The M10-R is arguably the better camera for most people (if buying used). It's a more stable platform, native iso of 100, better in low light than the M11 except for very high ISO (above 12500) and cost way less used. Downsides of the M10-R comes down to battery, no internal memory and slow live view.
@@johnkasianowicz6536 from tests done by Sean Reid. It shows almost identical noise performance, with a slight edge to the M10-R, up until about 12500 where the M11 pulls ahead (much less banding)
@@AbrahamMusalem you can always find the M10-R for a better deal than the M11 (unless you’re lucky). Plus if you’re a working professional I would be hesitant on relying on the M11. Still many teething issues.
Agree. The M10-R files are much better to my eyes and I have never had a single issue with the M10-R firmware. For me, the M10-R was peak Leica digital M.
My favourite reason and enjoyment of my M11M over the M10M is the electronic shutter. I can shoot with my fast lenses wide open without a nd filter. It’s taken me two years to fall in love with rangefinder cameras. But I did. It’s now my most used camera. I still use my OM Systems OM1 in the bush and rain and hiking.
I’ve been using M cameras for quite a while now for my personal work. Until recently the M10-R (next to an M7). I’ve now switched to the M11-P and couldn’t be happier. Not because of the extra resolution, but the M11 series is quite a step-up from the M10 series. The off-sensor metering is much more modern than the M10 series. The fact that you can now use highlight-weighted metering just like with my SL2 and SL2-S (for commercial work) makes a ton of difference. Also to avoid those blown-out highlights. I also love the new battery system. Luckily they kept all the things that make an M great. The initial software issues are now resolved. At least, my collegue hasn’t had any lock-up issues with her M11 since last year. When you can afford the extra €1.200-€1.500 for a pre-owned M11 over an M10-R, it makes total sense to me.
Eh, I’d say that I’d pushed my M10s beyond their limits. But sure, no one *needs* a Leica M11. There are plenty of other cameras that can achieve a similar result for far less money. I also happen to own those cameras as well.
Honestly I have the M11 too, having used and DIT’d Phase One (everyone’s holy grail of cameras) cameras in studio, don’t even worry about it. Phase Ones crash so much more often lol Turn it off, pull the battery, insert, reboot and you’re good. It happens to all cameras eventually (they crash). Love the M11, congrats on the purchase, no doubt you’ll enjoy it.
Hey Benj, please let us know if you encounter other bugs with your M11! I purchased an M11 brand new 6 months ago, am on my third one (they have all had lockup issues), Leica NJ has messed up the repair each time I've sent it in (3 times total) which obviously drastically extends the repair times, lied about what they actually repaired once on the invoice (I have photos and videos), and have probably used an M11 since I bought it for a grand total of 3-4 weeks over the course of the last 6 months since original purchase. Absolute nightmare. Hope your camera holds up better, and am interested into hearing a more thorough review when you have time to properly evaluate.
Congrats Benj! I think we both upgraded at almost the same time. I just got the M10 so i'm still one behind you but a big jump up from my M240. (I still have the SL and other). Enjoy!
Super excited to see what you create and your thoughts down the road about the M11! I’ve been loving my M240 and it’s thanks to your videos about that camera that made me feel good buying it vs spending more for an M10.
Also looking forward to your experiences. I picked up the M11 in September 2022 and had only one freeze up in the past year and a half of daily use. I must say though, that with the last firmware update, sometimes I get an SD error card (Lexar ssd cards) and I have to pop out the battery to reboot the camera. In terms of the camera, I got it as a backup to my Sony system and for a digital home for my M glass (have an m3 too). Now, I rarely use my Sony and typically only for ultra wide (12-24mm) and over 100mm. The biggest surprise for me is that I prefer the M11 for my astro and long exposure work because the noise is quite minimal (even at full res), the huge dynamic range as you point out, and the fantastic intervalometer. I've taken hour long photos with minimal noise that are far cleaner than my Sony a7riii images. The camera is a gem.
I just recently sold my M10 to pick up a Hasselblad X2D, and wow no regrets. The M10 was no slouch and I love the Leica experience (still own an M9) but I thought if I’m going to spend that much money why not get something totally different. I never owned a camera with IBIS before so being able to shoot at ISO 64 at 1/2 and slower handheld is incredible. Congrats on picking up your M11 can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Really looking forward to see your experience with the M11. Using the M11 for 1 ½ years now on many different shootings and had issues on almost all of them. Also send it in for repair, got it back and even today on a shoot it froze 3 times. Most of the time it works when you do not take many pictures but when I do portrait shoots with 500-1000 images it always has some issues 🫠
Interesting yet... The M11 and M11P are disappointing in a few of areas, for the M11 64 gigs of Internal memories is not a plus, only the M11 Monochrom and M11-P are decent in this area with 256 gigs of internal memory. But that is neither here or there or even worth mentioning once you make the switch to Angelbird SD cards - you know your card will not fail. The iso is not an issue either, the M10 and M10R are so good that it is never an issue, up to iso 10,000 for weddings. The dynamic range is not a problem at all on the M10-R, really not an issue unless you miss meter your photos and over expose, then you will get the same results with the M11. What deep sixth the M11 and M11-P for me is having a buffer of 2 gigs, the same as the M10. I shot weddings with M9 cameras and having a full buffer after 7 or 8 photos is a big no. That's the best way to miss a crucial moment, pressing the shutter and ... nothing happens, buffer full, good luck with that. I would have waited for an M camera with a bigger buffer - but that's just me.
Good Move!! Let's hope that performs perfectly. I hadn't heard of a Leica freezing up or for that matter doing anything other performing flawlessly. I'd be pretty upset.
Looking really forward to your long time review! Bought myself into the M11 system earlier this year (came from Fujifilm + Leica M6). Still loves my M6 more, but this year I switched to shoot my weddings with one M11 and one Xpro3. And I'm totally in love, I never had a software issue so far. Would be interested if you'll ever use the "scale down" functionality.... : Enjoy!
Resolution, IMO, is really about glass. On my A7RV and A7cR, the sensor lets me take two fast primes, and cover any gaps in focal length with megapixels. It's an especially important hack for travel photography or hiking, where weight and size are always at a premium. The image quality and cropping flexibility is a bonus...megapixels help me get more out of my expensive glass, while weighing nothing and taking up zero space in my bag.
Even though my M11 caused me a lot of trouble, I already miss it somehow when I see the M11. I'm also curious whether your M11 still causes you trouble or if Leica was able to fix all the bugs with the version 2.0 firmware.
Hope your M11 works fine! Mine has been an overall perfect camera, maybe my favorite camera ever...except when I experience the bugs, which occur regularly. The camera is now being fixed by Leica, and hopefully will work fine once I get it back. It seems that some people don't have such problems, though, and I sincerely hope you're one of them!
Love the video! I finished off last wedding season running one M11 with a 28 and the A7rV with a 50 and it really felt like the perfect combination of those two systems.
Congrats :-) After e short time with a M-Type240 i switched to a M11 and i'm happy with that thing so much. 99% with the new 50mm summilux 'close focus' 0.4m - great in almost all conditions. Looking forward for more M Content here - happy holidays :-)
For everyone complaining about freezes and crashes. I’ve followed these two tips and have never had a single crash with either of my M11’s. Use an appropriate, and adequate SD card. Not an old beat up one. If you’re sending one file to internal memory and another to a slow, subpar SD card, you’re going to have major issues. If you shoot fulltime or change cards often, buy new ones every year. SD cards are notorious for getting micro damage from flexing. (Leica Cfast please🙏) Do NOT connect to or use the Leica phone app WHILE shooting.
I thought your comment on the justification for a 61 mp sensor was honest and sensible. You’re a professional photographer and have a need for that range of pixels in a shot/cropped shot. I’m just a keen amateur and my 24 and 26 sensors suit the type of photography I do - A3 size prints for family and friends. Good lenses and a first class printer do just fine. I’m more concerned about the subjects I photograph and the sheer pleasure of it all!
Niiiiiice, welcome to the club🤜🏻🤛🏻 I had my concerns about Leica, but asking around actual users (including you btw😅) I got M11 myself too. Good choice👍🏻
Just bought one. My Q2 was out on repair.I knew it was going to happen anyway, so why delay inevitable. Congrats. I really am looking on challenging myself. I shot film at my art school in nyc. Had the best time. Want that feeling back without the film as it doesn’t suit me right now, or I’d have just pick up a film camera. Digital rangefinder, Leica, and purchased not on credit. I feel pretty ok with it. The repair cost is expensive, though. Yikes.
My M-11p arrives tommorow and it my second leica-first being the Q2. I have a Z9 and I find I don't really use all the speed capabilities. BUT the weight and complexifty of all the customizations is daunting and not needed for me. I have a Hasselblad X2d and have really appreciated it simplicity. So the M11-p is great marriage of simpliticy and much lower weight. The leica M lens lineup and is amazing and the total combined weight is a tremendous advantage for someone who wants to improve his photography by having it with me compared to the burden of Z9 or even the Z8-which I own also.
congrats for your update dude, Do more videos about it, i want to know more your experience on family shooting, landscape, your day to day basically. Hugs bro
Just out of curiosity…what extra value does the M11 create for your customers except higher cost to finance your investment? Any shots you couldn’t do with your existing equipment? Don’t believe… And after all do your customers care if it’s an M10 or M11. Betting my pants they don’t see any difference. A non stabilised 60MP Sensor doesn’t sound like a good idea for a wedding photographer though.
The dynamic range in some of the environments I often photograph in has made keeping out away my M10s in favor of Sony on multiple occasions where I would have preferred to continue on Leica. And FWIW, as many of my clients are photographers themselves, I promise that they notice :)
@@benjhaischjust slap a Leica lens on your Sony and fire away. At least the Sony has IBIS. I use Leica lenses on my Nikon Z8 all the time and it has no problems autofocusing the M mount lenses.
I’ve come really close to adding a M11. But with users and some commenters here still reporting all of the functionality and reliability issues, I just can’t do it
The M11 freeze only when users want to see immediately the shot they just takes . They dont let the file transfer properly. I never use the live view screen so it never happen to me with my M11P after 4 months of daily heavy production.
I have an M11 since its original release and have not had any problems whatsoever. Need to watch out for diffraction after f8 with this resolution, but the technical term for the M11’s dynamic range is “Sick.” Since my fully functional M11 is apparently so rare that it works all the time, I guess it is more valuable than the other ones out there so feel free to make me a good offer so I can trade to an M11P, LOL.
Good, informative. Thanks. So, do you have to underexpose at all to prevent blowing out highlights with the M11? Or has Leica finally completely resolved that issue? . . . Never have had that problem with my DSLR Nikons - so have always wondered why it's been such an intractable issue with digital M cameras.
Sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself? Lower ISO? Internal back up? Maybe a case can be dynamic range. You just wanted a new toy. Just be honest.
Why not medium format? There are models out now which are smaller and easily used plus a very large image with some great color in some cases, like HB which has great color and marvelous skin tone and texture.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts once you've used it a while longer. I wouldn't mind the extra resolution and low light performance of the M11, but I'd have a hard time selling my "vintage" M9 to help fund it. Maybe if I try them side by side I'd change my mind.
M11 is a sick camera. I hope one day. I can toss like 15k into a body and lens. This was the first Leica to make an impact on me. It should get more credit for some of its innovations
Thank you for youIr video. I have an M10-R, and trading up to an M11 has definitely been on my mind. I have a friend who has an M11, and I have yet to see any of his 60mp photos at 60mp. Gmail simply can't handle photos that large. How do you plan to address that issue? As a side issue, I'm surprised that you don't have the 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux lens. Other than its expense, is there another reason that you haven't bought that lens? You show bar charts which compare the performance characteristics of the M10 and the M11. Showing us equivalent photographs would be very useful.
The freezes are basically just annoying if you get one - pop the battery, reboot, and keep shooting. Only a few early units actually bricked. Just a much better camera than M10/M10-R (IMO) for all the reasons mentioned plus the outstanding battery life, less weight, more accurate meter, and electronic shutter. I have the M11M and there's just no way I'd go back to the M10 series.
I pondered the M11 for many months, coming from M8, M9 and M10 and still using the M6 I bought back in the early Nineties. The ONLY cameras I ever had bugs and crashes with, as well as long repair headaches, have been the digital Ms. Never had such issues with film Ms or digital cameras from other brands. Even more annoying, the M8, M9 and M10 were slow cameras with extremely frustrating lags in start-up time or wake-from-sleep. it was crippling. I tried 3 generations nonetheless, all 3 with similar lags, and was prepared to try one last time with M11. But reading the frustrating experiences of way too many M11 owners on the Leica forums and elsewhere, I decided to give up. I hope you have better luck, and will be watching for your videos on the matter, but I think I've turned the digital Leica page for good. A bit sad about that journey...
I understand why you like the M11, because I have one, too. But I had to laugh. If these are really the reasons you chose this camera, you should have bought the Hasselblad X2D! It has even better dynamic range, superb base ISO performance, 1 TB (!) of internal storage, and is way, WAY better shooting in low light because if it’s seven stops of sensor stabilization. And, it costs less! ✌️
Given his stable of M mount lenses, pretty save to say the X2D is not cheaper despite being all of $800 cheaper. Not to mention the size difference of both body and lenses.
Yes as pointed out too bad the M10-R was not considered. Financially they make sense, the fact that they also have a mechanical shutter may not be a bad thing, plus the GPS integrated in the VF-2. Now having photographed events (weddings, photojournalism,...) the integrated SSD on top of the SD card on the M11 (for redundancy of files) can be a relief, I understand. I am not convinced I need 60 Mp which also forces me to use higher shutter speeds (another argument for the M10-R even if it is not a huge difference).
It was and has been considered for a couple years now. Just wasn’t the upgrade I was looking for. Got the M11 around the same price as most used M10-Rs I’d been seeing listed. Just made more sense to me, but obviously isn’t for everyone
Could you possibly state exactly what you couldn't do with the M10 that you are now capable of doing with M11, please? I am more interested in what you as a photographer are, or are not able to achieve, rather than the camera specs, just to make myself more clear.
Plenty. The M11 sensor captures significantly more dynamic range than the M10, especially in the highlights. The meter is also significantly more accurate, giving me more consistent results. In terms of actual IQ those two are the easiest off the top of my head.
@@lensman5762 as a working photographer, I can assure you that camera specs can absolutely help achieve photos that lower specs cannot. Otherwise we’d all still be using cameras from 20 years ago.
Will never sell my M10R Black Paint. Bought it new. That’s the last Leica M I’ll buy. It’s painful to read all the issues with this camera still going on 2 years in.
The only reason to get an M11 today is that Leica has in fact _"bricked"_ the rest of the digital M line. Batteries for the M10 and a couple previous models (protected with a DRM chip, so forget about any 3d party offerings, ever) are completely unavailable, have been for several months now and there's no possible date of resupply as the current Indonesian manufacturer f...ed up the production and batteries are DOA; massive recall. If you need a spare, well get a Fuji camera in the meanwhile. Of course, camera models over 10 years have been _dephased_ so no more official support. Corollary: if you must have a Leica M, get the problematic M11, whose ridiculously iill designed firmare ahas not, until today, been able to correct. Good luck! PS, I have the good fortunate of having two "Made in Japan" M10 spares from 2020 on my M10-R and they're working all right, same as my camera. PS2. My M10-R is my 7th Leica. Presently I have two film M's (M2 & MP). If the M10-R ever fails and cannot be repaired (in all likelyhood) I'll forget about the digital f...k up of Leica and invest in a decent (in the honourable sense) Japanese system and forget about corrupt, money avid and technology gelded, German brands.
Sold my M11 after tons of crashes and buggy firmware. Do not update to firmware version 2.0.x. Plenty of people on the forums with corrupt DNG and weird red frame line bugs. Firmware v1.6 solves most of the crashes and is the most stable. Even on v1.6 I still had the occasional crash, but not nearly as often as the older firmwares. I’m much happier back on the M10-R because it’s reliable and takes just as good photos. M11 really shines if you spend a lot of time in live view, but I don’t.
Its really sad that every single leica user feels the need to justify the price of this camera. Who cares how much it costs. Nobody is justifying a 20k car next to a 2k scooter when they can both get you there, right? Congratulations on upgrading your kit and i hope the m11 serves you well
Please avoid M11 based bodies at all costs, i had 5 different bodies these last 2 years (3 m11, m11m and recently m11p for 2weeks) ALL were plagged with freezes, crashes and slow downs, i'll use my M lens collection with SL2-S until maybe a stable M12 is out ...
I have had mine M11 for over a year and no issues yet. UPDATE: I have had freezing issues on mine now. Several times the past 1-2 months. Don’t know if it had something to do with the latest firmware 2.02 or not.
Only once. I essentially started the camera from off, took 3 quick photos, then tried to look at them for some reason. Froze up. Dumped the battery in and out, & everything was fine. Those files didn’t save, but that’s the only time it’s happened.
I can give you 5 reasons why I didn't buy an M11. 1. Have a lot of cameras already (that I don't use). 2. Have bills to pay. 3. Have to buy food. 4. Have to buy gas. 5. Have to keep the wife "not angry."
I’m actually pretty happy with my scanning process now, but shooting that much film wouldn’t be practical at the scale I use these cameras. I’d also far surpass the cost of an M11 just in film alone :)
A manual focus only camera which costs almost $9K? Don't lecture me about zone focusing, because I'm not a street photographer who typically shoot at f/8. Sometimes I prefer wide open, because why not. And if I want manual focus because it's "pure photography", any 35mm bodies from the 60s are still fine (films are sadly not that cheap these days). That said, I will happily accept if someone give me a M11 😂
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The M10-R is arguably the better camera for most people (if buying used). It's a more stable platform, native iso of 100, better in low light than the M11 except for very high ISO (above 12500) and cost way less used. Downsides of the M10-R comes down to battery, no internal memory and slow live view.
Why do you think that the M10-R better than the M11 in low light? It has larger pixels, but the M11 has a back side illuminated sensor.
@@johnkasianowicz6536 from tests done by Sean Reid. It shows almost identical noise performance, with a slight edge to the M10-R, up until about 12500 where the M11 pulls ahead (much less banding)
M11 can be had for like 6k used if you find a good deal. M10-R makes no sense now.
@@AbrahamMusalem you can always find the M10-R for a better deal than the M11 (unless you’re lucky). Plus if you’re a working professional I would be hesitant on relying on the M11. Still many teething issues.
Agree. The M10-R files are much better to my eyes and I have never had a single issue with the M10-R firmware. For me, the M10-R was peak Leica digital M.
My favourite reason and enjoyment of my M11M over the M10M is the electronic shutter. I can shoot with my fast lenses wide open without a nd filter. It’s taken me two years to fall in love with rangefinder cameras. But I did. It’s now my most used camera. I still use my OM Systems OM1 in the bush and rain and hiking.
very nice combination
welcome to the M11! The image quality from this sensor is out of this world. The leaps Leica has made with ever generation of M is massive.
I’ve been using M cameras for quite a while now for my personal work. Until recently the M10-R (next to an M7). I’ve now switched to the M11-P and couldn’t be happier. Not because of the extra resolution, but the M11 series is quite a step-up from the M10 series. The off-sensor metering is much more modern than the M10 series. The fact that you can now use highlight-weighted metering just like with my SL2 and SL2-S (for commercial work) makes a ton of difference. Also to avoid those blown-out highlights.
I also love the new battery system. Luckily they kept all the things that make an M great. The initial software issues are now resolved. At least, my collegue hasn’t had any lock-up issues with her M11 since last year. When you can afford the extra €1.200-€1.500 for a pre-owned M11 over an M10-R, it makes total sense to me.
As with most people upgrading their gear, the main reason, if not the only one, is simply GAS : desire vs. need.
Eh, I’d say that I’d pushed my M10s beyond their limits. But sure, no one *needs* a Leica M11. There are plenty of other cameras that can achieve a similar result for far less money. I also happen to own those cameras as well.
Honestly I have the M11 too, having used and DIT’d Phase One (everyone’s holy grail of cameras) cameras in studio, don’t even worry about it. Phase Ones crash so much more often lol
Turn it off, pull the battery, insert, reboot and you’re good. It happens to all cameras eventually (they crash).
Love the M11, congrats on the purchase, no doubt you’ll enjoy it.
Hey Benj, please let us know if you encounter other bugs with your M11!
I purchased an M11 brand new 6 months ago, am on my third one (they have all had lockup issues), Leica NJ has messed up the repair each time I've sent it in (3 times total) which obviously drastically extends the repair times, lied about what they actually repaired once on the invoice (I have photos and videos), and have probably used an M11 since I bought it for a grand total of 3-4 weeks over the course of the last 6 months since original purchase.
Absolute nightmare. Hope your camera holds up better, and am interested into hearing a more thorough review when you have time to properly evaluate.
Congrats Benj! I think we both upgraded at almost the same time. I just got the M10 so i'm still one behind you but a big jump up from my M240. (I still have the SL and other). Enjoy!
Super excited to see what you create and your thoughts down the road about the M11! I’ve been loving my M240 and it’s thanks to your videos about that camera that made me feel good buying it vs spending more for an M10.
Also looking forward to your experiences. I picked up the M11 in September 2022 and had only one freeze up in the past year and a half of daily use. I must say though, that with the last firmware update, sometimes I get an SD error card (Lexar ssd cards) and I have to pop out the battery to reboot the camera. In terms of the camera, I got it as a backup to my Sony system and for a digital home for my M glass (have an m3 too). Now, I rarely use my Sony and typically only for ultra wide (12-24mm) and over 100mm. The biggest surprise for me is that I prefer the M11 for my astro and long exposure work because the noise is quite minimal (even at full res), the huge dynamic range as you point out, and the fantastic intervalometer. I've taken hour long photos with minimal noise that are far cleaner than my Sony a7riii images. The camera is a gem.
I just recently sold my M10 to pick up a Hasselblad X2D, and wow no regrets. The M10 was no slouch and I love the Leica experience (still own an M9) but I thought if I’m going to spend that much money why not get something totally different. I never owned a camera with IBIS before so being able to shoot at ISO 64 at 1/2 and slower handheld is incredible. Congrats on picking up your M11 can’t wait to see what you do with it.
the Hasselblad is on another level
@@goorackerelite very much so
Hoping to check out an X2D soon as well!
it's amazing!! hope to see a review on it soon @@benjhaisch
Really looking forward to see your experience with the M11. Using the M11 for 1 ½ years now on many different shootings and had issues on almost all of them. Also send it in for repair, got it back and even today on a shoot it froze 3 times. Most of the time it works when you do not take many pictures but when I do portrait shoots with 500-1000 images it always has some issues 🫠
Brutal. I’m hoping to avoid this as well but we’ll see. I’ll definitely do some follow up stuff as time goes on
Interesting yet... The M11 and M11P are disappointing in a few of areas, for the M11 64 gigs of Internal memories is not a plus, only the M11 Monochrom and M11-P are decent in this area with 256 gigs of internal memory. But that is neither here or there or even worth mentioning once you make the switch to Angelbird SD cards - you know your card will not fail. The iso is not an issue either, the M10 and M10R are so good that it is never an issue, up to iso 10,000 for weddings. The dynamic range is not a problem at all on the M10-R, really not an issue unless you miss meter your photos and over expose, then you will get the same results with the M11. What deep sixth the M11 and M11-P for me is having a buffer of 2 gigs, the same as the M10. I shot weddings with M9 cameras and having a full buffer after 7 or 8 photos is a big no. That's the best way to miss a crucial moment, pressing the shutter and ... nothing happens, buffer full, good luck with that. I would have waited for an M camera with a bigger buffer - but that's just me.
It’s the middle of summer and not camera related but could you kindly inform me where that jacket is from? I dig. 🤙🏼 Thanks!
Good Move!! Let's hope that performs perfectly. I hadn't heard of a Leica freezing up or for that matter doing anything other performing flawlessly.
I'd be pretty upset.
Looking really forward to your long time review!
Bought myself into the M11 system earlier this year (came from Fujifilm + Leica M6).
Still loves my M6 more, but this year I switched to shoot my weddings with one M11 and one Xpro3.
And I'm totally in love, I never had a software issue so far.
Would be interested if you'll ever use the "scale down" functionality.... :
Enjoy!
So you’re saying I should get an m11 monochrome?
Only the ones they sell at the Bellagio.
@@benjhaisch okay I will book the trip. Thank you
Stoked to see your thoughts on the M11. Looking forward to more!
Resolution, IMO, is really about glass. On my A7RV and A7cR, the sensor lets me take two fast primes, and cover any gaps in focal length with megapixels. It's an especially important hack for travel photography or hiking, where weight and size are always at a premium. The image quality and cropping flexibility is a bonus...megapixels help me get more out of my expensive glass, while weighing nothing and taking up zero space in my bag.
Even though my M11 caused me a lot of trouble, I already miss it somehow when I see the M11. I'm also curious whether your M11 still causes you trouble or if Leica was able to fix all the bugs with the version 2.0 firmware.
I’m hoping so, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Hope your M11 works fine! Mine has been an overall perfect camera, maybe my favorite camera ever...except when I experience the bugs, which occur regularly. The camera is now being fixed by Leica, and hopefully will work fine once I get it back. It seems that some people don't have such problems, though, and I sincerely hope you're one of them!
Love the video! I finished off last wedding season running one M11 with a 28 and the A7rV with a 50 and it really felt like the perfect combination of those two systems.
Congrats :-) After e short time with a M-Type240 i switched to a M11 and i'm happy with that thing so much. 99% with the new 50mm summilux 'close focus' 0.4m - great in almost all conditions. Looking forward for more M Content here - happy holidays :-)
Grats on the M11! You definitely deserve it with all your work. 💪
Careful. This is where people get angry.
Always, Father Day :)
Meh. People that get angry at a TH-cam video need to get out more. The rest of us love the stuff both of you put out. Thanks gents! 🙏🏾
For everyone complaining about freezes and crashes. I’ve followed these two tips and have never had a single crash with either of my M11’s.
Use an appropriate, and adequate SD card. Not an old beat up one.
If you’re sending one file to internal memory and another to a slow, subpar SD card, you’re going to have major issues.
If you shoot fulltime or change cards often, buy new ones every year. SD cards are notorious for getting micro damage from flexing.
(Leica Cfast please🙏)
Do NOT connect to or use the Leica phone app WHILE shooting.
I thought your comment on the justification for a 61 mp sensor was honest and sensible. You’re a professional photographer and have a need for that range of pixels in a shot/cropped shot. I’m just a keen amateur and my 24 and 26 sensors suit the type of photography I do - A3 size prints for family and friends. Good lenses and a first class printer do just fine. I’m more concerned about the subjects I photograph and the sheer pleasure of it all!
Niiiiiice, welcome to the club🤜🏻🤛🏻 I had my concerns about Leica, but asking around actual users (including you btw😅) I got M11 myself too. Good choice👍🏻
Just bought one. My Q2 was out on repair.I knew it was going to happen anyway, so why delay inevitable. Congrats. I really am looking on challenging myself. I shot film at my art school in nyc. Had the best time. Want that feeling back without the film as it doesn’t suit me right now, or I’d have just pick up a film camera. Digital rangefinder, Leica, and purchased not on credit. I feel pretty ok with it. The repair cost is expensive, though. Yikes.
My M-11p arrives tommorow and it my second leica-first being the Q2. I have a Z9 and I find I don't really use all the speed capabilities. BUT the weight and complexifty of all the customizations is daunting and not needed for me. I have a Hasselblad X2d and have really appreciated it simplicity. So the M11-p is great marriage of simpliticy and much lower weight. The leica M lens lineup and is amazing and the total combined weight is a tremendous advantage for someone who wants to improve his photography by having it with me compared to the burden of Z9 or even the Z8-which I own also.
The rangefinder is such a limitation with such high resolution sensors
congrats for your update dude, Do more videos about it, i want to know more your experience on family shooting, landscape, your day to day basically. Hugs bro
I shoot, Leica M10R,m10M. Question? If you shoot mainly weddings. Why do you not use a Monochrome camera. Dress code is Black and White. Curious .
Just out of curiosity…what extra value does the M11 create for your customers except higher cost to finance your investment? Any shots you couldn’t do with your existing equipment? Don’t believe…
And after all do your customers care if it’s an M10 or M11. Betting my pants they don’t see any difference.
A non stabilised 60MP Sensor doesn’t sound like a good idea for a wedding photographer though.
The dynamic range in some of the environments I often photograph in has made keeping out away my M10s in favor of Sony on multiple occasions where I would have preferred to continue on Leica. And FWIW, as many of my clients are photographers themselves, I promise that they notice :)
@@benjhaischjust slap a Leica lens on your Sony and fire away. At least the Sony has IBIS. I use Leica lenses on my Nikon Z8 all the time and it has no problems autofocusing the M mount lenses.
I’m considering picking up the tech art adapter, but have heard mixed things. Apparently works far better on Nikon.
I’ve come really close to adding a M11. But with users and some commenters here still reporting all of the functionality and reliability issues, I just can’t do it
Nice! I’m looking forward to S5ii content … any plans for that too?
Love the internal storage idea. I'm wondering if the digital data can be written to internal storage faster than a memory card?
M cameras are not really fast in serial shooting. So that’s not important anyway
The M11 freeze only when users want to see immediately the shot they just takes . They dont let the file transfer properly. I never use the live view screen so it never happen to me with my M11P after 4 months of daily heavy production.
My biggest concern about the M is the lack of weather sealing. I tend to shoot outdoors, and wet weather would render the camera unusable.
Fwiw, I’ve used them in all our downpours with no issues, but yes, without any official rating, it’s a concern.
I have an M11 since its original release and have not had any problems whatsoever. Need to watch out for diffraction after f8 with this resolution, but the technical term for the M11’s dynamic range is “Sick.” Since my fully functional M11 is apparently so rare that it works all the time, I guess it is more valuable than the other ones out there so feel free to make me a good offer so I can trade to an M11P, LOL.
Good, informative. Thanks. So, do you have to underexpose at all to prevent blowing out highlights with the M11? Or has Leica finally completely resolved that issue? . . . Never have had that problem with my DSLR Nikons - so have always wondered why it's been such an intractable issue with digital M cameras.
Nope that’s a huge reason why I got this. I’m able to use it in aperture priority or even auto iso without worrying about
Sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself? Lower ISO? Internal back up? Maybe a case can be dynamic range. You just wanted a new toy. Just be honest.
It’s all down to use case. This camera solves actual issues I had using the M10 professionally. If money were no object I’d have two.
I had the M10 and loved it but those highlights drove me crazy. The M11 is nice for sure but I chose other Leicas for now.
I think the only way to do native black & white video using M lenses is with the M246-monochrom.
Great video as always. Not sure if you bought new or not but curious if you did why m11 vs m11-p? The extra storage alone seems well worth the $200.
100% worth getting the M11P if someone was buying new. Definitely got it used :)
Why not medium format? There are models out now which are smaller and easily used plus a very large image with some great color in some cases, like HB which has great color and marvelous skin tone and texture.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts once you've used it a while longer. I wouldn't mind the extra resolution and low light performance of the M11, but I'd have a hard time selling my "vintage" M9 to help fund it. Maybe if I try them side by side I'd change my mind.
M11 is a sick camera. I hope one day. I can toss like 15k into a body and lens. This was the first Leica to make an impact on me. It should get more credit for some of its innovations
Wish you and your m11 the best master Benj! Keep doing this good stuff 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
Thank you for youIr video. I have an M10-R, and trading up to an M11 has definitely been on my mind. I have a friend who has an M11, and I have yet to see any of his 60mp photos at 60mp. Gmail simply can't handle photos that large. How do you plan to address that issue? As a side issue, I'm surprised that you don't have the 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux lens. Other than its expense, is there another reason that you haven't bought that lens? You show bar charts which compare the performance characteristics of the M10 and the M11. Showing us equivalent photographs would be very useful.
I hope your M11 brings you much fun and stellar photos.
The freezes are basically just annoying if you get one - pop the battery, reboot, and keep shooting. Only a few early units actually bricked. Just a much better camera than M10/M10-R (IMO) for all the reasons mentioned plus the outstanding battery life, less weight, more accurate meter, and electronic shutter. I have the M11M and there's just no way I'd go back to the M10 series.
Just curious, why would you think about another Q if you’ve got an M? I’d think you’d get another M body like say an M11-P?
I pondered the M11 for many months, coming from M8, M9 and M10 and still using the M6 I bought back in the early Nineties. The ONLY cameras I ever had bugs and crashes with, as well as long repair headaches, have been the digital Ms. Never had such issues with film Ms or digital cameras from other brands. Even more annoying, the M8, M9 and M10 were slow cameras with extremely frustrating lags in start-up time or wake-from-sleep. it was crippling. I tried 3 generations nonetheless, all 3 with similar lags, and was prepared to try one last time with M11. But reading the frustrating experiences of way too many M11 owners on the Leica forums and elsewhere, I decided to give up. I hope you have better luck, and will be watching for your videos on the matter, but I think I've turned the digital Leica page for good. A bit sad about that journey...
Sorry to hear that, I’ve used my M8 and Q2 in the snow and both have taken some tumbles. Both have been tanks, might be a case of luck I suppose.
I understand why you like the M11, because I have one, too. But I had to laugh. If these are really the reasons you chose this camera, you should have bought the Hasselblad X2D! It has even better dynamic range, superb base ISO performance, 1 TB (!) of internal storage, and is way, WAY better shooting in low light because if it’s seven stops of sensor stabilization. And, it costs less! ✌️
If it had a rangefinder and fast lenses I would!
Given his stable of M mount lenses, pretty save to say the X2D is not cheaper despite being all of $800 cheaper. Not to mention the size difference of both body and lenses.
Fwiw, I do really like what I’m seeing from their new 38/55/90V series of lenses. Fingers crossed that Hasselblad will let me try them out :)
Yes as pointed out too bad the M10-R was not considered. Financially they make sense, the fact that they also have a mechanical shutter may not be a bad thing, plus the GPS integrated in the VF-2. Now having photographed events (weddings, photojournalism,...) the integrated SSD on top of the SD card on the M11 (for redundancy of files) can be a relief, I understand. I am not convinced I need 60 Mp which also forces me to use higher shutter speeds (another argument for the M10-R even if it is not a huge difference).
It was and has been considered for a couple years now. Just wasn’t the upgrade I was looking for. Got the M11 around the same price as most used M10-Rs I’d been seeing listed. Just made more sense to me, but obviously isn’t for everyone
@@benjhaisch It makes sense. I would have probably done the same.
Could you possibly state exactly what you couldn't do with the M10 that you are now capable of doing with M11, please? I am more interested in what you as a photographer are, or are not able to achieve, rather than the camera specs, just to make myself more clear.
Plenty. The M11 sensor captures significantly more dynamic range than the M10, especially in the highlights. The meter is also significantly more accurate, giving me more consistent results. In terms of actual IQ those two are the easiest off the top of my head.
@@benjhaisch These are all true, but they are still camera specs.
@@lensman5762 as a working photographer, I can assure you that camera specs can absolutely help achieve photos that lower specs cannot. Otherwise we’d all still be using cameras from 20 years ago.
I had some red oval Leica decals I got from a guy in Manhattan street. Cool. My cheap camera is now worth $5,000.
I feel like a Q3 + M11/50 summilux would be a perfect pair for you. Especially because they share the same sensor (I think?)
That was my original plan for sure! We’ll see where I end up there as Q3s are still so hard to find
What do you think about rumors about a new M coming soon? Smart to buy M11 in mid-2024?
First I’ve heard of it tbh
Hi Benj, can you provide some insights into how the Voigtländer and TTartisan (especially) lenses perform with the M11 ?
Will do! 60mp is a beast
how are you using the m11 at 28mm with your glasses? I find that I cannot see the framelines
I basically just have most focal lengths memorized ;)
u feel the weight difference also? better?
I’m skipping the M11 as I’m not paying that much for a camera that has software flaws, and which has still not been completely resolved.
So stoked for you.!!!!
Will never sell my M10R Black Paint. Bought it new. That’s the last Leica M I’ll buy. It’s painful to read all the issues with this camera still going on 2 years in.
The most beautiful digital camera in existence
@@benjhaisch It’s getting brassy too. Have had 0 issues in 2 years. Let us know if this gives you problems with freezing and battery pull outs.
@@benjhaischI prefer my M10-D a unicorn next to my BP M2
Are the outside dimensions the same as the Leica MP?
Not identical but pretty close
@@benjhaisch Thank you. In my option the size and detentions of the MP are perfect
Congrats, Ben!
The only reason to get an M11 today is that Leica has in fact _"bricked"_ the rest of the digital M line. Batteries for the M10 and a couple previous models (protected with a DRM chip, so forget about any 3d party offerings, ever) are completely unavailable, have been for several months now and there's no possible date of resupply as the current Indonesian manufacturer f...ed up the production and batteries are DOA; massive recall. If you need a spare, well get a Fuji camera in the meanwhile. Of course, camera models over 10 years have been _dephased_ so no more official support.
Corollary: if you must have a Leica M, get the problematic M11, whose ridiculously iill designed firmare ahas not, until today, been able to correct. Good luck!
PS, I have the good fortunate of having two "Made in Japan" M10 spares from 2020 on my M10-R and they're working all right, same as my camera.
PS2. My M10-R is my 7th Leica. Presently I have two film M's (M2 & MP). If the M10-R ever fails and cannot be repaired (in all likelyhood) I'll forget about the digital f...k up of Leica and invest in a decent (in the honourable sense) Japanese system and forget about corrupt, money avid and technology gelded, German brands.
Enjoy it.
Sold my M11 after tons of crashes and buggy firmware. Do not update to firmware version 2.0.x. Plenty of people on the forums with corrupt DNG and weird red frame line bugs. Firmware v1.6 solves most of the crashes and is the most stable. Even on v1.6 I still had the occasional crash, but not nearly as often as the older firmwares. I’m much happier back on the M10-R because it’s reliable and takes just as good photos. M11 really shines if you spend a lot of time in live view, but I don’t.
We need to get over starting every Leica video with, “Leica is a very expensive camera…” People shopping Leica know that.
Good luck it doesn't fail on you. 🤞knock on wood. Had been early teething problems so far
Jealous much…?
Its really sad that every single leica user feels the need to justify the price of this camera. Who cares how much it costs. Nobody is justifying a 20k car next to a 2k scooter when they can both get you there, right? Congratulations on upgrading your kit and i hope the m11 serves you well
I mean, I have to justify every cost in my business. :)
Because you could! That would be my primary reason 😅
hdr CAN be measured
Instead of just ramblling, maybe a chart or demo shot would be more useful
M10-R has better lowlight than the M11 it has been tested.
dude come on I can't afford this. brb kidney going on eBay...
Why a M11 instead of a SL2 / SL2 s ?
I like the size, feel, focusing, lenses, portability, etc of the M series
New drinking game - take a shot every time he says “really” or “really really”
😵😵😵
Please avoid M11 based bodies at all costs, i had 5 different bodies these last 2 years (3 m11, m11m and recently m11p for 2weeks) ALL were plagged with freezes, crashes and slow downs, i'll use my M lens collection with SL2-S until maybe a stable M12 is out ...
Never had a single freeze up with my 2 M11’s. Daily heavy use.
Zero M11 issues here
M11 and M11M here and no issues at all
I’ve had two M11’s no issues yet
I have had mine M11 for over a year and no issues yet. UPDATE: I have had freezing issues on mine now. Several times the past 1-2 months. Don’t know if it had something to do with the latest firmware 2.02 or not.
The dynamic range of my much cheaper, but much more versatile Canon R6 Mk2 equals the M11 ...
has it frozen up on you yet?
Only once. I essentially started the camera from off, took 3 quick photos, then tried to look at them for some reason. Froze up. Dumped the battery in and out, & everything was fine. Those files didn’t save, but that’s the only time it’s happened.
@@benjhaisch good to know! I just picked up the M11P. Hopefully it holds up well.
I can give you 5 reasons why I didn't buy an M11.
1. Have a lot of cameras already (that I don't use).
2. Have bills to pay.
3. Have to buy food.
4. Have to buy gas.
5. Have to keep the wife "not angry."
Reason 6: New purchase = new content on your channel.. 😉
Haha that’s what I’d like to tell myself, but I wouldn’t even be able to buy an extra battery with how much this video will make ;)
Is that a Taylor guitar I see?? 😍
Haha yes. I’ve owned that beast for 15+ years now
@@benjhaisch I love mine, one of the best purchases iv ever made. Oh yeah, and nice camera too 😉
5 Reasons why you should send me your M11:
1. i’m broke
2. i’m broke
3. i’m broke
4. i’m broke
5. i’m broke a.f.
Storage is cheap… I think I might need some more details on that 🤷🏻♂️
You can easily buy 10TB+ HDD externals for under $200 now. I’d say that’s pretty cheap :)
@@benjhaisch true that; I just prefer online storage when compared to physical solutions
Why not put your leica lens on your sonys?
I have, but its a totally different experience
@@benjhaisch yes. I am sure it is. I was referring to image quality.
For sure, Leica still have some better optimization for their lenses but yes.
@@benjhaisch thanks for all your videos. I appreciate your channel.
i'll stick to the poor mans A7CR
The A7CR with a Voigtlander 40mm F1.2 Nokton (or most Voitlander E mount lenses) is a stellar EDC combo for the non-professional.
I’d just get a Frontier for the money. Way more dynamic range than the M11.
I’m actually pretty happy with my scanning process now, but shooting that much film wouldn’t be practical at the scale I use these cameras. I’d also far surpass the cost of an M11 just in film alone :)
@VarioTimo I would love to see the results from your own Frontier.
Imagine watching a camera review with no sample pictures
Not a review tho ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
sweet
It's hard to save 10 grand......I should rent one or something...see whats up.
😊
A manual focus only camera which costs almost $9K? Don't lecture me about zone focusing, because I'm not a street photographer who typically shoot at f/8. Sometimes I prefer wide open, because why not. And if I want manual focus because it's "pure photography", any 35mm bodies from the 60s are still fine (films are sadly not that cheap these days). That said, I will happily accept if someone give me a M11 😂
Hallo 9K is lot of money, with such amount I can travel a lot with a normal Nikon and not be dead incase I lose the camera
8950 reasons why I will not buy this camera... I'm broke AF!
Must be freezing in that studio 😂
No heater when filming ;)
…. Because you’ll always buy the next one with another 5 reasons why video to accompany your decision
Haha I mean, if there weren’t reasons, no one would ever upgrade, right?
No need to be so sour, Martin
Everyone eventually upgrades. Especially if you’re using it professionally. What’s the big deal? He made a great video on his case and that’s fine.
Hope you heal.