The Leica M11 is an intriguing camera that's received a mix of admiration and critique, especially among those who appreciate the simplicity and manual control the brand is known for. Is it worth the premium price?
Coming to you from Gary Gough, this thoughtful video marks his 500th day of using the Leica M11, offering a practical perspective beyond initial impressions. One of Gough’s strongest endorsements of the M11 is image quality, particularly when paired with Leica's premium lenses. He compares its file quality favorably to the Fuji GFX series, suggesting that the Leica's images are among the best he's worked with. Another key positive for Gough is the pure enjoyment of the rangefinder experience, which promotes a slower, more intentional shooting style. If manual focus appeals to you, this camera excels. Battery life is also noteworthy; Gough emphasizes how he rarely needs a second battery even for extended shoots, thanks to the reliable performance.
Gough highlights several practical conveniences, like built-in internal memory, which mitigates the frustration of occasionally forgetting an SD card. He praises Leica's removal of the traditional base plate, noting it simplifies battery and memory card access without negatively impacting durability. USB-C charging further adds convenience, aligning Leica with modern usability expectations. The camera’s user interface, particularly the intuitive touchscreen controls, surprised Gough, proving genuinely helpful rather than gimmicky.
Key Specs
- 60.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor
- ISO range from 64 to 50,000
- Mechanical shutter speeds from 60 seconds to 1/4000 second
- Electronic shutter speeds from 60 seconds to 1/16000 second
- Built-in 64GB internal memory
- Single SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card slot (UHS-II)
- Fixed 2.95" touchscreen LCD with 2,332,800-dot resolution
- Leica M lens mount
- No image stabilization or video capabilities
- USB-C connectivity for data and charging
- Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.2
- Battery rated for approximately 700 shots per charge
- Optical viewfinder with 0.73x magnification
- Magnesium alloy construction
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 3.1 x 1.5" (139 x 80 x 38.5 mm)
- Weight: 1.2 lb (530 g) with battery
However, Gough doesn’t shy away from discussing drawbacks. The camera’s lack of weather-sealing limits shooting flexibility in challenging conditions. File sizes, another consideration, quickly consume storage space, leading him to continually upgrade cloud storage plans. Manual focus, while integral to the rangefinder charm, restricts versatility in fast-paced or unpredictable shooting situations, making it necessary to have an additional autofocus-capable camera. Notably, he also mentions occasional freezing issues experienced by other users, although his personal encounters have been limited and manageable.
One unexpected consequence for Gough was how using the Leica M11 impacted his YouTube channel. His prior audience, predominantly Fuji camera users, initially responded negatively to the shift towards Leica, causing a significant drop in viewership. Despite this setback, Gough persisted, ultimately balancing content between Fuji and Leica and stabilizing viewer engagement.
For Gough, the Leica M11 represents more than a camera; it's a long-term creative companion. Unlike digital tools that quickly become obsolete, he views the M11 as timeless, akin to a musician’s instrument that maintains relevance regardless of passing trends. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Gough.
