Leica Camera AG has always gone its own way, and its courageous decisions were doubted more than once. Success, however, proved the long-established company right. Even in 2012, when it decided to be the only manufacturer worldwide to launch a camera with a dedicated black-and-white sensor: the Leica M Monochrom. Today, in the eleventh year of the Monochrom success story and with a treasure of experience from almost 70 years of Leica rangefinder cameras, Leica Camera AG introduces the fourth camera generation with black-and-white sensor: the new Leica M11 Monochrom.

With its sensor completely geared to black-and-white photography, the Leica M11 Monochrom focuses like no other camera on the most basic of all photographic practices: the composition of pictures solely through light and shadow.

With the monochrome multi-resolution full-format sensor exclusively developed for the new M generation, the M11 Monochrom provides extraordinary black-and-white images. Raw files in the DNG format or JPEGs with a resolution of either 60, 36 or 18 megapixels can be created. In combination with the enormous ISO range of 125 to 200,000, the camera grants an extreme creative freedom when taking pictures. As a result, you get images with an unprecedented rendition of even the finest details, an exceptionally natural-looking definition even in difficult light conditions and an extremely low noise even in the high ISO range.

The 256 GB internal memory and the convenient connectivity to the Leica FOTOS app ensure an optimal mobile workflow. Via Bluetooth or the USB-C port, pictures can be quickly and easily transferred to the app and processed further from there. In addition, the camera can be directly controlled with the app and photos can be immediately assessed at the smartphone or tablet thanks to tethered preview. Moreover, the Leica M11 Monochrom is a certified Apple “Made for iPhone and iPad” accessory and thus offers unique options with the included Leica FOTOS cable.

With an all-metal body and a top plate made of high-quality aluminium, with a sapphire glass display, solid leather covering as well as black, scratch-resistant paint finish, the M11 Monochrom presents itself in a timeless and unobtrusive M design. Details such as the deliberate omission of the Leica logo and the dark chrome-plated coating of the optical viewfinder underline the reduced, iconic design of the new addition to the legendary Leica M family.

Thanks to the build quality typical of Leica, the new Leica M11 Monochrom combines all the requirements of a premium camera “Made in Germany”.

The Leica M11 Monochrom will be available globally at all Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store and authorized dealers starting now. The recommended retail price will be €9,450.00 including VAT.

The long-established company Leica Camera AG revolutionised the world of photography more than once. One of these sensations was the introduction of the Leica M series in 1954, which has been making history with M cameras and lenses up to the present day. One of these legendary M lenses has now been consequently refined and presents itself with the latest high-end technology while keeping its compact and lightweight design: the Leica Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH. – for even more flexibility and freedom when taking pictures.

With its standard focal length of 50 mm, the new Summilux-M is suited for almost every photographic situation. Like all M lenses, it is characterised by an unmistakably high image quality. The new Summilux-M exploits the full performance potential of new camera sensors and offers exceptionally high-contrast and detailed results even in difficult light conditions. Moreover, 11 instead of 9 aperture blades ensure a visibly rounder bokeh.

The closest focusing distance has also been extended, from 70 cm to 45 cm. This was only made possible by the double cam gear specially developed by Leica engineers. As a consequence, the rotation angle of the distance ring could be greatly expanded compared to the previous model so that focusing has become even more precise over the entire setting range. At the same time, neither the frame size nor the sensitivity of the focus has been changed, which makes the lens particularly comfortable to handle even when focusing in the extended close-up range. Up to 70 centimetres, focusing is done, as usual, via the range finder of the digital and analogue M cameras. For focusing in the extended close-up range between 70 and 45 centimetres, it is necessary to use Live View on the screen, the Visoflex or the Leica FOTOS app after a discreetly perceptible resistance.

Just like the 35 mm model from the high-speed Summilux-M series, the Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH. has now been refined technically and optically. The lens hood also shows a round design with a focal length of 50 mm. Directly integrated in the lens, it can be screwed in or unscrewed at any time with only a flick of the wrist. Just like the previous model, the new Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH. is available in the silver or black anodised version.

The focal length classic is suited for all current and for all future M cameras. In combination with the M-Adapter L, the Summilux-M also enables photographing and filming with the Leica SL2 and the SL2-S. This is system compatibility “Made by Leica”.

The Leica Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH. will be available globally at Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store and authorized dealers starting now. The retail price of the M lens will be €4,550.00 including VAT for the black version and € 4,750.00 including VAT for the silver version.