NEW: Leica M11 and Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH. as Glossy Black Edition

[LUF Admin]

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Leica presents the M11 and Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH. in a glossy black edition.

• Leica M11 glossy black edition (£ 7,900 / €8,950 / $9,195)
• Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH. in a glossy black edition (£7,200 / €7,900 / $8,295)

Already available for pre-order at B&H: Leica M11 | Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2

NEW: Leica presents the M11 and Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH. in a glossy black edition.

These editions of the rangefinder camera and extraordinary prime lens encapsulate iconic Leica design with their coveted paint finish.

Wetzlar, 21st of November 2024. Leica Camera AG presents the Leica M11 and the renowned Leica Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH. lens with an elegant glossy black finish. The M-System is synonymous with the Leica brand like nothing else, and these designs celebrate the timeless aesthetic and remarkably intricate craftsmanship that have set Leica apart for decades. Deeply intertwined with the long-established company’s heritage, rangefinder cameras tell a revolutionary story that began in 1954 with the Leica M3. Unique and exclusive design variants have existed for almost as long as the M-Camera itself. This variant’s glossy black paint finish is the purest and strongest expression of the classic Leica look, as, through years of frequent use, the camera finish evolves, partly exposing the brass that lies beneath. Little by little, this creates a distinctive patina that tells each user’s individual story. 1962 saw the first appearance of the Leica M3 with this elegant finish, which was met with great enthusiasm.

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The new edition of the Leica M11 combines the series model’s cutting-edge technology with classic design elements. Accordingly, the camera’s brass top plate, dials and on/off switch feature a glossy black paint finish. Additional elegant touches include the “Leica” engraved in a seamless stroke on the top plate and the glossy silver chromed shutter button, whose design recalls the historic M-Camera. Careful attention to detail is also reflected in the intricate cross knurling on the time and ISO dials. Finally, the red Leica dot has been consciously removed to underline the M-Camera’s cultivated subtlety — a change appreciated by photographers around the world.

Leica Camera AG is also introducing a glossy black edition of the Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH. lens. This makes the classic lens, which is available separately, a perfect visual match for the M-Camera with its glossy black paint finish. This design variant of the lens is based on the series model, which became famous for its high image quality and light intensity, as well as its unmistakable bokeh. The new variant features a round lens hood, front and rear lens caps with a glossy black paint finish, and a red “feet” scale.

Three premium M accessories crafted from high-quality cowhide leather are getting a stylish new colour option. From 21st November, the adjustable carrying strap, the M11 protector and the M-System case will be available in taupe.

The recommended retail price for the Leica M11 glossy black is £7,900.00 / €8,950.00 including VAT. The recommended retail price for the glossy black Leica Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH. is £7,200.00 / €7,900.00 including VAT. Both products are available now worldwide in all Leica stores, in the Leica Online Store and at specialist retailers.

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[maxpower]

I was curious if they'd actually call it Black Paint since they already used that for the regular black M11's this time - but Glossy Black is not a great sounding name, have they used it before? 

It's an interesting choice to base it on the M11 and not the P, the specs sheet (when I looked at it) was seemingly not updated to include this variant but that would mean 64gb internal storage, no sapphire display, and of course no content credentials? Think that will be disappointing to a lot of people.

Still, it does look great. I don't think I'd add it to my collection personally but hopefully whoever does will enjoy it for years to come! 

Edited November 21, 2024 by maxpower

[SnapJimmy]

I am surprised to see how similar it looks to the M10-R BP. In the past, black paint digital Leicas like the M8.2, M9-P, M-P, M-D, and M10-R have always had distinct and authentic differences. This one feels like it strays from that tradition.

[jacksbenjamin]

I personally am very excited to see this glossy paint or “black paint” M11 version, it’s just a fantastic look and love the patina that shapes out over time.
 

To the the fine folks here — if you could choose between the M10R BP (which I believe was limited to 1500 or 2000 units) OR this M11 Black Paint, which would you go for?

I currently own the M10R BP and of course love it, but the added resolution, USB C, 64GB memory, and image stabilized live view are big pluses to me. I have owned an M11 before but sold it because I appreciate the M10R BP and did not want redundancies.

Anyhow, love to know your thoughts from such a group that truly appreciates all sides of Leica and how we collect and sell them. 
 

🙏🏻 // BEN JACKS

http://www.ben-jacks.com

Edited November 21, 2024 by jacksbenjamin

[Big John]

So it is Brass - not aluminium?

[6DJ8]

The specs are confusing as one place it says magnesium and brass and in another it reads like the regular M11 with aluminum top plate.

So, @jacksbenjamin I have an M10-R BP as well (and an M11-P) and have not decided yet if I can give up either for the reasons you mentioned. However, I was waiting for the M11-P Black Paint as that would be the best of both worlds. I want the 256GB and the Sapphire glass plus content authentication of the P so for now I'm going to wait and see out this settles out. Shame Leica could not just go with the M10 tradition and black-paint the newest, highest spec variant, sheesh.

[hdmesa]

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24 minutes ago, Big John said:

So it is Brass - not aluminium?

Brass camera. Aluminum lens.

[jakontil]

Welcome brassk

too bad the lens not in brass too..otherwise gonna be the sickest lens of century 

[Kickstand]

Surely it is really an M11-P Black Paint and they have botched the spec pages. It has the engraving on top and no red dot so I would be astounded if this new premium camera lacked the internal upgrades of the M11.

Also I noticed "Brass top plate" listed. Could this mean it would weigh more than the M11 but less than an M10 if the rest of the body is aluminum? Brassing would look uneven compared to the bottom plate though I suppose.

Either way - dream camera material. I will never understand why Leica have opted for the Black Chrome finish as standard now. This looks so much nicer.

[pedaes]

1 minute ago, Kickstand said:

Surely it is really an M11-P Black Paint

Don't think so. The price is lower than M11-P.

[6DJ8]

Features tab:

• The black-finish variant of the Leica M11 features a top plate made of high-quality aluminum with a scratch-resistant coating, making it 20% lighter than its silver chrome counter part

Technical Specs tab:

Material

Full-metal housing made of magnesium and brass, leatherette cover

[steamboat]

Last glossy black paint Leica I saw was the LHSA M6. Wow was it glossy. And - wow - did it collect fingerprints.  Does anybody know if this is the same glossy black? I own two black paint cameras and would love a new one but am hesitant on “glossy”.  Well, my bank account is also hesitant but money spent on Leicas I’ve always considered funny-money.  ‘Hope all of you are well and making lots of photographs. 📷

[Mahesh]

27 minutes ago, Kickstand said:

Surely it is really an M11-P Black Paint and they have botched the spec pages. It has the engraving on top and no red dot so I would be astounded if this new premium camera lacked the internal upgrades of the M11.

Also I noticed "Brass top plate" listed. Could this mean it would weigh more than the M11 but less than an M10 if the rest of the body is aluminum? Brassing would look uneven compared to the bottom plate though I suppose.

Either way - dream camera material. I will never understand why Leica have opted for the Black Chrome finish as standard now. This looks so much nicer.

640 grams according to b&h camera

[stephengv]

What would be the effect on the lens if it is not brass but with glossy black paint on aluminum as it aged?
Will the paint chip easily and reveal the aluminum easily, compared to anodized black? 

[lincoln_m]

Wait, what's the weight of this combo?

If the glossy black M11 is brass then it's the same weight as the M11 Silver = 640g (with battery). Leica haven't updated the Technical Data (spec sheet) to show the Glossy Black variant's weight.

The lens must also be brass ( so the glossy paint sticks) if it's also glossy black (with red instead of orange feet scale) and so will be about 100g heavier than the standard anodised aluminium black chrome. But the Leica Technical data for the Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 Asph doesn't give the lens' weight. So the closest in weight might be the old silver 50mm Summilux ASPH brass body, but again my archive of Leica Lens Spec sheets from 2011 doesn't show the weight of the silver (brass body) version 50 Summilux ASPH either. The old data sheet gives the weight of the anodised aluminium black as 335g. Adding 100g as a rough estimate that would make the new glossy black Noctilux-M f/1.2 weigh about 440g ? Perhaps more as the glass is wider but then again fewer elements than the Summilux.

M11 glossy 640g

50mm Noctilux f/1.2. ~440g

Total ~1080g so that's why they don't give the weight of this heavy combo!

 

M11 black chrome 530g

50 Summilux Asph anodised aluminium black/silver new close focus. 377g

Total 907g (173g lighter, ~ 6oz than the above glossy black combo and the Summilux Asph is sharper too)

[6DJ8]

Leica Store Miami comparison tab of the M11 Glossy Black vs M10-R, so only 20 grams lighter than an M10-R.

 

Weight (glossy black finish)

640 grams

660 grams

[SnapJimmy]

The bottom part of the bottom plate doesn’t quite look like “glossy black paint on brass” to me—it has a slightly plasticky feel. Perhaps only the sides of the bottom plate are truly finished in black paint?

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[jacksbenjamin]

@6DJ8 — indeed logic would have put the M11-P first in line to become a special Black Paint version. It could be that sales are not what Leica expected for the M11 and thus a BP version helps with a boost, it could also be be a good litmus test to see how much the market craves black paint, which it clear does. I think I am leaning towards M11-BP.

@SnapJimmy I think you hit it exactly, the baseplate looks like BP wrapped on edges but bottom is clearly matte finish like original Black m11.

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[snz]

So it's a black paint M11, but not a black paint M11P?

[hdmesa]

16 minutes ago, jacksbenjamin said:

... the baseplate looks like BP wrapped on edges but bottom is clearly matte finish like original Black m11.

https://leicacamerausa.com/leica-m11-in-glossy-black-finish.html

 

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