I Bought My Dream Camera | Leica M11 + 35mm Summilux
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If you don't want to zone focus, you can try resetting the focus to infinity between every shot. That way you always know which way to focus and don't have to go back and forth, you simply pull to the left until it's in focus
I can't afford this beautiful camera, so I remind myself of the quote.
"When one does not have what one wants, one must want what one has".
I've only recently been able to afford it after years as a professional photographer! I'm sure if owning one is the end goal for you, you'll get there! Plus, i'm sure what ever camera you have is perfectly capable, this is the difference between a 95/ 97% perfect camera!
all the famous photographers used Leica because at the time there were no A7R5, no R6ii, no XT5 :)) no GM, RF and XF lenses back then lol
This is a great comment. Some of those greats wouldn't look at a Leica twice nowadays.
@@justamanwithanopinion right. anyway those great photographers would have still made great photos using any camera :)
Funny you mentioned that. I was thinking about the same. A lot of these great photos weren’t even about being in focus. Most of the work I like is usually very chaotic and unpolished.
Hahaha I did have that part scripted out but removed it. But this still begs the question, why do so many of the modern greats like Matt Stuart, Joel Meyerowitz, Joe Greer etc use Leica?
@@JamesParsons1 because of the legacy and prestige ;) same logic you mentioned in the video ahaha, why legends used leica :)
when i bought my second sony A7 series (1st was A7iv, second was a7iii), the seller asked : "why don't you buy a leica instead, don't you like the leica color?". Color he said, not image quality :))
Wait, your photography is compositionally driven so much so you could just do a screen shot of the image, yet you bought the M11 because you “love to crop.” These two thoughts together do not make sense!
Hey dude - Thanks for your comment. I'm not sure they are mutually exclusive? I liken the EVF/ live view to screen shotting as I know what the image is going to look like before taking it exposure wise. 99% of my images are cropped and the extra resolution gives me a little more room to play with. Often a shots I thought worked in camera are improved with a crop :)
As a Leica user (film and digital) for over 3 decades, I also have gotten a M11 and you're right - it requires a new way of thinking about focus, exposure and composition vs mirrorless. Although it seems a bit of a retro throwback, if you can borrow a film Leica M - the discipline it enforces will make using the M11 even more rewarding.
I borrowed m4 once, and it worked fine. I even focused well despite having bad eyesight and being left-sighted. But I did not find experience enjoyable, or worth my time. I take my Olympus or GFX every time over anything made by Leica. On the other hand, I have a lot of fun with Mamiya C330 :) and just because images are great, but also because it is so well designed for a completely mechanical device.
There are many cars that would perform as well as , or better than a Porsche 911, for a fraction of the price. But you know, there is something about the experience of driving a Porsche that makes getting from A to B a lot more fun. Do you want to do a milk run in a Toyota Yaris? How about a Porsche 911? Suddenly that milk run doesn't seem so boring.
Leica Q3 with its auto focus & macro mode may be better choice for you if you can live with the 28mm 1.7. I used to shoot Fuji since x100S, also owned T, F , & V .. the XPros were my favorite Fuji I owned, still think XPro 2 was better than the 3. Then I wanted to go full frame so I went to Sony R3 then R4 with GM 50 & GM 35. About 8 months ago I sold everything and got a Leica Q2 Monochrom. I have more fun, enjoy shooting more and just love the output of the Q2M especially since I shoot a lot of lowlight events needing high iso. If you like B&W for your personal stuff, I bet you will have more fun and get better results with a Q2M especially if you shoot fast you’ll have autofocus, try one out if possible. If you need color try a Q3 but that may be hard to come by for a while, probably months if not a year. Oh yeah completely agree how the Fujis feel like a toy and how Sony felt compared to Leica. Strange about you needing go above 320 shutter? I shoot a lot of indoor stage events at 250 or 320 shutter never have blurry photos because of that. I also do heavy cropping in on photos since it’s a 28mm and the Q2M files are very clean even at high ISOs. What really has messed me up is the quality of the Leica 28mm 1.7 Summilux lens lol … I can’t go back to what I used previously. Sometimes I miss color for shooting cars so I’ll probably get a Q3 for daytime color use or I’m hoping the next Fuji X100 will be high resolution & have a new lens lol, the new V lens got better but still not even close to a Summilux. Leica experience is an expensive addiction lolol.
Woudl love to see the Q3 in 35mm and 50mm That'd be so rad. I enjoy my Q3 now (Piro Q2) and some times I find 28mm too wide. Especially for Portraits.
Leica hate is so boring and pointless. I've never met any Leica hater who could defend their position with reason or logic. Literally only Leica does what they do, yet all issues with Leica are based on comparison to what exists and expectation leveraged against personal need. Both are void, dead on the launch pad.
Every brand has strengths and weaknesses, and every user needs a particular thing. Who cares why anyone uses what they use. Leica feels like a camera with a bit of tech. Perfect for me when I need that. Sony feels like tech with a bit of camera. Perfect for me when I need that. Etc. It's really not that hard to reserve judgement and just let people shoot.
Great video. Dead-on about the experience. My Sony is a computer with a lens. I need it when I’m doing computer-heavy tasks. But my Leica is a true camera, and it’s an incredible experience.
You have put it perfectly! Thats EXACTLY how it feels to use the Sony system vs Leica. Computers have their uses, but its not necessarily for our enjoyment!
Interesting. If someone is not a pro, these days they use cameras not to take photos, that even any smartphone can do, but to get certain experience. Admit it, we are all over sized kids and only difference is that we get to play with some really expensive, self funded, toys !! For that matter, I don’t think digital Leica can match a Hasselblad V system with bunch of Velvia rolls.. My 2 cents..
Well said, it's very interesting to hear someones thoughts and opinions develop as they experience the thing. From the months we've been shooting as you've been getting used to the setup I feel like I'm learning how to use it as well haha. It's definitely a unique tool and when the photo hits, my god it hits.
PS. share more images, your face is cool and all that... I wanna see some Summilux deliciousness.
Thank you dude! Don't worry - next video is gonna be HOT and filled with Leica GANG
For people who are earning their living with theses cameras the price is totally fine. Everyone else though...
Congrats on your M11 and welcome to the club of Mirrorless shooters going range finder!
Also pulled the trigger on an M11 and the new Summilux 35 and 50 f1.4 and so far I’m a bit confused. These lenses are the softest lenses I own, with tons of Chromatic aberrations and Halation. Especially between f1.4-f3.5. I agreed about the experience. It’s such a nice feeling when you nail focus. And regarding composition I struggle a bunch as I’m using the range finder and all my efforts go to align the rectangles.
I also find the white balance is all over the place.
I am sticking to it and looking forward to put more miles on it. One thing that happen since shooting with the M11 is the fact that I realize how much we are taking for granted when it comes to a great photo.
Have we had the same experience???? Ahaha feels like I wrote this. Yeah I've typically found shooting wider than 5.6 has made the lens much more usable. Maybe 1.4 if I am doing a very slow portrait.
Aligning the rectangle and critical focussing is definitely muuuuuch harder work than anything I've previously done. But I dunno about you, I feel like I am gradually getting there ahaha
What you're experiencing there is the difference between the myth of Leica glass and the realities
Interesting. I have the M11 and a 50mm Summicron as well as a Voigtlander 35mm f1.5. Both are sharp - to the extent that I sometimes need to soften to avoid skin texture distracting from a portrait. I haven’t noticed any aberration or halation but maybe I am not taking the kind of shot that produces that
@@alhOOO2O do you think so? It can't be all that. What i do think is the Leica has been milking optical formula from Film days and non of their lenses (other than the APO) can handle high res. That's my take so far, and I shoot with different cameras. Not married to any brand.
I switched from an R5 to a Hasselblad X2D - not for the resolution (the R5 was good enough), nor the AF (it’s slow), nor the features (no video, no eye detect, etc.). I bought it for the user experience, the industrial design, the menu UI, and the intangible feelings I have about the brand history. I imagine Leica M11 owners buy it for similar reasons. Like sports cars, we don’t buy them for logistical reasons. We buy them for purely emotional reasons. We’re human beings, not robots, and whether we’ll admit it or not, most of our discretionary purchases are made emotionally, and then justified with a biased version of logic. And that’s fine.
Back in my film only days, I shot with a Leica M6 film rangefinder with 35mm f/1.4, 90mm f/2, and 21mm f/1.4 lenses.
I patiently waited for Leica to produce a full-frame digital rangefinder that accepted my M-mount lenses.
In 2015, I bought a Fuji X-Pro 1 with 23mm f/1.4, 56mm f/1.2, and 16mm f/1.4 Fujinon lenses as a temporary solution while I continued to wait for Leica to produce what I really wanted.
In 2017, I finally purchased a black Leica M10 digital rangefinder. However, the M10 was so defective that Leica gave me a full refund. I later purchased a chrome M10 but it too was defective.
I upgraded my Fuji X-Pro1 to a graphite X-Pro 2 and have been so happy with it that I have abandoned my quest for a digital Leica rangefinder.
That's so interesting to hear! Such a shame you had such a negative experience after a positive one! What is it that drew you to the X-pro and kept you there?
I would add my similar experience here.
1) I had not only an M3 & M6 with four lenses but also an R6 with three lenses. First Leica drop the R line all together then they told us it was impossible to build a full frame M. Then the flawed M8 came out. I bought a Panasonic LX100 to understand "digital photo" and waited ....to seet hey finally made a full frame M but at stratospheric price ! I could understand paying high price for what was exeptionnal micromechanic & lenses, and I did, but once you throw that away because it is replaced by consumer electronic, Leica became a bad joke !
So I sold all my leica and will never get back to a brand who betrayed me !
2) Having both systems R & M for years, I never found the M system more convenient, faster or else than the R for street photography, actually my Hassy 501 was far more satisfying and pleasant, yes you read that well , an Hassy for street photo ! James probably never thought that there was at the time a lot more street and war photographers using a Nikon F !
3) The real problem nowdays, and kudos to Leica, is that the photographic industry do not produce photographic tools anymore but some kind of crappy mix suisse knives which are not good at photography nor at video ! You see, these are two very different things, unless you want to drive a screw with a hammer. Leica in that respect keep proposing photo cameras and that makes them sadly the only ones on the market beside probably MF cameras.
For photography we don't need Video functionalities at all and no Autofocus as well (except for very special niches like Sport and Wild Life) ! That is "THE" reason why young photographers are so enthusiast when they discover a proper photographic camera, fully manual the way it was in the film days with aperture ring on the lens !
Why other manufacturers leave that market to the benefit of Leica ? Probably because they have no photographers but many marketing managers among their staff !
As of today, I never bought any other camera than the LX100 and won't until may be Ricoh or Fuji propose some kind of a compact XT-5 with no video and no AF for a far cheaper amount of money....I know it will never happen but manufacturers don't realize they are killing their industry because very soon most will be done through a smartphone !
@@JamesParsons1
Here are the things that drew me to the X-Pro digital mirrorlless:
1. A bad experience with two Olympus micro 4/3 bodies forced me to look for another "rangefinder type" digital camera. The micro 4/3 images were great, the micro 4/3 lenses were great; however, the two micro 4/3 bodies I was using (Ep-1 and Ep-3) broke too many tmes.
2. Good expereince with Fuji ST705 35mm with 28/50/135mm screw-mount lenses.
3. Good experience with Fuji GW670 medium format film camera with fixed 90mm f/3.5 normal lens.
4. Good experience with Fuji GSW690 medium format film camera with fixed 65mm f/5.6 wide-angle lens.
5. Good experience with Fuji S5 APS-C digital SLR that was able to use my existing inventory of Nikon lenses.
The high image quality, the durability, the reliability, and the reasonable cost of the Fuji X-Pro cameras and lenses influenced me to continue relying on them for professional work and to abandon my quest for a digital Leica rangefinder.
A Leica M is not the camera everybody can have pleasure to shoot with. M cameras are all sold with "SD" inside (I mean "Slow Down" inside). You don't bye the talent for the price, but the means to "build" your own image, like a simple craftsman. M is as demanding as a good teacher. Like it or leave it. But if you stay, be sure that it'll give you a smile on your face when you'll see your pictures. And personally I don't ask for more. (Marc : M262 and M10 Monochrome). Enjoy your awesome gear.
Those photographers you admire spent countless hours, months, years with a Leica M in their hands. I remember reading that Cartier-Bresson would keep the camera in his hands at the cinema and manipulate it so it really became an extension of his arm. And Joel Meyerowitz was constantly on the street. Other great photographers opt to have auto-focus. To each his own.
The Leica rangefinders reward you for putting in the hours. Stick with it.
Thanks for the encouragement Andrew - Plenty more reps with the M series have been made since this video
I value the legacy and history of Leica and I would love to like it but I tried the M10 before and I found the handling really awkward.
Maybe it's just me but I really don't get the praise it gets from everyone🤷🏻
The issue with Leica and its fans isn't that the company has an incredible history, or that they don't make awesome types cameras, or that they don't create some fantastic lenses. The problem with the Leica brand and fans is that they talk absolute rubbish like 'I can manually focus through muscle memory faster than autofocus'. That might possibly have been true (but probably wasn't) in the very early days of the DSLR with 17 contrast-detect only AF points in the centre of the sensor, but it is absolutely ludicrous compared to a modern Sony a1, Nikon Z9, etc. What Leica fans should now do is say: that's okay, autofocus is faster, I just like this way of shooting more. There would be nothing wrong with that! People would respect it, respect the brand, respect people's individual choices. The lack of hubris and the snobbery around sentiments like "Leica glass only on a Leica body" (when independent tests have proved numerous times that a) other lenses are better corrected, more accurate, sharper, and with more micro contrast and b) even Leica fans can't accurately pick out the photo taken on a Leica when blind tested against other gear) is why there is a general hatred towards that attitude.
Written as an extremely happy Leica M6 user (and Sony, Fuji, and Ricoh).
Leica M6 and M11 are Not Just Great Cameras They are Legendry , Film Photography Has a a Different Emotion Which Todays Kids Will Never Understand
Congrats, but every TH-camr I follow because of the X100V, are getting Leicas.. which means less videos on X100V.
Thank you dude! Don't worry, there is plenty more x100v content on the way, it's just another string to my bow. I thought the X100v was ‘overhyped’ and everyone was sick of those videos haha (I still love it dw)
I'm pretty lazy with my Leica, I just set it to 1/500 and F8 then zone focus. I can pull the focus by feel when people get close. But, like you said, it's a story camera for moments and not precision. However, once you get going with them and they start to feel second nature to use, they do start to really pay off as a camera. I find anything else that I use slow and cumbersome in comparison for the type of imagery it's designed for.
Thanks for your comment dude! I've been feeling the same way, the more I get used to it, the more I am like wooaaah I am starting to get it. Taking it's time but I can see why people who stick with it, love it.
@@JamesParsons1 Definitely!
On TH-cam, youtubers have a very bad manner the way they speak,,,so fast,,i dont understand why you doing a couter productive way to share your message the wrong way to an audience. Communication 101.
For prospective Leica shooters, in my opinion and experience, the M System simply cannot be compared to other camera systems. There's a reason brands (Fuji) attempt to knock off the ~rangefinder look~ but they just cannot replicate the M System. The essence of it is the intellectual property that is the M system's method of focusing. I have never laid hands on a system that gives the user more control. An individual's experience with it is completely contingent upon their own competence and capabilities. When you add build quality and image quality on top of that IP that's where you get the price tag. Leica can charge what they charge because there is not another company making anything even remotely capable of what the M system is capable of. Folks considering buying one ought to expect months or years (depending on your hand-eye coordination skills and dedication) to really get a hang of it. There is just no other camera system that I have found that truly can unlock the full potential of a photographer. The M System is as fast and as accurate as the individual using it, definitely not for everyone, but those for whom it is for, there is truly nothing that can beat it.
What an incredibly insightful comment man! Thank you so much for sharing. I am starting to experience all of the things you mention! Thank you dude
Bit disappointed to see you refer to the x100v as a toy. A lot of people that arent lucky enough to be in a position to buy a camera like the m11 have spent their hard earned cash on what still is a great camera. And one that you love too.
For 1k+ it is still a significant purchase for most photographers, both casual, amateur and pro. One that they treasure just as much as someone that can afford a leica.
I don't own one btw, and dont plan to. Just thought the comment a bit off, albeit probably said in tongue and cheek.
Hey man - I think you've misinterpreted what I meant here, and perhaps I could have been clearer with what I was saying.
When I refer the to X100V as a toy, I mean it in an affectionate way. I used it this weekend and shot 4,000 photos. When I say Toy, I mean the playfulness of the camera.
I feel unbelievably creative and playful when using the camera, and I always get better results when I use it.
The Leica doesn't have that feeling at all, it's built differently and wouldn't risk / couldn't fit the camera in the same places as the x100v.
Everything I said in my 92,000 images video still stands, and I think the rest of this video also suggests how highly I value the X100V, and how I don't feel as creative when using the leica
@@JamesParsons1 aye I knew you loved it loads which is why I thought it a bit derogatory but I get your explanation. I obviously read too much into it. 😜😜🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
I just bought a M10R Black Paint and a Summilux Asph 50, comming from a OM1. So just the opposite. Super fast, perfect AF. Adapting to the Leica still goes on. I can not take the photos I am used to take. I have to see other photos. And I am not quite there. What I can say so far: the IQ is very nice. Like you said, when everything comes together. To find that pocket of time and space, where it comes together, is the task. Not easy. In a sense, you need to look further into the future than with a fast mirrorless. That you just raise, and get the shot. With the Leica, you have to be prepared.
Congratulations! Now you just have to cope with 61 unstabilized megapixels being focused through a rangefinder. J/K...enjoy in good health and thanks for the honest assessment.
Ahahah I've got to perfect the art of gently pressing the shutter button ;) I'm excited for the challenge!
I really appreciate you talking about the impact of increased megapixels having a knock-on effect with the shooting experience. I've been a RX1 (24mp) shooter since 2012 and when I picked up a RX1r2 (42mp), I experienced exactly the same thing as you did. I had to either exercise greater physical shooting discipline (which doesn't always match the situation), or increase minimum shutter speed to at least 1/500th (sometimes 1/1000th) to shoot the way I shot with the RX1-effectively losing about 2 stops at night. I ended up selling the RX1r2 and going back to my RX1. My photos have always been great with the RX1. The "upgrade" was to increase my crop-ability latitude-which, in truth, only was a factor in a small percentage of my work in the last decade.
Really great that you're adventuring outside your comfort zone and learning a new flow and muscle memory! Way to stretch yourself! 💪
I look forward to your videos to come sharing your experience. Love all the work you do in making these videos for us audience on the other side of the net! Thank you! 🙏
Thank you so much dude - It's so interesting isn't it. I'm surprised that there hasn't been bigger developments in iso/ noise performance etc. Glad you enjoy the content so much! Plenty more to come
I genuinely have no idea how anyone justifies getting a Leica m series, except I did and I love my photos and I love the experience I get from it. Can I honestly tell people to get one? Nope! But I love it.
Even if the bias never exist. Leica has played a integral part in photography history. They were the first camera company to sell a useable camera to consumers for normal use. Leica also invented autofocus but sold the patent to Minolta that’s now Sony Iykyk 😉. I found that out from one of the guys who works at the Leica store in Boston. I also did a paper on Leica and found that they helped the Jewish families and people escape Germany during the war. Either they were put on Leica’s freedom train or just mass hired them to work elsewhere away to escape the Nazis. Gave them all cameras to pawn and let them work in other factories.
I used a friend's on a portrait shoot a few months ago. It felt great in the hand and the files are beautiful but I missed the focusing and my custom buttons on the Sony.
I was used to the megapixel as I used to shoot a D850 which didn't have any IBIS so that wasn't really a problem.
Would I buy one? No for two reasons: it's way out of my budget; I didn't feel like it offered anything that my Sony couldn't do apart from the colours.
Great video as always mate.
Oh and hurry up with the book 😂😂😂
My Leica journey started with the M9 and since then to M240, sold off and go to Sony, Fuji and ended up coming back to the M. Now I am using the M11 silver. Fee like home coming. Enjoy the cam!
Thank you dude! What was the motivation to go to Sony and fuji and then back?
@@JamesParsons1 I tried out Sony for its wide selection of lenses. Unfortunately I missed the deliberate process of a Leica M and not to forget that the M system is very compact. I can carry a Tri-Elmar Wate, 35mm, 50mm and a 90mm in a small bag compared to a other mirrorless system equivalent. I owned the Fuji X100F as a companion to the M240.
The idea that a Leica M shooter can focus faster or more accurately than a modern mirrorless camera is total nonsense. There are no Leica shooters on You Tube showing their ability to perform this task. Instead, there are anecdotal reports on Leica forums accompanied by a single photo that claims to show this amazing ability. Meanwhile, most Leica shooters are capturing static images of landscapes, puddle reflections and funny street signs -all scenes that are super easy to focus. I'll put my ability to nail focus with a 15 year old Nikon D3 over a Leica M shooters ability to nail focus with the rangefinder.
I get what you are saying and it is probably right in most circumstances. but pulling the camera out of a bag because you are seeing something that might vanish quickly, i gotta say, neither my z6 nor my xt5 are particularly fast at focusing this (mostly because i have to tell the camera to focus on it first). i don't have a leica but i can imagine that getting within the range of it being sharp at f8 might be faster with a leica due to the muscle memory.
btw, the puddle reflection isn't super easy to focus, again, telling the camera what to focus on is not fast with a z6/xt5.
@@bosiefoobar Respectfully, this has nothing to do with f/8. I'm talking about Leica photographers claiming they can focus a rangefinder faster than I can focus a DSLR or Mirrorless. The claim is nonsense. Imagine the following test: I'm holding a D3s or newer Nikon. The Leica shooter is holding an M11. We are standing on a corner and we are going to take a picture of a store across the street, the other photographer, our shoes and a building far away. Someone counts down backwards from 3 to 1. Then we both shoot the series of images and see who finishes first and which person nailed focus on more of the shots. As a longtime Nikon AND Leica user, I assure you, the Nikon will win that test every time.
My M cameras are my favorite cameras, but there is so much nonsense spoken about the cameras that it drives me crazy. Even the claim made by James in this video that you can see outside the frame when using a rangefinder doesn't ring true to me. We hear about that benefit in a ton of Leica videos, and yet shooting with an iPhone gives the same benefit, to an even higher degree. And somehow we NEVER hear this talk about seeing outside the frame being a benefit of shooting with an iPhone. So for me, this is one of many Leica talking points that just keeps getting repeated, but has no basis in real world usage of the camera.
@@JohnRicard It is about f8 as well. the focus range is greater, hence i might get away with zone focusing.
regarding your example, sure, if i can communicate quickly with the camera what i am aiming to focus on, no doubt any new AF camera will win. AFS, center, focus done. you can focus as quickly as you can get the object lined up with your center. and let's not forget focus tracking, that's definitely going to your Nikon ;)
i actually like that "extended frame" thing on the iphone. Wouldn't mind having that on my cameras. why wouldn't it be a benefit? not enough to get a leica, sure. but a benefit nonetheless?
let's be honest, when you spend this much money on a RF with MF, you will have to convince yourself any way you can that the money is worth it.
@@bosiefoobar There is definitely some lying to themselves on the part of Leica users ;) No argument there.
Unfortunately your use case leads nowhere. Of course, if you take the camera out of your bag, put in on your eye then any af System will be much faster and more important, mostly more accurate. But honestly, when you are well trained with an M camera, you can nail your focus nicely. With your af camera, you have to guess which af mode is selected, where the af point is set, eventually correct it, and then hope it works like it should. In this time, you made allready some photos with the M.
watch how Winogrand used the camera, he was always looking through the viewfinder, waiting for the decisive moment
M is special. My hint to 7:41 , become familiar with pre-shot-done zone focusing 😊. That’s how your heroes did it you listed at the beginning of the video. With a 35mm no problem at all, that’s probably the best focal length for environmental portraits anyway. Wirh a 28 Summicron even less. With 50mm it’s getting difficult. “Unfortunately” that’s my favourite focal length.
I won't denigrate another photographer's choice of camera so I'll just say this: that's a very brave decision. I wish you all the best with the M11 and I look forward to hearing more as you get to grips with it.
Luck favours the brave ;) Thank you! I'm actually getting on much better with the camera after posting this video ahaha
I would def suggest putting in the time to getting proficient with zone focus. I think once you get good at judging distance you can start to open up your aperture with confidence. I'm still learning this too :-).
Thank you so much for the tips man! I'm starting to get there, just need a bit more practice and I'm sure I'll get there. How long have you been zone focussing for?
I recently got myself the x100v as I wanted a small camera with a flippy screen and autofocus ,I like it a lot
But my main camera of choice is my Leica M10-D with the 35 f2 summicrom which I enjoy using more , I also have the 50mm summilux but don't use it as much
I got my first M camera, the M-P240 safari edition as a 50th birthday treat to myself and I still shoot that now and then
But I prefer the experience AND challenge of shooting without a screen
Shoot autofocus almost feels like I'm cheating as well
Enjoy the M11
and remember practice makes perfect
Thanks you for your input dude! Great to hear your personal experience and to learn from it, rather than some otherswho are just repeating others opinions haha. I'm looking forward to spending more time with this camera, I can't wait :)
If you try the Leica SL2 or SL2S, all your focusing problems are solved! And, if you don't mind shooting manual focus, then with an adapter, you can use your m-mount lenses. Please if you get a chance, try it and let us know what you think about the Leica SL2 system. I have both the M11 and the SL2-s, and I love using them both.
Ooooooo I've heard good things about the SL series, although for street photography I much prefer the smaller set up of the m series.
Would you not think the SL was more comparable to my Sony A1? Maybe I need to do a test
@@JamesParsons1 I absolutely agree. For me, it is the same; m series is the only camera for me when I do street photography too.
For street and walking around I use the Leica CL digital. Even with APS-C crop sensor the pictures are great. I adapt full-frame manual lens to to it. The camera has the great Leica build quality along with being compact. You might want to get used one.
Surprisingly honest and sincere confessional review if Leica M11 ! Highly appreciated !!!
If my memory serves me well Henry Cartier Bresson said he ditched a few thousend of his photographs he took as a begginer ! So, obviously, it is a long and hard way to mastering photography. With Leica especially ! But, now that you have the perfect tool to achieve this goal - the only way is uo ! With a lot of practice !!!
Thank you 🙌🏻 Glad you liked my perspective and honesty. To me, it's important to keep my sovereignty and be as honest as I can with everything I do.
I've heard that lots of photographers took 1000's and didn't even look at them when they were putting in the hours. Which I completely resonate with ahah
I only have problem focusing with the M in the dark
I know it’s crazy but how a camera looks and feels in the hand matters. Fuji X line all feels like a toy in my hand. It’s just uninspiring. It’s much better to love what’s in your hand. You’ll get used to the viewfinder. My Fuji 8x9 film camera took a minute to get used to.
It's such an under discussed element of the photography experience. I personally like the feeling of the X100V being toy like, it's pushed me to be much more creative with it and using it in interesting ways. The M11 is just a beautiful piece of machinery that when plonked in your hand just feels so compelling to use
Leica M is an investment, that pays off over the years. You need to think more and calm down. Your setup isn't for me, I stick to my MP240 + 50 mm Summilux. PLUS the 90 mm Summarit and the 24 mm Elmar-M. Nice to learn, what young photographers think of the M system. Keep on rolling.
Thanks for the encouragement Paul! I've definitely noticed that the more I get used to the Leica the better it feels. I guess thats true with all systems, but the benefits of the M series really compounds
Like most Leica users your so full of it lad
Leica sells macro adapter rings for this lens that do allow you to take great macros. I have the same setup.
Do you not find its super hard to nail focus? Even the live view screen is hard to use
My problem with my m11 is that it’s sometimes freezes when going out of sleeo or power save mode and I mis a shot, it’s quickly fixed by removing the battery and putting it back, otherwise it’s great and I love it. This bug will be fixed in the feature an very rarely happens
I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. It's right as its falling asleep, you buzz it to wake up and press the shutter too soon and its just locks up. Very annoying when it happens because it only occurs during a 'wow' moment when you are being super quick and reactive
Zone focus bro! 😂 great video though.
have you tried using lightroom's denoise yet? Ive found both workflow wise and just the efficacy of the tool are better than topaz at the moment. I also have a sony and fuji like you (an a7rv) and i push the iso to 6400 quite a bit, just taking a little bit of the edge off the lightroom's denoise really helps
I've had a little play with it, just find it's really slow even on my pimped laptop, which feels weird haha
ditch the Fujifilm and get a q3
Congrats on the M11. I just grabbed a Q3 and really happy with it. I did look at the M11 but the manual focus turned me off in regards to nailing focus in the heat of the moment.
Thank you so much dude! PLEASE let me know how the Q3 is, I am still considering it 👀
I have the M240. Still fantastic.
Glad you enjoy it so much!
I shoot sony and Nikon for wildlife and can assure you that the files coming out the m system are much more pleasing than everything else on the market!
Yeah there is something magical about what Leica are doing. Still yet to be able to put it into leymans terms though ahah
DXO PhotoLab or DXO PureRaw Deep PRIME is the best noise reduction give it a try.
Great recommendations dude! Will give them a try :)
Hello mate... late to the party on this one. Just wanted to say that I have seen other photographers vids stating the same blurry shot problem with this same camera. I dont own a camera with IBIS and i shoot mainly vintage lenses so im always up against the camera movement problem. A little trick I learned was not to press and release.... just press. Try it. Press and hold. Press and freeze. Eliminate the release motion from the capture.
Interesting concept dude! For me, I think it's the extra resolution as I don't have this problem with the Fuji X100V with no IBIS. BUUUUUT, I'm gonna give that sniper shot approach a whirl and see what happens :) Thanks for the tip
@@JamesParsons1 nice one. Will be interesting to see how it goes for you. 👍😎📷👋
I’ve had my M11-P for only a couple of days. I’m expecting the same thing exactly, even comparing it to my x100v. I’ll give the shutter speed bump a try. Thanks!
I’ve found a shutter speed of over 1/500 made a significant improvement to the images I was creating
I’d also say put your max iso at like 6000 or so! If you have any tips or questions send me a DM 🙌
It’s As good as it’s user just a apparatus. They are good tho. Fun humble you
Absolutely - The more in tune we are with our kit the better the results. And I am still trying to work out the best way to use it ahaha
Hmmmm very interesting. I have owned an M10-R and fount that to nail focus and get exposure spot on needs a great deal of experience, and whilst I loved the "user experience" there was just to many variables that affected my end result. I needed to use a higher ISO to get a faster shutter speed, so even on the 10R it still means noisier images, which can be cleaned up in PP but thats another process I don't want. I loved the user experience and feel of the camera etc, BUT "for me" the total manual process was just a step too far. Nailing focus with my older eyes sometimes with a very narrow DOF was just too challenging. Each to there own, many will love these cameras. Thanks for your thoughts.
Thanks for sharing your opinion Ian! I agree, it's been challenging so far. I'm not sure if I've ever nailed a 1.4 shot haha. I'm definitely going to give the camera a bit more of trail before making any decisions :)
The M series cameras jive much better with me than many other modern cameras because I learned photography in the film days with SLR and rangefinder cameras. No AF, no selective points, etc...Pre-focusing and other techniques are things I've tried to adapt on modern tech cameras but it just doesn't feel the same. Whereas when I apply it to something like an M camera, it's like bread and butter. I'm on the fence about getting an M11 and really just not sure due to all of the issues I've read about freezes, resets, et but I also know there's people out there with zero issues, as well. Glad you were able to get your dream set up!
Lol, ducking millennials indeed, bought a rangefinder to use flip screen…
Hell yeah I did
I have the advantage of growing up with film rangefinders. My first camera was a Ricoh 500G and my last camera before going digital was a Mamiya 7. I bought an M11 because I’d always wanted a Leica M camera and I wanted to return to the analogue-style experience without the faff of film. I could’ve bought a Fuji and had a very similar experience and produced pictures indistinguishable from those I get with the M11 but hey, I found myself briefly having the money to get a Leica and knew I’d only regret it if I didn’t. Manual focus is still a pain though. I can do it no problem but it is still a pain. If the Q2/Q3 had a less bulky lens it’d be all I ever needed
I've been having a similar experience/ thought process. and keep thinking that maybe I just need to put more reps in with the camera, no? I think with time it will become second nature and we'll love it even more
It depends really much by the kind of photography you're used to do.
If you have to work and you have no time to "learn" to focus with this kind of camera, it turns into hell. An amazing camera but... I still prefer most reliable Autofocus cameras... even if I'm using a GFX50S II (with the worst autofocus ever on a GFX camera) :D
Aha haha very true, although I shot the E1 boats and Monaco 1 week into owning the camera ;) thankfully I was able to predict where the cars are gonna be on track ahaha
@@JamesParsons1 great sense of distance 😂🙏🏼
Luckily it's more that they all want to be on the same bit of track rather than anything I could control
it's perfect for IG where you need your subjects to always be at the center . I don't even bother with rule of 3rds composition unless im shooting at F8. Thank goodness Wes Anderson is a trend. lol.
ahaha yeah so true, IG LOVEEEESS a central framed image. I've recently been struggling to find images that look good vertically which is really frustrating. Any tips?
@@JamesParsons1i agree, its tough. Theres a reason why vertical is also referred to as portrait orientation. Works best for portraits. Lol. Very straight forward shots.
Using a 50 or 85 lenses helps because it allows you to use compression techniques in your compositions.
Why review a camera/tool you do not obviously master? how relevant is it going to be for others? ...and not wait a little more. Just an idea. [blurred images at 1/320 s ?!? too much coffee or white wine. Just slow down and learn how to shoot with an M. ;o) [ and for instance around 7'18" "having to focus in the sensor" (instead of "with the rangefinder")... yes I am sure you know "range-finder" and what it does, but just going too fast again! ;o) Breather, live... and photograph with your M. All the best.
Hey Bruno - Interesting thoughts.
To me, I'd want to know the experience of other photographers I looked up to explain how they were getting on with a camera after 3 months of use, to get a better understanding of what my experience might be like. Most TH-cam camera reviews are made with less than 1 month's of experience, and often lack objectivity as they have been paid by brands (or got early access) which can cloud their vision. With these two things in mind, I created the exact video I would want to watch and learn from. I hope there is a video from a 'master' of the camera that you can watch and learn from them what you'd like to know more about.
I take it you've had experience shooting with an M, and I'm sure there are many thing you could teach me about the series. However, I do believe you don't have experience shooting on a 60mp M11 and shooting reactive street photography. With the X100v or M11 using the low or medium resolution settings, I can shoot hand held down to 1/125 for 95% of my street photos. However, with the additional resolution, camera shake becomes glaringly more obvious. I enjoy shooting street at a fast pace, to which this camera is amazing at 1/500+, which i'll continue to use.
Hope you have a great day dude!
@@JamesParsons1 Thanks for the honest feedback, however you should not always trust what you believe but what you know. 1-Obviously you know nothing about me, my experience with street photography and know nothing about whether or not I have tried an M11 doing that. If you had asked me I would have answered I actually do. I have a simple principle in life never talk or have an opinion about things you do not know enough.
Now regarding your own experience with an M11 I'll agree with you about the fact that the more pixels have been added to a sensor, the more one has to be careful with the shutter speed they use in order not to get blurred images, all the more if as has been the case with all Leica Ms so far, there is no image stabilisation. In such cases the way one handles the camera is also critical. Personally I have had good results with an M11 between 1/60 and 1/250 (which is for me one extra EV of precaution, the same as for an M10R for which 1/30s can be challenging-not on an M10 or M6 by the way).
Hope you have a great day too, dude!
but the fuji have a viewfinder too. Whats the difference ? What makes unique ? the handling ? the manual experience ? and is that worth ditching ois and af ?
Hey dude - The range finder focussing system used by Leica M cameras is unique compared to the Fuji line up, I'm sure there are some great videos describing it better than I can over text. The handling of the camera feels different and as a user, we feel much more involved in the picture taking process. Which in some cases, I absolutely love. In others, I prefer to feel like the camera is a toy. It depends on my mood to which camera I pick up, which I appreciate I am very lucky to have that option.
For people that are curious about traditional rangefinder mechanisms - you can get Soviet-era film rangefinders for around $100 with lens that have a nearly identical mechanism to the pre-war Leicas. The Fuji system is different and better suited to digital. But if you love a traditional optical rangefinder, I think Leica is the only game in (digital) town.
A camera without auto focus, is a Camera I can’t use for street. I have enough trouble getting my images Infocus with Fuji cameras, and they have autofocus.
Plus, I’m older and have floaters and jerky eyes. Basically, I’m not paying 9K for camera that won’t auto focus!
So that’s the magic - you can zone focus and get everything sharp. But I appreciate if you struggle to see normally you may not have the easiest of times
@@JamesParsons1
I’ve tried zone focusing, but I just never know where the subject is or where there going to be in the next second. I don’t have time to play with the focus when I’m getting ready to fire a shot off!
I know people who use zone focus, and they never get the shots I get. And they have to be almost right in front of somebody’s face, I prefer using a 50 mm over a 28 mm. Less confrontation with people.
There’s a lot more separation in my photos than theirs. I used to shoot with a zoom lens, but then there was very little separation. Primes are the best.
Ready to capture magic, loved that. And your honest assessment that it needs some time to get used to that camera. Your photos with it look already stunning though! And btw thanks for the insight with that taxes thing, never thought that for some this might be a reason to buy expensive gear…. Cheers from the Leica country
Thank you my dude! Glad you liked it
no ibis, no bueno
re shutter speed I dont understand your problem. I have M10p and the sumilux 50 asph and I will happily shoot down to 1/50 in daylight and if leaning against somthing at night 1/10 can be ok too. Its just practice. stop thinking like auto focus happy snappy slow down. think like a sniper bring your heart rate down and capture the moment. Just my opinion.
Hey Richard - Thanks for your comment. Clearly you've got a skill for taking photos in a slower environment.
However, I take street and client photos in a quick and reactive way, focusing on moments and split-second interactions. I don't have this issue with my other cameras without IBIS and resolutions like the M10P (around 26mp). That being said, a high-resolution sensor like the M11 with 60mp makes it really obvious when the image isn't sharp due to camera shake.
With your shooting style and skill, it sounds like you'd still get sharp images, however with my style, I have to whack up the shutter speed in order to get consistently sharp images.
@@JamesParsons1 Hi i accept your point to some extent but for your client work an printed page requires inly 6.5 mp. And this is why the 60mp is of no interest to me. I would personally shoot at 36. Also you have spent your professional life with autofocus cameras snap snap easy. A leica is a different tool. I predominantly shoot street with a 50 or 28 an for sure you miss some. I think its horses for courses. I hope you stick with it and find the sweet spot. Once you do you will find the engagement it gives you enjoyable. Its like film i love shooting film for the joy of the process. The results are in a way not as important as the challenge of the moment of capture. And i remember that moment in a way I dont with a DSLR
My only comment is. I wouldn’t get the Summilux. Too big for my use. Cron for me. Crons are the best every day lenses. At least for my type of shooting. But I get the allure of the Lux.
M10R for me though. Even today. I don’t trust the M11 so M10R it is. It has been perfect for 2 years. Not 1 problem.
Eventually will move on to an M. Right now have the Q2 and the SL2S and they are wonderful. The shooting experience and build is top notch. But man the M... the whole experience is different. And fun.
Love my new Q3 and my SL2-S. Had an M-10 and it just wasn't my groove. Missed too many shots. I felt handicapped.
Curious if you have tried the a7cr with a compact lens. You can also throw on a manual lens and have a very similar feel. Also I’m pretty sure the m11 uses a Sony sensor.
Hey dude - Leica, like lots of other camera brands, use Sony sensors. Although they are all fine tuned in different ways and perform in different ways.
The manual focusing experience on a range finder camera is vastly different to sticking a manual lens on a mirrorless camera due to their respective viewfinders.
I'm sure the mechanical feel is pretty similar though between manual lenses
@@JamesParsons1 I understand that. I have some old Voigtlander film cameras and a couple of older Kodak film cameras also. I do enjoy the full manual experience and a proper ovf. I have never been able to convince myself to spend the money on a Leica but I often wonder if there is any way it could be worth three times the price of most cameras. I will rent one eventually but am worried that I will enjoy it and find myself spending 9k on a body. Thanks for your time and response.
@@JamesParsons1 the only reason to try a leica is if you want to try one of those monochrom sensors, but even that you can always just have a regular sony camera converted.
M11 owner here - for a year now. 1/250 to me is totally fine. - I’ve started to use the visoflex for critical focusing. Gonna play devils advocate that the problem isn’t the shutter speed but critical focus w your range finder skills. Which will get better and better over time obviously :) also the electronic shutter is great when you’re in a pinch to take photos wide open in the sun. Just my 2 cents. I have it on hybrid.
The M11 should've had and EVF plain simple. Not being able to use the range finder with my Summilux 35 and 50mm f1.4 II, and needing a $750 accessory that looks terrible on the camera is a bad choice from the beginning. At least upgrade the range finder to allow you to focus less than 0.7mm. Either you stick retro or go modern all the way. Also the M11 at 60MP should've had IBIS. The shutter shock is real and sometimes no matter what you do you'll get that jitter introduced in your image, leaving you with less useful images.
@@GastonShutters true, but I guess that’s why they have the Q line up. The range finder isn’t the issue of focusing 0.7m, it’s the lens…the lens has to be able to do it. The new 1.4 Summilux is closer focus distance than the one I got last year. (Edited: you’re totally right about the range finder focus distance. Didn’t know that!!!!)
@@GastonShutters and yes, the visoflex sure is ugly
Actually you’re totally right - just looked this up - jeez I didn’t know there was a limit on the actual range. 🫨🫨🫨
@gastonshutters
Have you tried the visoflex? I have it for my m10 and It helps me so much. I have the gen 1 and its not the best but its much cheaper then then the new gen 2.
Ooo interesting. Everytime i've used it, it just feels a bit... slow? Which I found to be particularly annoying ahah. How do you find it?
@@JamesParsons1 Idk; I use it 99% of the time when I use the camera. I just got used to its weirdness. I use it especially when I use the camera for my commercial work to ensure it hits central focus.
I use the Q2 and love it. Great photos and greater experience. The old Canon 5Diii I use is actually more versatile and effective for most of my work. But I enjoy the process of using a Leica. It is simpler, and makes me more intentional. And I’ve definitely had a learning curve to get good images on the Leica. Maybe that’s the point…to make me be “present” and not just rattle off digital images. I would love to get into the M11 ecosystem.
Can you sell me your X100V as a result? :p
As mentioned, I am not leaving the fuji gang ;)
I went to Camera West yesterday and handled an M11P for the first time...and now I totally get it. The experience is wildly satisfying, and the experience of it is half the fun.
I wonder what your long-time-experience will be and if you have issues with this camera.
I love the camera ahaha. I realised my shutter has to be over 1/500 to avoid camera shake with the high resolution sensor. I am really enjoying using it 🙌
@@JamesParsons1 Yes, I guess IBIS will come in future versions of the M-series.
Crossing my fingers for it!!
oh, finally! 🎉❤
Ahahah told you i'd get round to it ;) Thanks for supporting the channel!
You were spoiled by the autofocus of the modern cameras. You first have to shoot film to experience a Leica body, than move to digital. Modern digital Leica M's cameras embodies the feel experience of it's film camera bodies.
I've started photography thru smartphone, than a Sony a6000 similar to your Fuji and now I only shoot film. It's a complete opposite experience. For one you just press the shutter and get perfect exposure and on the other you manual input shutter speed, F stop, manual focus, think of the light, think of the look you will have on your and most importantly think if you really need that shot, cause you only have 36 or less and all cost money 🤣
You have many more steps to do, which now modern cameras just do it internally in milliseconds with their processor.
What in trying to tell is that your Fuji is more automated that your Leica and it depends what you want. Cheers!
Interesting take - For me its the images that we produce is by far the most important element of selecting kit. Whatever gets us the image is what we should use
@@JamesParsons1 sure, you can capture a good picture with your smartphone now, I've took some very memorable. But beside just taking a good picture, for me personally the process before taking it, is as much of important.
@@JamesParsons1 automatization is good but till some point, if it's too much it takes the human element. You wouldn't want to have a factory job where you just press one button every day. It gets boring very quickly :)
The 4:50 feeling between each camera I get so much, truly one of the intangible things that sway my camera decisions!
And no one can put it into words that hold any real persuasive weight ahah. Spend £5,000 more to get something that 'feels good'. DONE. MONEY TRANSFERED.
im glad you didnt take the easy route and go for the q3
Aha haha 👀 i may or might not be considering the Q3.... I refuse to comment
Great video James. As an amateur with a limited budget to spend on M-mount lenses, do you have any recommendations for a third-party lens at 35mm? Cheers.
Hey dude - I can’t say that I have any experience with third party lenses, I’m still pretty new to the brand and have only used Leica glass, which is appreciate is very lucky. There is no perfect answer for lenses, but one thing I would note is trying to nail focus at f2 or lower is soooo hard and I’m constantly missing ahaha. So don’t feel like you need to get anything that’s f2 or lower
@@JamesParsons1 Thanks for the tips.
@@JamesParsons1 James after spending about an hour in the local Leica store, I was sold on the Summilux 35mm F1.4 FLE II. The tactile feel on the aperture ring and also fine-tuning the manual focus tab were the two major deciding factors. Thanks again for your help.
Very interesting video. Qouestion: Has - using the Leica M11 - changed you as a commercial photographer?
Hmmm - In what way are you thinking? I guess my eye is always developing and getting better? But in terms of image output because of the Leica, I don't think so. I use Sony A1 for stills work which is already a 50mp sensor so I don't think there is toooooo much difference. I dunno man ahaha, tough question!
@@JamesParsons1 I was just thinking if shooting with the M11 have changed the was you "see" things - and be something you have been able to transfer to your commercial work? (Hope it makes sense)
I think it has changed the way I see street, but not sure how much it has translated into my actual commercial work. I don't think i've had the access needed to really nail the Street vibe in my commercial work just yet ahah
Yes it’s expensive. But it’s inconspicuous, something that I have realized is not a small thing to dismiss. There are many places that I was not comfortable taking out my mirrorless cameras due to their bulk and “noticability” factor. As long I gaffer tape the red dot I have no issues taking the Leica out and most people don’t notice 😊
Pweshusssss!
can you borrow it to me so I can take it apart and try messing with the signature stuff?
Hate leica for the way they treat my boyfriend
What did they do?
Totally agree with your review, to start I think Leica cameras and lenses are totally worth every penny I am by no means well off but I will spend what money I have to buy the best photographic equipment and Leica is the best. The M system is a purist`s camera and it makes you learn about photography in every aspect of the creative fundamentals, I learnt my trade as a photographer on very basic film cameras using every format from 35mm up to 10 x 8 plate cameras and though these cameras where very straight forward you learnt all about exposure and the relationship between aperture and shutter speed and how to control them and use them creatively. When you know how to use a camera there is plenty you can do creatively rather than having one of the many other brands with all the bells and whistles. No other digital camera other than the Leica M system that I have used does manual focus like the M system does. All in all the Leica M system is a wonderful photographic tool in every aspect, thanks once again for a great honest video.
I don't own a Leica, because I can't afford it (yet?)
Unfortunately, Leica doesn't have any competition for the M camera lineup. It is the only player in its own category (full frame rangefinder digital camera).
I love rangefinder camera and sure there's a lot of people who feel the same. But since we couldn't afford a digital Leica we're stuck with the old film rangefinder camera.
I hope other camera company could look into adding digital rangefinder camera into their line up. (Nope, Fuji camera isn't a rangefinder, it just a mirrorless camera with a rangefinder body style)
There's Pixii camera, but more competition should be better for everyone, right?
Leica M10-R and former Fujifilm shooter over here. It's an experiential camera with the technology for anyone adept in composing the scene they're shooting and learning that all M10+ cameras have issues with highlights you're going to be okay and make great photos. That said, I have two things to point, one, all of the great photographers you mentioned used Leica film cameras not digital mirrorless cameras when it comes to which photographs made them famous. So you can attribute that to their eye, compositions, film stock, and the lenses they used not so much the camera body.
Lastly, I like Joe Greer but he's not ready to be mention in that list of photographers you listed. Not yet, give him another decade or 2. 🤣
My Leica journey started in the late 1990's I started with a leica 3 and then moved onto an M7. I would argue that its the cheepest camera brand over a 20 year period. I purchased my M7 in 2003 and still own it. I paid £1500 and its not £3500 same with lenses. My Nikon F100 was a similar price and I sold it for £85. They are not the greatest camea for everybody. But you can do almost anything wiht them if you want to. for me its all about the experience.
Keep going with it, I am sure you will crack it. The only Leica I am interested in is the Q3 but my wife has a rough idea how much they cost lol.
I do photography purely for the enjoyment of it. My first camera was a 1920-30’s Kodak box camera which I found in someone’s trash. Took photography in college and got a Nikon F when my uncle was in the USAF and was stationed in Korea which was in the early - mid 60’s. Shot a lot of Ektachrome 64 and Kodachrome 25.
Always wanted a Leica M3 or M2. In the early 70’s bought a used M2 since Leica had the M4 which I didn’t like as much as the older M’s.
I use both the Nikon and M2 but preferred shooting with range finders more.
Just shooting with the precision of the M3 and M2 makes the process that much more enjoyable. Never thought of going digital since having to learn the menu’s and settings takes away from the enjoyment…..just my humble opinion.
Why didn’t you get the M11P?
It wasn't out when I bought the M11 ahaha
Hi James I really enjoy your videos, insights, photos, and advice. After watching many different photography TH-cam channels and reading lots of photography books I am slowly reaching the stage where I feel that I can be justified in having an opinion, and of all the channels I regularly watch, I find your insights and photos amongst the best. I have been taking photos since I was 17 and I will be 67 next year. I am also susceptible to G.A.S. Syndrome and may very well try and get myself a Q3 since I’m getting older and there are, after all, no pockets in a shroud.😊
Thank you so much Alan! Means a lot to hear you say that about my channel. Amazing to hear you've been taking photos for so long, must be quite interesting seeing a shift in the community over the years. I'm also keeping my eyes peeled for a Q3- It looks like a banging camera!
@JamesParsons1 Hi James it was all film when I started taking photos, but I travelled a lot and carrying loads of films through airports and x-ray machines is no fun. I love the new digital age of photography and especially my x100v and gr111. I surely don't need a Q3 but it just seems to have a lot of what I want. Best wishes.
Saw the into and didn’t watch the rest.
Thanks for clicking on the video- I’d be interested to know what made you click away? Always looking to learn and improve my videos
I have the M10-R. The M11 was not released yet when I bought my camera. The way to go about taking pictures is totally different than other cameras. Not better or worse just different. I recently tried my M lenses on SL2 and I was blown away by the user experience. Patiently waiting for the SL3 ;-). I am however not a big fan of the Q3.
You did right if that was your dream!
Thank you man! Really appreciate you leaving a comment and supporting the channel ❤️