How I ended up with a Leica M11 after all... 

My first and only Leica is the M11. I went with it because it was the newest technology. I don’t have the experience of other Leica to compare. However, it is night and day difference to my Nikons. My wife, who is quite content with the quality of her iPhone, noticed the difference immediately. I’m glad you gave a shout out to Tim. I’ve been eyeing some lenses from him. Maybe early next year I will pick up a new lens from him. I’ve heard nothing but good things about him. Oh, and why not keep both. Seems like you could have the M10-R as your backup body… a very expensive backup camera. ;) Great channel!

Sounds like deep in your unconscious you already made the decision 😉 Looking forward seeing your progress. Love from Thailand, Dominic

M11 was my first ever Leica. Had it for over a year now. Favorite camera of all time :)

I really hope you editing the video at 11:11 was intentional.

I think you‘ve made up your mind already, Dave. … I had an M6 and loved it for B&W. Still shooting my old, trusted M8. Got an SL2S last year to replace my Nikon DSLR, but wanted a modern digital M. Tested-for a week each-Q2M, M11, M10M. Loved the ergonomics of the M11 and the B&W quality of the M10M. So I got an M11M without further tests. What can I say? Love at first click. But now I would like to have 60 mp in color, too. So I hope they release an M11P with a 60 mp sensor and 256gb internal drive. (Wishful thinking?)

Welcome to the club Dave! I approve this message 😁

Tim Lei is amazing to deal with. He is so great for selling Leica equipment. He is the best! Great video!

I had the same decision to make two months ago. An almost complete revision of all my kit. The thing is I couldn’t afford the M11 so I convinced myself that the M10R was the deal. However, then a ‘deal’ came about whilst I was selling my gear that meant if I sold my M7 and M8 (the latter only being kept because of sentimental reasons) I could afford the M11 Then with a clever twist I added my M mount 135mm and trielmar and got a 35mm f1.4 asph summilux. I haven’t looked back! Wham bang! I back out shooting on the street and living it. Really the M11 is awesome. Don’t go soft. Keep the 11 … and start using fotos. It is so good keep track on the hoof. You say your old school well I am as I’ve carried a camera with me every day since I was 7 years old! That’s 60 years ago! But I’d recommend using these features. Enjoy the journey buddy.

A video of the comparison would be awesome.

Go with the flow and have no regrets. I am nursing an M10 back to health from ISO dial failure and enjoying the JOURNEY.

Having made the same move about a year ago, and still owning both cameras, I have to say the differences between the M10-R and the M11 go way beyond the sensor resolution. The M11 is a far superior camera when it comes to the shooting experience, and the living with experience. I kept both because I wasn't sure about the benefits. What says the most to me is the fact after the side by side shooting test when I first got the M11, I have not shot a single frame with the M10. I enjoy the experience and the results with the M11 so much more. I expect you will arrive at a similar place. Because you say the you are going t use the M11 for important commercial work, I would think that the redundancy that the dual SD/Internal memory of the M11, the incredible battery life (I have never had to switch to my backup battery in a full day of shooting), the convenience of charging and downloading through the uSB C cable (all I need to travel with is the same setup I take for my phone anyway), and shooting wirelessly tethered through the Leica Fotos App (providing detailed large screen review for you and your clients), would push you over the edge even if all else is equal. My final (current kit) will be the M11 and my favorite 4 M lenses for small super high end IQ MF kit, and my Sony A1 with 4 zooms and 3 primes, all GMs. Nothing I feel I can't handle between the two kits.

Gave up my M10 for the M10R, and the M10R fro the M11P. I was happy with the M10R, but wanted a P. I had many "issues", and by that I mean the way I shoot as opposed to the way the M11 wants me to shoot. The M10 bodies, as well as the M240/M246 were able to keep up with me smashing the shutter in single photo mode. The M11 doesn't work that way. The Firmware update 2.0.2 fixed some issues that I had with 2.0.1, so I don't have anything to say about those (there were a few, seem to be fixed). The files, the resolution, the BSI colors in comparison to my M10R (which was very similar to my S typ 007) is impressive. I think, outside of a 100MP SL3, the M11-P is going to stick with me for awhile. I've used it more than my M10-M (even in low light, and yes I kept a M10 body just-in-case), I've used it more than my SL2 and SL2-S. My S is sitting in it's case and my Q hasn't moved. So, the M11-P pretty much takes care of most of my needs, with resolution, with shooting (as long as when I am shooting fast I switch resolution to the M or S DNG) and the files are bar none, the best! I've even used the M11-P on my Negative Supply film "scanning" set-up and shoot my color film with it. Excellent. Keep it. It will ONLY get better with more firmware updates and afterall, it's an M.

The limitations of the M10 IQ are pretty obvious compared to my a7rV and M10M. I've been spoiled by the IQ of the newest high-resolution sensors and now I'm not so excited to use my M10. I prefer the heavier brass/chrome of my silver M10 though. I think the added weight improves the camera's handheld stability. I've got the heavy brass 50 Summilux too.

I jumped from the M262 to the M11 this year and I’m loving it! I was super tempted with the m10 line over the years but I’m happy I waited for the M11. I do prefer the raw files straight out of the M10 without edits but I prefer the flexibility/modernness of the M11 files and how they respond to edits.

Dave, love your channel, also love your presets! I’ve bought every set so far and love them. Just picked up an M11 too but it’s early days. Only other Leica experience is my Q2 which led me to the M11. Not much insight in my comment here but just wanted to say I’m a fan of the channel 👍🏻

Funny, I as well just got my M11 from Tim Lei... He is one of the most honest sellers around. His description on his items are always spot on. I also can 100% recommend him for any Leica needs/wants. My M11 came as close to new/perfect as I could expect. BTW, great video...

Out of warranty and Leica are happy to fix this problem is great. High end products should come with high end customer service. I don’t have either of the Ms but and searching for a digital Leica that I could afford and live with and just the battery life of the M11 is a winner. Wish it wasn’t and older Ms had a half decent battery life but everyone says one m11 battery is the same as 3 m10 batteries. At the moment I have sold all my Fuji and have spent a while just using a Ricoh GRiii. I have loved the experience of the small descret Ricoh but having to change the battery at least 3 times when out is a bugger. The m11 battery alone is a big enough reason to want it over previous Ms. That solves nothing for me considering the m11 is out of my. Budget I dont want video and high spec blah blah. Fuji x100v was a having mine but it had so much i didn’t need or use. I can’t wait for the day that I can get my hands on a digital rangefinder.

I just picked up an M11 to test against the M10-R as well. So far I haven’t had too much time to shoot with it other than around the house so I can’t speak to the files or image quality yet but from an ergonomics perspective I like the M11 a lot! The 25% weight reduction really feels nice in the hand especially when mounting the current close focus 35 and 50 primes which I just switched over to. I like the matte “grippy” finish and yeah I think the bottom of the camera design and the new battery are great additions. I almost feels like a completely different camera in many ways. Although it has similar vibes to the M10 series it just feels and meters way differently. I got a good deal on an Open Box so I’m gonna roll with it for a bit and see how it fairs and probably sell my M10-R to fund it. I’ve also been pairing down my Fuji and Sony kit to build a more capable Leica setup and I’m considering going all in and maybe even taking a pause on Sony for a while and just commit complimenting the setup with an SL2/SL2-S.

Currently in the same boat with my Typ240. Sent it back to Leica USA twice for an issue, now it’s in Germany and I’ve been without it all summer. Soooo Leica M10-P for now. 🤷‍♀️ Also I prefer the M10-R’s shutter over the M11’s IMHO. I’m sure you’ll prob like the M11 sensor as it will avoid the issues with blown highlights now that matrix metering is a full-time default.

Hey Dave thanks for the great video. Do you have the M11-p in this video? The camera is blacked out and looks super clean. Thanks!

Hi Dave, enjoying your channel. I'd be curious to hear how the M11 might grow on you as you await the return of your M10R. Coincidentally, I too turned 40 this year, and picked up the M11 during my creative crossroads :)

I think the M11 has much more issues Than my 10R! A friend of mine’s M11 had to be replaced 3 times.Not sure if the camera doesn’t freeze up this time!

Love my M11 and M11 mono. Hope you enjoy yours!

May I ask you? Can you connect Fotos app to the Leica M11 while it is turned off? So Fotos app will wake up camera and establish the connection. I appreciate for your advice.

I went from M10-R BP > M11 Black > M11 Mono > M9 Mono ... Long story how I got here. Now I love M9 Monochrom with CCD ❤

Love my M10R, but I did pickup a SL2 ( through Tim BTW…haha) … sweet camera, can use all my M lenses, and picked up a couple of Sigma AF lenses.

Where did you got this fine little black dot to cover the Logo ? (M10r user here)

Did you Switch off VPN on your phone? This was my issue most of the time when using the app

Buying a used digital Leica M is always a crap shoot. I wouldn’t recommend buying one that has an issue. But yea, I wouldn’t trade my M10R for an M11. Mine is the black paint. I bought it brand new from the Leica dealer. I’ll never get rid of that camera. Keep using the M11. It may start freezing and misbehaving and then you’ll think differently of it.

How is higher ISO (say 6400 or 12800) compared to the M10r?

Tim Lei Thumbs Up

So keep both. You do need backup.

My how the turntables...have...turned.

Tim Lei is the goat

Tim Lei is awesome!

Trade the m10r for the m11 you WON’T be sorry I promise you

No judgement here, but seems kinda risky overall to be reliant on a single camera for your income. Seems to me that you'd better keep them both.

From 10 to 11 here. Oh boy!!!

Welcome to the M11 you won't go back trust me. I just tried the M11 for a few hours from a Leica Store & that was it bittern

M11, 11:11 😊✨👌🏼

Wow. The video is 11 minutes and 11 seconds long. Next level lol

I went from M4 to M11. Night and day 😂

You know, going from film to digital. Then buying a Leica M 10 R, to an M 11. You're going to have to change your whole wardrobe, starting with a Smoking Jacket, ascot and get rid of the Steer scull

😂 I use the M11 for all of my commercial work now. Let me be the Spoiler - you will be keeping the M11

Egh yea who are you fooling you’ve already decided on the M11 this video is basically saying bye to the M10R. The real question I see here is whether or not your keeping the M10R as a back up or selling it..