Leica M11-D: A Digital Camera for Analogue Hearts

Leica M11-D with Summicron-M 28/2 ASPH lens and Rock & Roll 'Black Mamba' strap

With the resurgence of analogue photography, many photographers, both new and experienced, are reconnecting with the craft's roots - and Leica’s M-D line has tapped into this movement like no other. This article isn’t focused on the technical performance of the M11-D —it’s similar to the M11 and M11-P. Instead, I want to explore what the M-D concept represents and how it creates a unique shooting experience.

The M-D concept is all about recapturing the analogue spirit by imposing limitations. Without an LCD, playback, or digital menus, the camera forces you to be more mindful. It’s not for everyone, but for photographers who seek the discipline, it offers a more focused shooting experience.

REVIEW: Leica SL3 - My third Leica SL in a decade (part 2)

Resolution - Historical Relevance

Back in 1913/1914, when the Ur-Leica was conceived, Oskar Barnack and Ernst Leitz II relied heavily on the company’s optical expertise to realize the revolutionary concept of "small negative-large print." Max Berek, a visionary optical engineer, was tasked with creating high-resolution optics for both the camera lenses and the new enlargers. These enlargers were essential to turn small negatives into large prints while maintaining the exceptional quality synonymous with the Leica name. Berek's pioneering work in developing these advanced optical systems was crucial in establishing Leica's reputation for excellence in photography and optical engineering.

REVIEW: Leica SL3 - My third Leica SL in a decade →

From the original SL to the SL2-S, and now the SL3, my journey with the Leica SL System has been remarkable. When I transitioned from a complete professional Nikon system with the Leica M240 to the Leica SL in 2015, I was apprehensive. In my video "5 Years, 1 Camera," I detailed my initial journey with the SL over 5 years of professional use without any issues. Since then, the SL2-S has become my primary tool, being equally as reliable, and offering significant upgrades over the SL, even though I never felt a pressing need for more.

The SL wasn't perfect, but it was so well-suited to my needs that upgrading didn't seem necessary; and the SL2-S, with its subtle yet impactful enhancements and improved 24MP sensor, was more than adequate for most of us. I was proud to make a video for Leica 'A visual Symphony’, showcasing the photo and video performance of the (pre-production) SL2-S, and I'm incredibly proud to have been part of the evolution of these cameras.

BMW Experience with the new Leica SL3 Camera

Last month, I had the pleasure of being invited, along with three esteemed Leica SL3 ambassadors: Robin Lowe, Marcus Bell, and Alex Drewniak, to visit BMW's Museum and BMW Welt (World) in Munich. It was truly a unique opportunity to learn about BMW's rich heritage and gain insights into the brand's past and current direction.

Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH Lens Review

You probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but here goes!

The new Leica Summicron-SL 50/2 ASPH is almost as amazing as its ‘APO’ brother and ‘my’ preference for the 50mm focal length in the SL lens line-up. I have used this new lens for several months on my Leica SL2-S and here is my non-technical perspective.

My fully produced video for Leica Camera

Last year I was excited to be asked by Leica to try out the new SL2-S before it’s launch, and to make a video showcasing it’s abilities. Usually most Leica videos are behind the scenes style videos that depict the photographer doing his/her thing, along with a voice over, with a video team is assigned to shoot and produce it.

Being ‘me’, I decided to do things differently. I wanted to direct and produce the video based around ‘storytelling’ and decided to use an aspiring dancer to be the inspiration. My goal was to tell the story of a an amateur dancer struggling to complete her moves effectively. After many falls, she is transported to a forest, where she is free to let go and find her inner strength to be free and enjoy the moment. Once she completes her final jump, we find that she was never in a forest, but in the studio the whole time.

The setting was great as it allowed me to focus on exploiting the camera’s capabilities in high speed shooting and high ISO performance, while telling the story in a cinematic fashion.

The shoot was conducted in between pandemic lockdowns in 2 half days of shooting, which was very short, using pre-production firmware and without a production team. Overall I’m very pleased with the results from the SL2-S and hope you enjoy the video.

5 YEARS 1 CAMERA | A Photographer's Story

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I'm often asked why I've kept the same camera for 5 years and I'm happy to answer it here in this story. This video...

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I’m often asked why I’ve kept the same camera for 5 years and I’m happy to answer it here in this story. This video was not made in conjunction with any brands, but features brands that I use and support. All images were shot using the original Leica SL from 2015, and have very little post-processing to provide a clear and accurate representation of the natural settings I work in. All images shot in manual exposure, including ISO.

Original Review found here

Leica Q2 Professional Evaluation

**Picture captured on the Leica SL with 24-90mm SL lens**

The Leica Q2 is at least double the camera it was. No joke.

I remember writing the Leica Q review with much positivity and enthusiasm, as I felt it was an amazing camera for the (mostly male) traveller and street photographer. Well a lot has changed since then. The Leica Q has taken on a massive cult following and has certainly taken attention away from the legendary M line. But what does this all mean for the legendary Leica M, and the brand overall? Read on to find out my thoughts.

Leica Q (TYP 116) Australia Edition - the 'Marlow'

Today Leica Camera announced Leica Australia's first camera, the LEICA Q (TYP 116) AUSTRALIA EDITION, which I am unofficially nicknaming "The 'Marlow'", after renowned Australian Street and Documentary Photographers and In-Public member Jesse Marlow, who is the product ambassador for the Leica Q Camera.

Leica Noctilux-M 75/1.25 Field Test and Review

For those of you that read my article called ‘Clash of the Titans’ which was featured on Steve Huff’s website, you know that the Noctilux and fast lenses in general spark a lot of interest from all kinds of photographers; not only for their abilities to provide faster shooting speeds in low light conditions, but more so for their unique rendering and signatures of the way they capture light and draw out of focus areas.

The Noctilux-M is quite possibly Leica’s biggest celebrated lens, and is the star-child of the company’s lens design history. Historically, it has always been a 50mm lens, starting with the 50mm f/1.2 in 1966, then the different variants made with an f/1 aperture in 1976, and then the current model pushed to an incredible f/0.95 in 2008. Fast forward almost 10 years and we are blessed with Leica’s latest marvel, in a 75mm focal length, and technically their slowest speed Noctilux to date.