Retirement/60th birthday present to myself - SL3-S or M11-P for manual lenses.

[Pangur Ban]

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I'm going to treat myself to a new Leica to accompany me on my retirement adventures, I'm planning to travel and do interesting things when I'm no longer constrained by contractual obligations. I have five Leica currently - a IIIa, an M2, M3, MP plus an M8, all of which I've owned and used for many years so I am indeed fortunate. My primary digital camera is a Sony A7ii, which I've had for ten years or more, so I think it's time for an upgrade. I am very tempted by the M11p Safari as I like the idea of a green camera, I know about the SL2-S Reporter, but that's not available new. I have a splendid set of M-mount lenses, from vintage to modern, and I'm not particularly interested in the L-mount autofocus lenses (excellent as they no doubt are), so the primary use of the new body is as a digital back to old lenses. I'm also fortunate in being able to afford either option, so the price difference is not material. What pro's and con's should I consider, for a camera I intend to use to the max for the next twenty years or more? M11P or SL3-S?  (question also posted in the M11 forum)

Edited Thursday at 07:57 PM by Pangur Ban

[jaapv]

If you are planning to use your camera for a long time I would advise you to buy an EVF camera to make you less dependent on your eyesight in the future. For the same reason I would advise a 24 MP camera as it is less demanding for focus or motion blur. that leaves the SL3S or an SL2S which is occasionally available new at a bargain price if you search a bit. There is little to choose between the 2 and the 3, it is more a matter of preferences.

[Photoworks]

I have both cameras, and my preference would be the M11p Safari!
1. The enjoyment of shooting is the best on the M cameras. 

2. If you want a camera for your M lenses, there is no great reason to go for the SL3s,  for about $2k you can buy a used SL2s, and it does not even have to be a retirement gift!
The reporter edition often looks very used, and the Kevlar does not hold up very well. I would get the regular one.

Enjoy your time off!

[Pangur Ban]

Thank you for all the responses. I popped into Leica Mayfair today and had a look at the SL3-S (I’d already seen the M11-p Safari). It was certainly bigger and heavier than expected, and I understand the SL2-S is bigger. I don’t fancy carrying that big a camera around, so it will be the M11-P. Now, do I go green or my usual chrome?

[pedaes]

2 hours ago, Pangur Ban said:

so it will be the M11-P. Now, do I go green or my usual chrome?

Congratulations and correct choice IMHO. Unless you are certain about the green, I would stick to chrome for safety (says the very happy owner of a chrome M11-P).

[Photoworks]

On 8/8/2025 at 9:22 AM, Pangur Ban said:

Thank you for all the responses. I popped into Leica Mayfair today and had a look at the SL3-S (I’d already seen the M11-p Safari). It was certainly bigger and heavier than expected, and I understand the SL2-S is bigger. I don’t fancy carrying that big a camera around, so it will be the M11-P. Now, do I go green or my usual chrome?

i would trade my M11 to safari in no time.

I always like the green Safari. It sounds like you're going to keep it some time, but if not, the Safari version keeps the value up in comparison to the regulars.

For now, i am keeping the M11 black, it is lighter and has already been my partner for years!

[robb]

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An anniversary is worthy of an M camera of some sort.  And I love my six sl2 and sl2-s bodies.

Robb