Photography is my on and off hobby for 25 years, and last winter I took my camera and set it to monochrome and found myself discovering photography all over again. I tought that nobody will appreciate B&W photos, but your video gave me the will to persevere on this path. Thank you so much!
Simple but wonderful statements about working with a Leica M. It is soothing to hear professionals confirm what you yourself as an amateur but enthusiast have experienced and continue to experience in your M life. This leads a piece out of the "M loneliness". Thank you very much
Remo, thank you for your kind words. I'm encouraged by your feedback. It helps me to confirm that my content is resonating and I'm not in some sort of echo chamber. I truly appreciate YOU and anyone that takes the time to leave me a constructive, and thoughtful comment. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
I always have a hard time when people say to expensive. I shoot for print for galleries. I only use Leica cameras for this work. I appreciate the build quality, the handmade aspects. the history. go tour the factory and see the care that goes into them. Shoot with a Leica monochrom camera, make prints and finally understand the difference. Worth every penny
@laurapodrasky9687 Thank you for watching and adding your comment. I'm right there with you. I firmly believe I made the best choice, no other camera excites me the a Leica M.
I have been shooting an MP (film) for a long time and I also got the M11M a month ago. I am completely in love. I can't put it down :) Careful. It's a gateway drug :) I now have SL2-S, M11M, MP, M3, and some lenses (not many because I mostly like 35 & 50). I love them all. They inspire me and they are a pleasure to use.
Gabriel, that's a wonderful collection you own. For me the price point of the M11obliterates the gear FOMO I would normally feel with other brands. I own a Leica 50mm and I have Summarit 35mm on the way and my kit is complete. But Yes this camera inspires me every moment.
Hello Jay , fantastic video. I love black & white photography. This is true art. I bought Pentax K-3 Monochrome I know this is no Leica but it is fantastic camero too. I love it. Leica is too expensive for me. Now I make only black& white photography. Best from Poland.
I started in photography by developing and printing B&W, and Leica film cameras, many many moons ago. A new M9 was my first serious digital camera. When the original monochrom came out a few years later I knew it was THE camera for me. Color has its place in capturing a moment of course. As someone said at some time (paraphrased), ‘If it doesn’t work in B&W, it won’t work in color.’ Composition, aligning the elements, subject, the whole frame… B&W concentrates and strips things down. Although the newer Leica monochrom cameras are refined, I find I don’t need an upgrade from the M9M. Yes, it is slow, and the buffer is limited, it still does what I need it to do with an almost endless roll of B&W film, which actually can be rated ISO higher and printed larger than any film I used. You need to ‘see’ in B&W and make things work with that as a tool. I enjoyed your video and the photographs. You are one of those who know what the monochrom is about, and appreciate an art of light tones that isn’t lost yet in the digital world.
@Hektormydog thank you for the kind words. The M9 is a great camera, and I agree with you if its not broken no need to upgrade. I talk about this idea in my upcoming video this week.
Great review, thank you! As someone still waiting for my M11M to arrive, you got me even more excited! I'm planning to sell off all my other digital Leicas once I love M11M.
Hey Jimmy, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Glad you enjoyed the video. The Leica M11M without doubt a joy and a true commitment to black and white photography. Hope yours arrives soon.
Thank you for this qualitative and full of common sense video. For my job and my clients I use the SL2-2, the M11 and recently I sold my Q2M for the Q3... I am now frustrated that I no longer have monochrome. The Q3 is great but it's not an M. And I'm now considering selling my M11 for an M11M because ultimately, professionally, it's the SL2S and the Q3 that are useful to me. But artistically and where I take pleasure for me is when I do black and white. So yes, you can convert your M11 files to monochrome. But I remain convinced that it is different (for having had the Q2M). To be in monochrome is already to travel to another universe which allows us to concentrate on light and shadows. I continue my reflection... Hoping to find my ideal solution... Thanks again for your work.
Hey, thanks for watching and leaving a comment, glad you enjoyed the video. Before my monochrome, I would always convert to black and white so the M11M was an easy choice. I'm really enjoying it. Hope the video helped a bit.
Hi Jay, I watched your journey to the m11 and understand… I too labored with the choice for Leica. I ultimately went with the m10 and enjoy the whole process with the rangefinder. I enjoy the color files, but also shoot with black and white imagery in my head. I often make both b/w and color images. I appreciate your passion. Thank you for the journey.
Hey @richa2495 , thank you for watching the whole journey, much appreciated. I was gonna get the M10P before I got the idea to sell the Harley, once I went down that tunnel I figured I might as well go all the way and get the M11M. Hope you are enjoying your M10, its great camera.
@meadowsworkshop its a real commitment, but I would not have it any other way. If its a HELL YEAH for you, do it. You will not regret it. The camera is sitting on my desk right now and I glance over at it and simply smile.
I relate to your move toward simplicity. I embraced minimalism and simplicity, in clothes, light travel (only one carryon) etc. Less is definitely more.
I agree with your philosophy on the Leica System. I bough the M11 so I can shoot both color and B&W. My camera Screen after 4 months Died on me. Very fustrating for a camera that worth so much. Now I wait for leica to get back with me on repairing it. Even though I'm having this issue. I still love shooting this style of camera. I know It'll be fixed, but they should have tested this camera before they released it. I hope the Monochrome doesn't have these problems.
Thank you for stoping by and leaving a comment. I appreciate you. I'm sorry to hear about your screen. That would be really frustrating. So far the M11M is going strong. Hope you get your camera back with no more issues.
Hell yeah! Just recently I bought my dream camera. The Leica MP, like you 99% of what I shoot is Tri-x 400 shot at 1600. I think color distracts from mood and most of my images are very moody by using light a certain way.
This is a fantastic video Jay, please keep up the great work. I feel the same way about the “limitations” of my shooting experience with the M10M. I think more, shoot less but enjoy the WOWs when I hit one dead on. You have a great presentation and I hope to see more of your journey. Be well and healthy, keep creating as you say…. JT
Those Peak Design anchors are also available in a full black version. I was vain enough to replace mine with the full black ones when I bought a new camera, are you? 😬
I think the 60mp is ahead of the rangefinder focusing if you are below f.4. But I rather have it and not need it. I set the camera at 24MP to see if I notice any difference. Will keep you all updated.
The value retention is a good point, but you also have to factor in costs. According to Matt Osborne, if you use a digital M daily, you need to calibrate the rangerfinder once a year, which costs a small fortune.
@thomashilmersen711 its no different than tuning a car or sending your timepiece in for a check up or overhaul. Proper machines need proper maintenance.
You summed up exactly why I moved to Leica M cameras (M11 & M11M0 it took me back to when I controlled the camera not it me. Slowed me down to think about what I want the image to look like (DOF, Speed) subject. OK I may miss the shot sometimes but get better images with a feel to them. If its wrong its me not the gear.
Peter, I appreciate you watching and leaving me a comment. YES! The Leica M is an experience. I find myself shooting frames that I have no plans on printing or sharing but simply for the joy of the act. No other camera does that for me.
Thank you for the video. I own a Q2M and am in love with it. We sell Leica cameras and I tested the M11M, my only problem is that I cannot shoot with the rangefinder, I had to shoot with a Visoflex2 attached, otherwise my pictures were not in focus. The files from that camera are gorgeous, sadly, the Q2M is my financial limit :) I'll wait for the Q3M in a few years time, which will have the same sensor, but it's only 28mm...
Michel, thank you for your comment, I appreciate you watching. I felt the same way about focus. I had to come to terms with the fact that the Leica M is a different tool. Once I understood this difference I was able to slow down, pre-focus, or zone focus. I will say that I'm getting better at calling distance and the photos I do get are so much more rewarding.
@@jayespinal Yes I agree, your pictures made with the M11M are beautiful, you have the photographic eye ☺And I like the way you developed them, the result is amazing. I'm going to subscribe to your channel hoping for more black and white videos, or I might be surprised by other content you will make. Have a nice day
@@jayespinal Hello again. I finally bought the M11M and sold my Q2M. It's a wonderful piece of gear, I also bought the Visoflex 2 and everything works like a charm. I don't have the cash to buy Leica glass, so since I work in a camera store, I opted for 4 Voigtländer lenses and the result is fantastic. I got the Apo-Lanthar 35 and 50mm, the 75mm Ultron and the newly released 28mm Nokton F1.5 Type II. There might be a difference for about between 5 to 10% comparing the Apo-Lanthar range to the Summicron range, and for that price difference I can add micro contrast in post. I hope you'll make a new M11M video soon on how to set the camera, give maybe some tricks for focusing with a rangefinder etc... 😊
@@skiiizo congratulations on your M11M, you must be stoked. I understand what you mean about the glass, that's why I opted for the Leica Summarit-M line (50mm and 35mm). On focus, watch the video I did on Zone focusing a the one before that where I do a photo walk practicing Zone Focus.
Hi Jay! First of all, thanks a lot for your inspirational talk about M11M. I got mine, as well and love it. However, I noticed one issue with M11M that I didn't experience with, for example Q2 Monochrom. The rolling shutter effect on M11M is huge, up the the point that if I move and shoot at 1/500 - 1/800s, even the static objects like streets and buildings get warped and distorted dramatically (good for artistic effects though :)). I know that one of the remedies is to use the mechanical shutter. I wonder, though, if you have experienced the same issue (VERY distorted images) when using electronic shutter on your M11M copy. Cheers!
Serge, thank you for watching and adding your comment. I have not had the rolling shutter effect yet. I have my shutter set to hybrid setting. Rolling shutter is something I'd encounter all the time on my Sony when shooting video not static images, maybe I'm missing something. Give me a full rundown of your settings on an image you had rolling shutter and I'll try and recreate it on my end.
@@jayespinal Hi Jay and thanks a lot for you answer and readiness to explore the issue on your copy of M11M. It's an interesting case. As already I mentioned, I didn't have this problem on my Q2M, at least to such an extent! So... Here is how I get the rolling shutter artefacts on my M11M. I shoot with 28mm 2.8 Leica Elmarit (I think the lens doesn't matter much in this case); DNGs are 36MP; Metering mode is set to "Highlight-Weighted"; All Manual, except the ISO, which I set to Auto; Shutter Speed goes between 1/500 and 1/2000 of a sec; I use zone focusing and shoot at the apertures ranging from 5.6 to 16 depending on the amount of light; Shutter is set to electronic rather than Mechanical or Hybrid (I will test the mechanical/hybrid today, but the point is to see if all M11Ms have the same rolling shutter artefacts issue with electronic shutter!). And, most importantly, when I shoot I move 90% of the time by just walking, and this definitely causes the electronic shutter rolling effect on my M11M. Sorry, it was mouthful :). Greetings from New Zealand :)!
Had the M10, couldn’t nail the focus with 50mm 1.4, sold it. I’ve had the Q, Q2, SL2-S, and now picked up the M11 last week to try again!! 🤦♂️…still not nailing focus - I think I need to stick with it and keep trying. Also picked up the Q3 last week!… But I always (95% of the time) convert to B&W, so perhaps I should swap the M11 out for the M11M. But great video!
DBGO, Thank you for stopping by and adding your comment. 50mm 1.4 is a beautiful lens but will drive you nuts if you are trying to focus it quickly. Yesterday I was out with the M11M. I saw this kid on a mountain bike popping wheelies, he was headed towards me. I had enough time to pre-focus on the yellow lines. He ZOOMS past me- I click the shutter. Time stood still...I looked at the photo...he was out of focus. I kept looking at the photo and smiled. I used to think it was all about focus. But now I find that it has become about the struggle. The struggle of getting better and finding the range. I'll get him next time, which will be much more rewarding.
@@jayespinal Exactly, super frustrating. I used to have a Canon 1DX, super fast everything, so I could get the bike shot you just mentioned, but I guessed, getting it every single time, without fail, is not what we are searching for...... Damn though!
Hello... I have a lieca 11 mono but I can't be happy with the lenses I use... what lens would you recommend for this camera... so that blacks and whites can be seen, as in real life...?
Hey @mrcondorazo, thanks for watching. The lens is a subjective choice, it's really up to you. I own a 35mm and a 50mm. At the moment I am really enjoying the 35mm. The other part of your question has to do with how well you use the exposure triangle and how you process your photos. Some folks like a flat look, while others enjoy a more high-contrast image. Playing with the images in Lightroom will give you an idea of what is possible. Hope this helps.
Hey @tylor7978 thank you for watching. I never had a orange light issues. The camera has frozen on me a few times but I simply turn it back on and its all good.
From what I hear, the old M246, which I have, is more sturdy than the new M11 - at least if we are talking about the lightweight M11 version. The digital Ms in general are quite fragile. If you really want to have the M feeling, then get an old M4.
@fitactress thanks for watching. If its a graphic I make them myself in photoshop. If its a picture I capture myself or have a one of my students help me capture them.
The question is though did #Leica fix the #M11freezing issue after two years later are people still battery popping a 10k camera for a reset like a $100 camera?
Leica is the end all be all, although I don’t own a Leica digital, I do own an M6, love shooting BW with my M6 along with my Hassy 501cm as well as my Chamonix 4x5, again all in BW, I have subbed. Some day I will own an M11 or 12 or 13, someday. 💪🏽💪🏽
You are different viewer I see first. I "hear" you with "feel" make me not " See" the M11. Sometime we forget about the main of everything about the thing (Feel). I like your video.
Me: I wish I had a monochrome camera with autofocus and interchangeable lenses. Pentax: Hold my beer! I have a M10-P and an SL2-S so I'm well invested in the Leica system, which I adore. I'd love a Leica Monochrom, especially the M11 but I can't quite justify the cost (yet). Until recently, I satisfied myself with converting colour images to monochrome when I thought it suited the subject matter. When Pentax brought out their K-3 III Monochrome, I jumped at the opportunity. The cost of the Pentax is not an inconsequential amount of money, but it's less than a third that of the M11, and it takes my huge range of lovely Pentax lenses. If I find I really enjoy being restricted to black and white, and seeing things in terms of light and shadow as I used to do in my film days, who knows? I might trade in my M10-P for a Monochrom and use the SL2-S for my colour needs. At the moment, I'm very happy with the Pentax.
@@jayespinal x100 are nice cameras but it's not a leica.. a camera that fullfill that desire in some way that I use right now is the Nikon Df, not a rangefinder. tho. But reminds of those. old slrs. A year ago a was in a store ready to buy a Leica m Monochrome but it was bugging our and couldn't read any memory cards. Bummer.
@@jayespinal i had all the X-pro camera, the X-pro 3 is one that i really enjoy using. reminds some what of Epson r-d and kind of Leica M-D Typ 262 Going to be intresting to se what they do with the X-pro4
@@jayespinal I just got a Fuji GFX 100 II. Figured my back didn't hurt enough now so I'm going back to heavy kit. I went back and forth between this and an M11. Shot both, liked the GFX files more but will miss the compact M system. Maybe when I'm too old to haul this beast around I'll come back to the fancy L-Life.
...then there are those that don't believe in themselves enough to ever aim higher than their present situation. But use their time to leave cheeky comments online. Cheers, hope you have a fulfilling life.
I can see how some might view it that way, and I'm perfectly fine with that because I use the camera every day. People justify much worse things. In the case of my Harley, it was a personal goal I worked hard to achieve and checked off my list. Similarly, the Leica was another goal I aspired to. I sincerely hope you also have some ambitious, far-reaching goals in your life. Thanks for watching and your comment.
@caneestudio you are correct, that’s what it comes down to- the absolutely essential. Then you throw in the history and the robust build quality and it adds up to a really satisfying shooting experience.
I would call that an oversimplification that fails to consider the true value and significance: Heritage and Craftsmanship, Reliability and Durability, Exceptional Optics, Manual Focus Experience, Compactness and Portability. Owning a Leica is not solely about wealth; it is about investing in a photographic tool that holds true value and inspires creativity. Lastly no, I don' get a commission. In any event thank you for adding your point of view to the conversation, I appreciate your time and comment.
You don’t have to be rich to own a Leica. I would say Leicas are for People that take photography very seriously that we are willing to invest in an asset such as a camera by a company with a lot of heritage and creators of the full frame format.
@@GastonShutters Ha ha ha ha ha ha that is the best joke ever!!!!! Of course you have to have a deep pair of pockets stuffed with those green American bucks!!!!!! Try to buy a Leica with 1K dollars to see if you find any brand new or maybe used... LOL LOL LOL LOL BULLSHIT!!!!!!
I scrapped from summer jobs the money to buy my first Leica, a used M3 when I was 17 years old. No, I wasn’t rich and decades later am still not ‘rich.’ My mother once said ‘Why do you have such expensive cameras,’ and my father replied for me in maybe the best way that I didn’t even know, ‘because that is what he uses.’ Yes, Leicas are expensive and an ‘investment,’ but as I know after having many over the years, I’ve never lost money (when reselling to upgrade, or just to go in a different direction, or just for fun) on a Leica. They are a tool and more than that. If you don’t ‘get what the Leica is about,’ well you don’t understand the uniqueness, how they are used by a photographer, and the quality in design and craftmenship.
Photography is my on and off hobby for 25 years, and last winter I took my camera and set it to monochrome and found myself discovering photography all over again. I tought that nobody will appreciate B&W photos, but your video gave me the will to persevere on this path. Thank you so much!
Ruder, thank you for watching and leaving a comment. I appreciate you, I’m moved by your words. Keep up the good fight. B&W photography is my therapy.
Simple but wonderful statements about working with a Leica M. It is soothing to hear professionals confirm what you yourself as an amateur but enthusiast have experienced and continue to experience in your M life. This leads a piece out of the "M loneliness". Thank you very much
Remo, thank you for your kind words. I'm encouraged by your feedback. It helps me to confirm that my content is resonating and I'm not in some sort of echo chamber. I truly appreciate YOU and anyone that takes the time to leave me a constructive, and thoughtful comment. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Really enjoyed your perspective on the camera and the quotes you included. Great work, looking forward to seeing more!
@TravieTrav_DMV glad you enjoyed it, thank you for leaving a comment.
I always have a hard time when people say to expensive. I shoot for print for galleries. I only use Leica cameras for this work. I appreciate the build quality, the handmade aspects. the history. go tour the factory and see the care that goes into them. Shoot with a Leica monochrom camera, make prints and finally understand the difference. Worth every penny
@laurapodrasky9687 Thank you for watching and adding your comment. I'm right there with you. I firmly believe I made the best choice, no other camera excites me the a Leica M.
Hi Jay! Very inspirational and powerful. Thank you so much for this video.
@Artandluxury thank you for watching. I'm glad you enjoyed it and got some value from it.
Wonderful shots. Happy for you you found your tool. I just got an X-S20. Love it
@clementc7297 Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. The x-S20 is a wonderful camera, enjoy it.
I have been shooting an MP (film) for a long time and I also got the M11M a month ago. I am completely in love. I can't put it down :) Careful. It's a gateway drug :) I now have SL2-S, M11M, MP, M3, and some lenses (not many because I mostly like 35 & 50). I love them all. They inspire me and they are a pleasure to use.
Gabriel, that's a wonderful collection you own. For me the price point of the M11obliterates the gear FOMO I would normally feel with other brands. I own a Leica 50mm and I have Summarit 35mm on the way and my kit is complete. But Yes this camera inspires me every moment.
Hello Jay , fantastic video. I love black & white photography. This is true art. I bought Pentax K-3 Monochrome I know this is no Leica but it is fantastic camero too. I love it. Leica is too expensive for me. Now I make only black& white photography. Best from Poland.
Hey Tomas, thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Glad you found your way back to black and white.
@@jayespinalYour photography is as great as your performance in Goodfellas as Billy Batts.
I started in photography by developing and printing B&W, and Leica film cameras, many many moons ago. A new M9 was my first serious digital camera. When the original monochrom came out a few years later I knew it was THE camera for me. Color has its place in capturing a moment of course. As someone said at some time (paraphrased), ‘If it doesn’t work in B&W, it won’t work in color.’ Composition, aligning the elements, subject, the whole frame… B&W concentrates and strips things down. Although the newer Leica monochrom cameras are refined, I find I don’t need an upgrade from the M9M. Yes, it is slow, and the buffer is limited, it still does what I need it to do with an almost endless roll of B&W film, which actually can be rated ISO higher and printed larger than any film I used. You need to ‘see’ in B&W and make things work with that as a tool. I enjoyed your video and the photographs. You are one of those who know what the monochrom is about, and appreciate an art of light tones that isn’t lost yet in the digital world.
@Hektormydog thank you for the kind words. The M9 is a great camera, and I agree with you if its not broken no need to upgrade. I talk about this idea in my upcoming video this week.
Great review, thank you! As someone still waiting for my M11M to arrive, you got me even more excited!
I'm planning to sell off all my other digital Leicas once I love M11M.
Hey Jimmy, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Glad you enjoyed the video. The Leica M11M
without doubt a joy and a true commitment to black and white photography. Hope yours arrives soon.
Excellent video. This is my dream camera for many of the reasons you’ve mentioned.
Dan C, Glad you enjoyed the video. Yeah man, its a special camera. Keep the dream alive.
Thank you for this qualitative and full of common sense video.
For my job and my clients I use the SL2-2, the M11 and recently I sold my Q2M for the Q3...
I am now frustrated that I no longer have monochrome.
The Q3 is great but it's not an M. And I'm now considering selling my M11 for an M11M because ultimately, professionally, it's the SL2S and the Q3 that are useful to me. But artistically and where I take pleasure for me is when I do black and white.
So yes, you can convert your M11 files to monochrome. But I remain convinced that it is different (for having had the Q2M). To be in monochrome is already to travel to another universe which allows us to concentrate on light and shadows.
I continue my reflection... Hoping to find my ideal solution...
Thanks again for your work.
Hey, thanks for watching and leaving a comment, glad you enjoyed the video. Before my monochrome, I would always convert to black and white so the M11M was an easy choice. I'm really enjoying it. Hope the video helped a bit.
Hi Jay, I watched your journey to the m11 and understand… I too labored with the choice for Leica. I ultimately went with the m10 and enjoy the whole process with the rangefinder. I enjoy the color files, but also shoot with black and white imagery in my head. I often make both b/w and color images. I appreciate your passion. Thank you for the journey.
Hey @richa2495 , thank you for watching the whole journey, much appreciated. I was gonna get the M10P before I got the idea to sell the Harley, once I went down that tunnel I figured I might as well go all the way and get the M11M. Hope you are enjoying your M10, its great camera.
Wonderful video, Jay. I loved your perspective on BW photography versus color. I have been contemplating selling my M11 for the M11 Monochrom.
@meadowsworkshop its a real commitment, but I would not have it any other way. If its a HELL YEAH for you, do it. You will not regret it. The camera is sitting on my desk right now and I glance over at it and simply smile.
Great Video and Work! All the best from Germany
Thank you! Cheers!
thanks for the update for your leica m11 monochrome, nice photos
Sure thing!
I relate to your move toward simplicity. I embraced minimalism and simplicity, in clothes, light travel (only one carryon) etc. Less is definitely more.
@JohnPatrickWeiss minimalism has changed by life in a huge way. I appreciate you watching and adding your comment to the conversation. Happy New Year!
I agree with your philosophy on the Leica System. I bough the M11 so I can shoot both color and B&W. My camera Screen after 4 months Died on me.
Very fustrating for a camera that worth so much.
Now I wait for leica to get back with me on repairing it. Even though I'm having this issue. I still love shooting this style of camera.
I know It'll be fixed, but they should have tested this camera before they released it.
I hope the Monochrome doesn't have these problems.
Thank you for stoping by and leaving a comment. I appreciate you. I'm sorry to hear about your screen. That would be really frustrating. So far the M11M is going strong. Hope you get your camera back with no more issues.
B&W is like classical music. You can fill in the colors while you’re listening to it.
Amber I love that description. It allows the viewer to engage with the B&W piece rather than making it a passive experience.
Hell yeah! Just recently I bought my dream camera. The Leica MP, like you 99% of what I shoot is Tri-x 400 shot at 1600. I think color distracts from mood and most of my images are very moody by using light a certain way.
@joseuribe430 That's awesome, the MP is an amazing camera congratulations!
@ thank you!
Love your philosophy, my friend. Excellent photos. Congratulations on an absolutely brilliant tool. 🎯📸⚪️⚫️
Hey Jameel, thank for stopping by -watching and adding your comment. Yes the M11M is a dream.
This is a fantastic video Jay, please keep up the great work. I feel the same way about the “limitations” of my shooting experience with the M10M. I think more, shoot less but enjoy the WOWs when I hit one dead on. You have a great presentation and I hope to see more of your journey. Be well and healthy, keep creating as you say…. JT
Hey JT thanks for the encouraging and kind words, I need those most days. But you are right the M sure is an experience.
Hi Jay, thanks for sharing your insight and thought.
Hey Jim, thanks for watching, its my pleasure!
Those Peak Design anchors are also available in a full black version. I was vain enough to replace mine with the full black ones when I bought a new camera, are you? 😬
Midas I was gonna do the same but the strap I bought came with anchors, but black on black is logical. I may get the black ones down the road.
Inception. I just ordered the all black anchors. lol
Hahaha I can totally understand! I guess we’re both a bit vain then…
@@Midas87 indeed.
do you think that the rangefinder focusing precision is on par with the 60M resolution of the sensor ?
I think the 60mp is ahead of the rangefinder focusing if you are below f.4. But I rather have it and not need it. I set the camera at 24MP to see if I notice any difference. Will keep you all updated.
Subscribed. Keep up the great videos Jay. Love your no BS, straight up approach. Pick a tool and stick with it. B&W is my forte. Love it
@forgottenamericana thank you., glad you enjoyed it
The value retention is a good point, but you also have to factor in costs. According to Matt Osborne, if you use a digital M daily, you need to calibrate the rangerfinder once a year, which costs a small fortune.
@thomashilmersen711 its no different than tuning a car or sending your timepiece in for a check up or overhaul. Proper machines need proper maintenance.
@@jayespinal Yes but the Leica SL is much more robust and requires less maintenance.
You summed up exactly why I moved to Leica M cameras (M11 & M11M0 it took me back to when I controlled the camera not it me. Slowed me down to think about what I want the image to look like (DOF, Speed) subject. OK I may miss the shot sometimes but get better images with a feel to them. If its wrong its me not the gear.
Peter, I appreciate you watching and leaving me a comment. YES! The Leica M is an experience. I find myself shooting frames that I have no plans on printing or sharing but simply for the joy of the act. No other camera does that for me.
Amazing as always!!
Hey Will long time! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, glad you dig it.
Thank you for the video. I own a Q2M and am in love with it. We sell Leica cameras and I tested the M11M, my only problem is that I cannot shoot with the rangefinder, I had to shoot with a Visoflex2 attached, otherwise my pictures were not in focus. The files from that camera are gorgeous, sadly, the Q2M is my financial limit :)
I'll wait for the Q3M in a few years time, which will have the same sensor, but it's only 28mm...
Michel, thank you for your comment, I appreciate you watching. I felt the same way about focus. I had to come to terms with the fact that the Leica M is a different tool. Once I understood this difference I was able to slow down, pre-focus, or zone focus. I will say that I'm getting better at calling distance and the photos I do get are so much more rewarding.
@@jayespinal Yes I agree, your pictures made with the M11M are beautiful, you have the photographic eye ☺And I like the way you developed them, the result is amazing. I'm going to subscribe to your channel hoping for more black and white videos, or I might be surprised by other content you will make. Have a nice day
@@skiiizo Thank you for the kind words and the sub I appreciate the support.
@@jayespinal Hello again. I finally bought the M11M and sold my Q2M. It's a wonderful piece of gear, I also bought the Visoflex 2 and everything works like a charm. I don't have the cash to buy Leica glass, so since I work in a camera store, I opted for 4 Voigtländer lenses and the result is fantastic. I got the Apo-Lanthar 35 and 50mm, the 75mm Ultron and the newly released 28mm Nokton F1.5 Type II. There might be a difference for about between 5 to 10% comparing the Apo-Lanthar range to the Summicron range, and for that price difference I can add micro contrast in post. I hope you'll make a new M11M video soon on how to set the camera, give maybe some tricks for focusing with a rangefinder etc... 😊
@@skiiizo congratulations on your M11M, you must be stoked. I understand what you mean about the glass, that's why I opted for the Leica Summarit-M line (50mm and 35mm). On focus, watch the video I did on Zone focusing a the one before that where I do a photo walk practicing Zone Focus.
Hi Jay! First of all, thanks a lot for your inspirational talk about M11M. I got mine, as well and love it. However, I noticed one issue with M11M that I didn't experience with, for example Q2 Monochrom. The rolling shutter effect on M11M is huge, up the the point that if I move and shoot at 1/500 - 1/800s, even the static objects like streets and buildings get warped and distorted dramatically (good for artistic effects though :)). I know that one of the remedies is to use the mechanical shutter. I wonder, though, if you have experienced the same issue (VERY distorted images) when using electronic shutter on your M11M copy. Cheers!
Serge, thank you for watching and adding your comment. I have not had the rolling shutter effect yet. I have my shutter set to hybrid setting. Rolling shutter is something I'd encounter all the time on my Sony when shooting video not static images, maybe I'm missing something. Give me a full rundown of your settings on an image you had rolling shutter and I'll try and recreate it on my end.
@@jayespinal Hi Jay and thanks a lot for you answer and readiness to explore the issue on your copy of M11M. It's an interesting case.
As already I mentioned, I didn't have this problem on my Q2M, at least to such an extent! So... Here is how I get the rolling shutter artefacts on my M11M. I shoot with 28mm 2.8 Leica Elmarit (I think the lens doesn't matter much in this case); DNGs are 36MP; Metering mode is set to "Highlight-Weighted"; All Manual, except the ISO, which I set to Auto; Shutter Speed goes between 1/500 and 1/2000 of a sec; I use zone focusing and shoot at the apertures ranging from 5.6 to 16 depending on the amount of light; Shutter is set to electronic rather than Mechanical or Hybrid (I will test the mechanical/hybrid today, but the point is to see if all M11Ms have the same rolling shutter artefacts issue with electronic shutter!). And, most importantly, when I shoot I move 90% of the time by just walking, and this definitely causes the electronic shutter rolling effect on my M11M. Sorry, it was mouthful :). Greetings from New Zealand :)!
Had the M10, couldn’t nail the focus with 50mm 1.4, sold it. I’ve had the Q, Q2, SL2-S, and now picked up the M11 last week to try again!! 🤦♂️…still not nailing focus - I think I need to stick with it and keep trying. Also picked up the Q3 last week!… But I always (95% of the time) convert to B&W, so perhaps I should swap the M11 out for the M11M. But great video!
DBGO, Thank you for stopping by and adding your comment. 50mm 1.4 is a beautiful lens but will drive you nuts if you are trying to focus it quickly. Yesterday I was out with the M11M. I saw this kid on a mountain bike popping wheelies, he was headed towards me. I had enough time to pre-focus on the yellow lines. He ZOOMS past me- I click the shutter. Time stood still...I looked at the photo...he was out of focus. I kept looking at the photo and smiled. I used to think it was all about focus. But now I find that it has become about the struggle. The struggle of getting better and finding the range. I'll get him next time, which will be much more rewarding.
@@jayespinal Exactly, super frustrating. I used to have a Canon 1DX, super fast everything, so I could get the bike shot you just mentioned, but I guessed, getting it every single time, without fail, is not what we are searching for...... Damn though!
@@jayespinal Also, maybe I will get the x1.4 magnification thing...
DBGO, I just posted that shot I described on my instagram so you could see it.
@@jayespinal Just seen it now, cool shot!
Thanks for helping to push me over the edge for the purchase. Don't worry, I won't tell my wife. :)
@duelinglenses3210 No worries, your secret is safe with me. Thank you for watching and leaving a comment.
Hello... I have a lieca 11 mono but I can't be happy with the lenses I use... what lens would you recommend for this camera... so that blacks and whites can be seen, as in real life...?
Hey @mrcondorazo, thanks for watching. The lens is a subjective choice, it's really up to you. I own a 35mm and a 50mm. At the moment I am really enjoying the 35mm. The other part of your question has to do with how well you use the exposure triangle and how you process your photos. Some folks like a flat look, while others enjoy a more high-contrast image. Playing with the images in Lightroom will give you an idea of what is possible. Hope this helps.
Well said, bravo. I feel the same way
Great minds think alike I guess.
Do you experience any orange light issues or freeze with the M11 monochrome sir?
Hey @tylor7978 thank you for watching. I never had a orange light issues. The camera has frozen on me a few times but I simply turn it back on and its all good.
Thank you for the video
Thanks for watching!
From what I hear, the old M246, which I have, is more sturdy than the new M11 - at least if we are talking about the lightweight M11 version. The digital Ms in general are quite fragile. If you really want to have the M feeling, then get an old M4.
@thomashilmersen711 Thanks for the advice.
From where you got your video thumbnail background?
@fitactress thanks for watching. If its a graphic I make them myself in photoshop. If its a picture I capture myself or have a one of my students help me capture them.
The question is though did #Leica fix the #M11freezing issue after two years later are people still battery popping a 10k camera for a reset like a $100 camera?
@streetphotojournalism I believe I answered this one for you. Or I answered and didn't hit reply, or was it in another video. IDK.
@@jayespinal I heard back from a Leica rep and was told unfortunately it’s still an ongoing issue.
Is the knife a thieves self defense tool??
The M does force you to think, and ultimately make better photo's.
Great minds think alike.
Well said... my friend
Appreciate it. Thanks for watching.
Leica is the end all be all, although I don’t own a Leica digital, I do own an M6, love shooting BW with my M6 along with my Hassy 501cm as well as my Chamonix 4x5, again all in BW, I have subbed. Some day I will own an M11 or 12 or 13, someday. 💪🏽💪🏽
Saxmanivan, for your comment, and the sub I appreciate your support. B&W is the way, keep up the good fight.
Subbed!
Great stuff
Hey Wallace, thank you for watching and your comment. Appreciate you.
outstanding, thank you !!!
zen billings
Zenon, thank you, good sir. Appreciate you watching and leaving a comment.
I think it might be a little premature to rule out the improved m12, 13, & 14’s replacements before they’ve even been released 😊
@nosherz nah I'm good. We search and search to only find that what we are looking for we already own within. Thanks for watching. Happy New year.
You are different viewer I see first. I "hear" you with "feel" make me not " See" the M11. Sometime we forget about the main of everything about the thing (Feel). I like your video.
@dedithomas8528 Thank you!
My love affair with the M10M is not over yet.
I completely understand. I'm sure that when the M12 comes out I will feel the same bout my M11M. Thanks for watching and adding your comment.
I still have a love affair with my M9 monochrom 😊
Me: I wish I had a monochrome camera with autofocus and interchangeable lenses.
Pentax: Hold my beer!
I have a M10-P and an SL2-S so I'm well invested in the Leica system, which I adore. I'd love a Leica Monochrom, especially the M11 but I can't quite justify the cost (yet). Until recently, I satisfied myself with converting colour images to monochrome when I thought it suited the subject matter. When Pentax brought out their K-3 III Monochrome, I jumped at the opportunity. The cost of the Pentax is not an inconsequential amount of money, but it's less than a third that of the M11, and it takes my huge range of lovely Pentax lenses. If I find I really enjoy being restricted to black and white, and seeing things in terms of light and shadow as I used to do in my film days, who knows? I might trade in my M10-P for a Monochrom and use the SL2-S for my colour needs. At the moment, I'm very happy with the Pentax.
Hey Brian, thanks for stopping by and for your comment. My issue with the Pentax K3 III M is its size.
@@jayespinal It sure isn't M-sized!
buy an x100v and sell it with profit 😂
Dreaming of owning a monochrome leica one day 😍
@kim_Alexander lol, yeah I owned the x100f and x100v trying to mask my desire for a Leica. Keep the dream alive! Thanks for watching and your comment.
@@jayespinal x100 are nice cameras but it's not a leica.. a camera that fullfill that desire in some way that I use right now is the Nikon Df, not a rangefinder. tho. But reminds of those. old slrs. A year ago a was in a store ready to buy a Leica m Monochrome but it was bugging our and couldn't read any memory cards.
Bummer.
@Kim_Alexander totally. I even went and got the xpro3. As for the memory I shoot internal when I forget my SD card.
@@jayespinal i had all the X-pro camera, the X-pro 3 is one that i really enjoy using.
reminds some what of Epson r-d and kind of Leica M-D Typ 262
Going to be intresting to se what they do with the X-pro4
excellent
Many many thanks
I said my Leica M9-P would be my “last camera” until that German whore broke my heart with a corroding sensor. 😅
@pigeonfarmboy damn, what you running with these days?
@@jayespinal I just got a Fuji GFX 100 II. Figured my back didn't hurt enough now so I'm going back to heavy kit. I went back and forth between this and an M11. Shot both, liked the GFX files more but will miss the compact M system. Maybe when I'm too old to haul this beast around I'll come back to the fancy L-Life.
"Life is hard! Its even herder when you are stupid" john wayne
...then there are those that don't believe in themselves enough to ever aim higher than their present situation. But use their time to leave cheeky comments online. Cheers, hope you have a fulfilling life.
👍🏾🙏🏾
Eugene, thanks for stopping by and your encouraging emojis, lol.
why monochrom ?
Hey Pixel, thanks for your comment. I answer your question in the first few minutes of this video.
I think that this video is just a justification towards yourself to motivate such an expensive purchase am I right ;)
I can see how some might view it that way, and I'm perfectly fine with that because I use the camera every day. People justify much worse things. In the case of my Harley, it was a personal goal I worked hard to achieve and checked off my list. Similarly, the Leica was another goal I aspired to. I sincerely hope you also have some ambitious, far-reaching goals in your life. Thanks for watching and your comment.
It's purely concern on the intrinsic nature.
@caneestudio you are correct, that’s what it comes down to- the absolutely essential. Then you throw in the history and the robust build quality and it adds up to a really satisfying shooting experience.
My last camera 🤣
@yawningp77 its almost comical. Thank you for watching and adding your comment.
Everyone says that this is my last camera😂
They do don't they.
Cheaper than a new car that’s only gonna lose you money
i can't understand the lack of "panoramic crop" ... this 60M sensor screams for panoramic crop ... this cam should also be an xpan on steroid
You are right a lot is possible with 60MP. I have not even scratched the surface with that many megapixels.
Rich people’s toy! And you trying to get a fat commission, right?
I would call that an oversimplification that fails to consider the true value and significance: Heritage and Craftsmanship, Reliability and Durability, Exceptional Optics, Manual Focus Experience, Compactness and Portability.
Owning a Leica is not solely about wealth; it is about investing in a photographic tool that holds true value and inspires creativity. Lastly no, I don' get a commission. In any event thank you for adding your point of view to the conversation, I appreciate your time and comment.
You don’t have to be rich to own a Leica. I would say Leicas are for People that take photography very seriously that we are willing to invest in an asset such as a camera by a company with a lot of heritage and creators of the full frame format.
@@GastonShutters Ha ha ha ha ha ha that is the best joke ever!!!!! Of course you have to have a deep pair of pockets stuffed with those green American bucks!!!!!! Try to buy a Leica with 1K dollars to see if you find any brand new or maybe used... LOL LOL LOL LOL BULLSHIT!!!!!!
I scrapped from summer jobs the money to buy my first Leica, a used M3 when I was 17 years old. No, I wasn’t rich and decades later am still not ‘rich.’ My mother once said ‘Why do you have such expensive cameras,’ and my father replied for me in maybe the best way that I didn’t even know, ‘because that is what he uses.’ Yes, Leicas are expensive and an ‘investment,’ but as I know after having many over the years, I’ve never lost money (when reselling to upgrade, or just to go in a different direction, or just for fun) on a Leica. They are a tool and more than that. If you don’t ‘get what the Leica is about,’ well you don’t understand the uniqueness, how they are used by a photographer, and the quality in design and craftmenship.
@@Hektormydog I have FAR better use for my hard earned money.... good luck with yours!