How many of you are happy with their M11-D

[Tseg]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

On 6/6/2025 at 4:48 PM, Jan Jurgensen said:

TSEG, I guess that you want to use exposure with the 2 second timer in order to avoid shaking of the camera. I use exposures from the Leica Photo app for the same purpose.

Jan

What you advise is certainly a work-around.  I think you are saying to actively use the phone if taking pics with the tripod (?).

[Advertisement]

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

[maxpower]

3 hours ago, Tseg said:

What you advise is certainly a work-around.  I think you are saying to actively use the phone if taking pics with the tripod (?).

If it's on a tripod to avoid camera shake you could also use a cable release instead of the app, right? 

[IkarusJohn]

I have the M10-D (since its release). 

In practice, I rarely use the Fotos App, or the Phocus App on my X2D.  There is really no setting that I need to change.  I do use my phone as a remote.  A lot.  That’s about it.  For context, I’ve been using my M-A, and I’m really enjoying that the only things I control (apart from ISO set for each film) is focus, aperture and shutter speed - it’s liberating.

I’m sure you can easily set the M11-D the way you want it at the outset, and never use Fotos again.  I don’t mind Auto white balance as I can change that in post, and I never use Auto ISO - there’s ISO adjustment on the top deck.  The point of the D series is you have direct control of what you need and nothing more.  The camera doesn’t need the App to function perfectly.

[JimmyCheng]

my only complaint is the slow start up time (and this can be really inconsistent too). Sometimes it takes at least 5 seconds before the first photo can be registered (it could be shorter than that but I swear it feels like an eternity). The best way is to never turn it off (then again I sometimes forget about turning it off completely ...). Overall I think the user exp is a downgrade from the m10 generation while the IQ is an upgrade. 

[D-Mavignier]

I have bought a M11-D in November '24 and really loved the camera. Screenless is the way to go and eventually you may end up with a visoflex 2 which I really can recommend if you feel at some point that you do need a screen. the camera is amazing and battery life is perfekt. weight as well. but the entire M11 series has flaws with the firmware. unbelievable and upsetting. I had serious issues with freezes at the beginning and a month ago when shooting a general rehearsal for a theatre with two cameras, the M11-D just stopped working with a message that the battery was empty and had to be replaced. in the heat of the moment on a paid job, I did not have time to deal with it and just continued shooting with my Hasselblad but later had to find out that the battery in reality had 70% charge left. the new latest firmware update from august 2nd mentioned exactly this problem. Damn you Leica for giving us amazing cameras that are unfinished products so that the ownership turns you into a mid stage user testing. so with a sad heart but great relieve I have just sold the wonderfully flawed M11-D with the great arte di Mano half case. all I have left is now a soft release button and that visoflex 2. (And my analog 4x5 Chamonix H1/ Mamiya 6). looking back I have to say, the M11-D as a camera design is amazing but the technology has too many issues. There are also 3 points I didn't like:

1. Start up time is ca 3 Seconds average and this takes way too long. Even if you keep the camera in stand by it takes almost as long. sometimes it takes even longer.

2. Camera shake because of the high resolution. You have to use higher speed to avoid camera shake and even if you turn to 18mp you still need to photograph at 1/125th or ideally higher to be sure that you don't create the shake. it is no problem to use higher iso but I don't like that you are forced to do so to avoid a camera shake enhanced by the high res.

3. The files are a bit soulless and too perfect but maybe I am biased because I do large and medium format photography and getting to love the look of film. I could not get out of the digital files the feel that I did get out of M10 generation files and earlier cameras. 

In summery the M11 is a new technical development and a first generation of open sensor style digital M's. I could image we will look back like on the M8 cameras. So in hindsight no, I would absolutely not recommend an M11-D or any M11 type camera. Stay away if you can resist it. it has too many flaws and the files are too flawless. But if you have one, get an arte di Mano case. it is quite wonderful and I am more sad to loose the case than the camera.

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!

Edited August 5 by D-Mavignier

[elmars]

vor 31 Minuten schrieb D-Mavignier:

1. Start up time is ca 3 Seconds average and this takes way too long. Even if you keep the camera in stand by it takes almost as long. sometimes it takes even longer.

Set the standby time to 30 or 60 min. The You will have no problems with wake up or startup time. The battery capacity ist good enough for that.

vor 31 Minuten schrieb D-Mavignier:

2. Camera shake because of the high resolution. You have to use higher speed to avoid camera shake and even if you turn to 18mp you still need to photograph at 1/125th or ideally higher to be sure that you don't create the shake. it is no problem to use higher iso but I don't like that you are forced to do so to avoid a camera shake enhanced by the high res.

This is a myth. Please read here:

 

vor 31 Minuten schrieb D-Mavignier:

3. The files are a bit soulless and too perfect but maybe I am biased because I do large and medium format photography and getting to love the look of film. I could not get out of the digital files the feel that I did get out of M10 generation files and earlier cameras. 

Things like this were said since the first CMOS days (Leica M240). It was not true back then. Nobody can tell the difference between a CCD and a CMOS sensor if You get used to the slightly different post processing. The M10 sensor is a bit different in post Processing to the M11 sensor (but not as mach as the difference between CCD and CMOS). But You can get used to it too.

Edited August 5 by elmars

[D-Mavignier]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Stand by time - yes that is an option. Still there is the moment when you engage the camera and turn it on and it is quite unacceptable. I don't know any other camera that needs that long. I have not experienced the CCD CMOS difference personally. all I can say is that I have to work the M11 files a lot to get out the look I want and I am quite happy to say good bye to the M11 now and shooting film again and a X2D for client work. But to each their own. 

[elmars]

vor 6 Stunden schrieb D-Mavignier:

Still there is the moment when you engage the camera and turn it on and it is quite unacceptable.

You're right. I've been saying that to Leica people since the M240 (the M9 still started up immediately). I just wanted to show you a way to deal with the slow start-up.

[Smogg]

6 hours ago, D-Mavignier said:

Stand by time - yes that is an option. Still there is the moment when you engage the camera and turn it on and it is quite unacceptable. I don't know any other camera that needs that long. I have not experienced the CCD CMOS difference personally. all I can say is that I have to work the M11 files a lot to get out the look I want and I am quite happy to say good bye to the M11 now and shooting film again and a X2D for client work. But to each their own. 

The X2D is a great camera that takes better photos in terms of color and quality, but... it is noticeably larger than the M11 and most importantly it does not have an OVF. As a result, shooting with these cameras is completely different. When I absolutely need perfect quality, I will take the X2D. But 90 percent of the time I use the M11, it is light, compact and in it I see a living scene. The M11 does not depend on contrast, I always see details in highlights and shadows. I can only use cameras with EVF in cloudy weather with low-contrast scenes. DSLRs have almost disappeared from the market (and frankly they were huge compared to the M), the widespread transition to mirrorless cameras left the Leica M almost the only tool with an OVF.

[Jacobjuul]

On 8/5/2025 at 12:00 AM, JimmyCheng said:

my only complaint is the slow start up time (and this can be really inconsistent too). Sometimes it takes at least 5 seconds before the first photo can be registered (it could be shorter than that but I swear it feels like an eternity). The best way is to never turn it off (then again I sometimes forget about turning it off completely ...). Overall I think the user exp is a downgrade from the m10 generation while the IQ is an upgrade. 

Exactly the same experience regarding startup time (on all of the M11 platform). The M9 is near instant in comparison and thus that’s the one that I bring on vacation since having the M11 “always on” is not practical in such a scenario

[SrMi]

12 hours ago, Jacobjuul said:

Exactly the same experience regarding startup time (on all of the M11 platform). The M9 is near instant in comparison and thus that’s the one that I bring on vacation since having the M11 “always on” is not practical in such a scenario

Why not? You can put it to sleep automatically, and it wakes up quickly from sleep.

[Smogg]

1 hour ago, SrMi said:

Why not? You can put it to sleep automatically, and it wakes up quickly from sleep.

This is actually convenient and I have long been accustomed to it. There is only one small drawback in the constantly on camera, which hangs around the neck: the exposure compensation wheel has to be turned off and this function can only be done by clicking on the wheel, since the wheel is subject to accidental shift. As a result, one functional button is lost.

[marchyman]

13 hours ago, SrMi said:

and it wakes up quickly from sleep.

"Quickly" is subjective. That said I mostly agree with you.

It takes about 4 seconds from power on to be ready to shoot.  I'm ready in about 2 seconds.  The delay is annoying.  Especially when I want to look at some camera setting.  My first jab at the menu button is always too early.  Perhaps if I had live view on by default I'd have a better feel as to when the camera was ready.

Waking from sleep falls into the 2 second range.  Better, but faster would be better still.  I have my sleep setting set to two minutes.  I should probably change that to a longer value given camera battery use.  I think I'll try 10 minutes and see if I notice the difference.

[marchyman]

Didn't notice this was an M11-D thread.  My above comment regarding live view obviously doesn't make any sense in the context of a D.

[Jacobjuul]

On 8/7/2025 at 6:32 AM, SrMi said:

Why not? You can put it to sleep automatically, and it wakes up quickly from sleep.

strange, I've tried that but didn't notice a noticeable improvement. I'll give it a try again. Two seconds is still far from the speed of the m9 but faster than the m10 (from off)

[SrMi]

On 8/7/2025 at 11:31 AM, marchyman said:

"Quickly" is subjective. That said I mostly agree with you.

It takes about 4 seconds from power on to be ready to shoot.  I'm ready in about 2 seconds.  The delay is annoying.  Especially when I want to look at some camera setting.  My first jab at the menu button is always too early.  Perhaps if I had live view on by default I'd have a better feel as to when the camera was ready.

Waking from sleep falls into the 2 second range.  Better, but faster would be better still.  I have my sleep setting set to two minutes.  I should probably change that to a longer value given camera battery use.  I think I'll try 10 minutes and see if I notice the difference.

My mistake. What I meant is:

Menu / Camera Settings / Power saver mode

- Camera Standby set to Off or 30 min

- Display Standby set to 30 seconds

[Tseg]

1 hour ago, SrMi said:

My mistake. What I meant is:

Menu / Camera Settings / Power saver mode

- Camera Standby set to Off or 30 min

- Display Standby set to 30 seconds

There is no Display Standby setting on the M11-D, other than Auto-Review settings for the Visoflex 2.

[Jacobjuul]

On 8/9/2025 at 10:38 PM, SrMi said:

My mistake. What I meant is:

Menu / Camera Settings / Power saver mode

- Camera Standby set to Off or 30 min

- Display Standby set to 30 seconds

Thank you. I thought I was going insane as I saw absolutely no difference in cold start vs waking up from power save mode. I still prefer the M9 for travel where the main focus is not taking photos because I can use it all day on one battery. 
 

turning off the display would probably be lost on me since I never have it on anyway 

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[FlashGordonPhotography]

On 8/5/2025 at 7:23 PM, elmars said:

Set the standby time to 30 or 60 min. The You will have no problems with wake up or startup time. The battery capacity ist good enough for that.

This is a myth. Please read here:

 

Things like this were said since the first CMOS days (Leica M240). It was not true back then. Nobody can tell the difference between a CCD and a CMOS sensor if You get used to the slightly different post processing. The M10 sensor is a bit different in post Processing to the M11 sensor (but not as mach as the difference between CCD and CMOS). But You can get used to it too.

This has never been an issue for me. I always switch my camera off. As I reach for it I pull the p;ower switch. By the time the camera is at my eye and I've focused it's ready immediately. M's do force us to bend to their will a bit so all you need is a small amount of muscle memory retraining.

Gordon

[pgh]

On 8/5/2025 at 5:23 AM, elmars said:

This is a myth. Please read here

What is it in this thread that makes you confident to say this is a myth? You’ve posted it on multiple threads now and it’s been incorrect each time. User experiences are not myths and stating such a thing is a weird gaslighting tactic for a forum. You can say it’s not something you’ve experienced, that’s fine - but stating no one does is pathological.