Leica M11-D Review by Jonathan Slack

[budparr]

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Thanks for this history!

What do you mean when you say the M11-D has...

• New well constructed EVF with bigger and brighter image (like Q2)

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[IkarusJohn]

I think he’s referring to this:

https://leica-camera.com/en-int/photography/accessories/visoflex/visoflex-2-black

 

[hdmesa]

2 hours ago, gotium said:

Is there a way to switch to electronic shutter without going into the phone app?

I saw that the hybrid shutter option is available in the app in case that helps.

[Dennis]

I’m not sure about the point of a screenless camera… just kidding! 😄

When I want to shoot like a purist, my go-to is the M10. I love it. I’ve been using it actually with a half-case that covers the screen, but to be honest, when I don’t fully trust myself, I do tend to chimp a bit. Sorry about that! That's why, I’d love to own an M11-D someday! Because I really see the point of a D camera.

Congrats to all the new owners!

[scott kirkpatrick]

Got one at the Leica Boston store.  It is lovely, and it looks like the Fotos connection will make it easy to use. A cold start without Fotos is a steep hill to climb, as all of the internal state is expressed through little red 2 or 3 letter acronyms in the viewfinder.  The M10-D just did obvious things, and didn't offer as many distractions.  The 6 page manual is not very helpful.  Will download the full one. 

[ramarren]

My interest was piqued by the M edition 60, and year or so later I bought the M-D 262. I liked it a whole lot, but what circumstances I needed to deal with that I do not remember caused me to sell it—one of my few regrets when it comes to camera equipment. Roll forward a few years and skip the M10-D ... the faux wind lever really irritated me ... and then I bought the M10 Monochrom. That one immediately soared to the top of my Leica M Like List.

Half a year later, I acquired an M10-R to have a color capable body of the same thing. And it is the same thing, and a very fine camera, to the point where the M10-R and M10 Monochrom have really and truly allowed me to ignore the M11 family entirely. I'm still quite satisfied with both. And will be for a while yet.

Along the way since, I acquired a very lovely 1946 Leica IIIc which I'm enjoying tremendously, and after an outing with my M4-2 I got the silly notion of "Hey, maybe a film M with a meter might be nice..." and an M6TTL 0.85x is on the way to me now. I had an M6TTL 0.72x once upon a time; I think the 0.85x will do me a niceness. 

So now they introduce the M11-D with that dumb faux wind lever gone and all the other goodness enhanced. Yes, you German pushers, you know the way under my skin. But Maybe In A Year Or Two .... 

Thanks for the (as usual) lovely review, Jono!  A very nice camera, for sure. I hope I last long enough to feel comfortable (and maybe a little silly as I'm quite sure I will never actually need it) acquiring one. 

G

[junix]

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14 hours ago, jonoslack said:

 

The function button is used for a number of operations:

• Resetting the camera to factory conditions

How thoughtful, for when it freezes! They really thought of everything this time.. 😀

Nice write up @jonoslack, and great photos as always!

[mboerma]

9 hours ago, jonoslack said:

It isn’t the same though. It’s the whole feel of the camera, not just the inability to chimp.

But if you want to save money, you could just tape over the screen for a few days? 

. . . . And thank you, my real intent is to entertain - the fact that you enjoyed it makes me very happy!

Best

Jono

I understand. Just teasing a bit. I'm quite good at restraining myself from chimping. No tape get's near my Leica's! Hahahaha.

Edited September 13, 2024 by mboerma

[Derbyshire Man]

Thanks Jono, nice review. I wish I was rich enough and brave enough to add one but I'm not letting my M11P or M11M go in exchange! Lovely bit of industrial design though it is.

The other issue I have is that it is very phone app dependent. I've been burnt in the past before when operating systems upgrade and manufacturers lose interest in keeping their apps working with the latest OS or apps simply break for a time. Clearly that makes the camera much more time expiring than those which are self contained.

This is why I feel it's essential for Leica to further develop the firmware to allow image and settings review and changes via a Visioflex in the medium to long term.

I simply wouldn't take the risk otherwise.

Of course if it's a purchase that one sees for a year or two none of this is a concern at all.

 

[evikne]

Thank you for another great review!

What options are hidden behind the Lens Detection menu in the Fotos app? Can you confirm that we can now manually select uncoded lenses?

I can’t see this menu when connecting to my M10, so this function will probably not be backwards compatible for M10-D owners?

[M9reno]

Great review, and good to see at the end a nice portrait of Stefan Daniel, whose influence inside Leica has been considerable.  In the absence of any better explanation, I have always thought "D" stands for Daniel in the name of this type of camera, since it was he (supposedly) who came up with the concept.  Maybe you have received inside confirmation of this, Jono, and your last image is giving the appropriate nod?

[HRJ]

23 hours ago, jonoslack said:

I think Leica have got it right and for some people it will be the only M camera they need

Good review Mr Slack. I also agree with your conclusion.

H

[elmars]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb evikne:

Thank you for another great review!

What options are hidden behind the Lens Detection menu in the Fotos app? Can you confirm that we can now manually select uncoded lenses?

I can’t see this menu when connecting to my M10, so this function will probably not be backwards compatible for M10-D owners?

I will check it later when I am home. Please remember me tomorrow if I forget it. 

[stefanusj]

Dear Jono, is M11-D's startup time (from OFF to ON) is similar to regular M11 (which is slow, because of the metering)?

Edited September 13, 2024 by stefanusj

[Jeff S]

1 hour ago, M9reno said:

Great review, and good to see at the end a nice portrait of Stefan Daniel, whose influence inside Leica has been considerable.  In the absence of any better explanation, I have always thought "D" stands for Daniel in the name of this type of camera, since it was he (supposedly) who came up with the concept.  Maybe you have received inside confirmation of this, Jono, and your last image is giving the appropriate nod?

Jeff

[elmars]

vor 47 Minuten schrieb stefanusj:

Dear Jono, is M11-D's startup time (from OFF to ON) is similar to regular M11 (which is slow, because of the metering)?

Same starting time. 

[SoarFM]

1 hour ago, stefanusj said:

Dear Jono, is M11-D's startup time (from OFF to ON) is similar to regular M11 (which is slow, because of the metering)?

M11 battery life is exceptional compared to earlier M cameras. Perhaps one  might set it to stay on permanently when power switch is on rather than sleeping after a few minutes. No surprises with delays for your camera to wake up.

Disclaimer: D models are puzzling to me. 

 

 

[elmars]

vor 8 Stunden schrieb evikne:

Can you confirm that we can now manually select uncoded lenses?

Yes, we can. I tried.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Knorp]

20 hours ago, jonoslack said:

Hi there Bart

right now I can’t tell you  (anniversary dinner with the boss and I don’t have it with me!) - (there have been some changes) but whatever it is, it’s stable and I’ve not had any freezes for a long time

I hope you’re flourishing?

All the best

Jono

I'm fine - thank you, Jono. Couldn't be happier with my M11-P at 2.1.2

Considering myself as a shameless chimping pixel peeper, the D is not for Me ... 

[jonoslack]

13 hours ago, Derbyshire Man said:

Thanks Jono, nice review. I wish I was rich enough and brave enough to add one but I'm not letting my M11P or M11M go in exchange! Lovely bit of industrial design though it is.

The other issue I have is that it is very phone app dependent. I've been burnt in the past before when operating systems upgrade and manufacturers lose interest in keeping their apps working with the latest OS or apps simply break for a time. Clearly that makes the camera much more time expiring than those which are self contained.

This is why I feel it's essential for Leica to further develop the firmware to allow image and settings review and changes via a Visioflex in the medium to long term.

I simply wouldn't take the risk otherwise.

Of course if it's a purchase that one sees for a year or two none of this is a concern at all.

 

That’s an interesting point about longevity (which I hadn’t thought aboout) - There was some talk about using the visoflex to address the M11 menu system (using the thumbwheel for select and confirm) in the end I didn’t think it was terribly important, but in the light of your comments I think it is important . . . The camera ought to be able to be operated without a phone!

Good thinking

best

Jono