I rediscovered my old love while writing an article for Macfilos and my blog, about using M lenses on my Panasonic S5 IIx. My old love? Rangefinder cameras.
For the article, I borrowed some Leica cameras and lenses, graciously loaned to me from Camera West. This allowed me to make the needed comparisons with the Leica SL2-S.
At the last minute, I decided I should ask Camera West to also borrow an M11, so I would have a reference standard. After all, the M-mount lenses are designed specifically for Leica’s rangefinder M-cameras. I went on location multiple times, doing both photography for enjoyment and meticulous testing.
Practicality or joy?
The more I used the M11, the more I realised I really missed having a rangefinder camera. I was weened on rangefinders and, like it or not, it’s part of my photography DNA.
I started my full-time photography career in 1985. As a freelance assistant at that point, I had the good fortune of working with some of the best photographers of that era. Besides fantastic photography experience and learning different approaches from top pros, I also absorbed two important lessons for my new career.
First, I loved the travel and excitement of going on location for shoots. I could learn about the world through photography. Though mildly interesting, I didn’t care as much for studio photography. It was challenging in its own way, but being in a different place for every shoot and having to think on my feet was much more exciting.
Second, without the overhead of a studio, I could get my business going with my slim budget. I didn’t want to be indebted to a bank for years, paying off business loans. My only loans were temporary ones using credit cards when I needed them. I analysed each equipment purchase carefully for its return on investment (ROI). From that standpoint, Leica was not an option.
Good business habits die hard
The ROI analysis of buying gear became a decades-long habit. Such long-term habits are hard to break. But I finally broke it in an unexpected way. I followed my instinct and heart.
As I get older, I have less and less tolerance for schlepping lots of gear. Now, more than ever, I love compact and lightweight cameras and lenses. I rediscovered how much I love rangefinder cameras, and how an M-camera kit can be very compact.
I had not owned a rangefinder for several years, my last one being an M240 I picked up, used. Unfortunately, I never connected with the M240. But after using the M11… Wow!
Although I set out to find out which of those beautiful compact rangefinder lenses would work well on my Lumix S5IIx, I had a ton of fun using them on their intended body, the M11.
So I bought one. Yes, I had to let go of thinking just in terms of business and recognize a different return on my investment: the pure enjoyment of owning and using an M11.
All photographs in this article were taken by Joel Wolfson
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May I ask, what is it the M11 offers that garnered a connection where the M240 failed?
Hi Josh,
Excellent question. I think it was a matter of timing and first impressions. Before buying the M240, I had never really used one and it had been years since my previous M camera, which was an M8 and before that an M4-P. So my first impression was: thick and heavy. As a full time pro, my thought at the time was that I could at least do some of my work with it. I was quite busy and perhaps didn’t give it enough time but it slowed me down work-wise. Not insignificantly, the single card slot made me nervous, with no backup should a card fail. After letting it go, I just waited.
Fast forward to my first impression of the M11: compact, light, and solid. Of course with the advances in tech it also ticks a lot of the boxes for shooting professionally. With continued use it just got better and more enjoyable.
There are several other factors but that’s the short (ish) version.
What I enjoyed most about your article was the wide range of types of photography you covered — portrait to B&W, to sport, landscape, street and wildlife. Many, many I’d have said just could not be done with a RF. And what photos they are; the pelicans in flight was just amazing.
I suspect a portion of that was the M11 and Summilux. I don’t thing I’d even try with my M240…
Hi Kathy,
Thanks so much for your kind words. I also appreciate you noticed some of my images I captured with the M11 are those that don’t always come to mind with a rangefinder. I used a variety of lenses, both Leica and Voigtlander. Those are noted in the captions except the “hippies” for which I used a 50 lux. I would say give it all a try with your M240! I’m always learning and trying to improve my use of a rangefinder. I suspect that all my years shooting film on fully manual cameras (including manual focus lenses), whether rangefinder or SLR, has helped me with MF lenses in an age of AI and auto everything.
Hi, I enjoyed reading your photographic journey. Leica rangefinders provide an unique wonderful experience.
What is even more wonderful is the electronic viewfinder Leica M11-V is coming soon! I have wanted one of these for years but it is too late for me unfortunately
I do not know how this happened. I think I am losing it…
Hi, I enjoyed reading your photographic journey. Leica rangefinders provide an unique wonderful experience.
What is even more wonderful is the electronic viewfinder Leica M11-V is coming soon! I have wanted one of these for years but it is too late for me unfortunately
Hi Brian,
So glad you enjoyed hearing about my journey. I am curious to see the M11-V. I love the rangefinder viewing experience (obviously) but I have a Q3 and very much enjoy using it also. I would just like to see Leica provide a firmware update for true digital zoom viewing as an option, is addtions to frame lines. It will be interesting to see if they put it in the M11-V.
Cheers,
Joel
The built in EVF M11-V will have digital zoom, evf with 5.76 and diopter compensation, focus aids! What more can anyone want in an M. It would have been my dream camera!
I must have missed that when reading about it. Leica calls the framlines in the Q3 “digital zoom” and the images are indeed magnified via cropping to match the framlines. But you can’t view the effect until after you shoot it, in playback. It’s maddening there is no other option on the Q3.
On my Fuji cameras I just have a button set to “zoom” in when I need it. It is less important on an ILC of course but still super handy if you don’t want to change lenses. And especially so with a high MP sensor.
On my M11 I can approximate the in-built 1.3X and 1.8X with my 50 using the 75 and 90 framelines. And someting similar with a 28mm using 35 and 50 framlines but holding the lever in the right place is a little more fiddly.
Fingers crossed that Leica will provide an option for actual zoomed in view in the EVF on the M11-V.
Hi Brian.. why do you say it is late and you are losing it?
Hi, It is too late for me as I am down sizing to a single camera which will be a fixed lens medium format camera. I have injuries from a distracted driver car accident that prevent me from enjoying a camera system.
As for losing it, somehow my comment got repeated but maybe that was to emphasize my comment.😀
Hi Brian, I feel your pain. I have some chronic neck and shoulder issue as well, so can’t enjoy carrying a heavy camera and lens gear myself. I am waiting for M11-V to see how that turns out. If not, it is going to be the 500 grams marvel RX1R iii. The EVF could’ve been better for me and but is good enough, as I have tried.
I used to have RX1R and quite enjoyed rendering of that lens and the small package.
Hi Brian,
I didn’t see your response to Mahesh until after I posted my reply about the M11-V. Now I understand why you said it was too late. I’m sorry to hear it’s due to injuries. A medium format fixed lens camera sounds like a nice solution. Whatever camera you choose, wishing you maximum enjoyment.
Hi There Joel
Nice pictures – and a great epiphany! Whilst I spend a lot of time testing lots of different Leicas, in the end I always go back to my M camera and the M11 is such a fine camera as well – lovely to use with gorgeous files.
All the best
Jono
Hi Jono!
Thank you. I was a little nervous when I bought the M11. I reassured myself that I had a little time to change my mind and return it. Though you may not realize it, through our email discussions while writing the M lens article, you reinforced my decision to keep it 🙂 So thanks for that. I agree the M11 is a fine camera and I love it!
Cheers,
Joel
Hi Jono, I echo your point that the M11 has gorgeous files! The rendering reminded me of my lovely M9 files.
I peaked into your camera bag a couple of nights ago and cannot wait to see your brilliant review. You are one of a small handful of reviewers such as Sean Reid that I highly respect.