Leica M11 Monochrom as my 1st digital Leica model

My 1st digital Leica

Why I selected Leica M11 Monochrom?

Has used Leica M3 since 2011. Then in Apr 2023, I went to Leica Store Kyoto and got the 1st digital Leica model for me, Leica M11 Monochrom. For the last several years, considered a lot which digital model should be my 1st one.M11 and M10-R were also serious candidate…

Finally decided to select M11 Monochrom. Why? Because;

  • I like monochrome photography, both digital and analogue.
  • Unique concept ( No color filter )
  • Want to try lambda print on the traditional baryta fiber based printing paper.

Leica is no longer only one camera maker who produce digital camera without color filter. Now Ricoh also start to release the new monochrome digital camera, PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome. But I personally doesn’t have any interest on the new model of Ricoh. Because I’m quite stranger on PENTEX series. Then I still eager to continuing Photo journey with Leica analogue model and digital model mainly focusing on monochrome image.

Opening ceremony of Leica M11 Monochrom package
The dream camera come to my home

Enjoy with M11 Monochrom & M3 each other

I highly respect Leica still sell Digital and Analogue M mount camera and lens. The M mount has the long lasting history, since 1950’s. Especially I’ ve being used Summilux 35mm and 50mm, both Pre-ASPH with the traditional film camera, Leica M3. My traditional M3 model made in 1966 and the brand new M11 Monochrom born in 2023 have the common M mount. Put such traditional Leica lens on the brand new cutting edge Leica digital model. Then how the image is different?

Vise versa…..I’m still waiting the arrival of LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M f2/35mm ASPH. I ordered this lens in Feb 2022. I don’t know when the lens will reach me. Anyway, if the modern lens come to me, at first, I would like to put it on Leica M3 with ILFORD Delta 400 Pro., which is my long lasting usage film. After I got the image with wet processing, finally my M11 Monochrom will get it. Then how the image is different from that by M3…

Yeah. such ways are quite my big interest and fun. Looking forward to seeing the such variety of photo image from the traditional & modern Leica M series, focusing on monochrome image.

Leica M3 with Summilux 35mm f1.4 PreASPH
My Leica M3 with Summilux 35mm f1.4 PreASPH

Camera case

Lieca M series has slim body. I found out the unique camera case of which bottom plate has the shape of ARCA SWISS adaptable. Therefore if the platform of tripod is also ARCA SWISS adaptable, yes, it is quite convenient. In my case I would like to use M11 Monochrom for longer exposure nature photo shooting in addition to street photo shooting. For such shooting scene, the camera case with Arca Swiss shape must be nice.

My Leica M11 monochrom 
My Leica M11 monochrom
with Arca Swiss adaptable camera case 

Visoflex 2

For street photo, I think I don’t use a lot the Visoflex 2. Mainly must be nature photo in my case. But some unique way I might found out. It is also one of interest.

Leica M11 Monochrom with Visoflex 2
Leica M11 Monochrom with Visoflex 2

Lambda print

To get the printing image from Leica M11 Monochrome, I will use EPSON SC-PX1V at my home. On the other hand, I’m quite curious on the lambda print. If I create the photo on the traditional baryta printing paper of which original image come from CMOS sensor of Leica M11 Monochrom. I must ask the lambda print to some professional laboratory thought, I would like to try the unique printing approach in near future too.

Where with Leica M11 Monochrom?

Kyoto

In next month, my living place, Kyoto has Japan’s largest scale traditional summer festival, Gion Matsuri ( Gion festival ). The festival has quite long run. Every year, from July 1st to 31st. This quite large event is my 1st target with M11 Monochrom.

祇園祭2022 前祭 山鉾巡行 辻回し

Another interest is a lot of narrow streets in Kyoto. Hope come across the unique “Light & Shadow” there in my daily life in Kyoto city area.

Has used analogue Leica M3 since 2011. Now I got my 1st digital Leica. It's Leica M11 Monochrom.
On the street in Kyoto

. Another one more should be suburb and Northern side of Kyoto. I also like the nature scene in the mountain and sea area of Kyoto.

森の京都で出会った雲海
Early morning near Fukuchiyama city, Kyoto
うみの京都 サムネイル
Northern sea area in Kyoto

Hokuriku

My native place, Kanazawa. The lovely traditional city is also nice shooting spots. Then recently I have the frequent business trip into Nagahama, Fukui and Toyama along JR Hokuriku line and Hokuriku Bullet Train route. I have a lot memories in there area. Surely would like to take a lot of pictures with the new Leica model.

金沢 ひがし茶屋街
Higashi Cyayagai in Kanazawa city
白山国立公園からの帰り道で fukui 福井
New Hakusan National Park in Fukui Prefecture

Others

Nara, Osaka, Onomichi, Tokyo, if possible Kyushu, Hokkaido too

Enjoy photography

As reported in the last article, I also just got the dream enlarger, Focomat IIc in Apr 2023 too. I’ve never imagined such wonderful digital and analogue tool of Leica and Leitz come to my home in same April.

Continue the interesting photo journey until now and from now.

Leica Store Kyoto and Leica Gallery Kyoto
Leica Store Kyoto