Leica M11 Review: What Works, What Doesn't

The Leica M series has always been about the experience of the moment, and after living with the M11 for over 200 days, I’ve found that while it isn't perfect, it’s closer to refined than anything I’ve held before. It’s a camera that asks you to trust it, and for the most part, it rewards that trust with some of the most stunning files I’ve ever seen. Join us for the Bay Area Workshop in just a few months! http://dave.online/bay-area-workshop Shop Very Good Presets, LUTS, workshops, and gear: https://shopverygood.com/ Join the Very Good Discord:   / discord   Visit me at https://dave.online/ Instagram:   / daveherring   Foto: https://the.fotoapp.co/dave Join the Patreon:   / daveherring   My camera strap: https://shopverygood.com/gear Another great strap: (Use HERRING for 10% off): https://cleversupply.co?ref=9q5OV MY CAMERA KIT: Leica M11P Safari: https://bhpho.to/4nqXyAa Leica M6: https://geni.us/H4NZTa Leica Q3M: https://bhpho.to/400rYjr Leica 28mm Summicron: https://geni.us/YAair Leica 35mm Summilux: https://geni.us/2xhIfkB Leica 50mm Summilux: https://geni.us/VtYro Leica 90mm Summarit: https://geni.us/sijs Hasselblad X2Dii: https://bhpho.to/3O02sZ3 Cover Your RED DOT: https://geni.us/reddotcover/ MY YOUTUBE STUDIO: Harlowe Lights (use the code DAVE10) https://www.hobolite.com/discount/Dave10 Sony A7SIII: https://geni.us/2ppkK Sony 16-35GM: https://geni.us/f5LTb Studio mic: https://bhpho.to/49WxBlj My printer: https://geni.us/BbUcVOj Protect your gear: https://www.ppa.com/join/member-2-member I use Squarespace with a lot of custom coding for my website. Check out Squarespace here: https://squarespace.syuh.net/c/513183... Need additional footage? https://artlist.io/referral/6264182/Dave 00:00 222 Days with the Leica M11 00:37 Addressing the Firmware and Freezing Issues 01:43 The Game-Changing Battery Life 03:09 Trusting the Modern Multimeter 04:05 61MP Files and the Power of Cropping 05:54 Refining the Leica Experience 06:48 Bay Area Photography Workshop Announcement 07:49 The Magenta Shift in Modern Sensors 08:46 Viewfinder Oddities and Red Lines 09:43 Processor Speed and "Please Wait" Delays 11:06 Final Verdict: A 10/10 Camera? A deep dive review of the Leica M11 after 200+ days of professional use in the Bay Area, covering the top 5 features that make it a masterpiece and 3 critical flaws. We explore the massive 61MP triple-resolution sensor's dynamic range and the practical benefits of high-resolution cropping for commercial photography. This review addresses long-standing concerns regarding M11 firmware stability and freezing, while highlighting the incredible battery life performance during high-speed shoots like the Venice Beach skate park. Learn about the shift toward magenta skin tones in modern Leica sensors, the new multimeter accuracy, and why the internal processor occasionally struggles with high-speed playback. Whether you're upgrading from the Leica M10-R or considering your first digital rangefinder, this video breaks down the real-world ergonomics and "Please Wait" processing delays. Join Dave Herring as he evaluates if the M11 is truly the "perfected" Leica experience or if the quirks are dealbreakers for your workflow. DISCLAIMER: Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning that if you click it and buy the service or product, they give me a small commission for sending you. This is a small way I support this channel, and making videos like this one.