First Look: Leica M11 Rangefinder Digital Camera

Рет қаралды 19,637

2 жыл бұрын

The Leica M11 has finally arrived after much anticipation. I was given a pre-production model to test for the past week, but the fit and finish feels like a production model. I still have much testing to do, and many questions to ask, so stay tuned for a first shooting impressions video next. A full review with a production model should start within the next couple of weeks. Thank you Leica USA for sending me a copy for review. If you have any questions, please leave them down below.
As always a big thank you to KEH Camera for sponsoring this video. Check out their website to see what they have in stock with over 60,000 items. If you're sitting on gear you no longer use, consider selling it to KEH so they can find it a new home for a fellow photographer. KEH is also an official Leica dealer, so please enquire about the new Leica M11 with a KEH rep and let them know that I sent you. Please use the affiliate links below if you wish to either buy or sell your used camera gear for a 5% savings (buy) or receive 5% more (sell). Use either link to check out KEH Camera's website:
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#leicaM11 #leicacamera #rangefinder

Пікірлер: 94

@Kusanosuke1 2 жыл бұрын

You took some VERY nice photos with this camera. You did a great first look review as well. 👏👏👏

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir. I hope to keep testing it, especially in better weather!!

@cameraplus7233 2 жыл бұрын

Great video as always. Sad to see so many negative comments & comparisons to other brands. There really are no bad cameras today. We have technology in cameras that was unheard of even 5 years ago.

@benjhaisch 2 жыл бұрын

Ah I don’t know how I missed this, but love that you got one, Take!

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. When the border opens up we should go shooting with Nathan from Leica 🙂

@CrisConstantin 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you are back, Take. Probably the most versatile Leica to date, good for them👍😏

@Snapit551 2 жыл бұрын

Great review as usual 👌📸

@DonaldHawk 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful camera.

@gordonhatusupy2224 2 жыл бұрын

Nice first look!

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

thanks Gordon, I appreciate it!

@Biosynchro 2 жыл бұрын

I'm certainly looking forwards to seeing more details about the sensor. 18 and 36 are evenly divisible, but 60 is the odd number there. I guess we will see. I liked the photos, too, BTW. Very nice indeed. I usually turn the volume down when people put music over their photos (it's usually very annoying) but this time I didn't. You chose the music very appropriately. The shot of Camera Girl in the car, in particular, is very cinematic.

@Chazmataz0117 Жыл бұрын

Very nice and very effective

@borisharold 2 жыл бұрын

nice review Take . what post processing and profile did you use/do ? to have an idea of color etc .. ( especally those first night shot ) many thanks

@borisharold 2 жыл бұрын

please ? I think color science is something very often forgotten but for me it is more important than iso performance or dynamic range .. many thanks

@blueridge8992 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent review and excellent shots! I’ve been on the fence about making the switch to Leica. This video didn’t sell me on the Leica but it did get me even more hyped for the X-Pro 4 with a 40mpx X-Trans V and IBIS. Not that the M11 seems like a bad camera by any stretch. I’m just confident that I won’t feel like I’m missing anything by going with another X-Pro. Plus I get to keep my lenses, so cheers!

@Raffix394 2 жыл бұрын

I started with the X-Pro1 in 2012 owned the X-Pro2 X100 X100V and a few Sony and Leica Cams including the M9 and M-10P Safari over the years listing all my previous Cams would be to much. I currently use a GFX50II. All I can say is I'm thinking of selling it and getting the M11. Leicas for me are just the best in look and feel, the gfx is to heavy and the Xpros feel cheap (in comparison to Ms) I would't want to go back to APSC. Although the X100V is a keeper as secondary Cam. You can get good pics with almost any Cam these days but the fun and love you have while using it is also important. (Just my 2 Cents and preferences)

@MyNorthAmetican40 2 жыл бұрын

What I love so much about LEICA releases are the comments from both sides of the aisle (lovers/haters). Nothing in photography brings out this level of interest.

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

Exactly, this happens every time I review a Leica. I even get criticized for reviewing Leicas, even though most of the cameras I review is from Fujifilm, which targets the average consumer. I think the problem is people see specs and treat cameras like a device, like a microwave or a fridge. The device with the highest specs and lowest price is obviously the best. A camera is not a device, at least not to a real photographer, but a tool. A tool asks something back from the user. Leica's approach is different than most manufacturers and is foreign to those who grew up with consumer electronic devices. Leica is not for everyone, just like a Rolex, Festool, or Mont Blanc isn't for everyone. However, don't compare a Rolex to a Timex or Casio. I love both, but both has reasons to exist. I'm happy Leica exists, and everyone in the camera industry should as well, even if they never plan to buy one. I never plan to buy a McLaren or Ferrari, but I'm happy they exist. I appreciate they exist.

@brandonballweg8985 2 жыл бұрын

It's so beautiful. Maybe I can afford one in fifteen years

@hagentrondheim3675 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing how superp the night shots are without IS! Althoug I would miss IS for a camera with that price tag. And why only 3 f buttons?

@MrPhotographerDude 2 жыл бұрын

It would be cool if the shutter stays closed when you remove the lens or turn off the camera to take the lens off. Just seems like shutter was a bit of barrier to prevent stuff from falling directly on the sensor, but I’m glad to see the metering will be much improved

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

I think they want you to turn the camera off when swapping out lenses. They also have a sensor cleaning mode which locks the shutter open so you can clean it. And yes I did find the metering more accurate in multi field mode 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

@MrPhotographerDude 2 жыл бұрын

@@bigheadtaco Does this mean you can spot meter without being in LV mode now?

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

@@MrPhotographerDude nope, all 3 metering modes (spot, centre weighted average, multi-field) are off the sensor. There is no paint on the shutter for the metering.

@MrPhotographerDude 2 жыл бұрын

@@bigheadtaco So yes you can use spot metering without being in live view now?

@christophhammann3796 2 жыл бұрын

Camera switched off, the shutter is closed.

@mingman 2 жыл бұрын

🤤 "Man alive," that's nice. But I can't see well enough anymore to invest so much in a range finder. I'm over here being a Q2 shooter so it's not all bad.

@gurugamer8632 2 жыл бұрын

What is the best camera strap for Leica M?

@humbertomorales6559 2 жыл бұрын

Is there less of a black out when shooting with live view on? That would be really nice

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

Depending which camera you're comparing against, but if you're using the LCD, there will be a black out fore sure. But that's the advantage of using the rangefinder window since it's OVF instead of EVF, there's no black out.

@TheCooliodad 2 жыл бұрын

I have bought from KEH but never sold. Would they buy camera equipment from Canada?

@ghas4151 2 жыл бұрын

I have a feeling we will see this sensor in an upcoming high end Nikon Z camera. I’m pretty confident this is what they will use.

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

Nikon gets their sensor from Sony. Leica doesn’t reveal where they source their sensors, but they definitely don’t get their 35mm sensors from Sony. Most likely it’s a Tower Jazz sensor.

@ghas4151 2 жыл бұрын

@@bigheadtaco The sensor in the Z50 is fabricated by Tower Semiconductor (formally TowerJazz), which is why I feel that this sensor will make it’s way into their cameras.

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

@@ghas4151 I didn’t know that. That’s good to know, thanks for the info. And you’re right, if Tower Jazz is making it, and Leica didn’t have an exclusive, it might show up on a Nikon Z. However, my guess is that it’ll show up on a Panasonic camera first :-)

@fellowcitizen 2 жыл бұрын

📷M10 + Sigma fp L + X-Pro3 = M11💛🧡❤ My first stop for M11 info, thanks! + Very convincing upgrades. That's a great tip about trade-ins with KEH - especially since they'll take non-Leica trade-ins.

@3flyte_3flyte 2 жыл бұрын

The price of the M8 Leica was $10,000.00 USD when it came out.

@michaelc4917 2 жыл бұрын

Take, how do you get these sharp pictures from Leica M! I just got an M8 and I couldn’t get a sharp raw picture from it. If I put it on a tripod, then pictures are sharp. What is your technique? M8 is only 10 mp M11 is like 60mp.

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

You have to know how steady your hands are based on the focal length you’re shooting. If your images are blurry because of camera shake, increase the ISO. The problem can also be misfocus, or too shallow of depth of field. Stop down. Or it can be a combination of all these factors. Just keep practicing and you’ll get the hang of it. Also make sure the rangefinder focusing is properly calibrated.

@michaelc4917 2 жыл бұрын

@@bigheadtaco I think rangefinder is accurate bc when I use tripod files are sharp. Does the thumb up grip help?

@Biosynchro 2 жыл бұрын

Pretty much everyone should be able to hand hold at 1/60 or maybe 1/125. So that's unusual. Perhaps your shutter button presses are not smooth?

@michaelc4917 2 жыл бұрын

@@Biosynchro I figured out what my problem is after watching all these M11 videos. I was pressing the viewfinder right on my face, resting on my eyebrow area. Normally it act as a support with a DSLR, but with M8 it act as a pivot point The camera moved when I pressed the shutter. The shape of these Ms don't help either. When I leave the camera off my face, the pictures are sharp now.

@Biosynchro 2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelc4917 Huh. Interesting.

@Photojouralist123 2 жыл бұрын

The wife getting first m11 in KL. For me I’ll stick to my M10 I like my base plate

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

Ladies first :-)

@skebir2506 2 жыл бұрын

So, did you see the M11 in Germany? ;)

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

unofficially yes.... but officially no. I'm not that special :-)

@Biosynchro 2 жыл бұрын

@@bigheadtaco I knew it! LOL

@_o__o_ 2 жыл бұрын

pleas do vido bout Laowa 33mm

@awdrpepper 2 жыл бұрын

For $9,000, Leica should give you 256Gb internal memory, especially since they haven't upgraded to dual card slots. 64Gb is a bit stingy - but perhaps the chip shortage has something to do with it. The new sensor and refreshed menu system look awesome though. Great video.

@strippedlist 2 жыл бұрын

fujifilm battery in it ;) hopefully see it in new fujifilm cameras

@mosamra3504 2 жыл бұрын

Part 2?!

@ShawnSwander 2 жыл бұрын

I think the best thing about this camera is it's physical design but at 9000 it's competing against medium format cameras that also have nice aesthetics. I wish leica would compete on their cameras merits compared to other cameras and not on the brand alone.

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

I know many feel the same as you, but it’s like asking McLaren or Ferrari to compete against Toyota or Ford. The Leica is built to a much higher specification, and their target market has to be different, or else they will simply be unable to compete. It’s smart for Leica to build a high quality and unique digital camera system so they don’t have to compete on par with Japanese manufacturers. Notice what happen to all other European camera manufacturers that tried to compete against the Japanese? They all went out of business. Sony has more managers than Leica has total global employees. Leica can not compete directly against Sony or Canon, just as McLaren simply can not compete against Toyota. It’s a losing battle.

@MrPhotographerDude 2 жыл бұрын

@@bigheadtaco Very well stated

@MrPhotographerDude 2 жыл бұрын

Shawn the M digital it’s still the only true digital rangefinder on the market, so you’re also paying for something no one else makes :)

@ShawnSwander 2 жыл бұрын

@@bigheadtaco If the Leica were a better camera in specs than modern cameras I think I'd understand better. It seems to target street photography specifically but I understood the higher price to be because they can't produce as many units which could be a chicken or the egg issue. It seems like Leica used to do a better job separating themselves from the rest on specs. These specs normally would be a 3-4k camera. I'd understand 5k because of branding and it's maybe the only full frame that size but at 5k there are going to be medium format cameras with video features and autofocus more third party support, more powerful processors etc. FWIW The Ford GT is 500k and the Mclaren GT is 210k Toyota GT is 1.3 Million for the new models. So I know what you mean but these companies all do compete on some level.

@ShawnSwander 2 жыл бұрын

@@MrPhotographerDude I enjoy a rangefinder but I know it's not used often for a reason. Mainly that what you see isn't always an accurate representation of what your camera is taking. Fujifilm makes 3 rangefinder style camera lines though. x100 series and the X-pro series is are "true" digital rangefinders in the APSC format and you have the option to use a a digital rangefinder EVF which is my preference as well as everyone I know who uses one. I suppose you mean they're not full frame but there's the GFX 50R a medium format rangefinder inspired style camera but you only have the EVF rangefinder option but that option is an improvement over the OVF imo. Hasselblad also makes a similar style camera in the x1D. I don't know if making the camera harder to use (OVF) justifies the higher price. TBF I don't know if the m11 has an EVF or OVF option in the window but even if it does, the GFX is a bigger sensor at half the price with video options and autofocus. It seems like you're paying more than the price for a nice car for a nice bicycle because of the experience. I understand it but if I owned Leica stock I wouldn't like it.

@jimb2500 2 жыл бұрын

Very hard to tell where you had the focus point and the images look soft. Not representative of 60meg resolution at all…

@TheVFXbyArt 2 жыл бұрын

Imagine the next 5 years of limited editions…

@vangstr Жыл бұрын

How does a $9k camera not have IBIS????

@calvinchann1996 Жыл бұрын

Battery mechanism is not the same as the Q.

@kriseja6544 2 жыл бұрын

Great review but i ll pass with sadness the m11 to remain with my 10mr Bpaint with summiluxes 28&50 😄

@JasonMichaelsPhotography Жыл бұрын

X-H2s, X-H2, future X-Pro4 plus through in a X-T4 as well, Buy I'm just a Rookie so what the hell do I know? lol-hahaha:;-))

@MelikAlperen 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing camera, but our budget…

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

Prices of the M10R will probably go down, if that’s any help :-)

@rdog77 2 жыл бұрын

So what if they're putting out a new camera? I left this comment on some of the other first impressions. I follow this channel because I love the content. Based on what little information is available to the end user this looks like an incremental changes i.e update menus and updated sensor. Unfortunately I don't think I see enough criticality to the incremental change and then the high commanding price still. Especially since it's clear on the black model they are cost cutting with aluminum and anodizing. I don't want to use the word fanboy-isum but that's what it seems like. Not specifically by you but that seems to be the undertone in general. I'm not really seeing any pushback…… people can be a fan of a brand but I feel that this is somewhat elitism or we're trying to distinguish between the haves and have nots. Any thoughts on maybe not reviewing cameras/ or equipment that people can't afford?.... This particular camera isn't pushing the boundaries of technology so what is their value to your audience or society in general?

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for your input and thoughts. There's too many questions similar to yours so I'll probably just put it in my next video.

@ahmeddaghriri4180 Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately, KEH underestimates things ! I do not recommend displaying things that you want to sell through this site.

@vangstr Жыл бұрын

😂never sell to KEH!!! They will rape you and then steal your equipment. But I do buy from them!😂 greatest deals ever!

@laragwaysailoilo2898 2 жыл бұрын

No post editing challenge...hahaha

@JasonMichaelsPhotography Жыл бұрын

I can buy a lot of Fuji G.E.A.R. for $9,000 thousand buck'$!

@ghas4151 2 жыл бұрын

They’ve gone for the older lopsided X100 style top plate design… I don’t think I like it. 😣

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

😳😳😳

@ufukkiblat 2 жыл бұрын

Exactly this

@Murdog36 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry what?

@ghas4151 2 жыл бұрын

@@Murdog36 look at the M11 from the front and compare it with the M10. The left side is thinner than the right side, where it was all one thickness on the M10 and previous M cameras.

@Murdog36 2 жыл бұрын

@@ghas4151 bro, all the M's are the same. Even the film M's

@ufukkiblat 2 жыл бұрын

Overall not a fan with the changes of the design. Aluminum wears uglier in the long run than black chromed brass, it doesn't feel nicer, not to mention the weight on the M10 is actually not that heavy. The fact that they charged it the same price with the brass one is a joke. On lenses, black aluminum usually cheaper. On the inside, the only thing excite me is the internal memory so we can have a backup. Other than that, it's not worth the upgrade IMO.

@PSYCHIC_PSYCHO Жыл бұрын

It is VERY rare for reviewers to reveal anything seriously negative about any camera, which I find EXTREMELY dishonest and corrupt, more so on part of manufacturers. There are serious issues with the M11 out of the box, which no one mentions; irrespective of whether they can be fixed using firmware

@oshanefa Жыл бұрын

oh BTW no one mention that there is NO more leather on the camera - its Rubber :(((( @georges_angeles

@bikecommuter24 2 жыл бұрын

At this price point I would not be using it for a working Camera its too nice for that and I need video when I do work anyway. (I haven't done any photo-writing work for awhile, I need back into it) I saw DP review and read B&H's reviews. This would be a pleasure-off duty camera, much like a nice car for pleasure and a not so expensive car for daily driving. Now to figure out those winning power ball numbers. 😆

@bigheadtaco 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed, I think for many of us, this is a 'special' personal camera and not for work. However, when I was in Wetzlar and met photographers from around the world. For work, it seems most use the SL series, for quick snap shots the Q series, but there were some who actually do use the M system for work. Now they have the luxury to do so as many of them work on high budget sets and can use whatever system they want. But that goes to show you that there are some who can afford and prefer to shoot with the M system for work. But like you, I'm not one of them :-) If I bought a digital M it would be for personal use, just like how I use my X-Pro3 vs X-T4. As for the price, it is what it is, isn't it? Made in Germany, top notch build quality, limited supply. Oh well.... hopefully I can have an extended loan 🙂