Hi, do keep us updated on the status of your M11, I was thinking of buying one. But, I think I'll shelve the idea for a while, until the problems or issues of the M11 have been fixed...
I keep coming back to your reviews, for many reasons but for one over most; you’re calm, charming and have what we’d call in the UK ‘the Oxford manner’. Take that to mean, you play with ideas gracefully, and without prejudice either way. Nice work.
My M11 shutter got stuck 90 percent closed during a wedding shoot. Luckily my SL2 kept going. Leica did do a great job of getting it repaired and returned. Nonetheless, it shouldn't have happened to begin with at that price point.
my recent purchase of the m11 and 50apo has shaken me to the core. I enjoy these sharp, moody, and punchy images far more than I imagined. I am selling all of my other gear not because its not great, I just don't want to use it. I get it now.
I’m loving my m11 as well. The unexpected benefit of being able to use the m11 for landscape / cityscape as well was amazing. Actually the Leica m11 grip was way better than I expected and the arca Swiss rail was very welcome. I usually pair the m11 with my q2 Monochrom to cover terrible weather so I haven’t really stopped shooting on my near daily trips after or before work in Toronto. Sorry to hear about your m11 failure. I’ve travelled with mine and taken over 3000+ frames with mechanical shutter, no issues so far.
As my black M11 failed, I’m curious to know if yours is a silver or black model? A friend of mine got a black M11 a few days after I got mine and it failed as well… I’m just curious. My replacement M11 was supposed to turn up today, but there was a problem to apparently I’ll get it tomorrow, but I’ve ordered another black one, so fingers crossed it’s good. The only logical reasons I can thing of for the apparent issues with the black ones could be down to less thermal mass to distribute heat… but that’s a real long shot. Or maybe there made on a different line.
@@marcusoutdoors4999 I have a black M11. Mine came in the second or third shipping wave so it’s possible the early batches are more prone to a systemic failure. At least Leica will look after you but it does take a while. I’ve had my M typ 246 getting CLA’ed and a lcd glass cover replaced for 5 weeks not including the shipping delays in German customs (3 weeks). I have an M10 Monochrom now because of it.
My replace the M11 is apparently on it’s way from Germany as I write, failed after about 200 shots. Interestingly a photo journalist friend of mine got his M11 as well, you guessed it, yep it packed in too. A bit disconcerting. The camera is fabulous in every single way when it works so I’ll stick with it. I really do hope the replacements don’t fail too, if they do, Leica has a serious problem as the M11 is their flagship
Sorry to hear that this has happened to you. A similar story to my M11, it died after about 1600 exposures, I had it repaired & offloaded it. I'm back to using my M10 (vers.1) & Monochrom1. As you very correctly said it's just not worth getting bent out of shape over 1st world problems.
I am loving my M11 too. I am using the Voigtlander 50mm apo lanther; love it. I am also shooting the Q2M because it is not a heavy kit, and I love shooting the Q2M. I am waiting for the Visioflex 2. Overall, the M11 is a great camera. Thanks for convincing me to jump into the Leica pool.
I feel sorry for you. I can see the disappointment in your face. The M10R is awesome. I know you almost bought it… I love it so much every day. I bought it last year and it has been 100% flawless… I got the black paint edition. The 40MP sensor is amazing. I just paired it with my first Leica lens, the 50 Summicron (v5). It’s all the camera I would ever need. For the ISO I just press MENU and it’s there in my favorites. I’m mostly on auto ISO anyway. I think 40MP is enough for anyone. At 60MP it starts to have issues with lenses as you say and also with camera shake. Not necessary. Also the M10R is mature and no problems. It’s been solid as a rock. We love Leica and we want to forgive it when things go wrong, but for a $9,000 little rangefinder to last 1,000 frames and then die would make me never to want to buy a Leica again.
Seriously nice camera!!! I’m shooting with the M11P. And like you I’m knocked out by the stellar image quality. Additionally, the lack of post required. Many of the images are spot on straight out of the camera.
I used to buy from KEH but have since moved on to MPB in NYC. And, finally, Hugh, if you can't find Black M11's, you're not trying hard enough (I had no problem finding two of them & have had zero issues w/mine).
Sorry to hear about your M11 mine is still going strong thankfully. It’s the first real Leica I’ve owned it’s replace a Fuji GFX 100 for my landscape work. I just love it. The issue with shortage of stock is not just a Leica issue. I bought a Sony A1 just over 12 months ago after a 4 wait. It only now that there constantly in stock.
I'm tempted to blame you completely Good Sir. ;) The longest version of the story may start back in the late 90's with a Leica Sales Rep. (so he might deserve part of the blame.) The slightly less long version involves several surgeries, a need to schlep less kit around for work, an X-pro3, and several of your videos. The short version is that I'm now sitting in my office staring at a 21mm Super-Elmar-M f3.4 ASPH, a Visoflex-2, and an spare battery. At the same time waiting for my new best friend, the FedEx driver, to deliver my (thrice delayed) M11 and Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 ASPH fle. Further notices as events warrant...
I have seen a few other videos where the m11 failed early on. Considering the low production numbers, and long replacement times, it must be frustrating for owners.
Wow, all those failures. As a percentage of units sold, the numbers must be off the scale. I totally understand why people rave about the Leica experience and I’d love to try one, but a failure rate for such a high-priced product like that would be enough to kill any other camera (and maybe even the company that made them). Leica are very lucky that the people who buy their cameras are so tolerant!
Agreed. High Price, Precision and Quality. Just don’t understand why so many issues. The quality control, R&D and service should be second to none. I was looking forward to a monochrom, but just worried now as if there is something wrong and have issues with getting fixed swapped out.
About reliability? I used to own M9 for a couple of years, many problems, sometimes can't shoot (shutter locked), sometimes problems with SD card, batteries with short lifespan, then the sensor corrosion problem, which happened after the period for a free exchange. Also the rangefinder got knocked out of adjustment more easily (or with the digital sensor more visibly?) than on my M2... you really need to handle it like the most fragile instrument, which also means you can't focus on taking pictures, you focus on sensitively handling the camera - and I say that as someone who has never broken any other piece of electronic equipment, no lens or body from other manufacturer (dozens of Nikon cameras, film and digital, countless Nikon lenses, two digital Fujifilm cameras + lenses, now 8 years without a problem). I've also owned many relatively-recent Leica lenses, even some of the most expensive ones (-Lux ASPH, MATE, WATE...), and many of them were riddled with repeated problems... for example: lots of dust getting into the Summarit-M 35/2.5 and also its aperture ring loosening, integrated hood falling off Summilux 50/1.4 ASPH (poor construction, problem of many users), stiff focusing on Tri-Elmar MATE + sometimes not triggering correct framelines (again, well known problems), etc. The lenses are sometimes calibrated from the factory differently than the bodies => you put a new lens on a new body and it back focuses or front focuses and you have to send them for calibration together, ideally with your other lenses. Since the lenses have no way to be easily adjusted at home, and you can only adjust the camera, once you have one lens that focuses differently from the rest of your lenses, you're without a camera and that lens for many months. Also, despite the "Leica brand image" of optical perfection, some of the older lenses are optically clearly inferior to modern non-Leica lenses, either M-mount or for other mounts, and actually some are not really significantly better than their contemporary manual focus alternatives from Nikon, Canon or Minolta. To make things worse, there are no authorised Leica repairshops in my country (Czech Republic), and universal repair shops are scared working on Leicas because you need special tools and everything is very fragile. The only solution to above problems is to send them to Germany, which I did; the repair time for a bunch of lenses was in my case over half a year (May 2017 till February 2018), and as I said, it didn't take long for some problems with them appear again. Now I'm only using my old Leica M2 that I can clean and calibrate myself (while doing that I always get angry about German over-engineering and over-complicating everything; the pre-M Leicas were exercise in minimalism and clever construction; I hate working on M-models), with many Voigtlander, Zeiss and one TTArtisan lenses, and finally I'm somehow satisfied. While reading various user forums I also keep noticing there are problems with all their digital bodies, including M11, so I'll possibly never switch to a digital Leica... I don't trust their engineering. After many years of use NONE of my non-Leica lenses suffer from any problem, and Voigtlanders and Zeisses are calibrated the same, making it easy to adjust camera to them; and the cheap Chinese TTArtisan lens can be calibrated to focus the same as the rest (btw on black&white film in real world conditions I can't tell the difference between it and the Summilux 50/1.4 ASPH). Why Leica can't achieve that level of quality and QC for ten times the price? That's something I really don't get. Maybe they don't really care. Quite possibly the brand is just a cash cow for its investors, and big part of the users are folks who do not really care (notice) image quality, they're rich people using the cameras as point and shoots (or only as a necklace at social gatherings). And the pros? Around 2005, before I owned Leica myself, I met with two Leica ambassadors and none of them used Leica as their real main camera, citing problems similar to my future experience... go figure... I shoot Leica for the love of the rangefinder experience and the small dimensions, otherwise I would be back shooting Nikons like ever before... I have a collection of most film bodies they've ever made; some in really poor condition, all of them still working without any CLA.
@@kotwa I was looking at a Monochrom or Q3 Monochrom when it comes out. However I cannot buy anything that is going to be low quality over high price. I have a Sony A7R3 and never had a problem with sensor corrosion. I am just mystified that the QC is not above top notch.
@@kotwa I also have an M9. Leica replaced rhe sensor 7 years after I bought it, and kept replacing them for another several years after that. If you couldn't figure out you had corrosion and send it in within 10 years of purchase, that's not Leica's fault.
Hugh, I checked your video only after getting my M11 (black) on 9/30/22 and having it frequently lock up. I've reported this to Leica through the Fotos app and have also alerted my dealer here in Minnesota, but so far no response. Seems to lock up only with non-Leica (i.e., non-coded) lenses. My usual lens is the Voigtländer 50 APO, but it also locks up with an older non-coded Summicron 35 that I dial in manually in the menu. Hasn't locked up with any of my coded lenses. I've read below that this issue isn't occurring with the silver, but that makes no sense, as I can't imagine the electronics are any different between the two body types.
I bought a used m10 to possibly replace my x-pro3. I couldn’t get over the weight and ergonomics. Like hanging a hard edged block of brass on my shoulder. Also unless pixel peeping I couldn’t see a big difference in RAW images. They were different, but could not really say one was better, just a matter of taste and editing style. Also it was low shutter count and the lock ring on the bottom plate was loose and always hanging down and a constant annoyance. Just seems like an $8000 camera would be flawless after a few years of extremely light used. Also the accessories were made in China you outrageous in price to replace. It’s definitely a ‘Rolex’ type product these days. If I get into film I would look into a vintage one, but not impressed at all with the m10. I wanted a Leica in part because of the gimmick of the back ‘Film box’ display on the x-pro3 is very stupid, but that bottom ‘Film cover’ is just as bad. The lighter m11 in black may be viable in few years when the prices match the product closer. I’ll revisit that unless Fuji makes a real rangefinder and not move production to China. I still don’t understand why the m10 is so much heavier than the m9, almost 100 grams. Maybe the extra milling cost is too much on a $8000 camera lol.
I never buy the current model. Yang my MP240 and it provides incredible images and it’s arguably the most reliable digital Leica ever made. Not much incentive to “upgrade”. Maybe an M10-R in a couple years.
Your right! Getting upset is a waste. But I thought the whole idea of Leica Camera was the best quality control humanly possible and cameras that last a lifetime. I bought one of those M 28 mm matte black lenses and the telescoping hood was stuck in the un-telescoped position right out of the box. Have yet to unstick it. I am upset about that, and that lens is much less expensive than my M11. If my M11 dies while new, I will really be upset. And taking forever to service the customer! It ain't right!
Hi Hugh, your complaint about the grip for the Leica CL reminded me to recommend the Haoge HG-CLB Hand Grip which has a cut-out to allow access to the battery and SD card (especially easy for those with slender fingers and strong nails) 😄
Sorry to hear that your M11 went "kaputt" ! I upgraded early on from an M10-R to M11 which made the M11 kind of "affordable". Mine is still working well ( touch on wood ). Beyond what you listed on the Pros side I would like to add the versatility of the multi-resolution sensor. Which brings me to the one "Con" I found: the 60 megapixel resolution. While the sensor delivers fabulous quality, I find that I have to chose much higher speeds to get a shot without shake... IBIS would be a much needed feature here, but I am not complaining. The Leica M11 is a joy to behold and use, none the less.
I hear you Hugh. The M11 intrigues me, maybe a pick up down a long NYC road. But jeeez my SL2 with the 24-90 and 75mm APO has been killing it lately. Oh and my arm is in a sling from hefting the 90-280 lol. But I made the cover for my editor shooting the recent Westminster Dog show using that bazooka. Love me some Leica but my side chick Fuji is blushing.
Great video as usual. Very concerning, at that price, with all that heritage, all that build quality, to hear of a unit failure. I'd love to watch a video entitled, 'Leica... the ultimate expression of G.A.S.... discuss."
Hey, first thanks for the informative video. Have buyed a M10-R ith Summilux M 50mm 1:1.4, brand new Dec. 17, 2022 The camera has problems with shutter ( was to repair, problem not solved, sometimes the camera takes no picture, seldom but not ok, i think... ) iso ( sometimes have to shot iso 16.000 in situations my analog camera (voigtlaender bessamatic, 1962(!) works with Septon 50mm 1:2.0 at iso 50(!) just fine... You can not shot in sun direction, sensor could be damaged... Even with minimal backlight, you can no longer stick to the specified exposure values. I use the rangefinder, not live view (is a bit better). weather (no dust, no rain, no wind or sensor will, maybe , dusty ) This camera costs 8.350 € has had 1457 shots on it, but sold as brand new, via Leica Store, online... My voigtlaender, 60 Yeas old , or even my canon ftb 47 years old) have not the image quality,but.... they take always the picture if i press the shutter and iso is always precise. That was my first experiment with Leica... And... if I saved enough money i will go to Hasselblad... But, oddly enough, I kind of love my Leica. When it works, and everything works properly, it takes great photos... Sorry for me extrem bad english.
Your English is infinitely better than my language skills for yours (whatever that may be). Please do not settle -- get that camera 100% squared away by Leica!
Thank You! I phoned to Leica technican, I can bring the camera on early morning and hopefully get it repaired back on afternoon same day. Therefore I must travel to Leica. I have done this before but the failures still exist. The errors may be difficult to find or understand because they occur so rarely. However, after the third unsuccessful attempt to repair the camera in Germany, I can return it for a 100% refund of the purchase price. I would prefer the camera to work 100% ;-) My primary language is German, but i had „Latin Roman“ in school , totaly forgotten, except „Ergo bibamus“ :-D
Based on both your videos I got an M11 my first digital rangefinder! I am over the moon. The 60 mp sensor allows me to crop without significant quality loss at 9x11 prints. This turns my 35 prime into a variable lens, the same for the 90 mm prime. Thanks for your great content!
I think get Hasselblad X2D with 38mm first make more sense and more versatile than M11 but is it a fun camera or just like any mirrorless camera where it do most thing for you?
I bought an M10R early 2021 for $8K. While I'd like an M11, the final cost is a taste over $10K (M11, Grip and Viso). Trade in value for my M10R and Grip might be $6K. For now I'll pass and read of others joy with this new M. Your photos particularly the late day light are lovely.
My beloved M11 has been in Germany for 2 months now due to no spare part replacement. They just told me it won't be coming back to me before Christmas. Love and hate!
Leica has a reputation for self harming with digital M cameras. Not only is this terrible PR for a user base not slow in expressing their entitlement to The Best, it must cost the company a fortune in recalls once they bow to the inevitable. Not to mention the months a repair in Germany takes, compared to any manufacturer offering professional replacement services. It isn't as though anyone equipping themselves with a set of prime lenses has alternative high resolution rangefinder cameras, for that highly resolving glass. Leica need to market a de-tuned, long-life M body that runs in parallel to its cutting edge/beta test models if it's to reclaim the reputation of the company's film rangefinders.
My M11 died 7 weeks in. I had a few freeze-ups prior to its final death and then it just stopped. I got a silver replacement and haven’t had a single issue since. The thing is, I have t heard of a single silver body having issues - just the black bodies.
@@3BMEP I only use the external charger. I had freeze ups a week in (battery out to free it) and then it just went out. But out of all the reports I’ve heard - it seems that they are all the black models. Leica North America were amazing with a loaner for a NY job I had and Leica Soho were great as well. But the silver model I received for a replacement… not a single issue. It may be me but something just feels different about it.
Mine was a black body as was my friends who’s failed. They were made on the 31st May and the 22nd of June respectively. I just hope the black replacements are OK, mine arrives today. The different manufacturing dates probably don’t mean much as that probably only equates to QC date, could all contain a bad batch of components. I noted you’d got a silver one, that’s my fall back if my 2nd black one fails. But if it does fail I’ll be asking for a clear explanation which is only reasonable. My view is that Leica should extend the warranty. A different product but that’s what Specialized did when they had a problem with their ebike motors that was destroying their good reputation, warranty extended from 2 to 4 years, Leica would be wise to do the same, you buy a Leica for it to do a job and last.
@@marcusoutdoors4999 Well this can easily be a single component that caused the issue. And for the first few issues - sending out or replacing with a like camera would be normal. But after more then a few come back with the same problem I am positive they nailed this down to issue that was causing it. Leica doesn’t manufacture every component in this camera - so getting a bad item really can’t be blamed on them. On a very positive note - cameras are made and shipped at a hand made pace. It’s something they can fix quickly for all future cameras. So be positive and patient…. It is worth waiting for.
So did you get your replacement yet? I’ve had mine for 4 weeks and it too just locked up with the orange light. I took out the battery to restart but… this is how it starts last time.
Oh! That’s bad that you are now facing an issue with the replaced M11. :( …Was considering purchasing the M11 but a lot of issues especially the camera freeze are being reported.
Hi Hugh, question: what is the shutter sound like? I sometimes shoot Chamber music and moved from Nikon’s D850 to the Z9 because of the silent shutter mode. But I understand the m11 is better in low light situations. Would the shutter sound be distracting in a chamber music situation? Or the Hasselblad x1d?
Hugh says something pretty important here. He says that the shots he had before the camera had issues, "were worth it", Think about that the next time you come across a video, in which it's creator, has a less than satisfactory experience and can then only aim his video in the direction of putting the product down. I am the first to say that some products don't merit praise and those products should be criticised, but importantly, Hugh is a photographer who does some reviewing, and he is not a reviewer that takes a few pictures. That's a pretty big difference!
Wondering how your M11 is faring, ie was it replaced and does it work still? Have met an owner and he seems to have befallen similar issues and another reviewer / user of Leica just posted a video about his need for a 3rd replacement. My impression is that they may have launched a lemon, though no one wants to say it. I respect your desire to give them the benefit of the doubt, but don't let your bias towards their heritage cloud the fact they have done customers wrong on this one.
It was replaced; I’ve had zero issues with it; I love it and a number of images I’ve produced with it. I truly do not know the scale of the issue, so I’m not willing to communicate as if I did. If you haven’t seen it, I encourage you to check out the conversation I had with Leica’s Andrea Pacella; he addressed this directly. 🖖🏻
It’s really sad how widespread these issues are with the M11. I watched a livestream tonight from one of the actual Leica stores and they were talking about the M11 monochrome…they answered all questions people asked EXCEPT about if the M11m has the same issues as the regular M11. The hosts completely skipped people asking those questions and were pretending there’s zero issues with the M11, overall. It’s awful how Leica officials refuse to acknowledge what’s going on and try to keep it hush hush. I was going to buy a new M11 and thank god I haven’t. I believe it’s a stellar camera but until Leica fixed these problems, they won’t be getting my wallet any time soon.
Hmm interesting. Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear it went bust. Could you say under what conditions it gave up the ghost or was it just suddenly and out of the blue? Cheers, I enjoy your videos.
Hi Hugh have you tried the new Leica 28mm apo lens for the SL? what did you think ? and if i could have only 1 leica lens for my sl what would you recomend ?
I haven’t. If I used that focal length often, I’d probably go Q2. But as far as a single lens for SL? Depends on what you do and whether it’s a 24MP or 47MP sensor. I chose the 35 APO SL for myself, but it is a very personal choice.
Well, I was going to get the m11, but after reading all these comments, I will be staying with canon. Yes, people sometimes have trouble with canon, but not as much as I am reading here. The mirror fell off my canon 5D, but that's the only problem I have had with canon. I have had a few canons now. And taking thousands and thousands of photos. I was really looking forward to getting one. But not now. Well, not until they pick up their game
Regarding Voiglander 15 mm 4.5 version III that lens was not able to perform well with 60 Megapixel is that correct ? can you tell me more about it , I trust your professional opinion . This lens and the adapter ring was on my list to use with my Canon R5 any comment for a 45 megapixel sensor ? Regarding your camera that really sucks, do heavy breathing and yoga that will help you to control the pain....
Blinking orange LED, frozen camera (no ability to trigger the shutter), lit but wonky non-functional meter display, wonky frame lines (I’ve tried to out it out of my mind, so I’ve probably missed a thing or two - oh, right: Visoflex 2 wouldn’t work, rear panel wouldn’t work… No change after card swap nor battery swap…
@@3BMEP I had exactly the same issue as you. back LED blinking, camera unresponsive, completely frozen. Tried swaping cards, battery...nothing. Sent to Leica, it's now in Germany...waiting.
I have the Hasselblad 907. Now, I know that one cannot directly compare it to an M (and I do have an M10) but my concern is the disturbing (to me) over sharpness and detail of fifty plus megapixels. I don't like it. I am also concerned at the seductive nature of many megapixels in that one becomes obsessed with both pixel peeping and classifying images by how detailed and sharp they are. I had the same problem when I got a Q2; the images looked just too detailed, to sharp and therefore unrealistic. We see impressionistically in that we gather many images and combine them into an emotion and then a memory and it is the softness of this I seek to capture. I have and love a Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 135 F3.5. There's nothing like it in a new lens. It is almost ethereal. So, my question is if I tossed in the 907 for the M11, would I regret that too for being too many pixels, too sharp and just unpainterly? For similar reasons, I don't like the SL2 and instead have the type 601 which I love too. (An aside, I love doing big prints). And a couple of days ago, I came upon a Mamiya Macro Sekor 60mm macro 42 mount and I am gobsmacked. It is easily as sharp as any of my Leica lenses plus it has most uncommon colour saturation and contrast in conjunction with the SL (mimicking an M9). Have we reached, did we reach, peak camera performance or, am I too going to love the M11?
Based on what you’ve written, I’d say: work with older lenses or perhaps set up a LUT or two and you’ll be good to go with either camera (907 or M11). Then again, why pay for what you don’t like?
@@3BMEP oh well, hope leica sorted it out hugh, your statement that you used your own money to buy one on your prev video that actually made up my mind to get it, and cant agree more with the pros!
Interesting. I'm trying to put myself in your shoes and not having one of the "master-crafted" tools I paid for, price be damned, and I think I might be miffed no matter the cost if it failed so soon or at all. Then I think about the Pixii and their business model. I've almost bought one BECAUSE I want to help them fix all the bugs, maybe have it fail and wait on a new one, etc. and the difference is that I had my expectations set up with Pixii, and not Leica. Hear me out. A new M doesn't come out that often, AND they promote videos of their Leica Ambassadors using pre-production models, and even though it's not my first rodeo, I WANT to believe that all of this is really done so that the bugs and kinks can be worked out before the general public gets the camera. It gets really hard to sell me on how refined and masterful something is when it fails like the M11 has. Don't get me wrong. I love my M240 and DO think it's the best, well-made camera I've ever owned. I just don't think you can sell being a masterful precision instrument AND have significant issues like they have with some of their cameras (cough, M9 corrosion, cough) and I think we Leica owners should hold them accountable for it however we can.
So sorry about your M11… Is kaput Yiddisch? The Leica version of that word should be “kaputt” lol I never had camera equipment at service as often as my Leica stuff … But I’m still in denial and love them 🫠 benefit when living close to Wetzlar.
Sorry to hear of your bad luck- my M11 has performed flawlessly since purchased in May. These public postages of bad luck don't do anyone any good though - my Leica dealer(s) would have replaced the camera ( not that I have ever had a problem over a couple of decades of Leica nuttery) - perhaps a 'service' one doesn't get from box shifters in the US? I have also discovered much better 'attention' to requests is paid if polite enquiry is made a couple of times in my experience addressed in firmware inclusions at next time of upgrade. Assumed importance due to yootoobery is a reach. I'm surprised at this video tbh and not in a good way.
I’m confused about what you are trying to say with your comment - are you implying that Hugh should not have shared the problems he encountered with the M11 as part of his otherwise-glowing review?
I’m delighted your M11 has performed flawlessly since May. Enjoy! Is it black or silver? Do you charge via USB-C or the dedicated charger? How many frames have you shot? Do you use a Visoflex 2? These would be helpful data points. As for the rest: your assumptions about my civility; my interactions with Leica before this follow up video; my sense of entitlement; and my sense of ethics, actually, are wrong.
@@3BMEP Black always black. Charger and I regret getting a second battery because battery life is fantastic. (checks LR) 2657 so far with a couple of keepers. Got the visoflex used it a for a couple of days to help with Nocti I don't bother anymore. I was out of line and unfair regarding the yootoobery comment - apologies ( no edits allowed once the return button is hit) Once again I am sorry to hear you had issues - but the camera should have been replaced.
If comments to this video are typical of failure rate, bad luck has little to do with the M11s demise. Should people keep quite to defend residuals and reputation, before trading their M11 for something "more suitable"? Or should Leica do a mass recall?
There‘s just junk quality being released today. Especially with high end equipment it hurts. Nevertheless I am pretty happy with my daily proven Leica M8, M9-P and SL (Typ 601) and all the great vintage glass I own which is unlikely to fail in the next decades unless a bomb is going to hit it.
I wish one of the camera companies would make a digital camera exactly like the film variant other than a sensor, the most basic heavy duty mainboard and an SD slot instead of film. Nothing else at all. Same weight too. Seems like it would be easier to produce and less cost, but what do I know. The upgrades every few years could just be the sensor.
Glad I bought the m10r even when the m11 was released. I really wanted a black paint and it’s the only one. So not only happy with the performance but also the looks. Keep up the great work !
Sorry to hear the news on the M11. For now, I'll continue rockin' my M240, M8 and M3. I needz, want a M2 black paint asap but that's a topic for another time. ;-)
yeah, the M240 might be the best overall deal in a digital M right now. I don't need the Live View or video on mine, and the back buttons are a bit messy because of that, but it's been rock solid for me and still produces great images.
I too have had to return my Leica M11 with after just a few hundred shots. Orange light of death for me. I'm both excited to have it back and worried that it may happen again.
@@3BMEP Here’s the full description of what happened with mine: My new, and first, Leica camera was working perfectly fine this morning. The last thing I did was experimenting with dropping my DNG resolution down to 36MP. I successfully took one photo after that which successful recorded to the SD card. Now, whenever ever turn it on, the orange light remains on. This behaviour is consistent with or without an SD card inserted. Here is the startup behaviour right now from fresh battery insert. Battery was at about 40% prior to issue: Scenario: Battery freshely inserted. SD card removed. Orange light is off. Power on * Orange light comes on * Shutter opens * Screen does not turn on with any of the back buttons * I can ’take photos’ as it the shutter sound occurs. If I push and hold the shutter button it will take two shots. (In tests with SD card inserted, there are no pictures on the card) * After a few photos, the camera no longer responds. * Photos taken don’t appear to be aligned to light meeting. Shooting with a lens cap produces short shutter sound. Power off * Orange light remains on or off. It varies between tests. Most of the time the light remains on.
@@3BMEP that’s the first and only m11 I’ve had. Waiting for a replacement now. I believe mine was manufactured in May. I hope, for everyone’s sake that it is a software issue and not a major hardware issue.
It’s the photographer, not the equipment that makes the image! I’ve seen people with Leica’s, and any other kind of camera, and some of them are good images and some of them are bad. I can take pictures as good as anybody any day without paying that kind of money. In fact, I’d be afraid to carry a Leica in certain cities like New Orleans. I was down there a few years ago and kept being asked how much my camera (Fuji XPro2) was worth, even followed by one guy I thought was going to mug me,so I turned to face him and he veered off.
We can add "that it is a little heavy compare to other hybrids", battery heating weirdly sometimes and some freeze. BTW it's a really great camera and I have a visioflex that I do not use (even for people in the street photos with wide angle). Maybe I will more use it with 50mm and 75 🤔 Great that your M11 is back :) enjoy !
The Voigtländer 21mm Nokton f1.4 is quite lovely although needs to be stopped down a bit for peak performance. Still looks great at f1.4 but it just has the very slightest tat of a glow. Nothing vintage or fishy tho.
A pity Leica failed its M11 launch. I was lucky to order the new Leica M6, but had no more penny left for a 35mm Summilux, so I chose the less expensive 50mm available on the store. I hope results will be good with the HP5/100 loaded. Moreover, I’ll have to develop my first film by myself…because photographs don’t exist anymore, except in Paris (700miles from home). And then scan the film to see the photos on a screen. Printing needs to remove dust and buy new B&W cartridge on my Epson printer, with expensive photo paper. Fortunately, I also own a Q2 and the « Last M ». Now, I need a Japanese digital projector to see my photos on the wall, with a grey pearl tissue screen. I won’t invest in a darkroom, because you can’t use it with digital files.
A few people are complain about it falling. Maybe Leica are struggling with sales, and have to compromise with cheaper parts. Lot of competition out there.
As a novice photographer - I love the content here at 3BMEP, but I would enjoy listening to Hugh read the newspaper. Great voice and perfect delivery every time!!
I love your work Hugh, it has so much soul. I hope you’re feeling better, May God bless you and Claudia both. I look forward to meeting you one day, my hero.
Nice - hope your replacement comes soon. Got my black M11 and 50mm Summilux in London two weeks ago (they're a lot more available in Europe than in the USA) and am getting to grips with the rangefinder process... I have some gallery worthy shots already :)
UPDATE: My M11 has been replaced. Hold that thought, video coming later this month.
Can't wait to watch that video.
Hi, do keep us updated on the status of your M11, I was thinking of buying one. But, I think I'll shelve the idea for a while, until the problems or issues of the M11 have been fixed...
Mine had a similar issue .. it died on me while on. Vacation !
It took them nearly three month to replace it .
So happy to have it back
May I suggest Apple buys Leica ?
Quality Control & Service will be much better…
@@pacoguerilla3097 That would be the worst thing that could happen to Leica....
Haha. I am sticking to my M10. Does EVERYTHING I need. Nothing less, nothing more.
I keep coming back to your reviews, for many reasons but for one over most; you’re calm, charming and have what we’d call in the UK ‘the Oxford manner’. Take that to mean, you play with ideas gracefully, and without prejudice either way. Nice work.
My M11 shutter got stuck 90 percent closed during a wedding shoot. Luckily my SL2 kept going. Leica did do a great job of getting it repaired and returned. Nonetheless, it shouldn't have happened to begin with at that price point.
Agreed - glad that you had the SL2 and that Leica was so quick!
Hugh, you’re the only person on YT capable of making me stop and think about the kit I am buying and the reasons I am buying it. Thank you :).
Happy to be of service, Christopher. 😊🖖🏻
my recent purchase of the m11 and 50apo has shaken me to the core. I enjoy these sharp, moody, and punchy images far more than I imagined. I am selling all of my other gear not because its not great, I just don't want to use it. I get it now.
😊👍🏻
I’m loving my m11 as well. The unexpected benefit of being able to use the m11 for landscape / cityscape as well was amazing. Actually the Leica m11 grip was way better than I expected and the arca Swiss rail was very welcome. I usually pair the m11 with my q2 Monochrom to cover terrible weather so I haven’t really stopped shooting on my near daily trips after or before work in Toronto.
Sorry to hear about your m11 failure. I’ve travelled with mine and taken over 3000+ frames with mechanical shutter, no issues so far.
As my black M11 failed, I’m curious to know if yours is a silver or black model? A friend of mine got a black M11 a few days after I got mine and it failed as well… I’m just curious. My replacement M11 was supposed to turn up today, but there was a problem to apparently I’ll get it tomorrow, but I’ve ordered another black one, so fingers crossed it’s good. The only logical reasons I can thing of for the apparent issues with the black ones could be down to less thermal mass to distribute heat… but that’s a real long shot. Or maybe there made on a different line.
@@marcusoutdoors4999 I have a black M11. Mine came in the second or third shipping wave so it’s possible the early batches are more prone to a systemic failure. At least Leica will look after you but it does take a while. I’ve had my M typ 246 getting CLA’ed and a lcd glass cover replaced for 5 weeks not including the shipping delays in German customs (3 weeks). I have an M10 Monochrom now because of it.
Kaput! Wasn’t expecting to hear that! But in my experience these days, this is more frequent (sadly!) then it should be with many things!
It shouldn’t be with a brand new $9,000 camera. These things aren’t massed produced in China.
You are the greatest Leica salesman !!
My replace the M11 is apparently on it’s way from Germany as I write, failed after about 200 shots. Interestingly a photo journalist friend of mine got his M11 as well, you guessed it, yep it packed in too. A bit disconcerting. The camera is fabulous in every single way when it works so I’ll stick with it. I really do hope the replacements don’t fail too, if they do, Leica has a serious problem as the M11 is their flagship
Leica will be just fine, nothing happened to them after that whole self destructing M9 fiasco.
Sorry to hear that this has happened to you. A similar story to my M11, it died after about 1600 exposures, I had it repaired & offloaded it. I'm back to using my M10 (vers.1) & Monochrom1.
As you very correctly said it's just not worth getting bent out of shape over 1st world problems.
I am loving my M11 too. I am using the Voigtlander 50mm apo lanther; love it. I am also shooting the Q2M because it is not a heavy kit, and I love shooting the Q2M. I am waiting for the Visioflex 2. Overall, the M11 is a great camera. Thanks for convincing me to jump into the Leica pool.
Glad to be of service, Cal! 😊🖖🏻
I feel sorry for you. I can see the disappointment in your face.
The M10R is awesome. I know you almost bought it… I love it so much every day. I bought it last year and it has been 100% flawless… I got the black paint edition. The 40MP sensor is amazing. I just paired it with my first Leica lens, the 50 Summicron (v5). It’s all the camera I would ever need. For the ISO I just press MENU and it’s there in my favorites. I’m mostly on auto ISO anyway. I think 40MP is enough for anyone. At 60MP it starts to have issues with lenses as you say and also with camera shake. Not necessary. Also the M10R is mature and no problems. It’s been solid as a rock.
We love Leica and we want to forgive it when things go wrong, but for a $9,000 little rangefinder to last 1,000 frames and then die would make me never to want to buy a Leica again.
Seriously nice camera!!! I’m shooting with the M11P. And like you I’m knocked out by the stellar image quality. Additionally, the lack of post required. Many of the images are spot on straight out of the camera.
I used to buy from KEH but have since moved on to MPB in NYC.
And, finally, Hugh, if you can't find Black M11's, you're not trying hard enough (I had no problem finding two of them & have had zero issues w/mine).
Sorry to hear about your M11 mine is still going strong thankfully. It’s the first real Leica I’ve owned it’s replace a Fuji GFX 100 for my landscape work. I just love it. The issue with shortage of stock is not just a Leica issue. I bought a Sony A1 just over 12 months ago after a 4 wait. It only now that there constantly in stock.
I'd love an M11. But since I didn't win the Powerball, once again, I'll have to defer my purchase until the next drawing.
I'm tempted to blame you completely Good Sir. ;)
The longest version of the story may start back in the late 90's with a Leica Sales Rep. (so he might deserve part of the blame.)
The slightly less long version involves several surgeries, a need to schlep less kit around for work, an X-pro3, and several of your videos.
The short version is that I'm now sitting in my office staring at a 21mm Super-Elmar-M f3.4 ASPH, a Visoflex-2, and an spare battery.
At the same time waiting for my new best friend, the FedEx driver, to deliver my (thrice delayed) M11 and Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 ASPH fle.
Further notices as events warrant...
I have seen a few other videos where the m11 failed early on. Considering the low production numbers, and long replacement times, it must be frustrating for owners.
It is less than ideal.
Wow, all those failures. As a percentage of units sold, the numbers must be off the scale. I totally understand why people rave about the Leica experience and I’d love to try one, but a failure rate for such a high-priced product like that would be enough to kill any other camera (and maybe even the company that made them). Leica are very lucky that the people who buy their cameras are so tolerant!
Agreed. High Price, Precision and Quality. Just don’t understand why so many issues. The quality control, R&D and service should be second to none. I was looking forward to a monochrom, but just worried now as if there is something wrong and have issues with getting fixed swapped out.
About reliability?
I used to own M9 for a couple of years, many problems, sometimes can't shoot (shutter locked), sometimes problems with SD card, batteries with short lifespan, then the sensor corrosion problem, which happened after the period for a free exchange. Also the rangefinder got knocked out of adjustment more easily (or with the digital sensor more visibly?) than on my M2... you really need to handle it like the most fragile instrument, which also means you can't focus on taking pictures, you focus on sensitively handling the camera - and I say that as someone who has never broken any other piece of electronic equipment, no lens or body from other manufacturer (dozens of Nikon cameras, film and digital, countless Nikon lenses, two digital Fujifilm cameras + lenses, now 8 years without a problem).
I've also owned many relatively-recent Leica lenses, even some of the most expensive ones (-Lux ASPH, MATE, WATE...), and many of them were riddled with repeated problems... for example: lots of dust getting into the Summarit-M 35/2.5 and also its aperture ring loosening, integrated hood falling off Summilux 50/1.4 ASPH (poor construction, problem of many users), stiff focusing on Tri-Elmar MATE + sometimes not triggering correct framelines (again, well known problems), etc. The lenses are sometimes calibrated from the factory differently than the bodies => you put a new lens on a new body and it back focuses or front focuses and you have to send them for calibration together, ideally with your other lenses. Since the lenses have no way to be easily adjusted at home, and you can only adjust the camera, once you have one lens that focuses differently from the rest of your lenses, you're without a camera and that lens for many months. Also, despite the "Leica brand image" of optical perfection, some of the older lenses are optically clearly inferior to modern non-Leica lenses, either M-mount or for other mounts, and actually some are not really significantly better than their contemporary manual focus alternatives from Nikon, Canon or Minolta.
To make things worse, there are no authorised Leica repairshops in my country (Czech Republic), and universal repair shops are scared working on Leicas because you need special tools and everything is very fragile. The only solution to above problems is to send them to Germany, which I did; the repair time for a bunch of lenses was in my case over half a year (May 2017 till February 2018), and as I said, it didn't take long for some problems with them appear again.
Now I'm only using my old Leica M2 that I can clean and calibrate myself (while doing that I always get angry about German over-engineering and over-complicating everything; the pre-M Leicas were exercise in minimalism and clever construction; I hate working on M-models), with many Voigtlander, Zeiss and one TTArtisan lenses, and finally I'm somehow satisfied. While reading various user forums I also keep noticing there are problems with all their digital bodies, including M11, so I'll possibly never switch to a digital Leica... I don't trust their engineering. After many years of use NONE of my non-Leica lenses suffer from any problem, and Voigtlanders and Zeisses are calibrated the same, making it easy to adjust camera to them; and the cheap Chinese TTArtisan lens can be calibrated to focus the same as the rest (btw on black&white film in real world conditions I can't tell the difference between it and the Summilux 50/1.4 ASPH).
Why Leica can't achieve that level of quality and QC for ten times the price? That's something I really don't get. Maybe they don't really care. Quite possibly the brand is just a cash cow for its investors, and big part of the users are folks who do not really care (notice) image quality, they're rich people using the cameras as point and shoots (or only as a necklace at social gatherings). And the pros? Around 2005, before I owned Leica myself, I met with two Leica ambassadors and none of them used Leica as their real main camera, citing problems similar to my future experience... go figure...
I shoot Leica for the love of the rangefinder experience and the small dimensions, otherwise I would be back shooting Nikons like ever before... I have a collection of most film bodies they've ever made; some in really poor condition, all of them still working without any CLA.
@@kotwa I was looking at a Monochrom or Q3 Monochrom when it comes out. However I cannot buy anything that is going to be low quality over high price. I have a Sony A7R3 and never had a problem with sensor corrosion. I am just mystified that the QC is not above top notch.
@@kotwa I also have an M9. Leica replaced rhe sensor 7 years after I bought it, and kept replacing them for another several years after that. If you couldn't figure out you had corrosion and send it in within 10 years of purchase, that's not Leica's fault.
@@kotwa Leica. the new FIAT, Fix it up again tony camera.
APPRECIATE, SIR !
MY NEXT IS DEFFENETIVELLY A LEICA...
ALL OTHERS I HAVE ALREADY TRIED...
Hugh, I checked your video only after getting my M11 (black) on 9/30/22 and having it frequently lock up. I've reported this to Leica through the Fotos app and have also alerted my dealer here in Minnesota, but so far no response. Seems to lock up only with non-Leica (i.e., non-coded) lenses. My usual lens is the Voigtländer 50 APO, but it also locks up with an older non-coded Summicron 35 that I dial in manually in the menu. Hasn't locked up with any of my coded lenses. I've read below that this issue isn't occurring with the silver, but that makes no sense, as I can't imagine the electronics are any different between the two body types.
I bought a used m10 to possibly replace my x-pro3. I couldn’t get over the weight and ergonomics. Like hanging a hard edged block of brass on my shoulder. Also unless pixel peeping I couldn’t see a big difference in RAW images. They were different, but could not really say one was better, just a matter of taste and editing style. Also it was low shutter count and the lock ring on the bottom plate was loose and always hanging down and a constant annoyance. Just seems like an $8000 camera would be flawless after a few years of extremely light used. Also the accessories were made in China you outrageous in price to replace. It’s definitely a ‘Rolex’ type product these days. If I get into film I would look into a vintage one, but not impressed at all with the m10. I wanted a Leica in part because of the gimmick of the back ‘Film box’ display on the x-pro3 is very stupid, but that bottom ‘Film cover’ is just as bad. The lighter m11 in black may be viable in few years when the prices match the product closer. I’ll revisit that unless Fuji makes a real rangefinder and not move production to China. I still don’t understand why the m10 is so much heavier than the m9, almost 100 grams. Maybe the extra milling cost is too much on a $8000 camera lol.
Hi Hugh - thanks helping me regain some sanity. I may have to wait anyway for the M11 to become available
😉🖖🏻
I never buy the current model. Yang my MP240 and it provides incredible images and it’s arguably the most reliable digital Leica ever made. Not much incentive to “upgrade”. Maybe an M10-R in a couple years.
Your right! Getting upset is a waste. But I thought the whole idea of Leica Camera was the best quality control humanly possible and cameras that last a lifetime. I bought one of those M 28 mm matte black lenses and the telescoping hood was stuck in the un-telescoped position right out of the box. Have yet to unstick it. I am upset about that, and that lens is much less expensive than my M11. If my M11 dies while new, I will really be upset. And taking forever to service the customer! It ain't right!
I hear you.
Hi Hugh, your complaint about the grip for the Leica CL reminded me to recommend the Haoge HG-CLB Hand Grip which has a cut-out to allow access to the battery and SD card (especially easy for those with slender fingers and strong nails) 😄
Looks good!
I’m weird.
I love the CL grip. Reminds me of an M10 bottomplate. I even enjoy screwing it off when changing batteries 🤣
@@marckyokay horses for courses, all good.
Sorry to hear that your M11 went "kaputt" ! I upgraded early on from an M10-R to M11 which made the M11 kind of "affordable". Mine is still working well ( touch on wood ). Beyond what you listed on the Pros side I would like to add the versatility of the multi-resolution sensor. Which brings me to the one "Con" I found: the 60 megapixel resolution. While the sensor delivers fabulous quality, I find that I have to chose much higher speeds to get a shot without shake... IBIS would be a much needed feature here, but I am not complaining. The Leica M11 is a joy to behold and use, none the less.
Thanks for weighing in, Bassem!
Hello, this morning I had the impression a video on the Fuji X-H2s was up. When is that scheduled now?
Also:
Good luck with the repair time.🤞
Our first X-H2S video went up the day it was announced; waiting to get a production unit in hand before we put up another one.
@@3BMEP thanks
Love my M10r with my 50APO....seeking the 35 APO....Waiting on the M11 until kinks get worked out.
I liked the Emoji Hugh!
I hear you Hugh. The M11 intrigues me, maybe a pick up down a long NYC road. But jeeez my SL2 with the 24-90 and 75mm APO has been killing it lately. Oh and my arm is in a sling from hefting the 90-280 lol. But I made the cover for my editor shooting the recent Westminster Dog show using that bazooka. Love me some Leica but my side chick Fuji is blushing.
Great video as usual. Very concerning, at that price, with all that heritage, all that build quality, to hear of a unit failure.
I'd love to watch a video entitled, 'Leica... the ultimate expression of G.A.S.... discuss."
Hey,
first thanks for the informative video.
Have buyed a M10-R ith Summilux M 50mm 1:1.4, brand new Dec. 17, 2022
The camera has problems with
shutter ( was to repair, problem not solved, sometimes the camera takes no picture, seldom but not ok, i think... )
iso ( sometimes have to shot iso 16.000 in situations my analog camera (voigtlaender bessamatic, 1962(!) works with Septon 50mm 1:2.0 at iso 50(!) just fine...
You can not shot in sun direction, sensor could be damaged...
Even with minimal backlight, you can no longer stick to the specified exposure values. I use the rangefinder, not live view (is a bit better).
weather (no dust, no rain, no wind or sensor will, maybe , dusty )
This camera costs 8.350 € has had 1457 shots on it, but sold as brand new, via Leica Store, online...
My voigtlaender, 60 Yeas old , or even my canon ftb 47 years old) have not the image quality,but.... they take always the picture if i press the shutter and iso is always precise.
That was my first experiment with Leica...
And... if I saved enough money i will go to Hasselblad...
But, oddly enough, I kind of love my Leica. When it works, and everything works properly, it takes great photos...
Sorry for me extrem bad english.
Your English is infinitely better than my language skills for yours (whatever that may be). Please do not settle -- get that camera 100% squared away by Leica!
Thank You!
I phoned to Leica technican, I can bring the camera on early morning and hopefully get it repaired back on afternoon same day.
Therefore I must travel to Leica.
I have done this before but the failures still exist.
The errors may be difficult to find or understand because they occur so rarely.
However, after the third unsuccessful attempt to repair the camera in Germany, I can return it for a 100% refund of the purchase price.
I would prefer the camera to work 100% ;-)
My primary language is German, but i had „Latin Roman“ in school , totaly forgotten, except „Ergo bibamus“ :-D
Based on both your videos I got an M11 my first digital rangefinder! I am over the moon. The 60 mp sensor allows me to crop without significant quality loss at 9x11 prints. This turns my 35 prime into a variable lens, the same for the 90 mm prime. Thanks for your great content!
Happy to be of service - enjoy!
Great review. I would love to understand how some of your glass can’t handle the high resolution sensor. maybe with some samples?
No new lenses needed. Why shoot with 60MP? For printing a wallpaper? I am happy with the 24MP of my SL2-S.
I think get Hasselblad X2D with 38mm first make more sense and more versatile than M11 but is it a fun camera or just like any mirrorless camera where it do most thing for you?
I have dumped my M11 as well, back to the CL
I bought an M10R early 2021 for $8K. While I'd like an M11, the final cost is a taste over $10K (M11, Grip and Viso). Trade in value for my M10R and Grip might be $6K. For now I'll pass and read of others joy with this new M.
Your photos particularly the late day light are lovely.
🙏🏻😊🖖🏻
Pleased to say my 2nd M11 is faultless and Leica were very good about quickly replacing my initial camera.
My beloved M11 has been in Germany for 2 months now due to no spare part replacement. They just told me it won't be coming back to me before Christmas. Love and hate!
😳🥲
Leica has a reputation for self harming with digital M cameras. Not only is this terrible PR for a user base not slow in expressing their entitlement to The Best, it must cost the company a fortune in recalls once they bow to the inevitable. Not to mention the months a repair in Germany takes, compared to any manufacturer offering professional replacement services. It isn't as though anyone equipping themselves with a set of prime lenses has alternative high resolution rangefinder cameras, for that highly resolving glass. Leica need to market a de-tuned, long-life M body that runs in parallel to its cutting edge/beta test models if it's to reclaim the reputation of the company's film rangefinders.
I hear you.
Can't find your follow-up video. How long did it take Leica to replace your M 11?
My M11 died 7 weeks in. I had a few freeze-ups prior to its final death and then it just stopped. I got a silver replacement and haven’t had a single issue since. The thing is, I have t heard of a single silver body having issues - just the black bodies.
Interesting! Do you charge via USB-C, or do you use a charger?
@@3BMEP I only use the external charger. I had freeze ups a week in (battery out to free it) and then it just went out. But out of all the reports I’ve heard - it seems that they are all the black models. Leica North America were amazing with a loaner for a NY job I had and Leica Soho were great as well. But the silver model I received for a replacement… not a single issue. It may be me but something just feels different about it.
Mine was a black body as was my friends who’s failed. They were made on the 31st May and the 22nd of June respectively. I just hope the black replacements are OK, mine arrives today. The different manufacturing dates probably don’t mean much as that probably only equates to QC date, could all contain a bad batch of components. I noted you’d got a silver one, that’s my fall back if my 2nd black one fails. But if it does fail I’ll be asking for a clear explanation which is only reasonable. My view is that Leica should extend the warranty. A different product but that’s what Specialized did when they had a problem with their ebike motors that was destroying their good reputation, warranty extended from 2 to 4 years, Leica would be wise to do the same, you buy a Leica for it to do a job and last.
@@marcusoutdoors4999 Well this can easily be a single component that caused the issue. And for the first few issues - sending out or replacing with a like camera would be normal. But after more then a few come back with the same problem I am positive they nailed this down to issue that was causing it. Leica doesn’t manufacture every component in this camera - so getting a bad item really can’t be blamed on them. On a very positive note - cameras are made and shipped at a hand made pace. It’s something they can fix quickly for all future cameras. So be positive and patient…. It is worth waiting for.
So did you get your replacement yet? I’ve had mine for 4 weeks and it too just locked up with the orange light. I took out the battery to restart but… this is how it starts last time.
Oh! That’s bad that you are now facing an issue with the replaced M11. :( …Was considering purchasing the M11 but a lot of issues especially the camera freeze are being reported.
Hi Hugh, question: what is the shutter sound like? I sometimes shoot Chamber music and moved from Nikon’s D850 to the Z9 because of the silent shutter mode. But I understand the m11 is better in low light situations. Would the shutter sound be distracting in a chamber music situation? Or the Hasselblad x1d?
As usual fantastic thank you for being you
Thank YOU, Howie. Good thing I can’t help but be me! 😉🙏🏻🖖🏻
Hugh says something pretty important here. He says that the shots he had before the camera had issues, "were worth it", Think about that the next time you come across a video, in which it's creator, has a less than satisfactory experience and can then only aim his video in the direction of putting the product down. I am the first to say that some products don't merit praise and those products should be criticised, but importantly, Hugh is a photographer who does some reviewing, and he is not a reviewer that takes a few pictures. That's a pretty big difference!
Wondering how your M11 is faring, ie was it replaced and does it work still? Have met an owner and he seems to have befallen similar issues and another reviewer / user of Leica just posted a video about his need for a 3rd replacement. My impression is that they may have launched a lemon, though no one wants to say it. I respect your desire to give them the benefit of the doubt, but don't let your bias towards their heritage cloud the fact they have done customers wrong on this one.
It was replaced; I’ve had zero issues with it; I love it and a number of images I’ve produced with it. I truly do not know the scale of the issue, so I’m not willing to communicate as if I did. If you haven’t seen it, I encourage you to check out the conversation I had with Leica’s Andrea Pacella; he addressed this directly. 🖖🏻
@@3BMEP good to know; I don't know much about it either but seems to be anecdotally pervasive. Glad you're happy.
It’s really sad how widespread these issues are with the M11. I watched a livestream tonight from one of the actual Leica stores and they were talking about the M11 monochrome…they answered all questions people asked EXCEPT about if the M11m has the same issues as the regular M11. The hosts completely skipped people asking those questions and were pretending there’s zero issues with the M11, overall. It’s awful how Leica officials refuse to acknowledge what’s going on and try to keep it hush hush. I was going to buy a new M11 and thank god I haven’t. I believe it’s a stellar camera but until Leica fixed these problems, they won’t be getting my wallet any time soon.
Andrea Pacella did acknowledge the issue in my conversation with him, but teething pains like this no one wants.
Hmm interesting. Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear it went bust. Could you say under what conditions it gave up the ghost or was it just suddenly and out of the blue? Cheers, I enjoy your videos.
Out of the blue. But based on what others have said, I wonder if it has anything to do with USB-C charging.
@@3BMEP thanks.
It's crazy these cameras break down so much given how much they cost. Very disappointing.
How has the black finish been holding up?
No issues. 😊
Hi Hugh have you tried the new Leica 28mm apo lens for the SL? what did you think ? and if i could have only 1 leica lens for my sl what would you recomend ?
I haven’t. If I used that focal length often, I’d probably go Q2. But as far as a single lens for SL? Depends on what you do and whether it’s a 24MP or 47MP sensor. I chose the 35 APO SL for myself, but it is a very personal choice.
Well, I was going to get the m11, but after reading all these comments, I will be staying with canon. Yes, people sometimes have trouble with canon, but not as much as I am reading here. The mirror fell off my canon 5D, but that's the only problem I have had with canon. I have had a few canons now. And taking thousands and thousands of photos. I was really looking forward to getting one. But not now. Well, not until they pick up their game
I hereby declare this issue the “M11 OLOD issue” … (Orange Light Of Death issue) = OLOD 😀
M11 died? What exactly happened? New 9K camera??
Yep. More than I want to recount here. Sigh.
hi,great channel. can you do another review with the cl, maybe with de sigma 56 1.4. thanks
Regarding Voiglander 15 mm 4.5 version III that lens was not able to perform well with 60 Megapixel is that correct ? can you tell me more about it , I trust your professional opinion . This lens and the adapter ring was on my list to use with my Canon R5 any comment for a 45 megapixel sensor ? Regarding your camera that really sucks, do heavy breathing and yoga that will help you to control the pain....
I wouldn’t recommend the 15/4.5 for the Canon, either. Have been doing yoga on and off for years now! 😊🙏🏻🖖🏻
@@3BMEP Thank you I trust your answer you save me some money. Regarding Yoga now you can do Pilate classes!
How come image quality can be so amazing with only srgb?
Clearly, it’s the photographer. 😜🖖🏻
Hi thanks for sharing. What actually happend ? The camera stop cpmpletely form functioning?
Blinking orange LED, frozen camera (no ability to trigger the shutter), lit but wonky non-functional meter display, wonky frame lines (I’ve tried to out it out of my mind, so I’ve probably missed a thing or two - oh, right: Visoflex 2 wouldn’t work, rear panel wouldn’t work… No change after card swap nor battery swap…
@@3BMEP Oh my! I see I hope you get it soon to enjoy it. Thanks for your feedback. :)
@@3BMEP I had exactly the same issue as you. back LED blinking, camera unresponsive, completely frozen. Tried swaping cards, battery...nothing. Sent to Leica, it's now in Germany...waiting.
@@OmarZRobles Sigh.
I have the Hasselblad 907. Now, I know that one cannot directly compare it to an M (and I do have an M10) but my concern is the disturbing (to me) over sharpness and detail of fifty plus megapixels. I don't like it. I am also concerned at the seductive nature of many megapixels in that one becomes obsessed with both pixel peeping and classifying images by how detailed and sharp they are. I had the same problem when I got a Q2; the images looked just too detailed, to sharp and therefore unrealistic. We see impressionistically in that we gather many images and combine them into an emotion and then a memory and it is the softness of this I seek to capture. I have and love a Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 135 F3.5. There's nothing like it in a new lens. It is almost ethereal. So, my question is if I tossed in the 907 for the M11, would I regret that too for being too many pixels, too sharp and just unpainterly? For similar reasons, I don't like the SL2 and instead have the type 601 which I love too. (An aside, I love doing big prints). And a couple of days ago, I came upon a Mamiya Macro Sekor 60mm macro 42 mount and I am gobsmacked. It is easily as sharp as any of my Leica lenses plus it has most uncommon colour saturation and contrast in conjunction with the SL (mimicking an M9). Have we reached, did we reach, peak camera performance or, am I too going to love the M11?
Based on what you’ve written, I’d say: work with older lenses or perhaps set up a LUT or two and you’ll be good to go with either camera (907 or M11). Then again, why pay for what you don’t like?
Wow, multiple channels talking about dead M11’s.
What other channels?
How did you actually kill the M11? Hope not because of usb c charging which i use it almost consistently
I wonder - I used USB-C charging exclusively!
@@3BMEP oh well, hope leica sorted it out hugh, your statement that you used your own money to buy one on your prev video that actually made up my mind to get it, and cant agree more with the pros!
Interesting. I'm trying to put myself in your shoes and not having one of the "master-crafted" tools I paid for, price be damned, and I think I might be miffed no matter the cost if it failed so soon or at all. Then I think about the Pixii and their business model. I've almost bought one BECAUSE I want to help them fix all the bugs, maybe have it fail and wait on a new one, etc. and the difference is that I had my expectations set up with Pixii, and not Leica.
Hear me out. A new M doesn't come out that often, AND they promote videos of their Leica Ambassadors using pre-production models, and even though it's not my first rodeo, I WANT to believe that all of this is really done so that the bugs and kinks can be worked out before the general public gets the camera. It gets really hard to sell me on how refined and masterful something is when it fails like the M11 has.
Don't get me wrong. I love my M240 and DO think it's the best, well-made camera I've ever owned. I just don't think you can sell being a masterful precision instrument AND have significant issues like they have with some of their cameras (cough, M9 corrosion, cough) and I think we Leica owners should hold them accountable for it however we can.
I do agree with you!
Meanwhile, get a Sigma fp l. Same resolution and you already have L lenses. So light weight.
I had hopes for it, but the ergos just aren't there for the way I shoot stills.
So sorry about your M11…
Is kaput Yiddisch? The Leica version of that word should be “kaputt” lol
I never had camera equipment at service as often as my Leica stuff …
But I’m still in denial and love them 🫠 benefit when living close to Wetzlar.
Hope it doesn’t happen to mine.
Me too!
Sorry to hear of your bad luck- my M11 has performed flawlessly since purchased in May. These public postages of bad luck don't do anyone any good though - my Leica dealer(s) would have replaced the camera ( not that I have ever had a problem over a couple of decades of Leica nuttery) - perhaps a 'service' one doesn't get from box shifters in the US? I have also discovered much better 'attention' to requests is paid if polite enquiry is made a couple of times in my experience addressed in firmware inclusions at next time of upgrade. Assumed importance due to yootoobery is a reach. I'm surprised at this video tbh and not in a good way.
I’m confused about what you are trying to say with your comment - are you implying that Hugh should not have shared the problems he encountered with the M11 as part of his otherwise-glowing review?
I’m delighted your M11 has performed flawlessly since May. Enjoy! Is it black or silver? Do you charge via USB-C or the dedicated charger? How many frames have you shot? Do you use a Visoflex 2? These would be helpful data points. As for the rest: your assumptions about my civility; my interactions with Leica before this follow up video; my sense of entitlement; and my sense of ethics, actually, are wrong.
@@3BMEP Black always black. Charger and I regret getting a second battery because battery life is fantastic. (checks LR) 2657 so far with a couple of keepers. Got the visoflex used it a for a couple of days to help with Nocti I don't bother anymore. I was out of line and unfair regarding the yootoobery comment - apologies ( no edits allowed once the return button is hit) Once again I am sorry to hear you had issues - but the camera should have been replaced.
@@petera1033 all good - thank you, Peter. And yes, I agree (so does Leica USA): it should be replaced. It appears to be a supply issue.
If comments to this video are typical of failure rate, bad luck has little to do with the M11s demise. Should people keep quite to defend residuals and reputation, before trading their M11 for something "more suitable"? Or should Leica do a mass recall?
Thats weird... Youre M11 broke?? wow Was ein Pech
Absolut.
Leica KAPUT how embarrasing
There‘s just junk quality being released today. Especially with high end equipment it hurts.
Nevertheless I am pretty happy with my daily proven Leica M8, M9-P and SL (Typ 601) and all the great vintage glass I own which is unlikely to fail in the next decades unless a bomb is going to hit it.
bro a 10000 dollar camera died... Insane🤦🏾♂️
I wish one of the camera companies would make a digital camera exactly like the film variant other than a sensor, the most basic heavy duty mainboard and an SD slot instead of film. Nothing else at all. Same weight too. Seems like it would be easier to produce and less cost, but what do I know. The upgrades every few years could just be the sensor.
Unfortunately I can only afford an M8, but your videos are always funny!
I own 3 M cameras and don’t have any difficulties or problems with them‼️for years now 🙏🏻 (M10-P safari, M10M, M11, Xvario)
Delighted for you!
Please do a new review on M11 for 2024 with 35mm APO
Glad I bought the m10r even when the m11 was released. I really wanted a black paint and it’s the only one. So not only happy with the performance but also the looks. Keep up the great work !
🙏🏻🖖🏻
Hugh indeed the Voigtländer 35 APO and 50 APO are both brilliant for the price and like you I ended up purchasing them both to go with my M11 kit.
Good call! 😉
Sorry to hear the news on the M11. For now, I'll continue rockin' my M240, M8 and M3. I needz, want a M2 black paint asap but that's a topic for another time. ;-)
yeah, the M240 might be the best overall deal in a digital M right now. I don't need the Live View or video on mine, and the back buttons are a bit messy because of that, but it's been rock solid for me and still produces great images.
Is the dying issue still exist on m11
Wow soo many m11s returned here
I too have had to return my Leica M11 with after just a few hundred shots. Orange light of death for me. I'm both excited to have it back and worried that it may happen again.
Orange light of death - BINGO (although mine had more issues than that)
@@3BMEP Here’s the full description of what happened with mine:
My new, and first, Leica camera was working perfectly fine this morning. The last thing I did was experimenting with dropping my DNG resolution down to 36MP. I successfully took one photo after that which successful recorded to the SD card.
Now, whenever ever turn it on, the orange light remains on. This behaviour is consistent with or without an SD card inserted.
Here is the startup behaviour right now from fresh battery insert. Battery was at about 40% prior to issue:
Scenario: Battery freshely inserted. SD card removed. Orange light is off.
Power on
* Orange light comes on
* Shutter opens
* Screen does not turn on with any of the back buttons
* I can ’take photos’ as it the shutter sound occurs. If I push and hold the shutter button it will take two shots. (In tests with SD card inserted, there are no pictures on the card)
* After a few photos, the camera no longer responds.
* Photos taken don’t appear to be aligned to light meeting. Shooting with a lens cap produces short shutter sound.
Power off
* Orange light remains on or off. It varies between tests. Most of the time the light remains on.
Is this before or after you got it back?
@@3BMEP that’s the first and only m11 I’ve had. Waiting for a replacement now. I believe mine was manufactured in May.
I hope, for everyone’s sake that it is a software issue and not a major hardware issue.
That’s the problem I had… the evil orange light of death.
It’s the photographer, not the equipment that makes the image! I’ve seen people with Leica’s, and any other kind of camera, and some of them are good images and some of them are bad.
I can take pictures as good as anybody any day without paying that kind of money.
In fact, I’d be afraid to carry a Leica in certain cities like New Orleans. I was down there a few years ago and kept being asked how much my camera (Fuji XPro2) was worth, even followed by one guy I thought was going to mug me,so I turned to face him and he veered off.
We can add "that it is a little heavy compare to other hybrids", battery heating weirdly sometimes and some freeze. BTW it's a really great camera and I have a visioflex that I do not use (even for people in the street photos with wide angle). Maybe I will more use it with 50mm and 75 🤔 Great that your M11 is back :) enjoy !
The Voigtländer 21mm Nokton f1.4 is quite lovely although needs to be stopped down a bit for peak performance. Still looks great at f1.4 but it just has the very slightest tat of a glow. Nothing vintage or fishy tho.
Of course Adorama has the MA type 127 back in stock. So what if it doesn't have a rear screen. Tri x anyone??
A pity Leica failed its M11 launch.
I was lucky to order the new Leica M6, but had no more penny left for a 35mm Summilux, so I chose the less expensive 50mm available on the store.
I hope results will be good with the HP5/100 loaded.
Moreover, I’ll have to develop my first film by myself…because photographs don’t exist anymore, except in Paris (700miles from home).
And then scan the film to see the photos on a screen. Printing needs to remove dust and buy new B&W cartridge on my Epson printer, with expensive photo paper.
Fortunately, I also own a Q2 and the « Last M ».
Now, I need a Japanese digital projector to see my photos on the wall, with a grey pearl tissue screen.
I won’t invest in a darkroom, because you can’t use it with digital files.
A few people are complain about it falling. Maybe Leica are struggling with sales, and have to compromise with cheaper parts. Lot of competition out there.
This is the second report I e heard of the M11 dying I’m sure there’s more… I hope they can rectify this at Leica.
Thank you for the content. Sorry to hear about the M11. Made me check mine! I’m 1,400 frames in…🤞🏼
As a novice photographer - I love the content here at 3BMEP, but I would enjoy listening to Hugh read the newspaper. Great voice and perfect delivery every time!!
😊🙏🏻🖖🏻
What happened with your M11? I hope not mine fks up at 1000 shots
Hugh, try the Voightlander Ultron or line for more resolution.
Could I interest you in a leather half case for M11. I have no use after selling my M11
I usually use the grip, but tell me about it. 😊
I love your work Hugh, it has so much soul. I hope you’re feeling better, May God bless you and Claudia both. I look forward to meeting you one day, my hero.
😊🙏🏻🖖🏻
Hi hope you got ur M11 back and Love to know How its working now….. 😊
I did! Hold that thought. 😊
I feel for you. Hope you get it back soonest, especially for the big prints.
Nice - hope your replacement comes soon. Got my black M11 and 50mm Summilux in London two weeks ago (they're a lot more available in Europe than in the USA) and am getting to grips with the rangefinder process... I have some gallery worthy shots already :)
Delighted for you! Enjoy!