Fitness
Leica M11 Review: Is It Worth $9K?
If I tested the Leica M11 myself, it would have been a lost cause. Despite knowing Leica is the Porsche of camera-makers, what on Earth am I, an amateur, going to do with a $9K camera?
That’s why I got one in the hands of my brother, Sam Hurly, a professional photographer who specializes in cars and portraits. I knew he’d be the guy to tell me two things: What makes this Leica so great compared to past models? And why would a layperson like me spend that much dough on a camera in 2022?
Sam, who typically works with Canon bodies but often shoots film on a Leica M6, came out of his experience as a likely convert. Here’s what he had to say after a two-week test drive with the Leica M11.
What Makes the Leica M11 Stand Out?
First of all, this is no new price tag in terms of Leica models. Leica steadily releases a new M model every few years, like Apple with its iPads and iPhones. The new features outpace the past models, while always running in more or less the same price range.
“Next to the M10, the M11’s megapixel increase from 24 to 60 is extremely significant,” Hurly says. “Even compared to the later M10-R and M10 Monochrome at 40 megapixels, you get 33 percent larger native images from the M11. That’s a major statement. You could print a billboard with that kind of quality. What people will really appreciate is it allows you to crop an image however you like—and however small you need—while still getting the tiniest details in high definition.”
Here’s a shot Hurly took of his cat, Sox, with a crop in on the nose for proof of these details: Yeah, Sam needs to wash his window, but you can see the individual hairs, and the tufts on the nose.
Here’s a Mercedes grill—cropped in on that lattice detail—and black on black, no less.
Note that the camera allows for smaller-res images to be taken—36 or 18 megapixels. Hurly says, typically, as a camera’s ability to capture larger images increases, its ability to shoot in low light decreases. But he found this wasn’t the case with the M11, which beautifully “pixel bins” the shots. Translation: It creates a composite pixel from a few surrounding pixels and does so uniformly across the image, in order to create a smaller yet still sharply defined result.
Speaking of low light, another big benefit of this upgrade can be found in shooting contests. He likes the M11’s dynamic range and how easy it is to adjust shadows and highlights to produce something profoundly realistic—the exact way the eye sees it. He showed me this next image as a great example. Normally, a camera would drown out either the blue sky or the contents of a shadowed garage, even though our eye can see inside the garage and out simultaneously. But Sam was able to capture the details of both in a single image, as opposed to parsing together two different photos—which would have each focused on the oppositely lit subjects
A simple adjustment in post-production—no photo editing skills needed—allows for the above image with stark contrasts, in a single click. “The detail and color retention on this one is so good, it feels like cheating,” Sam says. You can easily do this with smartphone apps like Photoshop or Afterlight, even by connecting the camera to your phone using the included USB-C lightning cable.
Sam also points out the 64GB of internal storage. That’s a terrific addition to one’s own memory cards, and prevents having to transfer images all day—even for large files like this one.
Ditto for the battery that lasts up to 64 percent longer than previous models. Rarely was there a concern to stop shooting and seek a recharge or a photo download/card clearing, though you can do the latter over Wi-Fi.
Flying over the Great Plains—with the Leica M11. Sam Hurly
Hurly also loved the expanded ISO range—i.e. the camera’s ability to let in light. This one’s ISO most notably sinks as low as 64 (most stop at 100), which makes the camera more sensitive—in a good way—when there’s too much light. That means a lot more attention is given to shutter speed, which is a “pro” for people who don’t want a simple click-and-shoot camera. Regarding shutter speed and F-stops, this is the M model with the broadest range of them: 15 stops in all.
Why Buy a Leica?
When you can get similar features—and enough to impress most hobbyists—for well under half the cost, why Leica? That’s a question independent of any specific model, because there will surely be an M12 down the line that bests this one for at least as much money.
Hurly says this isn’t comparable to buying, say, the latest laptop or smartphone and swapping them out constantly. Instead, it’s primarily about user experience. “These manual controls demand attention, precision, and thoughtfulness,” he says. “We often think of film as the ‘manual’ version of driving cars, but that’s not true,” he says. “Understanding the camera’s functions, and adjusting those things to create a smoother, more dynamic result, all under your own control—that’s the manual experience.”
“Yes, in the car world, they’ve built automatics that outpace the manuals,” he continues. “But if it weren’t for the true enthusiasts—people who like to feel the change in gears between their fingers, just as the rubber grips the road, they’d stop making manuals altogether. This is like the manual Porsche of cameras. No matter how much it ages, its value will persevere because of the controls and user experience it gives—while managing to improve on its predecessors.”
I think I’m beginning to understand.
“If you’re going to take the time to become a master in photography, even if as a hobby,” Hurly says, “then Leica’s your brand.”
[$8,995, leicacamerausa.com]
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The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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