The Leica M11-P camera that was previously rumored has been officially introduced, along with a brand-new Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH lens. What's remarkable about the M11-P is that it's the first camera globally to have technology that follows both the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) and the C2PA standard.
Improvements for the M11-P include:
1. Taking off the red dot Leica logo from the camera's front.
2. Adding an engraved Leica script on the top cover.
3. Installing a dark chrome viewfinder.
4. Using sapphire glass on the rear display to make it more durable and resistant to scratches.
5. Increasing the internal storage to 256GB, a boost from the previous 64GB.
The M11-P is offered in Black (Aluminum top) and Silver (Brass top)
Aside from these specifications, there's a hardware modification involving the inclusion of a secure chip. This chip is responsible for activating the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) technology we discussed earlier.
I’m hoping people will pick up the M11P so more used M11s become available… These some like even more minor changes than M10 vs M10P though. M10P at least added touch and the leveling adjustment.
1bwana1 wrote:
I for one am not even slightly motivated by these changes to upgrade from my rock solid M11. My wallet is happy about that I suppose.
Feels to me M11P won't be in short supply, at least not as much as M11 was, considering a lot of M11 users out there who, like me, may not feel a strong urge to upgrade. For a new buyer who waited out on an M11, getting an M11P makes all the sense.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Is anyone swapping the Leica M11 for the M11-P? If you are, is it primarily for the looks, or is the enhanced security chip the main factor?
The videos I've seen and articles I've read about CAI is all pretty neat, but not trade-in my M10-D to get a M11-P neat. Maybe they'll make a M12-D?
Wasn’t planning on upgrading my M11 prior to the announcement and given these changes, makes that decision even easier. The M11 is stellar and I am not a professional so the authenticity protection isn’t particularly relevant (though I find it a very interesting step - I wonder how secure it will be and how much organizations will rely on it to verify photos).
The new Summicron is interesting though…almost bought a Safari here a few weeks ago but this updated lens has all the things for cheaper. Just not sure it’s enough to replace my Voigtlander 28 2.8 vs a 28 Summilux.
The real good news is the new firmware for the M11: now, the shutter close when changing the lens. No need to turn the camera off to minimize sensor dust anymore.
how little effort they put into the P update this time around. I'm sure all the police forensic departments shooting with M11's will appreciate this upgrade..
I don't understand why they even bothered.. this is a pretty weak money grab, even by Leica standards.
johnvanr wrote:
The rest leaves me cold and somewhat curious what Leica is going to do to keep the M line ‘fresh’ while also keeping it classic.
Some of it will depend on their sensor partner(s).
Biggest worthwhile update IMO would be improving e-shutter to reduce/eliminate significant concern about rolling shutter effects.
While it would be a resolution step backwards, using a variant of the stacked sensor in the Z8/Z9 in a new model would be worthy. Stacked sensor will eventually happen, but maybe still a couple cycles. Next one maybe will have better rolling shutter before we see stacked. Being able to eliminate the need for mechanical shutter for the majority of use cases would also improve the current 'kludge' of live view metering requiring extra shutter cycles just to make an exposure. Making a fully silent M with a broad use envelope not held back by rolling shutter would certainly fit the M philosophy.
And, if the mechanical shutter is completely eliminated thanks to a stacked sensor, maybe there might be enough room to put in some form of IBIS? Though that all seems to use space behind the sensor and not in front...
rscheffler wrote:
Some of it will depend on their sensor partner(s).
Biggest worthwhile update IMO would be improving e-shutter to reduce/eliminate significant concern about rolling shutter effects.
While it would be a resolution step backwards, using a variant of the stacked sensor in the Z8/Z9 in a new model would be worthy. Stacked sensor will eventually happen, but maybe still a couple cycles. Next one maybe will have better rolling shutter before we see stacked. Being able to eliminate the need for mechanical shutter for the majority of use cases would also improve the current 'kludge' of live view metering requiring extra shutter cycles just to make an exposure. Making a fully silent M with a broad use envelope not held back by rolling shutter would certainly fit the M philosophy.
And, if the mechanical shutter is completely eliminated thanks to a stacked sensor, maybe there might be enough room to put in some form of IBIS? Though that all seems to use space behind the sensor and not in front......Show more →
All possible, but how much will any of it improve most of the photography done with an M?
This is not just true for Leica, of course. We have long reached a plateau for 95% of photography, if not 99%. But Leica M has the extra challenge of sticking with a gestalt that’s 80 or so years old.
I've always liked the P variants but this time I'll pass. I have my M11 and I'm very happy with it.
This camera is for the M10R and M10-P owners who upgrade on that cycle and it'll do very well. It sure is pretty and IMHO peak M. Since the sensor is already so good, I don't see how much father they can go in. a traditional M. Mind you, I think I've said that before...
The new ID tech is really a test for the SL3, isn't it? That's where it might be useful. I'm pretty sure Canon did something along these lines years ago where DPP could recognise unmodified raw files. It went nowhere and unless this really becomes a standard, neither will this.
More interesting is the 28mm. Didn't we just get a new one of those?
The 28f2 ASPH came out 20+ years ago. And a “revised optical formula” in 2016 I believe.
The original 28/2 ASPH lens was certainly an optical design ahead of its time. Leica has been refining the same optical design, and there was a noticeable improvement in corner performance with the 2016 model. However, with the new 2023 model, the slightly adjusted optical design showed slightly lower resolution in the center, which was quite surprising to me.
flash wrote:
I've always liked the P variants but this time I'll pass. I have my M11 and I'm very happy with it.
This camera is for the M10R and M10-P owners who upgrade on that cycle and it'll do very well. It sure is pretty and IMHO peak M. Since the sensor is already so good, I don't see how much father they can go in. a traditional M. Mind you, I think I've said that before...
The new ID tech is really a test for the SL3, isn't it? That's where it might be useful. I'm pretty sure Canon did something along these lines years ago where DPP could recognise unmodified raw files. It went nowhere and unless this really becomes a standard, neither will this.
More interesting is the 28mm. Didn't we just get a new one of those?
Based on the comments I've seen online, a lot of M11 camera users share your opinion. I also agree that this update might be more appealing to M10 shooters, but there's a possibility that they'll consider buying a used M11, which could see a significant price decrease. Hopefully, the new firmware update has resolved any lingering issues that some individuals were experiencing with it.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Based on the comments I've seen online, a lot of M11 camera users share your opinion. I also agree that this update might be more appealing to M10 shooters, but there's a possibility that they'll consider buying a used M11, which could see a significant price decrease. Hopefully, the new firmware update has resolved any lingering issues that some individuals were experiencing with it.
Considering that I still find a used M10 too expensive for my taste at this point, I hope that there is a tickle-down effect with this M-P introduction. A price drop in M11 cameras will likely also lead to lower used price points for M10 and M10-R versions. Until this comes into a reasonable price range for my taste, I will stick with my M 240
 copy.jpg "Official: Leica M11-P announced")
