Leica M11 long-term review (2024)

[@victorkeller]

glad to see Leica newest firmware is addressing lockup and orientation issues. I was an early M11 user and frustrated by lockups on commercial work - documentary .. sold it.... m11 may be calling my name again in 2024. great detailed review.

[@JimmyCheng]

@@victorkeller yeah I just learnt that as well after releasing this video! Great time to have it back. The 2nd hand price is very inviting.

[@GurmeetSingh-fr8uo]

Is it fixed 100?💯

[@norbelthomas]

Great informative and delicate reviews. I have owned the M11 about as long as you do. What you said is similar to my overall opinions about this great camera. The image quality, color, DR, transition through the shadow to mid-ton and highlight, all these visual stuff are incredible, especially reviewing the images via high resolution big screen. BTW, I also think the magenta tendency over white balance actually pretty fit the skin tone of Asian.

[@junichinomura4810]

thank you jimmy for this long term review of leica m11, I have the brass version the silver is brass you forgot to mention, black version is aluminum.

[@JimmyCheng]

right that was an oversight by me, I just assumed it is brass by default so I only mentioned that the black one is aluminum and light weight. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@peacetaro8007]

Thank you, Panasonic!

[@JimmyCheng]

haha!

[@GurmeetSingh-fr8uo]

Y Panasonic

[@angusli6288]

It is not Q series

[@jinqian3995]

I just sold my 2-year-old M11 black, in exchange of M11 Glossy Black, supposed to arrive tomorrow. Can't wait.

[@JimmyCheng]

@@jinqian3995 congrats！

[@thedavor]

Thanks, Jimmy! I had no idea it was lighter than the Q

[@JimmyCheng]

@@thedavor yep, even with a lens. But that’s just the black version.

[@DirkMenker]

Excellent analysis! It fits my experience.

[@JK-ct8dq]

I am still suing M-E and living in Vancouver. Happy to see the good review of Leica especially with great photos!

[@RecluseNotes]

Have M11 but I don't see real magenta tint in my files. I bought used one and using it during 3 months already. Mint condition. And this is my first Leica camera ever. I choosed between M10R and M11 and so happy with the last one. BSI sensor, 18,36,60mp image sizes, USB-C charging, huge battery, 64gb internal memmory. Freezing was really bothers, but it's completely fixed with new firmware.

[@JimmyCheng]

@@RecluseNotes congrats! It’s a great tool.

[@settingofthesuns]

Great samples. Two years turns out to be a great time for a long term review since they recently fixed most of the freezing issues (including today's update 2.1.3 for lingering issues such as your upside down image issue). M11 has four shutter motions just like all other mirrorless cameras when using the mechanical shutter: 1) close shutter 2) open to start exposure 3) close to end exposure 4) reopen to resume metering. Previous Ms only have two shutter motions since metering was done off the closed shutter blades: 1) open to start exposure 2) close to end exposure. It would help so much if Leica finally gave us EFCS shutter so we could skip the M11's 1) and 2) actions, returning us to only two shutter actions to complete an exposure.

[@JimmyCheng]

thanks for correcting! I forgot that it leaves open for metering!

[@nguyendaniel7042]

I got a M11 2 months ago. Still trying to get used to it, appreciate if you can do a video about what's the different between all WB modes. Thanks for the video btw Jimmy!

[@JimmyCheng]

I generally use daylight instead AWB these days (I used to only use AWB). Reason being the pinkish tint I mentioned in the video. Anyways, each is quite self-explanatary in a sense that you use daylight when there is sun, use cloud when it's overcast, etc...

[@andrehilkens3584]

Spot on!! Great video.

[@JimmyCheng]

thanks! glad you enjoyed it.

[@andrehilkens3584]

@@JimmyCheng I “love” my M11-P which replaced my 11 years old M240. The M11-p is better in every way but battery life on M240 is better. Ps. I don’t have magenta issues on M11 btw. I use Capture One pro.

[@JimmyCheng]

@@andrehilkens3584 could be a LR thing then.

[@bobbleczar]

I love my M11, I paired it with an MP and a set of summicrons. I don't feel like I need any other cameras.

[@IntrovertAmateur]

Great longterm review Jimmy! I curious how do you find the black finish of the M11? I was a bit surprised and disappointed it felt some how like sand paper, but other users report it get smoother after some time of usage. How is your M11? Because of all these issues reported i didn’t jump on the M11 yet. Instead I currently rocking the Q3 43 next to a Leica MP black paint 🙃

[@SydneyMud]

Why? I think M11 also has the brass top glossy black paint version.

[@hadidong7577]

Hi Jimmy, another great vides !!! Want to know what's your favorite lens or lenses for M11 when going for a photo walk ? I just got a 11677, which you also introduced before in several videos

[@JimmyCheng]

@@hadidong7577 thanks. Honestly I don’t really have a preference for lenses these days. Any 28 or 35 usually does the trick.

[@hadidong7577]

@ 了解了，多谢老铁

[@krolldavid]

Nice photos and thanks for the detailed review! Wasn’t the M9 was the first mirrorless camera with a full frame sensor? So that must have been state of the art at the time, right?

[@JimmyCheng]

@@krolldavid no it’s sensor spec was outdated. Being the first mirrorless doesn’t warrant you the best sensor. It does render beautifully though.

[@Funktrainer]

​@@JimmyChengThe specs were "outdated" but the sensor is still state of the art. It renders colours like a tiny Hasselblad H digital back with those Kodak CCDs. Leica M8/M9 files and Hasselblad H2/3/4/5 files play beautifully together with a little more quick editing on the Leica side.

[@t1pex]

I think they watched the video :-). Firmware 2.1.3 has just been released with a fix for the image rotation issue.

[@JimmyCheng]

@@t1pex wow that’s great to hear!

[@bobsykes]

You're not kidding. The USB-C charging port and actually good battery life means everything. As far as the colors from RAW files, I prefer the default RAW conversion offered by Capture One Pro over Lightroom Classic.

[@kurocamera]

I just came from the Leica M9 to the M 11 D.which lenses do you prefer in the M 11 sensor? Would love to hear your tips. Thank you so much.

[@JimmyCheng]

nothing changes for me as far as lens preference goes. personally I use all sorts of 35/50 lenses.

[@kurocamera]

@@JimmyCheng I’m torn between getting the lux steel rim reissue or the lux 35 asph; the lux 35 asph looked great on film and on the M9, but wonder if it might be too sharp for this new sensor, thus the question :)

[@JimmyCheng]

@@kurocamera I personally much prefer the lux asph. The steel rim wide open is too bloomy

[@anthonyxu8755]

Hi Jimmy, might be not too on topic, but what is that camera strap you are using?

[@JimmyCheng]

it's a custom made strap I bought on Taobao. The store name is called 康缇斯手作 if I remember correclty. They make fantastic straps, and you can specify what leather/design you want.

[@dacookieman_]

Would u replace the red dot with a black screw dot to give it that stealth look like the M11p?

[@JimmyCheng]

@@dacookieman_ I don’t think I will. All my other black m bodies are with screws (except for the reissued M6). I actually grew to quite like the red dot :)

[@dacookieman_]

@@JimmyCheng yeah I feel the same as well. It grows on you after awhile.

[@davidvasiljevic4788]

all Sony sensors at the end of the day , so all cameras are like different cups but poring same tea ; does it taste any better ?!

[@JimmyCheng]

@@davidvasiljevic4788 haha, yes and no. There’s so much more to a sensor other than just the silicon. For example gfx and Hasselblad are completely different color wise.

[@Millicente]

So tempted to just throw the M11-D on a credit card and buy it. Couldn't justify the M10-D prices up until now

[@JimmyCheng]

haha me too. But I simply can't see myself using it without the back lcd these days (there are always cases where it comes in handy). Also, the backscreen is not as horrible anymore so it's actually quite nice to have.

[@Millicente]

@@JimmyCheng Yes I often found myself using the screen when I had my M10-P even though I bought it thinking I’d always use the rangefinder. Used M11 prices aren’t horrible compared to new but I’m wondering if the M12 isn’t due for next year

[@JimmyCheng]

@@Millicente one can always wait. But I’d doubt they’ll release it next year. I think now is the perfect time for a 2nd hand m11 given their prices. It’s a wonderful machine!

[@webersteve1547]

I just don't understand why they don't offer the old metering as an option. And I'm really put off by the fact of the aluminium base plate. And another thing: this exposure mode will devide the shutter life by 2

[@zKMotion]

M11 was a big dissapointment, tons of issue as other user stated, dull colours compared to previous M10 series hence why I sold mine and got the M10-R instead. Only pro for M11 was new metering, dynamic range and USB-C.

[@JimmyCheng]

@@zKMotion hmm, I actually found the color much fuller and punchy compared to m10, much like the m240 gen. It’s quite obvious when I do post processing on LR.

[@AIP404]

I have no complaints with the M11, and with the previous firmware, 99.99% of the firmware issues disappeared. Great colors, fast response, impressive sensor, long lasting battery, usbc changing.The only issue, which has always been the same, is the time to turn on, but i can say i am a happy m11 user, (I am coming from an m240, and m10)

[@JimmyCheng]

@@AIP404 same here!

I love the M11. It fills all of my modern camera needs and more! My *only* complaint is the slight shutter lag for critical moments. But I’ve learned to predict the slight moment before

[@JimmyCheng]

Yeah I really wish Leica can improve on this particular aspect in the next gen. Response time is critical on the street, both for us photographers and the tool 😂

[@pmgalves1977]

I’ve been using the M11 for 2 years. I never, ever removed the battery or the card. Everything through USB-C

[@GurmeetSingh-fr8uo]

Does M11 have freezing up issues

[@JimmyCheng]

@@GurmeetSingh-fr8uo it’s said to be fixed in the last firmware update. I never had this issue so cannot testify.

[@GurmeetSingh-fr8uo]

@@JimmyChengthanks Jimmy there was new update published few days ago . I had bad experience with M11 when it was quite new 😢

[@RecluseNotes]

I can confirm - no freezing with last firmware

[@martin7936]

New firmware since a few hours. It should be ok now !

[@JimmyCheng]

@@martin7936 yeah super glad to hear that

[@webersteve1547]

The new shutter mode means that the shutter will last only half as long

[@JimmyCheng]

@@webersteve1547 that’s also true

[@kalkun22]

M11 is a "meh" camera, not only because they made away with the nice and special esthetics as the bottom plate , shutter (and sound) and so one.. BUT: -It's slow. Like SUPER slow - It freeze's and looks up ALOT. - Low depth of field because 60 Megapixel (ur a street shooter and accustomed to shoot at F5,6-F7?, now u need F8-F11 to get same resultat going into the files AND congrats, you are now are hitting diffraction and images apers softer then u would like .. ALSO see next part..) -BAAAD Iso performance because of 60 Megapixel (if u comment, "yeah but its better if down scale it too 40 or 24 megapixel", even if that was ture, (which it ain't , if dont own the camera ur self, here u can see it testet with against a m10m and a m10r kzbin.info/www/bejne/aV7dZn-rhLSheLc) then what was the point of 60 Megapixel again. ) -60 Megapixel is SUUPER demanding on the objectives you use and u need to have be much more precise to get critical focus. I miss the Leica that keept going its own route. Like with Monochrome and "D series without a screen". Like give us a fun Camera like a 24-36 megapixel CCD that goes to iso 3200 with a super usable iso 1600 That would be magical ! No screen, and return to the M10P/M10M/M10R shutter and shutter sound! Let the photographer set the exposure them self. U dont need auto light meter in the camera. Learn to gauge light based on the scene, and u don't blow out images never again.. (Which even modern auto meters does!)

[@JimmyCheng]

@@kalkun22 unfortunately, it’s only the wish of us. A few die hard Leica old schoolers. I would love to see a ccd sensor again with modern chips. Same goes to their lens designs. It’s getting bigger and more perfect. Leica is becoming more and more mainstream to attract more new buyers. This is an unfortunate inevitability.

[@edgardoramos5639]

A camera that cost usd7,000 for a body that has image quality and color processing issue. Plus it is a manual focusing camera. People with money always justifies things that are overpriced and has lots of flaws HAHA..

[@JimmyCheng]

@@edgardoramos5639 same could be said for Rolex, function wise it can’t compete with smart watches but still ppl like it like it.

[@nicky0508]

I have sold my M11, annoying shutter delay, 3 seconds power on, and the shutter shake the camera. For using a 50mm lens hand held, the slowest shutter speed without image blur for me is 1/90 second. Slower shutter speed is not usable.

[@typeology8266]

Leica M12: 90mp, global shutter, 4k120p, 3-way tilting screen.

[@JimmyCheng]

@@typeology8266 haha sounds like SL4 to me