Rediscovering the Soul of Photography: First Impressions of the Leica M11-D
When I first picked up the Leica M11-D, it felt like stepping back into the golden age of photography while still having one foot firmly planted in the modern era. The lack of a rear LCD screen instantly caught my attention—it’s almost daring in today’s world of instant previews. At first, I felt a little uneasy, like I was missing a vital tool, but as I started shooting, that nervousness melted away. Instead of constantly checking the back of the camera, I found myself more immersed in framing and connecting with my subjects. It reminded me of the first time I used a film camera—there’s a certain romance to trusting the moment and the mechanics of your craft.
The camera itself feels like a work of art. The matte black finish, with no flashy red Leica dot, is understated elegance at its best. It’s like carrying around a well-crafted secret. The design choices are clearly intentional; the mechanical ISO dial on the back where the screen would normally be is a nod to analog tradition. It feels intuitive, satisfying even, to turn the dial and hear that slight click. Everything about the build is solid, yet it’s surprisingly light. I could carry this all day and not feel weighed down—a pleasant surprise for a Leica.
Then there’s the image quality. It’s hard to believe a camera this compact packs such a powerful 60.3-megapixel sensor. The ability to switch between 60, 36, or 18 megapixels is fantastic—I experimented with all three and found that each serves a unique purpose. Even in low light, the M11-D is a beast. The ISO range is huge, but I stuck to the lower end for rich details and a clean aesthetic. And with 256GB of internal memory, I didn’t have to think twice about how many RAW shots I was taking. It’s liberating not having to fumble with SD cards mid-shoot.
The connectivity features felt like a lifeline to modernity. I linked the camera to the Leica FOTOS app almost immediately—it was a seamless process, and being able to transfer images straight to my phone or control the camera remotely was a revelation. The USB-C charging is a game changer too. No proprietary cables to lose, and charging on the go is now easy. I appreciated the thoughtfulness of Leica’s Content Credentials integration as well. It’s a subtle but powerful statement in today’s world where authenticity matters, especially for professionals.
One thing that struck me was how much the M11-D pushes you to be deliberate. Without an EVF (unless you opt for the Visoflex 2), you’re back to the rangefinder view, which forces you to slow down and compose with care. I found it strangely meditative. Sure, there’s a learning curve, but after a few shots, it felt like second nature. And when I wanted a different perspective, the Visoflex 2 came through—it’s crisp, responsive, and adds versatility.
At nearly $10,000, the M11-D is undoubtedly a luxury, but it’s also a tool that fosters an appreciation for photography as an art form. For someone who values the process as much as the result, it’s more than worth it. After my first experience, I walked away feeling like I had rediscovered why I fell in love with photography in the first place. The M11-D doesn’t just take pictures—it creates an experience.