as if any of us working class will ever be wealthy. those at the top that have continued to hoard the wealth have made sure that we will stay poor, so long things dont change. I dislike cameras that have such an exorbitant high price, medium format included, that will essentially bar most people from even considering the creative possibilities, simply because of the seemingly impossibility of affordability. I get that they're for a certain crowd, but that certain crowd seems like they'll live in monaco rather than minnesota, and as Ive asked before, will the camera vendors take kidneys for payment, cause might as sell one to afford the asking price. or just wait a decade or two and hope that prices eventually come down to a reasonable price.
Your monochrome images are wonderful and striking. The release of the M11M is not surprising, but certainly welcome and downright enticing. We are so fortunate that Leica, a relatively small company, but a giant in the industry, continues to thrive and innovate and bravely offer such products as the M6 and now the M11M along with the revamped line of M lenses.
I’m waiting to hear a comparison between the Q2 monochrom and the M11 monochrom. Focusing via rangefinder is difficult. Other than having the option of using various lenses with the M11 vs the 28mm fixed lens on the Q2, what are the advantages? Should I trade in my Q2M for the new M11M?
Very niche, but what a camera!!!! For those who can afford it... Superb images presented in this video, black and white photography at the highest level!
have to say, you really do show the use case for this camera. the processing here is top notch. have looked elsewhere, and those other reviews/images not as convincing. consider making a video on how you process these files
I bought the first generation Monochrom (CCD) a little over year ago and it's easily my favourite camera of all time. I see no reason to upgrade as 18mpix is plenty enough and the high-iso on that camera is awesome. Not clean, but very organic looking. ISO 10000 looks very much like actual film, especially with colour filters. So much so that I haven't shot film in 9 months or so.
I agree that photos from the original Monochrom camera do look like film and more so than later Monochrom models. There can be such a thing as too much resolution and detail.
Hello Ted. A very well made video as always. Thank you. I am using the Leica M10 Monochrome now since about half a year and the image quality always blows me away. I use the camera side by side with the M10, which is also gorgeous in my opinion. There is now reason for me to complain anything about these cameras, but it is amazing how Leica again and again shifts the borderline to higher levels. The most important fact for me today is, that Leica keeps the M productline by improving lenses and camera bodies, but also still offering the analog models. Although the cameras are expensive, it is an outstanding sustainability. Just got my M4 back from service - still working after nearly 60 years. Best regards, Greg
I'm a big fan of Ansel Adams's and Fred Archer's zone system. I shoot both film and digital and it has been an absolute game changer in my journey. :-)
I still love my MM CCD; bought it twice (made the mistake of selling my first one and then bought it again - will not repeat the error!). BEST camera i have. All the naysayers and the usual "too expensive" crowd have obviousy never had their hands on one. That is fine, it is obviously not for everyone. Shooting "only" in b&w is a committment, but the rewards are there for those who can appreciate them. Yes, film is cheaper (is it really still though?), i have a few film Ms but they almost never get used anymore.... i am sorry but the battle is over.
Your photos are the first I've seen that really show how organically close to black and white zone-system film processing the Leica files are. The dance and flower pictures are just wonderful. I've been digitizing photos taken decades ago with, inter alia, an M3; I'm now missing black and white film but unsure of diving back into it (it's a lot of effort). This video has sold me on the Monochrom. How big a difference in resolution/dynamic range do you see between the M10m and M11m-is it worth going the extra several grand?
Given the limitations of inkjet printers, how well do the benefits of a monochrome camera translate to printed photographs? i.e., If making a black and white print is the end-game, is there any noticeable difference between printed images captured on an M monochrome vs a standard M. Seems like an obvious question but can't find any post on the topic.
AOP (Ted), this is my first time writing a comment on this channel. I have however enjoyed your commentary for quite some time now. I liken your reviews to listening to a conversation of friends in a relaxed setting. Needless to say, but I genuinely enjoy your presentation style. WRT the M11 M, I appreciate everything that you said about having a dedicated B&W camera body. And as an owner of the M11, SL2-S, M3, and Barnack iiif, I definitely agree that the M11 M comes with a stiff buy in for an exclusive B&W camera. Another camera that I own is the M(9) Monochrom with its magical CCD sensor. I continue to torture myself by watching reviews and First Impressions of the M11 M, but I’m prayerful that I can stay committed to my M Monochrom and my Noctilux (0.95, 1.2, & 1.25) glass. Retired U.S. Navy Chaplain. Be Blessed, Doc Chaps
The images are incredible. I would love to have a camera like this, perhaps when I strike it rich! Keep up the great reviews. I always enjoy your channel.
You have the BEST sample images for this camera on the web🤗 i might get this because i love BW portraits and film is getting too expensive and too hard to find in my location.
Great video as always. I was going thru some of your older videos. Love the show on Fred Herzog. He is one of my favorites. I have purchased your other presets in the past and was wondering if you would do a Preset pack around previous great photographers. I would buy it on day one. Would love a Herzog Preset and a Warhol preset for an example. If this is not something you are interested could you point me in the direction of the fuji or Kodak preset that you believe best represents Herzog colors. You are the best!
OK - so how do the images compare to your Sony that you had converted to Full Spectrum - given the pixel difference and age difference between the cameras.
Ted. Sorry for a stupid question. Maybe I didn't understand. When I want to have b&w images - Is it better for me to switch my camera to bw at the beginning even when shoooting in RAW. My sensor still have these filters which maks colours .. Or better results are when I switch to bw at the beginning?
The M11 Monochrom has a sapphire glass screen covering over the rear LCD. This rugged, scratch-resistant surface protects the camera and is better quality than the glass used on the M10 LCD. The last camera with sapphire glass was two generations back with the M Monochrom (Typ 246), which I have and use, so great to see Leica bring this premium upgrade again to M11M. Comparing M11 to M246 Monochrom reveals more iso, more pixels, and more gadgets, but as Leica is a choice on the essentials I am preferring the quality of the M246 Monochrom.
Wonderful video and very informative. I recently bought the m11 2 weeks back. But I only do black and white (fyi I'm not a pro). I still have the option of returning but then I do away with the option of color (even its 0.1% of the time). Would you recommend returning the m11 and going for the m11 M instead? Or are the differences not noticeable between the m11 and m11 M in post processing?
Thanks for the excellent as usual review. It is a joy to watch and listen. Too bad, I just bought the Hasselblad X2D.... :D On this note: Do you have some comparison or personal opinion on the image quality between these two (after converting the Hasselblad 3RF files into monochrome)?
Another great video and lovely photographs. Have you ever gotten your hands on a Pixii camera? It would be great to see what you made of it, given its colour and mono capabilities! Cheers. :)
Wow … something to aspire to one day. Just spent the morning shooting an Ilford B&W film sim with my Fuji X100V. Thanks for another excellent video! 📷😀
lovely pictures you've taken as always an in the meantime I've been shooting in black and white most of the time with my M8 while dreaming to own a monochrom one day.
I have been intrigued for a while with the possibility of shooting a monochrome. I use three Leicas for work: two Ms (9 and 10r) paired with different lenses and an S2 which is now the backup of a Phase. I would jump into one of these tomorrow but the price point is too hefty. It’s been a while since I purchased any gear new. But I might try eventually with an M9 monochrom or a type 246. I really liked the work you showed. It helps to see results coming from a real photographer.
*Black and white film > black and white sensor* I'm not a fan of the photographs that come out of the camera--they feel very clinical and noticeably polished. They also look sepia in a way. I've shot all monochroms except the m11 monochrom. Nothing will ever compare to the traditional medium. Not to mention, the digital m cameras cost a *BULLET* . Sure you can edit them in post -- as with a regular digital camera! Rendering this M11 monochrom unavailing. If you want to get the best experience with black & white photography--get any film camera, a pallet of black & white film, and travel. Leica has been selling hopes and dreams for a while now. Lackluster and unsurprising. I wouldn't be surprised if they came out with a Disney edition either. *Great video though, as always*
Much though I'd love one, it's been less than a year since I bought an M body (the new M6), so it's going to have to wait a while. How's its performance in the highlights compared to the M10M?
I LOVE my M10M....it has changed how and what I shoot and how I see the world. I'm wondering...how much a premium would I have to pay for M11M if I sold the M10M....and, would it be worth it? Does the M11M offer that much above the M10M, besides a higher MP sensor? Also, I thought I'd heard about people having manufacturing problems from their new M11's....would the M11M have these same problems I wonder....I hear of people having to send back brand new M11's multiple times....?
the battery life is a big one for me. and internal storage. Just take the camera and go. btw since the latest firmware update my m11 hasn't crashed. But it was never a big deal to begin with, just pop the battery in and out. Took about 2 seconds
I will stick with my M10M for now. I don't need the extra resolution. The other innovations are interesting, but not decisive for me. Especially since Leica has increased the prices again. The new Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH seems more interesting to me.
You're right about the entry point, at $14,200 for the body in Australian pesos it's a big leap - but have to admit that the images produced are undeniably superb.
Very nice improvements on the body too. More internal memory. The finish is nice. The screen durability is better. I think we can hope for an M11P with some of those improvements soon.
1st, Can I assume reduction of mega pixels is accomplished through pixel binning? also, the base ISO should be considerably higher, about three stops then the M11 Model? so my question is because it's a true monochrome there are definitely advantages creative use of filters would be one of them as well However that would also reduce exposure by as much as two stops negating the gain in sensitivity? at 60 mega pixels I assume as great as my sumacron 35mm v2 and 50mm summie would need to be updated? I would love to have this camera but the price point is just two rich for my blood perhaps an M10?
You raise a good point about ISO. But the M9's base is 160 and the MM's base is 320. What I want to know is whether or not Leica uses fully saturated filters. As for pixel binning, I assume so. Image quality would not suffer at all if you're binning a mono sensor. You just bin an array of (x,y) pixels and shift one pixel at a time for each row. For argument's sake, your bin array could be 1500x1000 for medium res, and 2400x1600 for low res. I do not know what contortions you have to go through for a Bayer sensor.
I prefer SLRs over rangefinders for the TTL VF so the k3iii mono would be perfect. also monochrome mirrorless in rangefinder style body but with autofocus would be cool.
9:30 Ugh… Leica needs to adopt fuji’s approach to highlight detail… i.e. their DR 400 mode. Its a mode that, internally, underexposes the shot about two stops while boosting your mids and blacks. Effectively, what you do with in lightroom. This gives you about 4-5 stops of highlight detail, in addition to fuji highlight rolloff, that gives you a very filmic rolloff. This work in raw too!! So instead of having 18 stops of dynamic range all in the shadows, it trades some of that for the highlights. Having clipped highligh from a 9k camera when fuji doesn’t do that at 1/10 the price?
Big claim Ted - "Best sensor available in any camera today?" Without trying I can think of six cameras which are better. Phase One XF, XT, XC, (with the 150MPX back), Hasselblad H6D; ok no longer produced, Fuji GFX100s, Hasselblad X2D.
Great video you get a 👍 Sometimes I love all the Leica hype when primarily men get so excited about their new piece of jewelry, but other times I also hate it when I look at it a little sensibly, because at the end of the day Leica can seem to me like it's an expensive jewelery for primarily men 😉 So is the also new Pentax K3III Monochrome a more sensible choice?
Two Questions. 1) In B&W, is the 60MP sensor effectively a 240MP sensor w/o Bayer filters? Or does the recorded image not record the 240M sensels as separate pixels? Or is there some other wrinkle to the whole B&W image recording that I’m missing? 2) Would Leica film lenses (i.e., old lenses) do this body justice? With 60MP or… 240MP… could the film days glass keep up? Or does this new body pretty much require latest Leica glass to match the body? And what lens(es) would you recommend?
I'm a total amateur, but I think I have some insight on these if you don't mind me taking a crack at it. 1) You don't get extra pixels. In theory, there's less processing guesswork to determine what should be recorded on those pixels, because it doesn't have to compensate for the mosaic effect of the color filter, which affects light levels and introduces noise. 2) If all you care about is maximum sharpness, then vintage lenses won't be for you, but there's nothing about a high resolution sensor that makes them look bad, per se. It simply captures the light coming through the lens in greater detail, and you can do with that what you wish.
I’m not sure this is correct, but from what I understand. All digital cameras gather light on the sensor basically the same, the Bayer filter takes 3 pixels with the color spectum to form an image, with the monochrom and no Bayer filter it is only two pixels. So the monchrom would have a 1/3 MP increase in resolution (with the M11M performing like an approx. 90MP sensor?). With my M9 monochrom the 18MP sensor this therory brings it into the 27MP range, which for me is plenty enough. As for vintage lenses… The ASPH Summicron 50mm was developed with the original monochrom in mind to take advantage of the sensor resolution. So with the increase of resolution in the later monochrom cameras it would only make sense that the latest and greatest ASPH lenses would take advantage of them fully. Not that vintage lenses wouldn’t look great paired with them. For me, the perfect lenses for the look I’m going for, have been my old vintage lenses, some going back to the 1930s, and my classic Leitz optics from the 1950s-60s. The M11M would maybe do something special with them, but for the most part, be over-kill?
Very nice video. Brisk and factual. Thank you! A lot of focus on the visuals of the camera like all Leica videos. Who else cares about whether the ISO A setting mark is red or white aside from Leica owners. 😮😂. My Q; how does the light metering and risk of blowing out the highlights compare to the M10M in real life shooting. I loved the latter camera BUT hated the ongoing need to protect the highlights and then fix it all in post. (I like to share out of camera JPEG output as well as shooting RAW to process my best ones and found it quite difficult to do this with the M10M due to the need to protect the highlights which messed up some of exposure of the JPEG output). Sounds like the M11 M metering and sensor is better here? What is the real world difference in normal shooting conditions to the M10M. Which one to buy? They are both such interesting cameras. Well done Leica for continuing the line!
Love this camera, love the images it produces, price of entry is very high for me, but thinking hard about buying it or it's successor, which will require a few long years of putting aside funds.
The M11 is one of the most ridiculous cameras ever produced for those people with wallets heavier than their camera bags, but your review gave me some inspiration to do more with black and white. I should convert my color images more often to black and white. It’s always wonderful and my experience is that many people find them more ‘artistic’.
This camera does produce very detailed images. Personally, I wouldn't use a camera with this sort of resolution and detail for traditional street photography as I would find it a bit too clean and clinical - not a criticism of the camera as the photos are simply stunning to look at. This camera certainly has a fine art vibe to the results. That's where I think it would shine, very clean, clinical and detailed. Of course, combine that with some of Leica's vintage inspired lenses.
I think I’m swayed… but not convinced yet. I would like an excuse to go B&W so I don’t have to color grade and then just say “that’s my style!” But I’ll think about it. It really does put a lot more emphasis on the subject, focus, depth of field, and contrast… and you have to force yourself to think B&W and ignore color. It really is an artistic stretch
I’m always curious why no company dare to challenge Leica’s hold on this market of compact, full frame rangefinders. It’s like Leica itself is already a niche but this Monochrom is a much smaller niche (only competing with Pentax’s new monochrome camera haha).
Feels like my dream camera, I mean perfect for me and what I do. One day when the war is over Im gonna try one. BTW it interesting how trichrome photography gonna look with this
I wonder why the base iso 120. I definitely use 64 on my m11. From my limited research, the monochrom systems always looked like they had too much noise reduction applied. Also, I can already pull so much information from my m11 that it's insane. Ive recovered pitch black images to usable in LR. Going to have to watch your "case for monochrom" 🤔
Base ISO is 120 because removing the bayer filter means 1 more stop of light hits the sensor. So it’s the same base but as it’s twice as bright, it’s as if it was 120 iso.
@@guillaumebouqueau in electronic shutter correct. but you still get rolling shutter. also electronic won't trigger my strobe lights, unless you know of a workaround?
They are priced correctly. The rangefinder mechanism alone is as complicated as any expensive swiss watch. Get one in your hands, you'll understand the price immediately. Plus they hold value incredibly well. It's rare to lose much money on a Leica when you resell.
@@fieldstonestudios that’s understandable, but Leica has gotten to a point where they are pricing themselves out of the professional to prosumer market. With a new increased price of about $9,200, the M11 Monochrom is $900 more expensive than the 2020 launch price of the M10 Mono, following a years long trend of increasing prices since the M10 launch at $6.5k in 2017. The new Monochrom is also around $2k ~ $2.7k more expensive than you can get a used M10 Monochrom as of today. The reality is Leicas have and probably will always be a luxury item purchase for those with the deepest pockets and that’s fine. We’ll just never see mass adoption and I think Leica users probably prefer it that way.
It is a very interesting camera targeting a very small part of the market that needs a monochrome camera for what they do and they have 7-8K lying around. Regardless, thanks for the video!
I’m glad Leica is keeping the monochrom line updated. Gives me time to get rich
Leica just said we can wait to get you get rich in the mean time .
lmao
as if any of us working class will ever be wealthy. those at the top that have continued to hoard the wealth have made sure that we will stay poor, so long things dont change. I dislike cameras that have such an exorbitant high price, medium format included, that will essentially bar most people from even considering the creative possibilities, simply because of the seemingly impossibility of affordability. I get that they're for a certain crowd, but that certain crowd seems like they'll live in monaco rather than minnesota, and as Ive asked before, will the camera vendors take kidneys for payment, cause might as sell one to afford the asking price. or just wait a decade or two and hope that prices eventually come down to a reasonable price.
@@MetalDEmpire we are wealthy. Minimum wage in most places in U.S. puts you easily above the 90th percentile
Still trying
Love it, Ted!
Always love your monocrhome videos Ted. Killer photos as uaual.
Your monochrome images are wonderful and striking. The release of the M11M is not surprising, but certainly welcome and downright enticing. We are so fortunate that Leica, a relatively small company, but a giant in the industry, continues to thrive and innovate and bravely offer such products as the M6 and now the M11M along with the revamped line of M lenses.
Funny how Pentax today also presented their monochrom APS-C DSLR camera.
Very excited for it! I’m a Leica shooter, but the dslr style will always have a soft spot in my photography heart!
@@syncryptic_2233 if I could have every kind of camera lol
hopefully this will bring down the price of the Q2 monochrom a bit... fingers crossed
If a major Japanese camera maker (Canon,Nikon,Fuji etc) offered a monochrome digital camera, I would definitely buy one.
Pentax K-3iii Monochrome perhaps? Not really a ‘major’ manufacturer though.
That would be great
The question is, why all the brand today do not lead their choice to telemetric system camera, instead copying Leica style. Why not doing it All In?
Pentax K3 Monochrome was just launched out of nowhere - I have tears in my eyes.
I’m waiting to hear a comparison between the Q2 monochrom and the M11 monochrom. Focusing via rangefinder is difficult. Other than having the option of using various lenses with the M11 vs the 28mm fixed lens on the Q2, what are the advantages? Should I trade in my Q2M for the new M11M?
Bro, you deserve 1M subs.. I've been watching you since 4 years ago. Great content!
I will wait for the M12 Monochrome
I think I’ll wait for the M50 Monochrome 🤪
Very niche, but what a camera!!!! For those who can afford it... Superb images presented in this video, black and white photography at the highest level!
have to say, you really do show the use case for this camera. the processing here is top notch. have looked elsewhere, and those other reviews/images not as convincing. consider making a video on how you process these files
I bought the first generation Monochrom (CCD) a little over year ago and it's easily my favourite camera of all time. I see no reason to upgrade as 18mpix is plenty enough and the high-iso on that camera is awesome. Not clean, but very organic looking. ISO 10000 looks very much like actual film, especially with colour filters. So much so that I haven't shot film in 9 months or so.
I agree that photos from the original Monochrom camera do look like film and more so than later Monochrom models. There can be such a thing as too much resolution and detail.
I have owned every Leica Monochrom since the M9M. Mine comes Saturday and as always I am excited to get shooting with it. Nice review Ted.
Hello Ted. A very well made video as always. Thank you. I am using the Leica M10 Monochrome now since about half a year and the image quality always blows me away. I use the camera side by side with the M10, which is also gorgeous in my opinion. There is now reason for me to complain anything about these cameras, but it is amazing how Leica again and again shifts the borderline to higher levels. The most important fact for me today is, that Leica keeps the M productline by improving lenses and camera bodies, but also still offering the analog models. Although the cameras are expensive, it is an outstanding sustainability. Just got my M4 back from service - still working after nearly 60 years.
Best regards, Greg
I'm a big fan of Ansel Adams's and Fred Archer's zone system. I shoot both film and digital and it has been an absolute game changer in my journey. :-)
Thanks to your preview, I took the M11M, the Summilux 50 and the Oberwerth bag…. I couldn’t be happier! 🙏
I still love my MM CCD; bought it twice (made the mistake of selling my first one and then bought it again - will not repeat the error!). BEST camera i have. All the naysayers and the usual "too expensive" crowd have obviousy never had their hands on one. That is fine, it is obviously not for everyone. Shooting "only" in b&w is a committment, but the rewards are there for those who can appreciate them. Yes, film is cheaper (is it really still though?), i have a few film Ms but they almost never get used anymore.... i am sorry but the battle is over.
Your photos are the first I've seen that really show how organically close to black and white zone-system film processing the Leica files are. The dance and flower pictures are just wonderful. I've been digitizing photos taken decades ago with, inter alia, an M3; I'm now missing black and white film but unsure of diving back into it (it's a lot of effort). This video has sold me on the Monochrom. How big a difference in resolution/dynamic range do you see between the M10m and M11m-is it worth going the extra several grand?
No !
Just Killer. Always oustanding performance. I am always amazed by Leica.
Amd thx for the great video!
Is there any improvement in the body related to weather sealing?
Damn this B-roll is crispy as hell. Really makes the Leica look stellar.
Given the limitations of inkjet printers, how well do the benefits of a monochrome camera translate to printed photographs? i.e., If making a black and white print is the end-game, is there any noticeable difference between printed images captured on an M monochrome vs a standard M. Seems like an obvious question but can't find any post on the topic.
Nice review. Which lens did you use for the ballet pictures? They look lovely!
Great view Ted thanks for that. I totally want one!
AOP (Ted), this is my first time writing a comment on this channel. I have however enjoyed your commentary for quite some time now. I liken your reviews to listening to a conversation of friends in a relaxed setting. Needless to say, but I genuinely enjoy your presentation style. WRT the M11 M, I appreciate everything that you said about having a dedicated B&W camera body. And as an owner of the M11, SL2-S, M3, and Barnack iiif, I definitely agree that the M11 M comes with a stiff buy in for an exclusive B&W camera. Another camera that I own is the M(9) Monochrom with its magical CCD sensor. I continue to torture myself by watching reviews and First Impressions of the M11 M, but I’m prayerful that I can stay committed to my M Monochrom and my Noctilux (0.95, 1.2, & 1.25) glass. Retired U.S. Navy Chaplain. Be Blessed, Doc Chaps
The images are incredible. I would love to have a camera like this, perhaps when I strike it rich! Keep up the great reviews. I always enjoy your channel.
Excellent video. Also, Excellent images. Thank you. Now I can only dream
Leica Monochrome is awesome, I own the SL2S and the Q2M and the Q2M is my favorite camera.
amazing video and gorgeous photo samples!!!!
Hi what are the best lenses for this model for travel and portraits and photo journalism? Thanks
Would it be possible to tri chrome this back into color like you would with film B&W just out of curiosity?
Red Dot Forum suggests not stopping down more than F5.6 What do you think.?
If the m11p will have that internal storage, it will be a killer
You have the BEST sample images for this camera on the web🤗 i might get this because i love BW portraits and film is getting too expensive and too hard to find in my location.
I have never wanted a camera more than the Leica M11 Monochrom!
beautiful video .. a question in what position do you set the iso and the speed for street photos ..?
Great video as always. I was going thru some of your older videos. Love the show on Fred Herzog. He is one of my favorites. I have purchased your other presets in the past and was wondering if you would do a Preset pack around previous great photographers. I would buy it on day one. Would love a Herzog Preset and a Warhol preset for an example. If this is not something you are interested could you point me in the direction of the fuji or Kodak preset that you believe best represents Herzog colors. You are the best!
OK - so how do the images compare to your Sony that you had converted to Full Spectrum - given the pixel difference and age difference between the cameras.
Nice review! What song is at the beginning of the video? It’s catchy!
i love those black on black details. black is the best.
How is the camera compared to Leica Q2 monochrom?
Ted. Sorry for a stupid question. Maybe I didn't understand. When I want to have b&w images - Is it better for me to switch my camera to bw at the beginning even when shoooting in RAW. My sensor still have these filters which maks colours .. Or better results are when I switch to bw at the beginning?
The M11 Monochrom has a sapphire glass screen covering over the rear LCD. This rugged, scratch-resistant surface protects the camera and is better quality than the glass used on the M10 LCD. The last camera with sapphire glass was two generations back with the M Monochrom (Typ 246), which I have and use, so great to see Leica bring this premium upgrade again to M11M.
Comparing M11 to M246 Monochrom reveals more iso, more pixels, and more gadgets, but as Leica is a choice on the essentials I am preferring the quality of the M246 Monochrom.
Thank you Ted. Great video. I finally get why a dedicated monochrome body makes sense.
What is on the eye piece @5:08?
I wonder whether I should sell my q2 monochrom and get an m11 monochrom
Wonderful video and very informative. I recently bought the m11 2 weeks back. But I only do black and white (fyi I'm not a pro). I still have the option of returning but then I do away with the option of color (even its 0.1% of the time). Would you recommend returning the m11 and going for the m11 M instead? Or are the differences not noticeable between the m11 and m11 M in post processing?
Man, that's amazing. If I had the budget I would definitely get the monochrome since I shoot 99% b&w film. Getting the Leica MP in a week
Great shots!
I was just going to ask what bag that was …. It’s so beautiful!
Thanks for the excellent as usual review. It is a joy to watch and listen. Too bad, I just bought the Hasselblad X2D.... :D
On this note: Do you have some comparison or personal opinion on the image quality between these two (after converting the Hasselblad 3RF files into monochrome)?
Another great video and lovely photographs. Have you ever gotten your hands on a Pixii camera? It would be great to see what you made of it, given its colour and mono capabilities! Cheers. :)
Great Leica M11 series review Ted.
Wow … something to aspire to one day. Just spent the morning shooting an Ilford B&W film sim with my Fuji X100V. Thanks for another excellent video! 📷😀
lovely pictures you've taken as always an in the meantime I've been shooting in black and white most of the time with my M8 while dreaming to own a monochrom one day.
I have been intrigued for a while with the possibility of shooting a monochrome. I use three Leicas for work: two Ms (9 and 10r) paired with different lenses and an S2 which is now the backup of a Phase. I would jump into one of these tomorrow but the price point is too hefty. It’s been a while since I purchased any gear new. But I might try eventually with an M9 monochrom or a type 246. I really liked the work you showed. It helps to see results coming from a real photographer.
*Black and white film > black and white sensor*
I'm not a fan of the photographs that come out of the camera--they feel very clinical and noticeably polished. They also look sepia in a way.
I've shot all monochroms except the m11 monochrom. Nothing will ever compare to the traditional medium.
Not to mention, the digital m cameras cost a *BULLET* .
Sure you can edit them in post -- as with a regular digital camera! Rendering this M11 monochrom unavailing.
If you want to get the best experience with black & white photography--get any film camera, a pallet of black & white film, and travel.
Leica has been selling hopes and dreams for a while now. Lackluster and unsurprising. I wouldn't be surprised if they came out with a Disney edition either.
*Great video though, as always*
Much though I'd love one, it's been less than a year since I bought an M body (the new M6), so it's going to have to wait a while. How's its performance in the highlights compared to the M10M?
I LOVE my M10M....it has changed how and what I shoot and how I see the world.
I'm wondering...how much a premium would I have to pay for M11M if I sold the M10M....and, would it be worth it?
Does the M11M offer that much above the M10M, besides a higher MP sensor? Also, I thought I'd heard about people having manufacturing problems from their new M11's....would the M11M have these same problems I wonder....I hear of people having to send back brand new M11's multiple times....?
the battery life is a big one for me. and internal storage. Just take the camera and go. btw since the latest firmware update my m11 hasn't crashed. But it was never a big deal to begin with, just pop the battery in and out. Took about 2 seconds
I will stick with my M10M for now. I don't need the extra resolution. The other innovations are interesting, but not decisive for me. Especially since Leica has increased the prices again. The new Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH seems more interesting to me.
You're right about the entry point, at $14,200 for the body in Australian pesos it's a big leap - but have to admit that the images produced are undeniably superb.
Yes but if you shoot & have a tremendous work attitude I think you can see a huge return because these bodies are purchased once in a blue moon.
A bag company bold enough to make a bag that holds not one, but two Leica M bodies. Talk about a niche product.
Id priobably use it for my m10m and sony apha1 to be fair. About the same size.
Very nice improvements on the body too. More internal memory. The finish is nice. The screen durability is better. I think we can hope for an M11P with some of those improvements soon.
1st, Can I assume reduction of mega pixels is accomplished through pixel binning? also, the base ISO should be considerably higher, about three stops then the M11 Model? so my question is because it's a true monochrome there are definitely advantages creative use of filters would be one of them as well However that would also reduce exposure by as much as two stops negating the gain in sensitivity?
at 60 mega pixels I assume as great as my sumacron 35mm v2 and 50mm summie would need to be updated? I would love to have this camera but the price point is just two rich for my blood perhaps an M10?
You raise a good point about ISO. But the M9's base is 160 and the MM's base is 320. What I want to know is whether or not Leica uses fully saturated filters.
As for pixel binning, I assume so. Image quality would not suffer at all if you're binning a mono sensor. You just bin an array of (x,y) pixels and shift one pixel at a time for each row. For argument's sake, your bin array could be 1500x1000 for medium res, and 2400x1600 for low res. I do not know what contortions you have to go through for a Bayer sensor.
I prefer SLRs over rangefinders for the TTL VF so the k3iii mono would be perfect. also monochrome mirrorless in rangefinder style body but with autofocus would be cool.
And why & how can anyone tell the difference using post?
9:30
Ugh…
Leica needs to adopt fuji’s approach to highlight detail… i.e. their DR 400 mode.
Its a mode that, internally, underexposes the shot about two stops while boosting your mids and blacks. Effectively, what you do with in lightroom.
This gives you about 4-5 stops of highlight detail, in addition to fuji highlight rolloff, that gives you a very filmic rolloff.
This work in raw too!!
So instead of having 18 stops of dynamic range all in the shadows, it trades some of that for the highlights.
Having clipped highligh from a 9k camera when fuji doesn’t do that at 1/10 the price?
Awesome & Thanks :)
I'm pretty rude to the files coming from my Canon, but that boost and the curve push was wild.
I know the video is about the camera but where did you buy that bag?! I need one like that!
NVM, I simply kept watching. Oops.
I am so happy Leica came out with this camera now I can get a much better deal on a MR 10. I really need that $700 camera bag.
Big claim Ted - "Best sensor available in any camera today?" Without trying I can think of six cameras which are better.
Phase One XF, XT, XC, (with the 150MPX back), Hasselblad H6D; ok no longer produced, Fuji GFX100s, Hasselblad X2D.
My Leica monochrome is an IF with a roll of Tri-X in it. Seriously though, great review Ted, Thanks.
Great video you get a 👍
Sometimes I love all the Leica hype when primarily men get so excited about their new piece of jewelry, but other times I also hate it when I look at it a little sensibly, because at the end of the day Leica can seem to me like it's an expensive jewelery for primarily men 😉 So is the also new Pentax K3III Monochrome a more sensible choice?
Two Questions.
1) In B&W, is the 60MP sensor effectively a 240MP sensor w/o Bayer filters? Or does the recorded image not record the 240M sensels as separate pixels? Or is there some other wrinkle to the whole B&W image recording that I’m missing?
2) Would Leica film lenses (i.e., old lenses) do this body justice? With 60MP or… 240MP… could the film days glass keep up? Or does this new body pretty much require latest Leica glass to match the body? And what lens(es) would you recommend?
I'm a total amateur, but I think I have some insight on these if you don't mind me taking a crack at it.
1) You don't get extra pixels. In theory, there's less processing guesswork to determine what should be recorded on those pixels, because it doesn't have to compensate for the mosaic effect of the color filter, which affects light levels and introduces noise.
2) If all you care about is maximum sharpness, then vintage lenses won't be for you, but there's nothing about a high resolution sensor that makes them look bad, per se. It simply captures the light coming through the lens in greater detail, and you can do with that what you wish.
@@spyhardman TY for your insights. Every little bit of light helps!-)
I’m not sure this is correct, but from what I understand. All digital cameras gather light on the sensor basically the same, the Bayer filter takes 3 pixels with the color spectum to form an image, with the monochrom and no Bayer filter it is only two pixels. So the monchrom would have a 1/3 MP increase in resolution (with the M11M performing like an approx. 90MP sensor?). With my M9 monochrom the 18MP sensor this therory brings it into the 27MP range, which for me is plenty enough. As for vintage lenses… The ASPH Summicron 50mm was developed with the original monochrom in mind to take advantage of the sensor resolution. So with the increase of resolution in the later monochrom cameras it would only make sense that the latest and greatest ASPH lenses would take advantage of them fully. Not that vintage lenses wouldn’t look great paired with them. For me, the perfect lenses for the look I’m going for, have been my old vintage lenses, some going back to the 1930s, and my classic Leitz optics from the 1950s-60s. The M11M would maybe do something special with them, but for the most part, be over-kill?
Leica's are beautiful but obscenely expensive.
Is the bag in the same league as a Leica price wise?
Very nice video. Brisk and factual. Thank you! A lot of focus on the visuals of the camera like all Leica videos. Who else cares about whether the ISO A setting mark is red or white aside from Leica owners. 😮😂. My Q; how does the light metering and risk of blowing out the highlights compare to the M10M in real life shooting. I loved the latter camera BUT hated the ongoing need to protect the highlights and then fix it all in post. (I like to share out of camera JPEG output as well as shooting RAW to process my best ones and found it quite difficult to do this with the M10M due to the need to protect the highlights which messed up some of exposure of the JPEG output). Sounds like the M11 M metering and sensor is better here? What is the real world difference in normal shooting conditions to the M10M. Which one to buy? They are both such interesting cameras. Well done Leica for continuing the line!
Me encanta la fotografía en Blanco y negro
Monochrome is great . Black and white is king ! Great performance , edgy images , wow , what is not to like other than the cost .
I totally see the appeal.
Love this camera, love the images it produces, price of entry is very high for me, but thinking hard about buying it or it's successor, which will require a few long years of putting aside funds.
The M11 is one of the most ridiculous cameras ever produced for those people with wallets heavier than their camera bags, but your review gave me some inspiration to do more with black and white. I should convert my color images more often to black and white. It’s always wonderful and my experience is that many people find them more ‘artistic’.
Thanks. Your video was really inspiring. My wife also saw it, and….. who knows…, maybe…. My 55th birthday is coming soon…. 😮
Amazing video review!
This camera does produce very detailed images. Personally, I wouldn't use a camera with this sort of resolution and detail for traditional street photography as I would find it a bit too clean and clinical - not a criticism of the camera as the photos are simply stunning to look at. This camera certainly has a fine art vibe to the results. That's where I think it would shine, very clean, clinical and detailed. Of course, combine that with some of Leica's vintage inspired lenses.
I think I’m swayed… but not convinced yet. I would like an excuse to go B&W so I don’t have to color grade and then just say “that’s my style!”
But I’ll think about it. It really does put a lot more emphasis on the subject, focus, depth of field, and contrast… and you have to force yourself to think B&W and ignore color. It really is an artistic stretch
Is there a pop-up flash ? Just kidding 😉. Great video.
I’m always curious why no company dare to challenge Leica’s hold on this market of compact, full frame rangefinders. It’s like Leica itself is already a niche but this Monochrom is a much smaller niche (only competing with Pentax’s new monochrome camera haha).
Which is funny, because shooting B+W on Foma or Adox is the only way I still get to shoot film for cheap.
Feels like my dream camera, I mean perfect for me and what I do. One day when the war is over Im gonna try one. BTW it interesting how trichrome photography gonna look with this
We love Kiran !
I wish other camera manufacturers had monochrome cameras apart from a few high end MF cameras
A+ review.
I wonder why the base iso 120. I definitely use 64 on my m11. From my limited research, the monochrom systems always looked like they had too much noise reduction applied.
Also, I can already pull so much information from my m11 that it's insane. Ive recovered pitch black images to usable in LR.
Going to have to watch your "case for monochrom" 🤔
Base ISO is 120 because removing the bayer filter means 1 more stop of light hits the sensor. So it’s the same base but as it’s twice as bright, it’s as if it was 120 iso.
@@guillaumebouqueau makes sense thanks for that. I still prefer the 64 option for shooting 1.4 in sunlight.
@@WILMORENO with the M11s you can switch to hybrid mode and shoot 1/8000 or even 1/16000th of a second, isn’t it? That should do the trick. ;)
@@guillaumebouqueau in electronic shutter correct. but you still get rolling shutter. also electronic won't trigger my strobe lights, unless you know of a workaround?
@@WILMORENO you’ve reached the limits of my knowledge. Hope the rest of the community will be able to answer your questions.
If only Leica would sell the M series at a more reasonable price I think they would be the most popular choice today.
They are priced correctly. The rangefinder mechanism alone is as complicated as any expensive swiss watch. Get one in your hands, you'll understand the price immediately. Plus they hold value incredibly well. It's rare to lose much money on a Leica when you resell.
@@fieldstonestudios that’s understandable, but Leica has gotten to a point where they are pricing themselves out of the professional to prosumer market. With a new increased price of about $9,200, the M11 Monochrom is $900 more expensive than the 2020 launch price of the M10 Mono, following a years long trend of increasing prices since the M10 launch at $6.5k in 2017. The new Monochrom is also around $2k ~ $2.7k more expensive than you can get a used M10 Monochrom as of today. The reality is Leicas have and probably will always be a luxury item purchase for those with the deepest pockets and that’s fine. We’ll just never see mass adoption and I think Leica users probably prefer it that way.
Time to buy a M10 Monochrom :D
It is a very interesting camera targeting a very small part of the market that needs a monochrome camera for what they do and they have 7-8K lying around. Regardless, thanks for the video!
Nice shots, looks just like medium format t-max scans
I would buy it if the price would make sense.
if you keep changing your colred photos into BW when you want to display them in your house - M11 Mono is for you!