Leica Workshop Italy (Leica M10 vs Leica M11M)

In June a US based student invited me to Italy to run a multi-day private 1:1 Leica workshop for him while he was on vacation. I took my Leica M10 camera and my student lent me his Leica M11M Monochrom. This gave me the excuse to do a Leica M10 vs Leica M11M comparison and a video for YouTube. All that coming up plus more from the Italy trip!

Why the Leica M10 camera?

The Leica M10 camera is my current goto full frame digital camera for travel photography and street photography. It’s lighter than the Leica M240 and I love the fact that it’s black not silver.

For completeness, if I need something smaller I carry the compact APS-C Leica CL camera and for model photography photoshoots my preference is the Leica SL (for ease of focusing fast lenses/ visualisation of lens flare and many other factors).

First real hands-on test of the Leica M11M Monochrom

Although I have reviewed the Leica M11M Monochrom camera before (in the article linked below) this was my first real test of the camera over multiple days. Could I learn to love this camera?

Leica M11 vs M11M Monochrom Workshop

Reasons I love the Leica M11M Monochrom

In no particular order I love the following features of the Leica M11M Monochrom. Note, many features are common across all Leica M11 cameras.

• All-black stealthy look (and lack of red dot)(Same as M11-P)
• Quick access Leica SL style base plate (for battery and SD card)
• Lighter weight vs M10 (like the black M11/ M11-P)
• Improved battery life over the Leica M10 (All M11 models)
• USB-C charging option is just brilliant for peace of mind

Get more from a Leica Monochrom – Use colour filters

After meeting many of my Leica students I think one common oversight is not using colour filters on your Leica Monochrom camera. This is a big deal. With a RGB colour sensor camera such as my Leica M10 I can use the colour sliders in Lightroom to change the look of an images in post.

With a black and white sensor only Monochrom camera you need to change the shades of grey in camera using colour filters at the time you capture the image. It’s not possible to simply darken a blue sky in post without changing similar grey tones in the image.

Red and yellow filters for your Leica M11M

No matter what Leica Monochrom camera you use, M11M or otherwise, the first two colour filters I would buy would be a red (or orange) and a yellow. Red filters darken a blue sky and increase overall contrast. Yellow filters do the same to a much lesser degree. There are many other colours you can experiment with too, green, blue and so on but this is a great starting point.

Using the Leica M11M Monochrom camera instead of film?

In the YouTube video following this trip I mention that if analogue film ceased to exist tomorrow I would likely switch to a Leica Monochrom camera where I can use colour filters and feel like I’m shooting a proper analogue camera.

I really enjoyed the process of taking photos with the simple and stealthy Leica M11M and I can honestly say for the first day I shot almost no film. Am I converted?

Visiting Luigi Crescenzi’s house + Buying a vintage Leica II D

If you know anything about premium Leica camera cases you will know the term Luigi cases. Luigi is a Leica collector based in Italy and has made the popular leather Leica camera cases for all models for years.

My workshop student wanted to buy a new leather case for his Leica M11M so we visited Luigi’s house while in Rome. In addition to buying a beautiful case for my vintage 1931 Leica I Model C I also bought a converted 1930 Leica II Model D camera. I’ve covered this already in the 90 year old Leica cameras article below.

90yr Old Leica I Cameras, Why I Love

Modern Leica M11M vs vintage Leica II Model D?

Leica M11M vs vintage Leica iii? Of course this is a stupid and completely unfair comparison. How can a modern digital camera (even as nice as the Leica M11M) compete with the sheer joy and beauty of a vintage black paint Leica Barnack camera? The Leica II D instantly killed my desire to shoot the Leica M11M and the rest was history. (Luckily it was the end of the trip and I’d already done my Leica M11M testing!)

Why are vintage black paint Leica iii cameras so good?

Obviously this is all opinion based and good fun but if you want to know precisely why I love these vintage black paint cameras so much here are a few reasons –

• Smaller size (and lighter weight) (Closer to Leica CL)
• Small + black paint also means more stealthy for street
• Less of you face is covered making the camera less intimidating
• Sheer beauty – Black paint brasses leaving a beautiful patina
• Leica cameras in the 1930s were built to a more robust specs
• Film advance gearing and bearing just feel smoother to operate
• Cloth shutter is more dampened than later Leica iii cameras (& Ms)
• Using a piece of history is just ace I think! 90+ year old cameras
• Vintage Leica cameras are fully serviceable so no need to worry
• Buying vintage Leica cameras is a great investment too

Italy Leica workshop lens choice

I wanted to travel light in Italy and make use of some of the smallest most compact lenses for the Leica M system. I used two lenses across the Leica M10 and Leica M11M cameras for most of the photos you will see. One compact 35mm and one light and compact 50mm. Let’s cover lenses next.

Best 35mm Lens For Leica M mount in 2024?

When people ask me what is my favourite or best 35mm Leica M mount lens my choice is the Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 8-Element rigid lens in black. (The brassed black version is even nicer but I don’t have that sadly!)

Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 8-Element (Rigid vs Collapsible)

The rigid version of the lens has the modern focus tab, compact size, black finish to match black Leica cameras and the beautiful Leica Summicron 35mm f2 v1 rendering.

Note, there is also a collapsible Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 8-Element but I prefer the handling of the rigid version. See this video for both versions and vs. the Summicron.

Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f2 vs LLL 35mm f2 8 Element?

In the past I loved the Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f2 lens but the Light Lens Lab creates more pleasing images. Photo rendering from the LLL 8 Element is perhaps more similar to the Light Lens Lab 50mm f2 ELCAN replica which I also love.

Compact collapsible 50mm lenses for Leica cameras

If you like compact lenses and the 50mm focal length you have probably discovered the wonderful collapsible 50mm lenses for Leica cameras. Most of the collapsible 50mm lenses are vintage Leica lenses such as the Leica Summar, Leica Summitar and Leica Summicron lenses.

Thankfully for 2024 there is a new 50mm lens from Thypoch. The new Thypoch Eureka 50mm f2 lens is based on a vintage lens design and I was keen to try it. See more on collapsible 50mm lenses for Leica in this article).

Best Collapsible 50mm Lens for Leica

New! Thypoch Eureka 50mm f2 lens for Leica M

Before heading to Italy for the Leica workshop I received a pre-release final production copy of the brand new Thypoch Eureka 50mm f2 lens. This is now the lightest 50mm f2 lens I own and I love the styling (based on an old Taylor Hobson lens).

Check out this video to see how this new lens performs and compared to other popular 50mm lenses for Leica M.

Time to take some photos!

So with the cameras and lenses finalised it was time to take some photos. For day one and day two in Italy I used the M11M Monochrom for the most part. On day three I switched to the Leica M10 so I could capture some colour images with the new Thypoch Eureka 50mm f2 lens. Let me quick explain how the Italy trip came about.

First, the Leica workshop in Italy explained

Before we get to the photos, I’m sure some of you might wonder how this Leica workshop come about and what was I teaching exactly?

For most of my Leica workshops both in the UK (London) or overseas, photographers reach out to me via this blog to request a 1-2-1 workshop. Normally it goes something like this –

“Hey Matt, are you free on X date as I’m interested in taking one of your private 1:1 Leica workshops”.

Some photographers want me to include a model and practice portraiture and others simply want to master their Leica cameras. Read some of the MrLeica Leica workshop testimonials to hear how the students got on!

Workshop Prices (2024)

Mastering your Leica camera(s)

For my non-model photography workshops we focus on you mastering your Leica camera and ironing out any weaknesses or difficulties you may have. This can be digital Leica cameras such as the Leica M11 + Leica M11M in this example. It can also include Leica film cameras which can be a steeper learning curve if you’ve never shot film before.

For Italy, my US student had planned a summer trip to Europe and wanted to take photos with his Leica cameras. He knew me from previous workshops so already knew what to expect. He wanted me there with him to help him master his digital Leica cameras but more so to help him with his newly acquired Leica film camera(s).

Best Leica Film Camera Buyers Guide + Detailed Leica M Comparison

Leica consultation service

It was funny as in addition to the hands on help teaching my student how to get more from his Leica cameras (film and digital) I also ended up being in a consultant roll.

When we visiting Luigi to buy the Leica camera cases we also looked at some of Luigi’s old Leica cameras. As mentioned I bought my Leica II Model D but that was after me helping my student buy a few cameras for himself.

I guess it all comes with years of Leica experience but I just did little things like checking the camera rangefinder is accurate. Does the cloth shutter curtain look OK? Do the shutter speeds sound accurate etc and so on.

Normally my Leica consultations are remote sessions via Zoom when people book time with me to ask for help on a particular camera or lens (or lighting and other topics).

How much is a MrLeica Leica workshop?

If you are a new reader I have all the Leica workshop information here detailed out. For my London Leica workshops the prices are based on full day / half day etc. When it comes to teaching overseas private workshops I ask the student to cover my costs (flight, hotel and food) and pay me an agreed day rate. I love teaching and travel so as long as I get enough money to cover my time and effort while overseas it works great.

When is the next Leica workshop I can join?

You might ask when is the next Leica workshop and how can you book a session? As I’m a 1-man team running the YouTube channel, this blog, trying to finish writing my next eBook, doing model photoshoots, making Patreon content and if possible catching a little sleep! Most of my workshops are done on request. You contact me here and ask for a specific date to meet and we take it from there.

Currently around 80% of my Leica workshops are in London. This is usually overseas photographers flying into Europe on business (or for a vacation) and adding an extra day to their trip to meet me. Most fly directly into London, others get the Eurostar train from Paris to London. UK based photographers have it much easier of course and we just meet in central London.

Leica Workshop Testimonials

Don’t wait for me, get in touch!

As the requested Leica workshops keep me busy I rarely get a chance to advertise additional workshop dates in advance. As such, if you are interested in a Leica workshop (with or without a model, film or digital) don’t wait for me, just get in touch.

If you have a group of friends that all enjoy Leica cameras I can offer multi-person discounts for Leica workshops too but in a nutshell that’s how it all work. Let’s now get back to the Italy photos.

Leica M11M Monochrom photos from Italy

Almost all photos shared were taken with either the new Thypoch Eureka 50mm f2 lens (you might recognise them from that video!) or the Light Lens Lab 35mm f2 8 Element rigid lens. I shot the lenses either wide open or perhaps f5.6-f8 for increased performed in good light.

M11M photos edited with MrLeica Leica M11M preset

All Leica M11M Monochrom images were captured in RAW (DNG) and then I just add a MrLeica Leica M10M/Leica M11M preset in Lightroom. (Note* This is the same as my old Leica M10M preset but renamed now I know that they work great on the Leica M11M sensor too. This Leica M10M/M11M preset is also the same as my Leica Q2M preset and works well with all monochrome sensors).

Next the Leica M10 photos from Italy

OK so this was the interesting bit for me. Could I create similar photos to the Leica M11M using my Leica M10 camera (by adding a MrLeica Leica M10 B&W preset in Lightroom)?

If yes, I don’t see a need for a Leica Monochrom camera personally as I usually shoot in daylight. Also when a stunning model turns up at your door in a skintight red dress asking for photos you can say yes if you still own a colour sensor digital camera. (As I joked about in the Leica Q2M Monochrom video).

Leica M10 photos edited with MrLeica Leica M10 presets

As with the Leica M11M Monochrom images all Leica M10 photos were captured in RAW and edited with the MrLeica Leica M10 preset pack. The lenses used were those mentioned above.

Get that red filter look for your digital images

After really enjoying the use of a red filter on my lens with the Leica M11M I wanted to create a similar effect for my RGB sensor Leica M10 camera. I set to work to develop a red filter look MrLeica Lightroom preset to gives the same Matt Look yet with the added advantage of the red filter effect.

Leica B&W (Red Filter) Preset

Leica B&W red filter preset for Lightroom

This preset worked great for my Italy files so I’ve listed it in the presets section if you want to try it yourself. (I plan to use this with all my RGB sensor digital cameras and not only the Leica M10). Here are some sample images shot with the Leica M10 and edited with the MrLeica B&W red filter preset.

Conclusion – Leica M10 vs Leica M11M

So in conclusion, do I need to buy a Leica M11M camera? (Note, I don’t have that kind of money so this is purely hypothetical!). When comparing the Leica M10 vs Leica M11M files I was more than happy with the results from my Leica M10 camera. Once I’d added a MrLeica B&W preset to the Leica M10 DNG files they looked great. I wasn’t looking for anything more.

I’m sure any die hard Leica Monochrom owners reading this are shaking their head in disbelief. OK let me summarise why the Leica M11M trumps the Leica M10 to give a more balanced argument.

Best Bag For Leica Q, M, SL, CL

Leica M10 vs Leica M11M – Why a Leica Monochrom?

The Leica M11M firstly offers all the above mentioned benefits over the older Leica M10 camera. Better battery life, lighter weight, USB-C charging and not to mention the new 18/36/60MP sensor (compared to 24MP for the Leica M10).

In addition to the standard Leica M11 vs Leica M10 benefits the Leica M11M also offers the additional benefits –

• Improved low light performance if you enjoy shooting at night
• Increased effective mega pixels based on a standard Leica M11 60MP
• Improved tonality (some say more similar to medium format B&W film)
• The limitation of only having B&W so you focus on that
• Being able to use colour filters on a digital camera (loved that!)

If you use a Leica Monochrom camera to its strengths it is unmatched but for regular daytime photos having the option to also shoot colour is still a plus for me. If I win the lottery (I need to enter it first!) I would buy a Leica M11-P and not the M11M. That said it was great fun testing the camera so a big thanks to my awesome student. (I get to meet some really fascinating and inspiring characters thanks to my Leica workshops).

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Where is my next overseas Leica workshop?

My next Leica workshop will be an exciting one. I’m finally back to New York after not teaching there since 2015 + 2016. I think NYC must be one of the best cities on the planet for photography so I’ll be sure to do my best and feedback.

In the past I did Hasselblad Xpan photos in NYC and Hasselblad 501c photos in NYC so feel free to check those.

Recommended Gear List + Discount Codes

More Leica M10 camera videos

If you are new here, I upgraded from a Leica M240 to a Leica M10 and made several videos documenting my journey so far. Overall I’ve been happy with my choice and I love the smaller form factor of the Leica M10. Check out the Leica M10 videos below.

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