Leica debuts Leica M11 Monochrom, Leica Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH

Leica Camera launched the Leica M11 Monochrom, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to exceptional black-and-white photography. The USD $9,195 camera features a dedicated monochrome multi-resolution full-frame BSI sensor and no LCD screen for previewing images.

The Leica M11 Monochrom has an all-metal body, high-quality aluminum top plate, sapphire glass display, leatherette covering, and scratch-resistant black finish.

The technical advancements of the Leica M11 Monochrom deliver raw files in the DNG format or JPEGs with a resolution of either 60, 36 or 18 megapixels with an expanded ISO range of 125 to 200,000. Additionally, the internal memory has been extended to 256 GB. This expansion not only increases the total number of images that can be recorded in combination with the photographer’s own memory cards, but also provides backup opportunities with larger memory card sizes. Via Bluetooth or the USB-C port, pictures can be quickly and easily transferred to the Leica FOTOS app and processed further from there.

The Leica M11 Monochrom, is priced at USD $9,195 and is available now at all Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store, and authorized dealers worldwide.

Leica also debuted the Leica Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH. The lens features 11 aperture blades instead of 9 blades to produce a rounder bokeh. The cl0sest focusing distance was extended from 70 cm to 45 cm. Directly integrated into the lens, the new round lens hood can be accessed at any time with a flick of the wrist.

The retail price of the M lens is $4,495 for the black version and $4,795 for the silver version.

In other Leica news, the company has partnered with Walt Disney Co. to commemorate a century of partnership between the two. Disney has been creating sophisticated cartoon storyboards using Leica (then called Leitz) cameras and projectors since the very early days of animation. To mark the anniversary of the film studios, Disney and Leica are now special limited-edition Leica Q2 | Disney “100 Years of Wonder”.

Disney dramatically changed the techniques of animated filmmaking thanks to the innovative Leica instruments of the time – and did so with such lasting effect that the term “Leica Reel” was coined during this period. “Leica Reels” are made from animated stills run on 35mm film projections. In this advanced process, the preliminary artwork is aligned with a soundtrack using combined techniques to get a very precise sense of the pace of a sequence.

The design applied to the special edition of the Leica Q2 camera dates back to a model sheet created in 1937 by one of Walt Disney Studio’s noted animators, Don Towsley. In addition, a Mickey Mouse print adorns the camera’s top plate. The special edition also includes a protective dust bag with matching original Disney graphics and a special rope strap.

The special edition is limited to 500 sets worldwide and will be available globally at Leica Stores, Boutiques and the Leica Online Store starting on April 27, 2023. The retail price will be $5,995.