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 August 7 by Pangur Ban

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[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

[Oxfordian]

I may be a bit late to the party but just in case the cash hasn't been splashed or the plastic flex'd then I would offer this.

As you get older your body doesn't work as well as it used to, your ability to hold a camera steady whilst not an issue today starts to become more difficult in the many tomorrows that you'll hopefully enjoy, your eyesight which is not an issue at the moment becomes less sure of its self and those occasional missed shots start to increase.

You're right the SL series is a big beast compared to a svelte M camera, but it has some of the tools that you may find of use tomorrow, IBIS and AF, and having just celebrated my 64th I know that keeping a camera steady is not as easy for me today as it was yesterday.

I agree that the Sony needs an upgrade (and maybe the M8 - shock and horror from M8 owners) but I would urge you not to dismiss the benefits of Leica's SL series too quickly, and you may also want to consider a Q3 whether in 28 or 43 guise, this is my most used Leica, excellent quality and more than adequate for 85-90% of my digital photography, and along with my MP the pair make a very nice travel set.

My kit bag has analogue cameras from Leica - MP and Nikon - FM2n + FA, digital is the aforementioned Q3 and a SL2 plus a small selection of lenses and adapters for the analogue lenses.

It is obviously your call to decide how the money is spent and on which camera, whatever you do enjoy your photography.

[BWColor]

I just upgraded my Hasselblad X2D to the X2Dii.  These cameras appealed more to me than the SL series.  Size and weight are comparable to the SL.  I believe that the SL-4 will slim down a bit and Leica is starting to design smaller lenses with closer minimum focus, so I suspect there will be a size advantage to the SL in the future compared to the Hasselblad.  I also don’t need lenses outside of the 35 equivalent of 21mm-90mm.  So, your needs regarding focal length may differ.  Within the last month I also purchased a new M6 and M-A..will be selling lots of ‘M’ gear to fund.  The advantage of ‘M’ is size and simplicity.  These are especially appreciated when traveling with your kit stuffed below the passenger seat in front of you.  The real down side of the ‘M’ for retirement travel is the water sealing..or lack of.. here the SL-3 cameras are the winner.

So, simple advice.  Wait until October and see what the new M11 brings.   For me, I’ve done most of my traveling with an M11M and an X2D.  Great B&W and wonderful colors.

[ALScott]

I say buy what you will enjoy for as long as you can enjoy it.  Who knows you may nail focus with an M on your death bed so go for it if that's what you are leaning toward.  The fun of life is about change and adjusting.  If the M isn't working for you in 5 or 10 years you can trade all of that for SL series bodies and lenses.  I say this as a mega planner for everything.... except photography.  Do what you want now, love it for as long as you can then adjust as needed and rock on.  I sold my black M11P only to get the Safari and it gives me a tremendous amount of joy every time I pick it up.  Not one bit of regret in making that move, as silly as it was at the end of the day.