how waterproof is it?

[brickftl]

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I'm going to be shooting next week on probably a rainy day. I have the M11-P which is supposed to be waterproof, but what about lenses attached to it? Can water enter from where they're attached and/or through the lens? On that rainy day I'll have the 35/1.4 lux steel rim reissue attached.

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[Al Brown]

0% waterproof, the term you are seeking is water resistant.
Keep your M11 away from water. And lenses. They are neither waterproof nor water resistant.

Edited July 19, 2024 by Al Brown

[jdlaing]

7 minutes ago, brickftl said:

I'm going to be shooting next week on probably a rainy day. I have the M11-P which is supposed to be waterproof, but what about lenses attached to it? Can water enter from where they're attached and/or through the lens? On that rainy day I'll have the 35/1.4 lux steel rim reissue attached.

Yes. The weak point are the lenses.

[brickftl]

26 minutes ago, Al Brown said:

0% waterproof, the term you are seeking is water resistant.
Keep your M11 away from water. And lenses. They are neither waterproof nor water resistant.

so I can't shoot it in a light rain??

[Al Brown]

3 minutes ago, brickftl said:

so I can't shoot it in a light rain??

Light rain is still ok, a quick downpour is also probably OK, but avoid prolonged exposure to rain.

[brickftl]

Just now, Al Brown said:

Light rain is still ok, a quick downpour is also probably OK, but avoid prolonged exposure to rain.

got it thanks

[brickftl]

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I can't help but wonder why Leica in its newest lenses (like my 35/1.4 steel rim reissue) doesn't make them water resistant - especially when they're promoting the water resistance of the M11.

[Jeff S]

More discussion…

Jeff

[jankap]

Shouldn't it be weather resistant? 

Try to find this property in the technical data: 

https://leica-camera.com/de-CH/fotografie/kameras/m/m11-schwarz/technische-daten

[Al Brown]

Water resistant, weather proof, weather resistant, weather sealed, environmentally sealed, it is all the same until someone brings out the IP rating. And even that only means less likely to suffer water damage, more of a feelgood factor. Leica is NOT liable in any case, nor will it repair water damage for free. Some instruments (for instance DJI drones) have a "water strip", a water reactive paper. If the paper turns a specific color the company will reject your warranty claim because of water damage not being covered.

Edited July 19, 2024 by Al Brown

[RexGig0]

2 hours ago, brickftl said:

I can't help but wonder why Leica in its newest lenses (like my 35/1.4 steel rim reissue) doesn't make them water resistant - especially when they're promoting the water resistance of the M11.

The most-water-resistant lenses have a pliable gasket at the mount, a solid, seamless barrel, and a well-sealed outer element. Aperture rings, and focusing rings, add seams. Zoom rings, if present, add seams. O-rings can be used to seal the seams between moving parts, but, of course, require periodic maintenance/replacement. There has to be room, within the lens assembly, for those gaskets and O-rings.

Lens designers have choices to make. Customers have expectations, which includes an expectation that M lenses will be small.

Edited July 19, 2024 by RexGig0

[elmars]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb brickftl:

so I can't shoot it in a light rain??

You can. Leica does not give any guarantees because the lenses and the bayonet are not protected in the technical sense. But I was in Tokyo last year and on two days it rained lightly to moderately for several hours. M11 and lens were not in the bag, I just wiped them from time to time. Nothing happened. I think you have to realise that everything inside the lenses is greased. So the water can't just run in. 

[pgk]

I use underwater housings and the technology to waterproof them is quite simple - 'O' rings. But they do have to be periodically lubricated and don't like sand or chlorine or salt water which isn't rinsed out from their locating groove. And they add really significant bulk. So the bottom line is that the 'gaskets' and similar measures fitted to above water cameras and used to provide any degree of prevention of water access  are inherently a compromise. IP ratings are difficult to apply because in general they aren't intended to include controls which need to be operated - they are mostly static, time dependant ingress tests under known conditions/pressures.

My own personal experience suggests that getting gear splashed by salt water is a high riskand can easily cause problems (salt is deliquescent and unless removed will continually absorb water leading to much later failures), but drizzle/light rain is usually ok if you are careful to wipe the camera dry if it gets any significant coverage. FWIW I've actually seen a Canon D1 stop working due to very heavy rain, even misting up internally, but revived after a night on a radiator. And this is a weather sealed camera. I wouldn't subject my own cameras to such treatment though.

[newtoleica]

I use a Q2 for shooting in heavy rain. 
a very light sprinkling is Ok on the M for  short time.

[ELAN]

I've shot Leica Ms in the rain for years and so far nothing bad has happened...

Be prepared to wipe it often as raindrops on the VF/RF windows make focusing difficult, and drops on the lens cause weird flares.  When walking in the rain I try to keep it under my coat or sometimes cover it with a shower cap until I want to take a photo.

[kiwidad]

I have read Leica's comments on M lenses and water.... they said it all mechanical and with high tolerances not much water should ingress and therefore its fine.. 

I remember shooting mechanical Nikons in pouring rain years ago and had to pour water off top of focussing screen. I saw Minolta maxum 9000's perish that day! 

Having said that there are all kinds of products to keep water off!

Edited July 19, 2024 by kiwidad

[MaxGor]

Leica M11 It is more rain resistant  than Fuji-XPro3.  Leica M11 did not get any humidity into the camera after shooting in rain for 2 hours, so yeah, it is pretty well made I would say.

[Al Brown]

This happens as well
 

 

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[kivis]

My M3's never failed me in light rain and drizzle. Same with the M6 and the M-A. Never tried my M10 so I can't say. M7 failed after about 20 minutes of solid rain. Leica Miami sent it back to Deutschland. It was gone for 6 weeks. Came back and worked like charm. Reasons why I love working with Leica Miami? they Gave a me free loaner (MP) and I never got a bill and that was a good 8 years ago. 👌