Anticipation: A Bittersweet Sensation

Anticipation, such a bittersweet sensation. The delicious excitement that gets the juice buds flowing. Will the moment live up to expectations, lingering on the lips forever, or leave a nasty taste in the mouth? Will you part, never to speak of this again? Who knows, suffice; it’s somewhat of an understatement to say I’ve been looking forward to this for quite a while.

A Reunion with an Old Friend

At last, I’ve got my hands on the 60-megapixel Leica M11 Rangefinder Digital Camera, and thanks to its impeccable pedigree it’s like a reunion with an old friend. I simply can’t believe it’s twenty years since I reviewed and fell in love with its analogue ancestor, the M7. Since then and we’ve both embraced a digital world.

Build Quality: A Thing of Beauty

As with all Leica’s, the first thing that strikes you is build quality. Oozing excellence, it emits a confidence-inspiring aura of artisan craftsmanship. The next is the styling; its polished design ethos is right up there with Mies van der Rohe’s “The Barcelona Chair” and Philippe Starck’s “The Alessi Juicy Salif Citrus Squeezer,” making the M11 both a sublime camera and a thing of beauty.

The Weight and Feel of Perfection

Reassuringly robust, satisfyingly solid, and as balanced as any bladesmith’s hammer, it sits in the hand perfectly; its weight, just about flawless, right there in the Goldilocks zone, not too much, not too little, just right. Now, I understand this could be a Marmite moment; but perhaps now would be a good time to explain what this camera lacks – no video, no image stabilisation and definitely no Autofocus. Manual focus only. I can’t stress that enough.

Focusing: A Traditional Touch

Focusing is achieved primarily by looking through the camera’s optical viewfinder and using the old-school coincident-image rangefinder system. This functions by overlaying a second faint “ghost” image on a bright spot in the centre of the viewfinder. This “ghost” moves left or right, laterally relative to the main view, depending on which way the focus ring is rotated. When the two images are aligned, the lens is correctly focused. Fiddly at first, you’ll soon get the hang of it, but once mastered, it’s swift and accurate.

State-of-the-Art Technology Meets Tradition

However, the M11’s traditional styling belies its state-of-the-art technology, especially its full-frame 35mm 60-megapixel sensor – Leica calls it a ‘triple-resolution’ sensor since you can select other resolutions. Such as medium-sized 36MP images or smaller 18MP files, all full-width, and in both JPEG and DNG format.

Exposure and Control: Hybrid Simplicity

Like its predecessors, the M11 has only two exposure modes: aperture priority AE and full manual exposure with the interface for all key settings via an agreeable easy-to-use hybrid system where solid analogue controls select exposure mode, shutter speed, aperture and ISO. Other settings are accessed via the LCD screen on the rear of the camera.

The User Interface: Simplicity at Its Best

Whilst the LCD display does offer touch control, menu and navigation settings still require physical input on the control pad located on the rear of the camera. Compared to the mind-numbingly complex menus offered by other manufacturers, the Leica M11’s main menu is refreshingly pared back, with a mere 26 options in total.

Engaging with the M11: It’s All About the Experience

The M11’s menu system may seem sparse, but it is beautifully clear and straightforward with everything needed at your fingertips. Assuming you’re passingly familiar with digital cameras, a quick scan of the quick start guide will have you mastering its settings in minutes; the whole system is a symphony of simplicity and control.

The Point of Shooting: A Philosophy

However, this is not a point-and-shoot; it is the point of shooting. You must actively engage with the M11. Like a driver at the wheel of a manual sports car, it’s only as good as your input. You make the decisions. Yet, it imposes its ideology, encourages its way of thinking, and makes you take life at its pace. This is a camera built for painting with light and fishing for shadows. And whilst I can’t guarantee it will make you a better photographer, I guarantee it will make you look at the world differently.

The Elephant in the Custard: Price

Now to the elephant in the custard – its price – on paper, it doesn’t really make sense, then again life is not a spreadsheet. Sometimes it’s best to heed your heart rather than listen to your head – well if you can afford to. I’d have one in a heartbeat, but my reality means it stays wishful thinking. I simply hope it is not another twenty years until next, I hold a Leica.