M11-P freezes too

[Infantasy]

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I went to Leica shop to have a try on the open-close-open shutter operation of the M11-P silver yesterday. It didn't give any significant sound to me for the initial open for metering but the entire shutter operation did give me different feeling against my M10-P which is very hard to explain by words. Considering the possible freezing problem, would you guy recommend upgrading from M10-P to M11-P?

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[Edax]

1 hour ago, Infantasy said:

I went to Leica shop to have a try on the open-close-open shutter operation of the M11-P silver yesterday. It didn't give any significant sound to me for the initial open for metering but the entire shutter operation did give me different feeling against my M10-P which is very hard to explain by words. Considering the possible freezing problem, would you guy recommend upgrading from M10-P to M11-P?

Considering the freeze AND unreadable .DNG's problems that plague many M11 users including myself (after FW 2.0.2), no I would advise against it. The best decision I made when buying the M11-P was keeping my reliable M10-P. I am considering getting rid of the M11-P and buying a second M10-P (or M10-R).

[WvE]

I passed on the M11 altogether, firstly, it's getting just too expensive, and secondly, the risk of freezes and the long repair times with a camera of 9000K. I wonder if the camera has so far been a success for Leica like the M10 has.  

[graphlex]

On 12/17/2023 at 8:03 AM, scott kirkpatrick said:

If you are careful about power on and switching into and out of review, I think you will have no problems with 2.0 and may enjoy the several functional improvements.  I found that the vulnerable period during startup, which used to be 3 or more seconds, is now down to ~0.5 seconds.  I think I can keep out of that window.  And I very rarely review when things are hectic.

Another reason to look forward to an M11-D!

[Budfox]

On 1/31/2024 at 3:37 AM, BillCB said:

I wonder how many people don't have freezing issues and, of course, don't report that. Well, I'm one. I have an M11 and an M11-P and have had only a single issue despite several thousand shots on each camera. I do wait a second or two after turning on the camera before taking a shot - something I learned from my electric car - give the circuitry a moment to stabilize before driving off. May have no relevance but works for me.

Only one episode repetitive freezing while using in the rain on the M11 - it was sheltered but had a few drops on the body, not sure if relevant. Nothing since for 10 months.

[bilbrown]

My M11-P freezing issues have gotten way better. It still occasionally happens, but I have yet to have any corrupt DNG because of it. 

The learning curve on using this iteration of DRF has been crazy for someone that has used Leica digital since the M8, but as we remember, even that camera had its pitfalls and needed some fixes.

I believe the shutter and the "legacy" SD card on the M11/M11-M/M11-P is honestly the culprit for most of these issues. Not the shutter or SD card themselves, but how the camera has to work around its decided functionality and how the software developers have to enact timing to work around it. Turning the camera on, whether or not it reads a lens, write speed to the card – all seem like design issues. 

When the camera works, which is now 90%+ of the time, its a great camera.

There are some issues I have had with the metering, and white (over exposed) frames when you try to shoot faster than the meter has a chance to grab a good shot. Some issues with getting the right colors with the camera, and some really odd rendering because I use a lot of legacy/vintage lenses and the high resolution really shows all the faults of that glass. Even focusing has to be more spot on than even my M10-R/M10-M were (I kept my M10-M, btw). That slows me down more than the M10 variants (or M240 for that matter) did, and slows me down more than the freezes. No, the M11 doesn't seem as refined as say the M10-R/M10-M was, but that's what you can expect with a EOL variant like the 40MP M10s. It should just work.

I think, in retrospect, I should have kept my M10-R or exchanged it for an M10-R BP. I even gave up my Q2M for the M11-P, simply because I had never had a "P" digital (or analog) and I really wanted to finally have one. After looking at some late night images I shot with my Q2M, I now really miss it. I also highly appreciate the Content Credentials Initiative in this age of generative drudgery... I hope to keep the M11-P and will give it a few more FW upgrades. If I remember correctly off the top of my head, the M10 had FW 5.0.x, right? Maybe the SL3 will show us what a ICL camera with this iteration of the sensor tech should really be. IF it has freezes too... I don't know what to tell Leica. Maybe invest in a different sensor developer or a different processor?

I trust these smart developers can fix the timing on a number of fronts and make this what it was designed to be: the best digital M yet!

If not... this was a very expensive mistake. Almost as bad as the motor drives on the S lenses years ago...

[lexffm]

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Yesterday I also had my 1st freeze with my M 11 Monochrom (counter something around 450 images). Direct after change the lens from 35 to 75 mm. Only put out the battery helps at the end.

 

[bilbrown]

On 1/30/2024 at 1:17 PM, charlie9089 said:

I bought an M11 the day it came out, swapped it for an M10-R after a month, amazed these issues still continue but this vindicates my decision. It's a shame because in many ways the M11 is a nice camera.

Gave up my M10-R (an Q2M) for the M11-P. 

 

I wouldn't hesitate to turn my M11-P over for a M10-R BP.

Well, maybe I would hesitate... 

[lexffm]

Today I had a freeze with my M11-P counter around 920. No chance of lens bevor. 2nd picture on this day. Put out the battery. After that it works again…