinformation and bring authenticity to their work and consumers, while promoting widespread adoption of Content Credentials."

When the "Leica Content Credentials" function is activated in the camera menu, the Content Credential logo is visible in the display and every image taken by the Leica M11-P is reliably signed using a special algorithm. The image thus receives an unalterable and verifiable proof of camera model, manufacturer, and image attributes. The authenticity of these certificates can be verified and examined by means of free CAI open-source tools at any time. They prove whether an image is available in the original or in an edited version and in the latter case, they provide insight into the history of the content changes. So photographers can demonstrate the authenticity of their pictures from the moment they are taken to the time they are published.

Further distinguishing features of the Leica M11 perfect the traditional M understatement and expand the range of applications of the Leica M11-P even further. The deliberate omission of the red Leica dot on the camera front, for example, allows for even more discreet photographing. Instead, a subtle Leica lettering is engraved on the top plate. This plate and the bottom cover are milled from aluminum in the matte black Leica M11-P and from brass blocks in the silver chrome camera version. Merged with the all-metal body made of a highly solid magnesium alloy, the interior of the camera is carefully protected. The LCD monitor made of sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflection protective coating enables an optimal evaluation of the pictures in all lighting conditions. The Leica M11-P, with its 60 MP BSI CMOS sensor and Triple Resolution Technology as well as the high-performance Maestro-III processor, combines state-of-the-art camera technology with a maximum of flexibility. Finally, the large internal memory with 256 GB makes the camera a reliable and functional precision tool “Made in Germany” that is always ready for use.

There are also two new black leather accessories for the M-System: The M-System case as well as the carrying strap once again emphasize the clean lines in the design of the new Leica M11- P.

A black and a silver version of the Leica M11-P will be available globally at all Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store and authorized dealers starting now. The retail price will be €8,950.00 including VAT.

Technical Specifications Leica M11-P

Designation	Leica M11-P
Camera type	Digital system camera with rangefinder
Type No.	2416
Order No.	Black: 20 211 (EU/US/CN), 20 212 (JP), 20 213 (ROW) Silver: 20 214 (EU/US/CN), 20 215 (JP), 20 216 (ROW)
Buffer memory	3GB DNG™: 15 shots JPG: > 100 shots
Storage medium	UHS-II (recommended), UHS-I, SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card (SDXC cards up to 2TB), internal memory: 256GB
Material	Black: full-metal housing made of magnesium and aluminum, leatherette cover Silver: full-metal housing made of magnesium and brass, leatherette cover
Lens mount	Leica M bayonet with additional sensor for 6-bit encoding
Operating conditions	0°C to +40°C
Interfaces	ISO accessory shoe with additional control contacts for Leica flash units and Leica Visoflex2 viewfinder (optional accessory), USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C
Tripod thread	A 1⁄4 DIN 4503 (1⁄4”) with stainless steel in the base
Weight	Black: approx. 530g/455g (with/without battery) ' Silver: approx. 640g/565g (with/without battery)
Sensor
Sensor size	BSI CMOS sensor, pixel pitch: 3.76µm, 35mm: 9528x6328 pixels (60.3MP)
Processor	Leica Maestro series (Maestro III)
Filter	RGB color filter, UV/IR filter, no low-pass filter
File formats	DNG™ (raw data, loss-free compression), DNG + JPG, JPG (DCF, Exif 2.30)
Color depth	DNG™: 14bit, JPG: 8bit
Color space	sRGB
Viewfinder/LCD panel
Viewfinder	Large, bright-line rangefinder with automatic parallax compensation, suitable for -0.5dpt; optional corrective lenses available: -3 to +3dpt
Display	Four-digit digital display with items show on the top and bottom, Image field limiter: two lit frames: 35mm + 135mm, 28mm + 90mm, 50mm + 75mm (automatic switchover when lens is attached)
Parallax compensation	The horizontal and vertical difference between viewfinder and lens is compensated automatically in line with the relevant focus setting. Congruence of viewfinder and actual image. The size of the bright-line frame matches the distance: – at 2m: the exact sensor size of approx. 23.9x35.8mm – at infinity: (depending on focal length) approx. 7.3% (28mm) to 18% (135mm) – less than 2m: less than sensor size
Viewfinder magnification	0.73x (all lenses)
Large-base rangefinder	Split or superimposed image rangefinder shown as a bright field at the center of the viewfinder image
LCD panel	2.95” (Active Matrix TFT), sapphire glass, 2332800 dots, format 3:2, Touch control available
Shutter
Shutter type	Electronically controlled focal plane shutter and electronic shutter function
Shutter speeds	Mech. shutter: 60min to 1⁄4000s Electro. shutter function: 60s to 1⁄16000s Flash Synch: up to 1⁄180s Optional noise reduction via additional “black picture” (can be disabled)
Shutter button	Two-stage (Step 1: activation of the camera electronics including exposure metering and exposure lock, Step 2: release)
Self-timer Delay time:	2s or 12s
Drive Mode	Single Continuous - Low Speed (3fps) Continuous - High Speed (4.5fps) Interval shooting Exposure Bracketing
Focusing
Focus range	70cm to ∞
Focus mode	Manual (focus assist functions Magnification and Focus Peaking available)
Exposure
Exposure metering	TTL (exposure metering through the lens), with working aperture Metering principle Exposure metering is done by the image sensor for all exposure metering methods (in Live View mode and in rangefinder mode)
Exposure metering methods	Spot, Center-Weighted, Multi-Field, Highlight-Weighted
Exposure modes	Aperture-priority mode (A): automatic shutter speed control with manual aperture preselection Manual (M): manual setting for shutter speed and aperture
Exposure compensation	±3EV in 1⁄3EV increments
Automatic bracketing	3 or 5 frames, graduations between shoots up to 3EV, in 1⁄3EV increments, additional optional exposure compensation: up to ±3EV
ISO sensitivity range	Auto ISO: ISO 64 (native) to ISO 50000, also available in flash mode Manual: ISO64 to ISO50000
White balance	Automatic (Auto), Default (Daylight -5200K, Cloudy -6100K, Shadow -6600K, Tungsten -2950K, HMI-5700K, Fluorescent (warm) -3650K, Fluorescent (cool) -5800K, Flash -6600K), manual metering (Gray card), manual color temperature setting (Color Temperature, 2000K to 11,500K)
Flash
Flash unit connector	Via the accessory shoe
Metering principle	Flash exposure metering is done by the image sensor for all exposure metering methods (in Live View mode and in rangefinder mode)
Flash sync time	: 1⁄180s, slower shutter speeds available, automatic switchover to TTL linear flash mode with HSS-compatible Leica system flash units if sync time is undercut
Flash exposure metering	Using center-weighted TTL pre-flash metering with Leica flash units (SF26, SF40, SF58, SF60, SF64) or with system-compatible flash units, remote controlled flash SFC1
Flash exposure compensation	SF40: ±2EV in 1⁄2EV increments SF60: ±2EV in 1⁄3EV increments Other: ±3EV in 1⁄3EV increments
Displays in flash mode(in the viewfinder only)	Flash icon: connection of an external flash unit
Equipment
WLAN	The Leica FOTOS app is required to use the WLAN function. The Leica app is available from the Apple App Store™ or the Google Play Store™. 2.4 GHz/5GHz* dual band IEEE802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wave2 WLAN (standard WLAN protocol), encryption method: WLAN-kompatible WPA™/WPA2™, access method: infrastructure mode
Bluetooth	Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR/LE, BR/DR-channel 1‒79, LE-channel 0‒39 (2402–2480MHz)
GPS	Geotagging via Leica FOTOS app using Bluetooth
Menu languages	English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean
Power supply
Rechargeable battery (Leica BP-SCL7)	Li-Ion (Lithium-Polymer) rechargeable battery, rated voltage: 7.4V / capacity: 1800mAh, Charging voltage/current: DC 1000mAh, 7.4V, operating conditions: +10°C to +35°C (charging) / +0°C to +40°C (discharged), manufacturer: Fuji Electronics (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. made in China Approx. 700 shots (in accordance with CIPA Standard in rangefinder mode), up to approx. 1700 shots (Leica adapted shooting cycle)
Charger (Leica BC-SCL7)	Input: USB-C DC 5V, 2A, output: DC 8.4V, 1A, operating conditions: +10°C to +35°C, manufacturer: Dee Van Enterprises Co., Ltd., made in China
Switching adapter (Leica ACA-SCL7)	Input: AC 110V - 240V ~ 50/60Hz, 0.3A, output: DC 5V, 2A, operating conditions: +10°C to +35°C, manufacturer: Dee Van Enterprises Co., Ltd., made in China
USB	power supply When in standby mode or Off: USB charging function When On: USB power supply and intermittent charging

[tedwill]

Hopefully Content Authentication will be a firmware update for the current M11 owners.

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[DrM]

3 minutes ago, tedwill said:

Hopefully Content Authentication will be a firmware update for the current M11 owners.

It already does: https://leica-camera.com/sites/default/files/en_2.0.1-m-family-release-notes.pdf

 

[maxfairclough]

Not worthy of a new release to be honest. 

[DrM]

2 minutes ago, DrM said:

It already does: https://leica-camera.com/sites/default/files/en_2.0.1-m-family-release-notes.pdf

 

hmm, from the FOTOs app M11p only.. waiting...

[Le Chef]

6 minutes ago, tedwill said:

Hopefully Content Authentication will be a firmware update for the current M11 owners.

Apparently it cannot be retrofitted as it’s a chip, not firmware.

[Erato]

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Request the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) open and release to all Digital M firmware.

Why? That makes Leica a true leader of this industry when compared with other brands.

[Newtype]

Very, very interesting release from Leica. This is certainly not the jump from the M10 to the M10-P, but appreciate the refinement in the product regardless. May be a line in the sand for the future of photography, however. 

[Jeff S]

19 minutes ago, Erato said:

Request the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) open and release to all Digital M firmware.

Why? That makes Leica a true leader of this industry when compared with other brands.

Post #6.

From the press release… “It includes a special chipset for storing digital certificates of the German Federal Printing Office. The state-of-the-art integration guarantees complete verifiability of a picture’s origin.”

Jeff

[Jacobjuul]

the firmware release notes says it's m11-p only regarding CAI

[elmars]

vor 11 Minuten schrieb Jacobjuul:

the firmware release notes says it's m11-p only regarding CAI

CAI is not possible with the M11 because it requires a hardware chip.

[tedwill]

8 minutes ago, elmars said:

CAI is not possible with the M11 because it requires a hardware chip.

I'm sure that very clever software developers working for Leica will be able to implement this with other cameras. I lead a very talented team of software engineers in the healthcare industry and this is not a hardware limitation. I'm sure this can be done.  

[maxpower]

1 minute ago, tedwill said:

I'm sure that very clever software developers working for Leica will be able to implement this with other cameras. I lead a very talented team of software engineers in the healthcare industry and this is not a hardware limitation. I'm sure this can be done.  

The thing is that secure enclaves are hardware for a reason, it contains secret data (in this case the signing certificate) that you cannot access in any way possible. If it was a purely software solution the signing certificate could leak and the whole idea of authenticity gets lost. Sure it can be software, it would've been much easier to do this in just software, but it would lose it's purpose/meaning. 

At this point in time I personally consider this to be a big gimmick and am very skeptical of this functionality but I do hope to be proven wrong. 

[steamboat]

Hold the phone a second.

Why in the world didn’t Leica build GPS into the M11-P??  The Content Credential would be so much better with verification of the location the photograph was taken. 

I’m just spitballing here. 

[wolan]

That’s it? I hoped to see more in this release: integrated EVF, Bild stabilization, articulated screen….

 

 

[Warton]

firmware from 1.6.1 to 2.0.1, that's a big bump.

I just hope the freeze thing gets fixed. I can't care less about other "new" features.

 

One improvement I don't understand "The camera shutter will now be closed during a lens change."

What does that mean? The shutter is closed anyway when the camera turned off, right?

Or people change the lens when the camera is on? why?

 

Edited October 26, 2023 by Warton

[nmarsilio]

8 minutes ago, wolan said:

That’s it? I hoped to see more in this release: integrated EVF, Bild stabilization, articulated screen….

 

 

that wouldn't be an M 

[Stef63]

5 minutes ago, Warton said:

Or people change the lens when the camera is on?

Yes they do.

 

6 minutes ago, Warton said:

why?

Because they can...  nothing prevents it.

[M11 for me]

vor 9 Minuten schrieb Warton:

The camera shutter will now be closed during a lens change

At the very moment that you take off the lens then the sensor will immediately be covered. In the previous release the sensor was fully exposed to dust or whatever.

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Hallo,

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[PhilipThomas]

Was there an update to how the shutter sounds, like a dampened version similar to the M10-P?