The Leica M11: The Premium Rangefinder Camera That's Worth EVERY Cent...

Improved based on feedback from a myriad of M-Photographers, the Leica M11 effortlessly blends the classic aesthetic of previous M models with the connected modern digital world. Driven by a newly developed sensor and latest-gen processor, the M11 offers free choice of resolution, as well as other customer-centered innovations that deliver maximum flexibility and remarkable image quality, all while staying true to the timeless build and design for which Leica is known.

In this video, our resident Leica enthusiast Deon takes the M11 for a spin, and gives his thoughts on the changes made to this camera.

Thank you to the Zeitz MOCAA for providing us with their gorgeous venue for this very special shoot! Find them online:

Table of Contents:
00:00 Intro
01:14 The Leica M11's Triple Resolution Sensor
02:44 Bottom Plate Changes & USB-C Port
03:59 Thoughts On The Bottom Plate
04:55 Changes To The Top Plate
06:21 Function Buttons On The Leica M11
07:37 New Shutter Functionality
09:03 Is The Leica M11 Worth It?

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ABOUT ORMSTV
OrmsTV is one of the leading photo- and videographic YouTube channels in South Africa. We create videos about the latest cameras, news and rumours roundups for the avid gearhead community and rich educational content where we share the knowledge of local industry experts. Familiar faces you may recognise include Deon, our veteran host and resident Fujifilm fanboy; Andre, one of our sales reps and amazing gear expert; and Jess, our Content Manager who occasionally steps out from behind the camera to contribute to our community.

[Silverbob]

Perfect! Just the sort of review I needed to see. So far it's the only review that simply explains the integrity of the 3 resolution sensor. And the last part of the video evoked memories of what it was like to shoot film. I'm 73 and have a Sony mirrorless system with far too many lenses. I don't shoot video and am nauseated by all the features and jargon, most of which I don't care to understand. I'm now seriously thinking of selling the whole lot and buying a M11. It could well be my last and only camera I'll ever own. Back to the future!

[keithwalker]

What a superb inspirational video! Thank you so much for making it.

[SavedbybGrace]

Had them all... from Hasselblad, R & M series Leica, early digital DSLR's through to high end pro also M8/9 Now on the M11P, amazed. What a camera!!!

[benjaminparks]

Excellent review! You've really captured the essence of why one would buy a Leica, versus some other cheaper and more highly specced camera. As a current Q2 user and aspiring M11 owner, I can say that besides the amazing lenses and wonderful sensor/color science, it is indeed about the user experience. Leica helps slow you down and put you into a different state of mind.

[marc]

Thanks for sharing your passion for Leica M. I'm a M user and totally understand what you feel.
I used to shoot with many brands in 35 years. But no other camera makes me happier to shoot than a M. With any other camera I take a picture. With a M I have the feeling that I make an image.

[FritzVanZyl]

Wow, thanks for the review. Very well done. You are correct, the emotion in using a Leica M is unrivaled.

[davesaunders]

I throughly enjoyed this review. Very passionate - thank you.

[nunosantos]

Good approach and a different one, more emotional and all about experience, and for me that´s what sets apart Leica M cameras. However, knowing about your love for Leica cameras, will be nice to also have some feedback from you regarding the things that changed and may bother the more traditional and hard-core users. You mentioned the bottom plate, and I agree with you, probably will be a matter of time to get used to. But the sensor, that seems to be one of the main changes, with 60mp can be challenged to get sharp images handheld with shutter speeds below 1/250 or even higher. On the top of that, the traditional street photographers shoot between 5.6 and 11, pushing even further the need to use lower shutter speeds or increasing the iso too much. I´m not seeing a practical use of this sensor for street photography, and that´s where the M camera was born. The question is, using the 36 or 18mp options, the pixel binning will compensate that issue, or the challenge to get sharp images remain the same, as the pixel remain tiny? Also, regarding the use of apertures between 5.6 to 11, knowing that the DLA (diffraction) should start around 6.1, how the image quality will suffer using those apertures. Last one is the new approach for multi metering, using the sensor. Yes, is great to have that option, but that comes with the cost. Every time you press the shutter button, the shutter needs to close, open again and close again. Aside of the annoying double sound that we never experienced in a M camera, translates also to a delay since you press and take the actual image. This alone can be a huge step back for a M user, as it was one of the main selling points of a M camera, when you see an image through the viewfinder, the time to capture it was instantaneously, and is not anymore.

..oh, and I didnt get the automatic WB issue??? The Leica M cameras are known to have excelent auto wb, and having more than 20 cameras myself I can prove that. Is remarkable in fact and far far better than nikon, sony (easy to be better than sony in this regard) and even canon. Only Olympus have also a good performance.

[JLStreetDoc]

I was on the fence whether or not to get a M10 or M11. I was just convinced that the M11 is the way to go. It will be my first Leica, and most likely my last considering the price, so I might as well get the best M they have to offer.

[manuelepasqualini]

It would definitely be my favourite camera if I could only afford it. Your video made me want to get one, but buying one is going to stay in the realm of dreams for the time being. I managed to buy a used Leica CL digital for a decent price, but the Leica M11 is way more expensive. Anyway, I liked your video and found it very informative. Regards, Manu

[FriendsFanever]

Great vid thank you! I currently own both M11 & M10 in hand & have been comparing them for about a week now. (I’ve been shooting with M10 for about 3yrs) But I’m thinking that the difference in improvement is relatively small for a casual shooters like me. I am thinking of selling off one of them. I can sell M10 for about 4000USD & M11 for about USD8500. Maybe it’s a personal thing, but I’m leaning to sell off the M11. In your opinion, what factors make the M11 worth that extra 4500 USD ? Much appreciated!

[kindface]

Good review. And what you say about Leica cameras is true: it speaks to the whole process of capturing moments and the message the user is fundamentally trying to communicate with it. One wedding photographer, another YTer, made a video thrashing the Q2 (and effectively Leica cameras) because it was a total disaster for him to use on his job. You could tell he barely took the trouble to understand what/who a Leica camera was for.

I now have a film Leica MP and the original Q as far a as Leicas go. I will never sell my MP as it was an ala carte edition with physical components assembled to my specification by Wetzlar. But I’m thinking of selling the Q an instead get the M11 plus either the classic Monochrom (Type 246), the Q2 Monochrom or a future release of either of these.

[christopherwaters]

Thankyou for your excellent review. To my mind it was a perfect summation and
I appreciate the honesty, clarity, and passion you communicated. I am interested in the b&W photos you included. Were these done in camera or afterwards via conversion software? They appear to be extremely high quality and done in camera. Do you have anything to say about this feature. It's a strong purchase point for me as I am thinking of getting the M10M. Thanks. CW

[jasonkempin]

I’m praying they make an M11 black paint with brass top. Why aluminum? Good lord.

[GurmeetSingh-fruo]

I’m running the latest firmware and it still randomly freezes up. I have to switch off and on to fix.

[richardellishk]

the Leica M (Typ 262) had aluminium top plate. used mine since 2016 and no signs of wearing through the coating

[dgoullet]

Nice B&W pictures! JPEG or converted in post?

[GrahamBridgemanClarke]

Correction the Leica M262 has an aluminium top plate.

[schumifchamp]

Worth if if you don’t have an M10 version. If you have an M10 you can give it a miss unless you really need 60mp. Everything else is irrelevant. M10 will go down as the last true M. This camera while technically better is a step in a different direction away from tradition.

[JonathanJK]

Honestly you Leica guys make much ado about nothing regarding the base plate. Nearly every review in some form laments the lack of a base plate, but honestly I don't care. This thing about lineage and all, was said when Leica made their first digital camera and look where we are today.