Leica M11 Monochrom: Unprecedented Capture Detail

re: Leica M10 Monochrom
re: monochrome and diglloyd Monochrome

Leica M11 Monochrom

re: Will the Leica M11 Monochrom Avoid the Nasty Black-Dots-White-Spots Issue of the M10m?

Reader and Swiss photographer Jost von Allmen was kind enough to allow me to post some crops from images he sent to me. I processed them in Adobe Camera Raw and the enlargments in Topaz Gigapixel AI. Jost writes:

In fact paired with the best lenses, the technical qualities of the M10M and the shooting experience were so convincing, that I ended up selling my whole Fujifilm GFX100S system. I have worked with the M10M since it’s introduction and really liked it. But now I just traded it in for the new M11 Monochrom.

I have to agree, seeing the tremendous amount of capture detail, the ultra low noise, the tonal gradation, etc. And with a lens that costs only $999 (no need for Leica’s $8300 35/2 APO it’s not better). My only concern is whether the pimple issue will occur more than in his examples.

I am looking forward to reviewing the Leica M11 Monochrom as soon as B&H Photo gets me one. And from what I see, I would love to own one, but the cost is a serious impediment and so buying one is not in the cards anytime soon.

If you’re buying a Leica M11 Monochrom, please buy through the links on this site when it becomes available at B&H—thanks!

Leica M system...Voigtlander for Leica M... Zeiss for Leica M...

Leica M11 Monochrom top lens picks

Leica M wish list • Deals on Leica

$9195 Leica M11 Monochrom OUT OF STOCK in Cameras: Mirrorless

$899 SAVE $150 = 14.0% Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton Aspherical IN STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder

$2390 ZEISS 35mm f/1.4 Distagon T* ZM IN STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder

$8295 Leica 35mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH. OUT OF STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder

$999 SAVE $150 = 13.0% Voigtlander 35mm f/2 APO-LANTHAR .0 Aspherical IN STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder

$999 Voigtlander 50mm f/2 APO-LANTHAR .0 Aspherical IN STOCK in Lenses: Rangefinder

$740 Leica Visoflex 2 Electronic Viewfinder BACK IN STOCK in Accessories: Photo Accessories

Crops

This crop shows a stunning level of resolved detail, and it upscales beautifully.

2352 size is actual pixels crop. 4710 size is a 2X linear upsampling (240MP equivalent) using Gigapixel AI.

Crop from Leica M11, near corner area!
Image courtesy Jost von Allmen

f5.6 @ 1/320 sec, ISO 125; 2023-04-18 11:11:06
LEICA M11 Monochrom + Voigtlander M APO-Lanthar 35mm f/2 Aspherical

[low-res image for bot]

The sensor has its resolution limits, and this shows up when detail gets super fine, but it does not break down into mush as does a color Bayer matrix sensor. The results are incredible. Even things like plain white building walls have a texture to them cannot be achieved with a color sensor.

Below, 2484 size is actual pixels crop. 4968 size is a 2X linear upsampling (240MP equivalent) using Gigapixel AI.

Crop from Leica M11
Image courtesy Jost von Allmen

f5.6 @ 1/320 sec, ISO 125; 2023-04-18 11:11:06
LEICA M11 Monochrom + Voigtlander M APO-Lanthar 35mm f/2 Aspherical

[low-res image for bot]