By David Farkas, Leica Store Miami
Ayear ago, Leica announced the highly anticipated M11 Monochrom. Now in its fourth generation, the purpose-built black and white digital camera from Leica is based off the exceptional M11 digital rangefinder platform. Under the hood, the 60-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor delivers 14-bit images with 15-stops of dynamic range, with no interpolation or per-pixel gain, due to the omission of the Bayer color filter array. Thanks to its dual-gain architecture, the sensitivity range goes all the way from a true base ISO of 125 all the way up to an eye-watering ISO 200,000.
For styling, the M11 Monochrom is as subdued as ever. Understated durable matte black paint and textured black leatherette cladding come standard. The shutter release, lens lock button and top function button are all finished in flat black rather than contrasting chrome as on the M11. There is no script or red dot logo to be found, only a subtle, black-on-black engraving that simply reads ‘MONOCHROM’ in front of the black hot shoe on the top plate. Even the dials are devoid of color. No red ‘A’ markings on the shutter speed or ISO dial – just a simple gray to separate this choice from the other white-painted engraved numbers. The camera looks to be all business.
Like the black variant of the M11, the M11 Monochrom utilizes aluminum construction, rather than brass, making is significantly lighter than its predecessor. The 110g difference translates to an immediately-noticeable 20% reduction in overall heft, making the M11M very comfortable to use.
A very welcome update, the M11 Monochrom also sports a sapphire glass screen covering over the rear LCD. This rugged, scratch-resistant surface protects the camera, but also looks crystal clear and doesn't interfere with touchscreen functionality. The last camera with sapphire glass was two generations back with the M Monochrom (Typ 246), so great to see Leica bring this premium upgrade to M11M.
Technology-wise, the M11 Monochrom gets all the goodies from the M11 and then some. Maestro III processor, 3GB buffer memory, electronic shutter, sensor-based metering, triple resolution selection, UHS-II card compatibility, USB-C charging and data, updated Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity, Apple MFi certification, enhanced power efficiency, three assignable custom function buttons, 2.3 megapixel rear LCD, electronically stabilized live view and 256GB of internal memory all add up to a seamless shooting experience.
And just like the M11, the M11 Monochrom bids farewell to the venerable removable baseplate. Instead, the camera features a similar bottom-load battery with release lever as the SL2 and Q2. Drop the battery to find the SD card slot underneath. This design also allows for use with the new M11 Handgrip, which includes an Acra-Swiss compatible rail along its bottom edge. Removing the handgrip isn't necessary to change batteries or SD cards – a hinged rubber cover allows easy access.
The new BP-SCL7 battery used in the M11, and now the M11 Monochrom, offers almost the same capacity as the BP-SCL4 from the SL2, a solid 1800mAh at the same 8.4v, yielding 13.32Wh. For comparison, the M10M’s BP-SCL5 is rated at 1100mAh at 8.25v for a total of 8.2Wh, an impressive 63% increase in total battery power. Side-by-side, the difference is obvious with the new battery showing its pumped-up proportions, but so is the practical battery life. Combined with advances in power efficiency, the M11M can get you through a full day of shooting on a single battery.
Launched with the M11, and compatible with the M11M, the Visoflex 2 electronic viewfinder provides a fantastic live view experience. The latest EVF offers up a 3.68-megapixel OLED panel, built-in -4 to +3 adjustable diopter, ample eye relief and three positioning steps at 0°, 45° and 90°. The all-metal housing feels premium and the image inside looks incredible.
With all the feature additions, performance improvements and enhanced image quality, the M11 Monochrom sets a new standard for black and white photography. Now in its fourth generation, the Leica M Monochrom continues the Monochrom legacy by making meaningful upgrades where it counts while staying true to what makes the Leica M an iconic camera.
M11M vs M10M
Here's a brief rundown of the key feature differences between the M10 Monochrom and the M11 Monochrom. For even more detail, check out our upcoming M11 Monochrom review, here on Red Dot Forum.
| Leica M11 Mono | Leica M10 Mono | |
| Sensor | 60.3MP BSI CMOS | 40.89MP CMOS |
| Processor | Maestro III | Maestro II |
| ISO Range | 125 – 200,000 | 160 – 100,000 |
| Variable Resolution | Yes – L – 60.3MP / M – 30MP / S – 18MP | No |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/16,000th sec | 1/4,000th sec |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 60 minutes | 16 minutes |
| Electronic Shutter | Yes | No |
| LCD Screen | 2.95″, 2.33 million dots (sapphire glass) | 3″, 1.04 million dots |
| Buffer | 3GB | 2GB |
| Buffer Depth | 15 DNG at 60.3MP, 30 at 36MP, ∞ at 18MP | 10 DNG at 40.89MP |
| Internal Storage | 256GB | None |
| SD Card Speed | UHS-II | UHS-I |
| USB Charging & Tethering | Yes via USB-C | None |
| Battery Capacity | 1,800 mAh | 1,100 mAh |
| Weight (black finish) | 542 grams | 680 grams |
| Custom FN Buttons | 3 | None |
| Digital Zoom | Yes: 1.3x & 1.8x | None |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v4.2 | None |
| Electronic Live View Resolution | 3.68 million dots | 2.4 million dots |
| Electronic Live View S tabilization | Yes | No |
Four generations of M Monochrom
Leica M Monochrome (M9M)
Introduced May 10, 2012
Based on Leica M9
18MP CCD Sensor
ISO 320- 10,000
Leica M Monochrome Typ 246
Introduced April 30, 2015
Based on Leica M (Typ 240)
24MP CMOS Sensor
ISO 320- 25,600
Leica M10 Monochrome
Introduced Jan 17, 2020
Based on Leica M10
40MP CMOS Sensor
ISO 160 – 100,000
M11 Monochrome
Introduced Apr 13, 2023
Based on Leica M11
60MP BSI CMOS Sensor
ISO 125 – 200,000
Tech Specs
| Type no. | 2416 |
| Order No. | 20208 |
| Camera type | Digital camera system with rangefinder |
| Lens mount | Leica M bayonet with additional sensor for 6-bit encoding |
| Sensor | Monochrome BSI CMOS sensor, pixel pitch: 3.76 μm, 35 mm: 9528 x 6328 pixels (60.3 MP) |
| Sensor Filter | UV/IR filter, no low-pass filter |
| Image resolution | The entire sensor surface will always be used irrespective of format and resolution. Digital Zoom 1.3x and 1.8x available (always based on L-DNG or L-JPG) |
| Processor | Leica Maestro series (Maestro III) |
| File formats | DNG (raw data, loss-free compression), DNG + JPG, JPG (DCF, Exif 2.30) |
| DNG | L-DNG 60.3 MP 9536 x 6336 pixels M-DNG 36.5 MP 7424 x 4936 pixels S-DNG 18.4 MP 5280 x 3506 pixels |
| JPG | L-JPG 60.1 MP 9504 x 6320 pixels M-JPG 36.2 MP 7392 x 4896 pixels S-JPG 18.2 MP 5248 x 3472 pixels |
| File Size | Depending on resolution and picture content |
| DNG | L-DNG approx. 70–120 MB M-DNG approx. 40–70 MB S-DNG approx. 20–40 MB |
| JPG | L-JPG approx. 15–30 MB L-JPG approx. 15–30 MB S-JPG approx. 5–9 MB |
| Color depth | DNG: 14 Bit, JPG: 8 Bit |
| Color space | sRGB in JPG |
| Buffer memory | 3 GB |
| Pictures in Series | L-DNG: 15 |
| M-DNG: 30 | |
| S-DNG: Unlimited | |
| Storage Medium | UHS-II (recommended), UHS-I, SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card (SDXC cards up to 2 TB) |
| 256GB Internal memory | |
| Viewfinder | Large, bright-line rangefinder with automatic parallax compensation, suitable for -0.5 dpt; optional corrective lenses available: -3 to +3 dpt |
| Viewfinder Display | Four-digit digital display with items show on the top and bottom, Image field limiter: two lit frames: 35 mm + 135 mm, 28 mm + 90 mm, 50 mm + 75 mm (automatic switchover when lens is attached) |
| Parallax compensation | The horizontal and vertical difference between viewfinder and lens is compensated automatically in line with the relevant focus setting. Congruence of viewfinder and actual image. The size of the bright-line frame matches the distance: – at 2 m: the exact sensor size of approx. 23.9 x 35.8 mm – at infinity: (depending on focal length) approx. 7.3% (28 mm) to 18% (135 mm) – less than 2 m: less than sensor size |
| Viewfinder magnification | x0.73 (all lenses) |
| Large-base rangefinder | Split or superimposed image rangefinder shown as a bright field at the center of the viewfinder image |
| Focus range | 70 cm to ∞ |
| Focus mode | Manual (focus assist functions Magnification and Focus Peaking available) |
| LCD panel | 2.95” (Active Matrix TFT), sapphire glass, 2,332,800 dots, format 3:2, touch control available |
| Shutter type | Electronically controlled focal plane shutter and electronic shutter function |
| Shutter speeds | Mech. shutter: 60 min to 1⁄4000 s Electro. shutter function: 60 s to 1⁄16000 s Flash Synch: up to 1⁄180 s Optional noise reduction via additional “black picture” (can be disabled) |
| Shutter button | Two-stage (1st stage: activation of the camera electronics including exposure metering and metering memory lock, 2nd stage: taking the picture) |
| Self-timer | Delay time: 2 s or 12 s |
| Drive Mode | Single, Continuous – Low Speed (3 fps), Continuous – High Speed (4.5 fps), Interval Shooting, Exposure Bracketing |
| Exposure metering | TTL (exposure metering through the lens) |
| Metering principle | Exposure metering is done by the image sensor for all exposure metering methods (in Live View mode and in rangefinder mode) |
| Exposure metering | Spot, Center-Weighted, Highlight-Weighted, Multi-Field |
| Exposure modes | Aperture priority mode (A): Automatic shutter speed control with manual aperture preselection, Manual (M): manual setting for shutter speed and aperture |
| Exposure compensation | ±3 EV in 1⁄3 EV increments |
| Automatic bracketing | 3 or 5 shots, graduations between shoots up to 3 EV, in 1⁄3 EV increments, additional optional exposure compensation: up to ±3 EV |
| ISO sensitivity range | Auto ISO: ISO 125 (native) to ISO 200 000, also available in flash mode Manual: ISO 125 to ISO 200 000 |
| White balance | N/A |
| Flash sync time | 1⁄180s, slower shutter speeds available, automatic switchover to TTL linear flash mode with HSS-compatible Leica system flash units if sync time is undercut |
| Flash exposure metering | Using center-weighted TTL pre-flash metering with Leica flash units (SF 26, SF 40, SF 58, SF 60, SF 64) or with system-compatible flash units, remote controlled flash SF C1 |
| Flash exposure compensation | SF 40: ±2 EV in 1⁄2 EV increments, SF 60: ±2 EV in 1⁄3 EV increments, Other: ±3 EV in 1⁄3 EV increments |
| Displays in flash mode (in the viewfinder only) | Flash icon: Connection of an external flash unit |
| Interfaces | ISO accessory shoe with additional control contacts for Leica flash units and Leica Visoflex 2 viewfinder (optional accessory) |
| USB 3.1 Gen1 Typ-C (5 Gbs) | |
| WLAN | The Leica FOTOS app is required to use the WLAN function. The Leica app is available from the Apple App StoreTM or the Google Play StoreTM. 2.4 GHz/5 GHz* dual band IEEE802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wave2 WLAN (standard WLAN protocol), encryption method: WLAN-compatible WPATM/WPA2TM, access method: infrastructure mode |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR/LE, BR/DR-channel 1-79, LE-channel 0-39 (2402–2480 MHz) |
| GPS | Geotagging via Leica FOTOS app using Bluetooth |
| Menu languages | English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Portuguese |
| Rechargeable battery (Leica BP-SCL7) | Li-Ion (Lithium-Polymer) rechargeable battery, rated voltage: 7.4 V / capacity: 1800 mAh, Charging voltage/current: DC 1000 mAh, 7.4 V, operating conditions: +10°C to +35°C (charging) / +0°C to +40°C (discharged) |
| Battery Life | Approx. 700 shots (in accordance with CIPA Standard) up to approx. 1,700 shots (Leica adapted shooting cycle – rangefinder use only) |
| Charger (Leica BC-SCL7) | Input: USB-C DC 5 V, 2 A, output: DC 8.4 V, 1 A, operating conditions: +10°C to +35°C |
| Power pack (Leica ACA-SCL7) | Input: AC 110 V – 240 V ~ 50/60 Hz, 0.3 A, output: DC 5 V, 2 A, operating conditions: +10°C to +35°C |
| USB Power supply | When in standby mode or Off: USB charging function, When On: USB power supply and intermittent charging |
| Material | Full-metal housing made of magnesium and aluminum, leatherette cover |
| Silver: full-metal housing made of magnesium and brass, leatherette cover | |
| Operating temperature | +0 to +40°C |
| Tripod thread | A 1⁄4 DIN 4503 (1⁄4”) with stainless steel in the base |
| Dimensions | 139 x 38.5 x 80mm |
| Weight | Approx. 542 g/461 g (with/without battery) |
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Does it use the same non-interchangeable lens? What is the lens?
ReplyDeleteI believe you are mixing up the M11 Monochrom withe the Leica Q. The Leica M11 Monochrom has interchangeable lenses, just like any of the other Leica M cameras since 1954.
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