Leica M11-P Review by Jonathan Slack

[jonoslack]

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13 hours ago, hdmesa said:

Or they’re just not buying expensive homes, cars, and boats 🤷‍♂️

Or they just have a lot of money!

[jonoslack]

13 hours ago, hdmesa said:

We are a dying breed quite literally 🫠

Well, at Wetzlar recently there were brand new Daytonas (and even more exotic watches) together with silver noctiluxes, customised cameras  etc. etc. Whether they also have expensive houses and boats I couldn't tell, but I see no reason why they wouldn't. Five years ago the declining demographic argument might have held some water, but certainly not anymore! 

[jonoslack]

10 minutes ago, Al Brown said:

Damn, I have 5 special edition Leicas, 5 special edition lenses and only a Submariner.

Well Al - I don't have any special edition lenses or cameras, just the 3 prototype bodies, oh, and a GMT - but then I'm part of the declining demographic, not one of those sweet young things with all the shiny fun toys!

[LocalHero1953]

14 minutes ago, jonoslack said:

Well Al - I don't have any special edition lenses or cameras, just the 3 prototype bodies, oh, and a GMT - but then I'm part of the declining demographic, not one of those sweet young things with all the shiny fun toys!

Did you get an impression of their staying power in photography? Are they younger photographers who have more money than we did, young people with money who want to buy expensive brand cameras, or has Leica just worked out how to sell expensive cameras to younger photographers?

[jonoslack]

5 hours ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Did you get an impression of their staying power in photography? Are they younger photographers who have more money than we did, young people with money who want to buy expensive brand cameras, or has Leica just worked out how to sell expensive cameras to younger photographers?

Yes Paul - they seemed to me to be people who were serious photographers and were seriously into Leica - not as an expensive brand, but as something iconic which they could relate to, and be challenged by. They had all paid good money (and if you live in the US that's lots) to come to the LSI meeting, and it appears like they had a lot of fun - late night evenings in the bar were fun and funny - and most of them were seriously achieved and interesting in exciting and interesting employment, 

 

[LocalHero1953]

That’s good to hear!

[BillCB]

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Cost is a very relative thing. At heart I've been a medium format guy using Phase One gear. As I age I'm feeling the weight and am using Leica more and more - and it seems relatively cheap!

[scott kirkpatrick]

On 12/2/2023 at 5:37 PM, BillCB said:

Cost is a very relative thing. At heart I've been a medium format guy using Phase One gear. As I age I'm feeling the weight and am using Leica more and more - and it seems relatively cheap!

At one point, I was flying small single and twin-engine aircraft to interesting places in N. America for 200+ hours per year (back in the 1990's).  Now THAT makes keeping my Leica properly equipped seem inexpensive.

[Warton]

On 11/29/2023 at 11:46 AM, Al Brown said:

Damn, I have 5 special edition Leicas, 5 special edition lenses and only a Submariner.

I am better than you, I have 3 leicai digital, 2 film, but a submariner, a datejust, and a daydate

[jakontil]

On 11/29/2023 at 11:46 PM, Al Brown said:

Damn, I have 5 special edition Leicas, 5 special edition lenses and only a Submariner.

 

On 11/30/2023 at 5:46 AM, jonoslack said:

Yes Paul - they seemed to me to be people who were serious photographers and were seriously into Leica - not as an expensive brand, but as something iconic which they could relate to, and be challenged by. They had all paid good money (and if you live in the US that's lots) to come to the LSI meeting, and it appears like they had a lot of fun - late night evenings in the bar were fun and funny - and most of them were seriously achieved and interesting in exciting and interesting employment, 

 

Enough enough.. you both richer than me i almost have nothing to show off

[Smudgerer]

On 12/2/2023 at 11:37 PM, BillCB said:

Cost is a very relative thing. At heart I've been a medium format guy using Phase One gear. As I age I'm feeling the weight and am using Leica more and more - and it seems relatively cheap!

Actually cinematography equipment makes Leica gear seem inexpensive, even 20+ years ago I was spending +/-10K each on prime lenses and good cine zooms could be well over +50K, the cameras could be around 100K without lenses and film magazines would set you back +8K apiece. Even when I first bought my Leica M2's and lenses back in the late 60's they were quite an investment at that time, not cheap compared to the Nikons that were part of my working kit too, but then you could buy a decent house in the country with a few acres then for 5K as I did and I note that the same property sold some 10 years back for +800K......So everything is relative I guess, 

[Smudgerer]

On 12/5/2023 at 12:26 PM, Al Brown said:

Very true.
With Leica the real elefant b*itch in the room are the special editions. Same camera but different paint, trim and engraving. "That would be 20K extra please, but we throw in the wooden box for free."

Well yes, but in my opinion such are for the stupidly gullible and if Leica can profit from them then all power to it. There's no cure for stupid.

[Sandokan]

Thankyou Jono for the review. I have the M10 (bought recently) but I find many things to fault with it, especially the lack of horizon level (or at least I have not found out how to turn it on). With the current rebate where I live, the M11P is looking attractive and your review on how it differs in usage is what I was looking for to help me decide. 

As for watches - I am currently wearing a Dent Ministry but will buy a Glasshütte Original Cosmopolite (it does half hour timezones) in blue with the M11P (the two shops are near each other). 

PS @sebben - I bought my first Leica when I was in my '30s, and my neighbour's daughter in her 20s has a M4 and will make me an offer on my M10 when she graduates from being an apprentice baker. Maybe there is hope we will be replaced before we move on?