With the launch of the new M11-D rangefinder, Leica has done something radical. By eliminating the back LCD screen, they designed a camera that forces a photographer to focus on the shot and compose his or her image strictly through the viewfinder.
The M11-D isn’t the first in this storied Leica series. The M lineup of premium rangefinders actually dates back to 1954, and the original M11 digital rangefinder debuted in 2022. The M11 introduced some groundbreaking technology, much of which the new M11-D inherits, but the latter seems crafted not only to take this model forward but also backward, perfectly combining the digital shooting experience with an analogue one.
Other design elements appear to make the M11-D deliberately and decidedly inconspicuous, including its matte-black finish and the lack of a bright-red round Leica logo to draw attention to itself. Instead, this camera has the Leica name elegantly engraved onto the top plate.
And in lieu of the LCD screen, the back of the camera sports a handy ISO dial. Leica claims that the absence of a back display also contributes to the M11-D’s overall durability – one less feature to fuss with and worry about. And not only that. This conscious omission also prevents a shooter from succumbing to the temptation to constantly chimp, concentrating instead on what’s in front of the lens.
Among the many cutting-edge features carried over from the first M11, the Triple Resolution CMOS BSI sensor is probably one of the best: it gives you the choice of shooting at 60MP, 36MP or 18MP resolutions, each making use of the entire full-frame sensor. You’ve also got 256GB of internal memory to store your images and the ability to accommodate UHS-II SD cards up to 2TB, plus seamless Bluetooth and direct USB-C cable connectivity.
To access the menu and adjust settings, in case you’re wondering, you have to use the Leica Fotos app on a smartphone. Despite all of its retro analogue appeal, the Leica M11-D is a truly modern digital camera that remains clearly focused on the present.
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