M11: anyone use USB-C to magnetic charging (or data) cables?

[dante]

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I was looking at the bottom of this M11M, and the USB porthole in the Artist & Artisan case (which does not have a battery flap), and it occurred to me that you could use at least a magnetic charging adapter to reduce wear and tear on the USB port. Has anyone done this long term? It does actually work for charging.

How about with one of the 7-pin circular adapters that carries data? The byproduct would be to avoid having to get this super-tight case off the camera.

I am really leery, seeing that the new packaging does not include a separate battery charger (did I miss it?), of constantly plugging and unplugging USB-C cables.

By the way, having an A&A half case for the first time since my M8, they are fantastically tough compared to Leica "camera protectors." 

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Edited March 28 by dante

[dscdsc]

don't use these type of adapters. they don't follow the USB spec and can damage your charger or device.

Edited March 29 by dscdsc

[jaapv]

MagSafe charging is designed for Apple devices only and is integrated in Apple’s proprietary protocols. Battery charging is far more than just plugging in ; your charger and battery are involved in digital communication to ensure safe charging, using charging gear not standardized to your battery may lead to battery damage, battery swelling and in the rare  worst case to fire or explosion. Don’t use , despite the probability that it might be OK. Not worth the risk  

On that note, avoid el-cheapo battery chargers as well. And use fully wired USBC data cables. 

[JNK100]

11 hours ago, dante said:

I was looking at the bottom of this M11M, and the USB porthole in the Artist & Artisan case (which does not have a battery flap), and it occurred to me that you could use at least a magnetic charging adapter to reduce wear and tear on the USB port. Has anyone done this long term? It does actually work for charging.

How about with one of the 7-pin circular adapters that carries data? The byproduct would be to avoid having to get this super-tight case off the camera.

I am really leery, seeing that the new packaging does not include a separate battery charger (did I miss it?), of constantly plugging and unplugging USB-C cables.

By the way, having an A&A half case for the first time since my M8, they are fantastically tough compared to Leica "camera protectors." 

Thanks!

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

I would buy the Leica battery charger if it were me.

[SrMi]

USB-C is apparently rated for a minimum of 10,000 cycles. That should last quite a bit.

[jaapv]

12 hours ago, dante said:

I am really leery, seeing that the new packaging does not include a separate battery charger (did I miss it?)

Nothing comes with a separate charger any more. The  excuse is the environment, but the jury is out on that, given that nobody ships their chargers in a recycled plastic bag. 

[dante]

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13 hours ago, dscdsc said:

don't use these type of adapters. they don't follow the USB spec and can damage your charger or device.

The camera regulates charging from a “dumb” connection, as do all modern devices. Regardless of which cable I tested, on a connection starting with USB-A on the charger side, it’s 5v and 1.5a draw when charging from 0, which is pretty mild.

i could see the issue with a bad USB-C PD charger that somehow delivered a higher voltage/current than the camera thought it negotiated. The manual says nothing about charging specs.

Your point on USB spec for data is well taken, since crossing a data and power line could be… bad.

D

[dante]

4 hours ago, jaapv said:

Nothing comes with a separate charger any more. The  excuse is the environment, but the jury is out on that, given that nobody ships their chargers in a recycled plastic bag. 

If this doesn’t come with a charger - and i took apart all the factory packaging from new - it’s just insane. Charging a battery in camera generates heat - the enemy of all electronics and an exacerbator of noise in CMOS sensors — unless you use a tiny wall charger that caps off at 500ma or 1A. The M11 comes with one; why wouldn’t the Monochrom?

This is also a $10k camera, so omitting a charger that costs $10 to make is absurd.

D

Edited March 29 by dante

[jaapv]

It all comes down to a fairly recent EU regulation making USBC the only charging connector allowed. As such not crazy, as it will reduce electronic waste. The telephone makers and other electronics companies used this as an excuse to provide their products without charger and just a USBC data cable. Rationale: One charger will suffice for multiple products. And separately sold chargers of course. Apple with their MagSafe thingamajig has found a profitable redundancy. 

[PeterKelly]

Managing two batteries without a stand alone charger is a pain.

I  thought the EU standard eliminated all the other USB variants and lightning charging connections but as the M11 charger is powered by a USN charger I didn’t think it applied.

If I’m right Leica just found a cunning way to charge many of us an additional US $180 for our cameras. I think they also saved a few bucks on the new packaging by eliminating the drawstring bags.

Edited March 30 by PeterKelly
Typo

[PeterKelly]

Another typo- meant to say USB C not USN 

[dscdsc]

On 3/29/2025 at 6:47 AM, jaapv said:

Nothing comes with a separate charger any more. The  excuse is the environment, but the jury is out on that, given that nobody ships their chargers in a recycled plastic bag. 

I am actually glad devices aren't coming with charging bricks. I have enough and the extra ones do end up in the garbage if I cant donate them.

[dscdsc]

On 3/29/2025 at 11:05 AM, dante said:

The camera regulates charging from a “dumb” connection, as do all modern devices. Regardless of which cable I tested, on a connection starting with USB-A on the charger side, it’s 5v and 1.5a draw when charging from 0, which is pretty mild.

i could see the issue with a bad USB-C PD charger that somehow delivered a higher voltage/current than the camera thought it negotiated. The manual says nothing about charging specs.

Your point on USB spec for data is well taken, since crossing a data and power line could be… bad.

D

the M11 negotiates PD. If you fed it "dumb" voltage it would do nothing in the best case and in worst case if would fry it. of course there is a charging circuit inside the M11 but before the power gets to that the USB PD part of the camera would have to negotiate properly first.