I just got my Leica M11 yesterday and honestly I am totally overwhelmed. I spent basically my entire savings on this thing for my trip to Tokyo next Tuesday and now I realize I have literally nothing else to go with it. Sorry if this is a super basic question but I have no idea where to start with accessories or what is actually necessary vs just expensive fluff. My logic was that I should probably get a case to keep it from getting scratched but then I saw the prices and almost fainted. Do I really need a $400 leather case or can I just throw it in my backpack?
I am kinda panicking because the trip is so soon and I dont want to miss out on shots because I forgot something obvious. I was thinking about these things:
Is the internal memory enough or should I buy more cards? I am so confused by the whole rangefinder thing anyway so adding all these extra bits is just making my head spin. Does anyone have a must buy list for a total beginner who is about to get on a plane? ...
Saw this today and got so stoked for you! I was a nervous wreck my first time taking my Leica out in a crowd, totally get the panic. Ngl, skip that pricey case. I swear by the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-II because having a physical backup for that internal memory is just common sense for safety! I had a write error once on a cheap card and almost cried... so stick to the pros. For the screen, just grab a ULBTER Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Leica M11 for like ten bucks. Its saved my screen from zipper scratches a million times! Instead of a heavy leather case, I just use a MegaGear Ultra Light Neoprene Camera Case when its in my bag. Its cheap, light, and actually protects against bumps. Youre gonna have an amazing time in Tokyo, seriously!
> spare batteries (do I need two??) @Reply #2 - good point! Honestly, I learned the hard way in Japan that one battery is never enough. Even with the M11 being better than the old models, if youre using the screen or EVF for everything, it drains fast. I would grab at least one extra Leica BP-SCL7 Lithium-Ion Battery so you arent hunting for a cafe outlet mid-day. I spent my first trip constantly checking the percentage and it totally killed the vibe. Quick tip: skip the fancy leather case and just get a Tenba BYOB 7 Camera Insert for your backpack. It is way cheaper and keeps the camera hidden from view while youre on the subway. Tokyo is safe, but not looking like a walking target is just smarter. Focus your cash on the battery instead.
I was in your exact spot before my last Tokyo trip and felt super overwhelmed. Honestly, I am really satisfied with how the M11 handles now, but you gotta manage the specs to get the best out of it. You definitely dont need that overpriced leather case if you are on a budget. Just get a solid strap and you are good. I have found that the internal 64GB storage is a nice safety net, but I prefer dedicated cards for the fast write speeds when the buffer fills up.
Ok adding this to my list of things to try. Thanks for the tip!