Leica M11 Review - Using Mechanical or Electronic Shutter? By photographer Thorsten Overgaard

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Thorsten von Overgaard is a Danish writer and photographer, specializing in portrait photography and documentary photography, known for writings about photography and as an educator. You are always welcome to send an e-mail to Thorsten for questions, suggestions and ideas.

Thorsten Overgaard is an independent writer and photographer who write, teach workshops and publish user reports about the equipment he uses. There is no affiliation with Leica Camera AG or any camera dealers, no free gifts, no sponsorship, no kickback and no paid content. All you see is real and based on the life of an eccentric and hard-working photographer who makes his own money, buys his own equipment and form his own independent opinions - and shares with you. Enjoy the ride.

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Job 2145-0222

[dgoullet]

This is my first M system camera and I am love in it. I love the 60 megapixels for cropping and large prints, anything that is far superior to my cell phone camera is good. I see your points, but as a first time M buyer for the price difference I will take the M11 thank you. Always enjoy your videos, keep it up!

[jonlieberman]

I am content with my M10R and SL2S. The M10 is classic and simple. The SL2 is feature packed and more complex, and is a low light dream camera

[TheVFXbyArt]

Thank you for posting this. Very helpful!

[mifcnm]

This is interesting evaluation of the M11. For someone who is new to the M series, coming from Fuji, I’m really confused now. It almost sounds as if you are saying the M10 R for now would be a better choice as it is simpler than the M11 or wait for the next version of the M11. For the new person to the ranger finder photography does it make sense to get the M10 R or the M11?

[DanailStoianovArnould]

Super interesting (from an M9 user point of view). You covered very important points here regarding simplicity and usability. Thank you Thorsten!

[rogerwojahn]

Excellent discussion, Thorsten. I shoot single shot only and haven't noticed the lag yet. But this is very disconcerting I hope they can fix it in the firmware and, as you say, allow the electronic shutter to work even with flickering light. The M11 is my first new camera since I bought the M9-P in 2011. That camera has never let me down and is the epitome of simplicity and soul. We so appreciate you doing your own homework and explaining to us what is what. Many thanks!!

[michaelcampbell]

Very clear and comprehensive review of selected elements of the M11, especially the shutter choices and challenges. I agree that the M11 seems to be overly feature rich and more complex than it needs to be. Building simplicity that is functional and intuitive is very difficult. Adding complexity that compromises ease of use is a trap many tech providers fall into. Will be interesting to see how the M11-P addresses some of the challenges you highlight.

[pacoguerilla]

Very interesting explanation of electronic vs mechanical shutter « issue ».
I don’t use my « M », preferring my X100. And now I bought a Q2 which is a « Leica version » of the X100, without film simulations which I like on the Fuji. For films, I have several cameras (M7, asahi pentax) but we can’t find competent labs (photographs are retired…).
Thank you for keeping photography passion alive 👍🙏

[philipcupid]

I have a Panasonic Lumix FZ82 and I have also accidentally messed up my shooting with my Pentax K50, with some of the issues that you're mentioning. Yes perhaps CMos sensors are great but do you get similar issues with something like a Digilux 2, M9 or Type 006/007 sensors?
I would like a Digilux 2 at the moment.

[Fluterra]

There is no appreciable delay in the M11 vs the M10. I have compared side by side with my M11-P, M10, M10M. The image capture time is the same, if not a bit sooner for the M11P. The image preview also appears sooner on the M11.
Maybe what is being said was true for the original firmware but it’s no longer the case. This video needs to be updated!!!

[philipbe]

My M10-D rules. Classic, simple and sophisticated 😜

[longrider]

I have never owned a Leica, but I shot for 2 years with a Sony A7R4 and the high rez is great if you get it perfect. If you have challenging light or your technique is not perfect every little mistake gets magnified. I just went back to 24 megapixels in an A9 and A7C and on the whole I am much happier

[TedVieira]

I couldn't agree with you more, man. The more Leica keeps things simple, the more they will always succeed. I understand the need to stay competitive with other digital manufacturers, but I honestly believe the most successful track is to stay true to the original concept. For the most part I shoot Leica M6 or M3 bodies. Mostly M6. If I do shoot digital I us Leica M262. The reason I went with 262 over the 240 is because it's an M. I didn't want live view or video. The 262 still provided that M approach, that simplicity. (all this being said, film is still better) Anyway, just wanted to share my 2 cents. I agree with you, man.

[gggbbb]

What about dynamic range differences between electronic and manual shutters on the M11? My general understanding is es often reduces dynamic range compared to mechanical. I can’t seem to find details on this for the M11 and curious if you knew. Thanks

[simonyoung]

Imho m11 is made for noctilux and apo lenses.

[piterfromwawa]

Have the issues with number of shutter clicks and number of pictures been addressed via firmware update?

[garydmorris]

I like my M10R. I have not seen any reason to sell that camera, take a $3K to $4K loss and upgrade to an M11. 31 minutes to explore how to use the shutter seems to be a big departure from the reason I own and use a digital M.

[brianschwellinger]

I am curious…. Could a user adjust the aperture and/or the ISO to reduce the shutter speed to a speed that would eliminate the banding caused by the light flicker? Thank you for posting your reviews, always excellent.

[adamspencer]

FW update for current M11 Mechanical shutter. With my M3 and MR4 meter I take occasional light readings and change my setting only when the light changes. I don't see why in full manual mode, the shutter can't be closed and operate as before i.e. Open/Close and have the ability to press a FN button to open the shutter and take a meter reading. Regarding the mis match between sound and number of shots. I wonder when in continuous mode the camera for the Fitst shot in the sequence performs a 3 way movement i.e. Close, Open, Close then reverts to normal mechanical open, close but if you hesitate even for a nano second within your shooting sequence you inadvertently re-trigger the start sequence and the camera once again does a three way followed by 2 way. Regarding future Global e-shutter, that would eliminate rolling shutter and increase dynamic range with variable ISO. I.e. the sensor will boost the shadow signal gain and lower for the sky using same logic as Multi Meter. Though I'm not sure how I would feel about that yet. (not the e-shutter but variable ISO, should be a good thing, I think!)

[vanerven]

Refreshing to hear an uncensored opinion about the M11.