Perfection for Black & White Photographers: Review of the Leica M11 Monochrom

Leica simply introduced the Leica M11 Monochrom, the B&W-only model of their M11 flagship digital rangefinder camera, and Shutterbug had the alternative to check run a manufacturing pattern early on in the launch cycle. Our conclusions aren’t so simple as black and white.

Shutterbug additionally evaluated a preproduction pattern previous to the announcement. You may evaluation that protection right here.

Since we reviewed the Leica M11 (non-monochrome model) in depth final year in a narrative that options images of a $1.2 million McLaren, we don’t expound detail-by-detail on the similar M11 options right here. Please test the M11 evaluation for extra info and specifics. As an alternative we provide extra instance photographs and our private multidimensional appraisal.

New Characteristic Abstract
In abstract, the Leica M11 Monochrom builds on the options of the Leica M11, plus extends the inside reminiscence to a whopping 256GB (up from 64GB) and will increase the ISO vary to ISO 125 via ISO 200000. The ISO 200000 setting isn’t just a quantity: efficiency at that breakthrough stage is astounding. The Leica M11’s base ISO of 64 is gone, nevertheless.

The Leica M11 was the first Leica to characteristic a BSI (Bottom Illuminated Sensor) CMOS sensor, and the M11 Monochrom is likewise outfitted. It’s a particular triple decision (18/36/60) monochrome-only sensor that’s coated by a dual-layer, ultra-thin UV/IR filter. There isn’t any low-pass filter in the mild path to hamper sharpness.

Leica M11 cameras don’t seize video, however they do embrace trendy pill know-how. Utilizing Bluetooth or the USB-C port, photos will be transferred to the Leica FOTOS app for further processing. The Leica M11 Monochrom is an authorized Apple “Made for iPhone and iPad” accent and affords distinctive choices with the included Leica FOTOS cable.

As you possibly can see from the matrix above, The M11 Monochrom creates massive recordsdata, which of course one expects from a 60-megapixel camera. There are three decisions for Uncooked (DNG) seize and three for JPEG. Customers can shoot DNG and JPEG concurrently and, in the event that they select, save one format to the inside reminiscence and the different to the SD card.

The Leica M11 Monochrom is accessible at present for $9,195, physique solely, from the Leica Online Store or your native licensed Leica vendor.

Key Characteristic Particulars

• All Leica M11 options and capabilities

• Inner reminiscence 256GB (Leica M11 has 64GB)

• Covert design—no purple dot emblem plus darkish, surreptitious accoutrements

• Top quality aluminum prime cowl and scratch resistant black paint end

• Unscratchable Sapphire Glass LCD monitor cowl (Leica M11 makes use of Gorilla Glass)

• Full-frame monochrome BSI CMOS sensor

• Triple decision know-how: 60/36/18 megapixel

• DNG, JPEG and DNG + JPEG

• Twin-layer, ultra-thin UV/IR filter; no low-pass filter

• Base ISO 125, most ISO 200,000 (Leica M11 is ISO 64-50,000)

• Mechanical shutter: 60 min to 1⁄4000 sec

• Digital shutter operate: 60 sec to 1⁄16000 sec

• Flash Synch: as much as 1⁄180 sec

• Steady taking pictures: Low (3 fps), Excessive (4.5 fps)

• 2.95-inch Energetic Matrix TFT, Sapphire Glass coated, with 2.3 million dots

• Contact Management (will be disabled)

• Noise Discount by way of further “Black Image” (will be disabled)

• Quick connection to the Leica FOTOS App to speed up the cell workflow

• Elective Leica Visoflex 2 Eyelevel Digital Viewfinder

• Licensed Apple “Made for iPhone and iPad” accent

• About 700 pictures (CIPA Customary) in RF Mode from absolutely charged battery

• Made in Germany with a concentrate on the necessities: Das Wesentliche

The Wonderful Attraction of Monochrome Photography
Again in the days of movie pictures it was usually mentioned that photographers begin out taking pictures black-and-white and slowly progress into the world of shade pictures. Then, as soon as skilled and proficient, they finally mature into actual imagemakers and resume taking pictures in black-and-white.  

Lifelike, authentically-rendered shade provides a dimension to pictures that nobody can deny. However concurrently it masks many of the extra salient and exquisite qualities of a picture as a result of it conceals some elements of the tonal vary, gradation, gray-level contour, acutance and even decision. We are able to argue about this however you’ll by no means change my thoughts.

The Intrigue of Leica Merchandise
Since the first Leica camera appeared almost 90 years in the past, the Leica identify has been synonymous with high-quality optical tools, notably deluxe 35mm cameras and superior lenses. Initially designed to shoot leftover ends of 35mm film movie inventory, Oskar Barnack’s first Leica ushered in a brand new epoch in the universe of picture making. 

Outdated Leica cameras retain their worth, even in average or poor situation. In reality, inoperable Leica’s have an intrinsic worth and are sometimes hoarded identical to inoperable fountain pens and cigarette lighters. (It’s attention-grabbing, to me a minimum of, that every one three classes—cameras, pens and lighters—have been changed by trendy supermarket-rack-quality plastic disposables, but many individuals accumulate the authentic variations even when they don’t work.)

Over the years, Leica cameras have repeatedly earned their popularity for top quality and excellent efficiency—and astounding photographs—and proceed to take action at present, each day. To make use of one is to know.

Our Expertise with the Leica M11 Monochrom
Utilizing the Leica M11 Monochrom, even for only a comparatively brief interval of time, was an unsettling expertise—in good methods solely. The intense decision of the 60-megapixel sensor coupled with the unmatched efficiency of the 35mm Summilux made it attainable—and worthwhile—to seize small objects distant after which creatively crop to recompose to regular measurement renderings. Usually, like many zealous photographers, I at all times attempt to compose in the camera, not on the monitor, and carry out zero cropping. However the Leica M11 Monochrom avails itself to recent approaches.

Likewise, the black-and-white-only restriction jolted me again to my roots with 35mm movie and I used to be obliged to take a brand new have a look at acquainted topics. It required me to make use of extra of my mind, I feel, and if this sounds odd to you, know that it felt peculiar, too. These days I’m hardly ever compelled to make use of a lot of my mind when utilizing a digital camera—they make it so damned straightforward to get acceptable outcomes and in the course of, in a self-serving method, decrease our threshold of “acceptable.”

I imagine the present digital camera seize course of of  1 compose, 2  shoot, 3 evaluation, 4 reshoot has softened me. Whereas it’s abundantly straightforward to evaluation photographs on the Leica M11 Monochrom’s massive, sharp LCD, it nonetheless was extra thrilling to meticulously blueprint what the outcomes would appear like—with out shade—after which commit the scene to a 60-megapixel monochrome sensor.

All in all, utilizing the Leica M11 Monochrom was an incredible expertise.

Conclusion
Let’s face it; as a result of the mixed value of the Leica M11 (both mannequin) and the 35mm Summilux lens used on this evaluation falls only a frog’s whisker beneath $15,000, not many of us will ever personal one. However some will, and never simply collectors. The Leica M11 Monochrom is a severe working instrument that captures astonishing black-and-white photographs and it value each penny of its value.

Possibly you possibly can borrow or hire a Leica M11 Monochrom someday. Should you do, you simply would possibly promote all of your different camera stuff and purchase one.

—Jon Sienkiewicz