Replace the Leica Red Dot the Right Way | Leica M11 to M11-P

[@benjhaisch]

For those asking, here are links to the dot and the thumb rest: Dot: geni.us/leicadot M11: geni.us/idswork

[@rf8221]

I'm a fan of the Red Dot, it's a great accent color. I love how it catches my eye when I'm across the room and it just draws me in waiting for me to pick it up and use the camera. With that said sometimes I do feel the need to cover it up depending on where I'm going for the day or what crowd I'm going to be around with. When I know I'm going out in certain areas and not draw unwanted attention I just easily cover it up and when I'm home or in "safer" areas I can leave the Red Dot alone. Personally I think it's easier to use the little plastic black dots, to each their own I guess.

[@marcp.1752]

Personally, i don't own a Leica, only CLE. But since the M4-P days, i do find the Leica red dot screams Poseur to me. It's much more un-obstrusive, without the red dot logo, seriously. If i would ever buy a Leica someday into life - only without the red dot, for real.

[@markymark240682]

No heat. No sharp tools. Use a drop of alcohol and let it creep in. Just a drop. Then after ten seconds use a two toothpicks (no plastic. Use the real deal made out of wood) and turn the dot. It’ll com off really easy. I’ve done it on my m10r. It was done in less than a minute. No scratches or damage on the body or dot.

[@benjhaisch]

Yep!

[@amaniahnuar]

This is exactly Leica-exclusive experience. Replacing cosmetic dot warrants a discussion in forum or video and I love it hahaha!

[@kaikamenkind9362]

⚠ Warning! Never use a knife to remove a logo! 🛑 You can just use a hairdryer with aluminum foil on the nozzle to focus the heat. Once warmed, lift the logo gently using nano tape or regular tape. Safe and scratch-free! 🎯

[@vb2303]

Unfortunately the analogous screw dot on the Q3 is not flush. Sticks out about 1mm :/

[@HK-NYC]

Old guy here. M3, M6 then to M240 and M10P. So over 4 decades. I kinda want to remove the screw and attached the red dot. 😮 Leica NJ headquarters sent me some but I yet put it on. It is cool that you guys like doing this.

[@heystrictunit]

Ooh, that looks better than the M11-P. Black dot, no script at the top, and 'Made in Germany' blacked out🤌 I’ve just switched to the M11-D, but damn, this one looks great! I'm also super happy that I ordered the IDS thumb grip before your video. Now they'll probably be sold out!😅

[@LensForgotten]

This is a great option Benj! Looks just like the OEM M11/M10 Monochrom camera covers where the red dot would be. The same covers Leica won’t sell you (talked about it in a video I posted). Great alternative!! Price is very fair too! 🤘🏼

[@NullN8]

For the m11, how do you handle the significant magenta shift, any preset on import automation to help with the colors? (if you are still making the video.)

[@simonwoollaston2913]

Went looking for two - one for my M11 and one for my Q2 (currently using black stickers). Unfortunately they are currently sold out but have emailed to find out more.

[@cammackey]

LETSSS GOOOOOO Love how beautiful these look

[@cammackey]

hahaha im happy I could set a bad example lol knives out!

[@bwest6275]

Been doing this since my photojournalism days in the late ‘90s with gaff tape 😆

[@alexsorokin1896]

Not gunna lie, I love that you guys made this happen; but, I paid too much for that red dot to go and peel it off. This; however, is a really awesome alternative solution. It’s so good that I’m almost tempted to do it, just because of how good it looks.

[@mr_cramberry]

The paint / surface is more coarse???

[@junichinomura4810]

Benj haisch thank you for this, and about the leica m11 long term review, please show us your leica m11 wear and tear after using it 1 year and especially at the side, I'm curious about the side of it, if it's same wear and tear like on the leica m10 series black version thank you 🙏

[@gewglesux]

Tell ya what- i'm totally looking forward to the M11 review.

[@harrisonsearle7442]

Anyone else here use the IDS thumb grip??? I can't find much out there. I'd love to see how the thumb grip works / looks on the Q3 as their site doesn't show a lot of photos. Mainly, I'd like to confirm that the thumb grip doesn't interfere with the function buttons. Thanks!

[@benjhaisch]

I think Cam Mackey has one for his?

[@alfredwong7190]

Great video, thank you, but might as well go the full nine yards, what is your shutter release button?

[@vincepetitjean]

For your m11 video would love to hear if you have issues shooting at slower shutter speeds, I’ve heard people saying that they can’t do 1/60 with a 50 bc they see the camera shake or something like that bc of the higher resolution

[@ShawnPBruce]

I've been super tempted to try that grip out.

[@MatthewMorse]

Well dang... I use those little black furniture dots on my M10, but I might have to go for this lil guy...

[@Schulz1392]

Thanks for all the good content! Would like you to address the freezing issues and if they have perhaps become less frequent with firmware updates in your upcoming review. Perhaps what would be nice to have in a M-12☺️

[@darkmaru]

I wonder if it fits the Leica M film cameras

[@benjhaisch]

Same size as the M6/M7

[@MurrayMcMillan73]

Looks great. Big fan of Analogous, i have the titanium baseplate for my Q3

[@xjoexedge]

Really awesome! What’s the thumb grip you are using ?

[@benjhaisch]

From IDS! geni.us/idswork

[@dnguyen536]

-.- for those who have the silver version, did you try to replace with the black screw? Can you share your experience if it looks good?

[@benjhaisch]

Silver versions are currently being made :)

[@jasonwhitehead4068]

What size is the m240 dot anyone. Looks like 12mm on mine but on there web page it says 12mm black dot fits sl cameras only.

[@benjhaisch]

M240 should fit that same dot

[@jasonwhitehead4068]

@@benjhaisch thanks, they need to put this info on there website 👍

[@Steve-jc1ez]

Got mine, and the screw is too small for the M240. There’s a gap around the screw… disappointing.

[@jasonwhitehead4068]

@@Steve-jc1ez which size dot did you order ?

[@Steve-jc1ez]

@@jasonwhitehead4068 10mm

[@pabloheimplatz]

just waiting for the silver option 😍

[@314LA]

First time I thought about it. I don't care what color the logo is on the camera. The main thing is that the photos should be of high quality)

[@LIGHTHUNTER.D]

Any plans for silver match versions?

[@benjhaisch]

Yep! I believe they’re in production

[@LIGHTHUNTER.D]

@@benjhaischnow that with a regular M 240 is very enticing 🙏

[@Naroomsc2]

$60 with shipping in europe :( I guess i'll keep the black tape on my Leica x)

[@WillieLeung-w9u]

Finally a 'real' solution lol, just purchased mine on back order

[@JWysocki]

Cool idea. Waiting for a silver chrome!

[@craig_cunha]

Waiting for the haters lol Looks great. Shipping to Canada is crazy though, and doubles to cost. Would prefer a cheap USPS option in an envelope for a few bucks. Also, would like to see these on a Q, but with the screen slot horizontally in line with the wrap. I think it’d look better.

[@Fourbars26]

Where can I getthe thumb grip? :)

[@benjhaisch]

Pinned comment!

[@-grey]

Cool! I do not like the red dot unless it's like ironically on a point and shoot Panasonic made. Then it has that fun Ferrari badge on a Volkswagon Golf kind of vibe. 😂

[@donjagoe]

Any thoughts on the new firmware?

[@benjhaisch]

I’ll update before the review, but I’m not sure it really added much tbh

[@clemenspoloczek]

Amazing - just ordered one

[@GamachePhoto]

I love the look on your M11, not sure it would be worthwhile on SL2, SL3 since the "LEICA" text is so large on the EV front is so prevalent!

[@benjhaisch]

Double it with the blacked out text :)

[@EdwardPalisoc]

Nice grip on that Q3! 😁

[@benjhaisch]

Hey yeah! You’ll be seeing it more on the channel soon :)

[@benjhaisch]

I have a funny feeling you may have some history with this one in particular :)

[@greenbrightly]

I think mostly the general public aren’t bothered about cameras with red dots on them, it’s only people who know about cameras who are interested. If I see someone shooting with a Leica I almost want to go and talk to them and congratulate them on having one (I don’t own one now 😢) but I’m an enthusiast. I do like this idea but to me the size of the screw simply looks too big, as it does on the other variants of the M’s which have them. I only think the M-A is the most perfect design (for me) - there is nothing I would change on it.

[@imjesusmgarcia1997]

I wish they could make ‘P’ versions of every Leica, like the Leica Q-P

[@amaniahnuar]

They did...?

[@imjesusmgarcia1997]

@@amaniahnuar not the SL

[@amaniahnuar]

@@imjesusmgarcia1997 ah you mean for SL. I thought you were saying "like the Q-P" not knowing it exists. SL-P would be cool!

[@RecluseNotes]

What's it for? Why do you change beautiful red Leica logo for black tape or dot? Red dot - it's why I bought M11 and not M11-P

[@benjhaisch]

All personal preference. If you love the red dot, that’s great!

[@konmorse]

Great idea but I wonder how long it’ll last… the last time someone was selling blacked out leica logos they got a fun letter from Leica telling them to stop.

[@benjhaisch]

These don’t have any logos on them

[@evertigo]

Finally! But no silver version yet :(

[@benjhaisch]

On its way :)

[@jaredgotcher]

Generally, I like Leica’s brand values. But the whole (p) series thing where they charge a premium for what is usually a zero-value add - and all the extremely gimicky special editions of the Q2, for instance… I hate it when they do that crap. It doesn’t seem to align with their core values at all. That is to say, good for him for creating a quality work-around. I don’t personally mind the red dot on my Q2, but still, good for him.

[@6165134]

I can understand the rationale behind the small screw on the front of older Leica cameras like the M2 and M4 (intended for a technician who needs to screw it in so he can adjust and recalibrate the rangefinder). But sticking a huge screw in the front of your camera, which beyond cosmetic purposes, has no functional use, is really pointless.

[@benjhaisch]

The dot still does cover an adjustment to the rangefinder mechanism. The Leica logo covering it works, but the screw makes sense as you need something to move so you can easily remove it

[@greenbrightly]

@@6165134 yes agree on that, the size of the screw hole is just too big, I’ve always thought it looked wrong since they introduced it. Only the M-A looks perfect to me, and that’s not a digital Leica.

[@ronwolfept]

ordered, thanks

[@ChaseMoreLight]

We need a solution for the Q series besides a sticker.

[@benjhaisch]

This does look pretty cool. Cam Macky just tossed his brassed one onto the Q343 and I think especially a worn brass one or even all brass one would look amazing on the Q.

[@doytcheva-]

Unfortunately delivery cost 63 USD for France .. a bit overpriced

[@benjhaisch]

😭😭😭 shoot, I wonder if that part needs to get recalculated from some of their other products. I’ll send them a message

[@tsvetanmilanov658]

Same here, the shipping costs just don't make sense for the EU.

[@doytcheva-]

@@benjhaisch thanks a lot, 🙏🏼

[@doytcheva-]

@@tsvetanmilanov658 check again now there’s a 20usd option available 👌🏼

[@Ponker]

19 seconds ago is diabolical

[@robbie154]

That red dot is what adds $2k+ to all their cameras. Hopefully they give you a refund. ;)

[@benjhaisch]

The irony that the more expensive models don’t have one ;)

[@robbie154]

@@benjhaischyes that’s the extra tax hardcore Leica fans pay to show they are better than the average Leica fans. (All in good fun I’m a luxury watch guy I have no room to talk)

[@marcp.1752]

If i would ever buy a Leica someday - no red dot for me, because nowadays, this smells poseur. It's much better looking from aesthetics, with the black screw dot.

[@jeffscott2246]

You have to wonder about people that worry about this kind of stuff

[@benjhaisch]

You’ve never customized an item of yours? I actually find that far more intriguing.

[@jeffscott2246]

@@benjhaisch To me it's like when Porsche people say you have to replace the orange side markers with clear. Who cares! People just hear about it in forums and KZbins, and follow the crowd. If Leica put a black dot on their cams, they'd replace them with red ones! 😛 I would do customizations for performance, but not aesthetics . . . too cheap, i guess! 🤙🏽

[@benjhaisch]

But they do put black dots on their cameras

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Pay that kind of money to cover the logo. You leica people are a strange group. Watched something on tv not long on one of those travel channels where the thieves are catching on and are looking for the logos being covered up to target. So might as well display them proudly, boys😂

[@benjhaisch]

Haha!

[@Brooklyncameraclub]

Damn all sold out. 😔

[@ilanhoward]

We buy Leicas for the red dot.

[@benjhaisch]

No M11-P models for you haha

[@SergioMusel]

@@benjhaisch ...or -Ds. Or Monochroms. Or Safaris. Or Reporters. Or virtually any other model except the regular one 😂

[@ilanhoward]

@@benjhaisch maybe if there is a way to enlarge the dot

[@benjhaisch]

M240!

[@gobgobcachoo]

​@@ilanhoward The M4-P is for you!

[@Ben-cx8de]

What a rip off! Paint your own dot it’s a piece of piss to do.

[@ethanlowryphotography]

Thanks now I’m desperate for his restock and also his q2 brass plate 🫣