This Leica gloss black M11 is likely to be the object of love at first sight for many brand aficionados. Gloss black alone is known to set the pulse racing. And the accompanying Noctilux-M f/1.2 retro-styled light magnet, also in Leica noir, is enough to quell the slightest hint of resistance. The combined price of just over £15,000 could be seen a mere trifle in the face of such allure.
Gloss black: Object of desire
But if that price stretches the wallet, these gloss black objects of desire are available in solitary splendour. The shiny M11 body costs £7,900. It is based on the M11 silver-chrome camera with the brass top-plate, thus adding another attraction for friends of rubbed brass. However, it also adopts features of the M11-P. These include removal of the front Leica logo and addition of the Leica engraving on the top plate. The dials and power switch are finished in glossy black, while the shutter release plate has a silver-chrome finish.
According to Leica, “this variant’s glossy black paint finish is the purest and strongest expression of the classic Leica look, as, through years of frequent use, the camera finish evolves, partly exposing the brass that lies beneath. Little by little, this creates a distinctive patina that tells each user’s individual story. 1962 saw the first appearance of the Leica M3 with this elegant finish, which was met with great enthusiasm”.
The standard M11 is just £100 cheaper at £7,800, thus suggesting that this gloss black serial model will be more popular. However, the higher-specified M11-P, which is not available in gloss black, sells for just £100 more, at £8,000.
Retro gloss black Noctilux
Launched alongside the gloss black M11 is a retro version of the Leica Noctilux-M 50 f/1.2 ASPH. Leica also finished this in gloss black paint, with white inked scales and red foot scale. It features the classic round lens hood, also finished in gloss black. The lens is supplied in a classic transparent container. At £7,200, the lens is £500 more than the standard lens in black anodised finish.
Leica confirms that the lens is based on “the series model, which became famous for its high image quality and light intensity, as well as its unmistakable bokeh”.
Taupe accessories
Leica also launches three accessories in taupe leather — a system bag at £350, a carrying strap at £100 and a protector case at £250.
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Well, I had one on order, (camera and lens) but at the last moment I wavered and got the M11-D instead (it arrived on Monday). I’m not sorry! On the other hand I did have a look at the black paint at Mayfair yesterday, and it was very beautiful, very!.
As you know, I also went for the M11-D, but for purist reasons. It’s lovely, but would have been even more attractive in glossy black! Like you, however, I don’t regret the decision, even with the new camera available.
Interesting choice Jono. I must admit that I really like the look of the M11 BP and was momentarily tempted. Not least for the beauty of it but also the stealth, just like my M11M ‘sans red dot’. I like stealth, doing lots of street photography around the world and to that end, my silver chrome has some nasty silver gaffer tape over the red dot as the -P model wasn’t available at the time. The problem is I can’t get over the fact that the ‘glossy’ is no different to my silver chrome, a perfectly good camera which I continue to enjoy many adventures with, and would cost me considerably to ‘upgrade’.
I’d also considered the M11-D having previously owned and loved the M10-D. I traded it in for the M11 on the basis that the improvements were a considerable step up for me in terms of workflow (USB-C, hybrid shutter etc).
I’m tempted with the M11-D as it’s stealth personified and ideal for my street work but I did also like the faux winder that served as a nice thumb rest on the M10-D. It’s ‘marmite’ for some, but I really liked it, and wish Leica hadn’t removed it.
I notice that Leica now do an M10 upgrade program, turning your M10 into one of two versions of the M10-P, either aesthetic only, or fully functional with improvements over base model. Maybe, in time to come, I might have the option to get my M11 black-painted. Now that would be a more meaningful upgrade for me, what do you think? 🙂
Good morning!
My inner child makes me want this. Glossy M´s are just eye candy. On the other hand I don’t understand why it didn’t get the bigger internal storage of the M-D and M-P versions. Unfortunately it is as Mike said a prettified version of the silver M11. Bummer.
Cheers,
Andy
Have you noticed that you never get everything you want in ONE M digital? There’s the prettier appearance, the top=plate engraving, the tougher screen, the larger storage, the contact credentials. But you can’t get one blockbuster M with everything. Instead, there is a bewildering choice of cameras, none of which gives you everything!
That, unfortunately, holds good for all too many cameras. The most recent example in my hands being the rather less exotic D-L8 versus my old D-L7. Whenever my wife bought a new car, I always found that the radio/stereo/CD player/whatever, had this extra but couldn’t do that on the old one. In fact, I think this applies widely across “tech”.
I have been excited about this announcement but I realise the brass plates are going to bring the weight back to 640 grams or so. While not a concern for many, for me the lighter weight of the black body was the star attraction. So looks like this may not be for me in the end. [funny how different people have different needs. wants is a different story!]
I have a sneaking suspicion tho so camera could be a prettified version of the heavier silver-chrome M11 which may not have been a roaring success. I also prefer the lighter weight of the normal black version (or my M11-D). If I get brass-running sickness, I can fondle my 23-year-old MP.
I wonder Mike – it’s possible but it’s also possible that there were a bunch of M11 innards around and they thought that they would use the black paint to make them seem more attractive. Whatever, it is certainly a thing of beauty!
That’s another possibility, Jonathan. There must have been a reason for not using the M11-P technicals. One obvious one, of course, is that it would have killed off the M11-P. Who wouldn’t want a glossy black version at more or less the same price?