What are the essential travel accessories for the Leica M11?

Question

Finally pulled the trigger on an M11 for my big Kyoto trip next month and I'm honestly so stoked to put that 60MP sensor to work. Ive been shooting film with an M6 for like a decade so I know my way around a rangefinder but the digital workflow for a long trip is totally new territory for me. I already grabbed a fast SD card but I'm worried about the battery life and maybe needing a thumb grip or something for those long days walking around. My budget is around $500 for extras.

What are the absolute essential travel accessories for the M11 that you guys actually use? I'm thinking about stuff like:

spare batteries (obvious one)

screen protectors

a better strap for hiking

Is there anything else I'm missing...

EchoEclipse · Accepted Answer

Saw this earlier but finally getting a chance to sit down and reply. Congrats on the M11, Kyoto is basically a dream for rangefinder shooting. Since you are coming from an M6, the weight and feel are different enough that a good strap is huge. I have tried many over the years and it really depends on how you carry. Are you a neck strap person or do you prefer cross-body? In my experience, you should look at these for those long hiking days:Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap Black: Super practical because you can adjust the length in two seconds. It is not the prettiest thing on a Leica, but the anchor system is reliable as hell when you are moving fast.Artisan & Artist ACAM-102 Cloth Strap Black: Very old school. It is soft, rolls up easily in a bag, and feels more like your M6 setup. Also, think about a Oberwerth Leica M11 Half Case Leather. It adds some grip and protects the bottom plate which gets scratched way too easily. You will want that extra layer of safety when setting it down on stone walls at temples.

NightBit · Answer

Kyoto is gonna be incredible but you really need to be careful with that M11 screen. Coming from an M6, the digital fragility might surprise you. I would suggest grabbing at least one Leica BP-SCL7 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery because that 60MP sensor pulls a lot of juice, especially if you use the rear screen a lot. Make sure to get the Leica Screen Protector for M11 Hybrid Glass on there before you even leave the house. Also, honestly, the camera is kinda slippery for long days. I always use a Leica M11 Thumb Support Black Aluminum to keep my grip secure while walking. Just watch out when you slide it into the hot shoe... dont force it or you might scratch the finish. Its a spendy setup so better safe than sorry, imo.