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Leica M11 Monochrom And 50mm Lens Launched

NEWS: On 13 April 2023, Leica launched the Leica M11 Monochrom alongside an updated Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens in Black and silver body finish. Drawing on a combination of dedication to rangefinders and 10 years of monochrome sensors designs, the new camera is developed exclusively for the pursuit of black and white digital photography.

Discover everything you need to know about the latest Leica release here in our photo news channel in order to decide if this ultra high resolution camera is perfect for your needs.

Leica M11 Monochrom camera price

Leica is known for manufacturing high-end cameras and lenses, with German design and build-quality, which comes at a price. The Leica M11 Monochrom price is £8300.00, which is in-line with the existing colour M11, which costs £7,600.00. The accompanying Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens Black costs £4000.00 and the silver Summilux-M 50mm is priced at £4200.00, which is also consistent with Leica M lenses.

Key Leica M11 Monochrom differences

Leica is no stranger to creating B&W cameras, with the previously released Leica Q2 Monochrom compact from 2020 amongst others. The new black and white-only digital rangefinder boasts many of the same features as the colour sensor version, however there are some key differences, which include:

• Exclusive Black and White BSI CMOS sensor with 60 megapixels (Double-layer absorption filter glass deliberately omits colour filters)
• Up to ISO 200,000 (up from 50,000)
• Discreet Monochrom camera body design with red Leica logo omission and dark chrome coating of the optical viewfinder

These provide ultimate discretion when shooting with a camera body which goes virtually unnoticed, as well as impressive low light capabilities that’s ideal for street photography, travel and much more. All other aspects of the camera are made with the same features as the colour variants, which we highlight below.

Leica M11 Monochrom key features

The latest generation M rangefinder brought a host of features for today’s content creator, including the Maestro III processor, improved battery life and of course incredibly high resolution. Other Leica M11 Monochrom key features include:

• Triple resolution technology with native 60MP, 36MP and 18 megapixel images
• 256 GB of internal memory + a high-speed UHS-II SD memory card slot
• Enhanced touch display and an optimised button and menu layout
• Updated connectivity through Bluetooth, USB-C and Leica FOTOS app
• Legendary quality which comes with ‘Made in Germany’ which is manufactured to the highest quality standards
• Compatible with huge range of Leica M-Lenses

Made in Germany

The M11 Monochrom is made in Leica’s Wetzlar manufacturing facility, where the majority of camera equipment has been made since 1869. A combination of handmade and machined techniques are employed to create robust and durable parts, which are created to last a lifetime.

M11 Monochrom camera design

Despite the removal of the red dot logo, the M11 Monochrom is unmistakably Leica, and simply oozes understated chic. It houses familiar control dials and a simplified button layout on the rear, alongside the large LCD touchscreen and signatory offset viewfinder. The camera is the same size as its colour counterpart and weighs just 377g ensuring it can be carried and used without any fuss.

Who is the M11 Monochrom for?

As a camera which solely captures monochrome images, the M11 Monochrom is clearly designed for photographers who are passionate about black and white photography and compose mainly through highlights and shadows. The rangefinder system is steeped in history, yet delivers cutting-edge capabilities, from low light performance to build quality, and helps their users capture unique and distinct results.

Ideal subjects can include anything, however many Leica creators specialise in:

• Street photography
• Documentary
• Travel and landscapes
• Architectural and city
• Weddings and events

Adding the perfect lens to complement your favourite subjects is essential, which brings us on to the new Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 models.

New Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens

The updated Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH Lens is available in black and silver variants, and offers one of the most versatile, sought-after focal widths for any system. The updated models have higher resolving capabilities thanks to a new aspherical optical design, as well as a closer 45cm minimum focus distance. The aperture diaphragm has also been updated with an 11-bladed design (rather than 9), for smoother defocus areas and more rounded bokeh.

When combined with the 60 megapixel camera body you can expect incredible detail with excellent contrast from a compact lens with an integrated hood. Whichever subjects you enjoy a 50mm prime lens is amongst the most popular due to offering such a versatile range for day to day shooting.

Summary

Photographers who are drawn to black and white image making will no doubt consider the new M11 Monochrom as one of the only dedicated B&W cameras, as well as the impeccable image quality it delivers. Likewise whether you have the previous generation lens or are considering buying a 50mm M lens, you will be delighted by the character of images, which it is capable of rendering.

Reserve your Leica M11 Monochrom today to develop your passion for B&W photography with a rangefinder, which delivers renowned image quality in a compact, robust body, which you can enjoy anywhere.

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By Nick Dautlich on 13/04/2023