Leica M11 Monochrom Black

Every detail matters: How the monochrome sensor redefines the intensity and depth of black and white images

Leica’s Monochrom variants are distinguished by their exceedingly sharp and detail-rich renditions, with the new M11 Monochrom in pole position. In terms of capability, a purely black and white camera is inherently superior. All image sensors – even those that will generate a colour image – merely record luminance information. In a standard camera, a red, green and blue filter array is placed in front of the sensor to facilitate the interpolation of colours. In dedicated black and white cameras, this light-absorbing overlay has been omitted – enabling a sharper rendition of even the finest details, and increasing the sensitivity range by around one f-stop. As a result, the black and white sensors in Leica’s Monochrom models not only capture pristine, unadulterated black and white images, but also offer a greater dynamic range and better signal-to-noise ratio than their colour-rendering counterparts.

Focused on the essential

Even today, black and white photography remains a highly regarded artistic medium. A masterpiece of craftsmanship, the Leica M11 Monochrom is the perfect instrument for achieving your artistic potential to the full. You’ll be able to shoot black-and-white images that depict the finest details with outstandingly natural sharpness. This is ensured by the BSI CMOS sensor which has been specially developed for the Leica M11 generation – without colour filters and with extremely high sensitivity. It also gives you the freedom to choose between 60, 36 and 18 megapixel resolution at any time, as a RAW file in DNG format or as a JPEG. And every shot will have that unmistakable M11 Monochrom character – and your own personal signature.

A complete world of light and shadow

While the history of the Leica M Monochrom casts long shadows, the Leica M11 Monochrom brings details to light like no camera before. Its BSI CMOS sensor is a true declaration of love for black and white photography. Thanks to the Triple Resolution Technology with a resolution of up to 60 MP, double-layer absorption filter glass and the deliberate omission of colour filters, it raises black-and-white image quality to an unprecedented level.

The M11 Monochrome reveals new dimensions in the interplay of light and shadow for incomparable images. Even in difficult lighting conditions, you can attain a breath-taking dynamic range and unprecedented level of fine detail. This is made possible by the extreme ISO range from 125 to 200,000 – so even with high sensitivity, you can take pictures with extremely low image noise.

Iconic. Uncompromising. Minimalist.

Like all M cameras, the M11 Monochrom has a timeless aesthetic and extremely discreet design. Its minimalist design philosophy aims to attract as little attention as possible when shooting, for instance, the deliberate omission of the red Leica logo and the dark chrome coating of the optical viewfinder. This allows you to blend in inconspicuously into the action, enabling it to capture authentic images that are anything but inconspicuous.

Legendary Leica quality

The Leica M11 Monochrom fits perfectly in your hand. Not too heavy, yet not too light. The camera is manufactured with the highest quality standards, such as its all-metal body and top plate made of high-quality aluminium, the sapphire glass display and the solid leather finish. Attributes such as durability, robustness and reliability are not just words, but something you can really see and feel in the Leica M11 Monochrom.

High-quality materials, precisely manufactured by hand in the Leica factory, combine to create a camera that is second to none. A camera of legendary quality “Made in Germany“.

Optimal workflow – even on the go

With 256 GB of internal memory and convenient connectivity to the Leica FOTOS app, the Leica M11 Monochrom offers an optimal mobile workflow. Images can be quickly transferred to the app and further processed via Bluetooth or USB-C connection. In addition, the camera can be controlled via app and the photos assessed directly on your mobile device with a tethered preview. As a certified Apple “Made for iPhone® and iPad®” accessory, the Leica M11 Monochrom opens up unique possibilities in conjunction with the included Leica FOTOS cable.

Perfect interaction

A camera can only perform up to the limits of its lens. That’s why, for over 150 years, we’ve been developing and manufacturing extraordinarily high-performance lenses that do justice to the M11 Monochrom and its high-resolution image sensor. As a result, the camera and each legendary M lens interact as one to produce images of unprecedented quality.