Leica M11

Here are the latest photos I captured with my Leica M11 camera. These samples showcase how effectively this camera performs across diverse settings, conditions, and subjects, thus providing a comprehensive look at its real-world performance. These should help you decide if this camera could be the perfect addition to your kit.

Classic Bokeh

Classic Bokeh

Just wanted to share some shots for anyone wondering how the Summilux 50mm “Classic” handles bokeh. Everything’s shot wide open. Honestly, I was a bit worried it might be too busy in the background — but nope, it’s beautifully smooth. I’m loving the way it renders.

Summilux Hanami

Summilux Hanami

Shooting hanami in Tokyo with the Summilux 50mm Classic is like stepping into a memory as it’s being made. There’s something poetic about pairing this particular lens with cherry blossom season—a combination of fleeting beauty and nostalgic rendering that makes every frame feel like it belongs in an old photo album tucked away in a…

Selling Cabbage

Selling Cabbage

This photo beautifully captures a quiet moment in a Tokyo neighborhood—a glimpse into everyday life that often goes unnoticed. In the foreground, crates of fresh cabbage and other vegetables are stacked neatly outside a tiny local shop. The prices are handwritten on cardboard signs, humble and straightforward, signaling that this isn’t a flashy supermarket—it’s the…

Red Knitwear

Red Knitwear

This candid, beautifully composed photo captures a slice-of-life moment aboard a Japanese train. The image buzzes with everyday energy—commuters are absorbed in their own little worlds, from the guy multitasking with a baby in his lap and a phone in his hand, to the woman in the red knit sweater who steals the spotlight. She…

Summilux Drive

Summilux Drive

Shooting the Summilux 50mm Classic wide open (at f/1.4) while driving is a mix of chaos, control, and chasing light. But wide open on a bright day, it’s actually not that hard—just focus approximately and shoot. The Summilux 50mm Classic at f/1.4 gives you that signature look, but when the light’s blasting, even wide open,…

Raamen
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Raamen

The spelling らあめん is a stylized version of the more common ラーメン, using hiragana instead of katakana to create a softer, more nostalgic feel. While both are pronounced the same, this choice often signals something more traditional, homemade, or artisanal. The use of “あ” to stretch the sound instead of the katakana long vowel mark (ー) adds to…

Glasses Repair
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Glasses Repair

A Japanese man sits at his small workbench in the quiet of his dimly lit shop, the kind of place that feels untouched by time. The fluorescent light above hums softly as he carefully adjusts a pair of glasses, using tools worn smooth from years of repetition. His hands move with precision — slow, deliberate,…

Summilux Flowers

Summilux Flowers

Shooting flowers with the Leica Summilux 50mm Classic is all about capturing character over clinical perfection. This lens has a signature rendering — a mix of sharp focus, smooth bokeh, and that slightly dreamy glow wide open — that turns simple subjects like flowers into something poetic. At f/1.4, the Summilux gives you a shallow…

Drying Clothes

Drying Clothes

Drying clothes outside in Japan is a common part of daily life, especially in suburban and rural areas. Most homes and apartments have balconies equipped with poles or hooks for clotheslines. It’s routine to see laundry hanging neatly outside, often first thing in the morning, taking advantage of the sun and fresh air. In tight…

Maguro Cut

Maguro Cut

Cutting tuna for sushi is a meticulous process that highlights the fish’s natural flavors and textures. The selection of tuna is crucial, with different parts of the fish offering varying tastes and consistencies. The most prized sections include the akami, the lean red meat, and the toro, the fatty belly meat, which is further divided…

Senior Work

Senior Work

Lunch break for the construction worker… The sight of elderly individuals working on construction sites in Japan, particularly in roles like traffic management, evoke feelings of sadness and concern but several factors contribute to this situation. Many seniors in Japan continue to work due to financial needs. Pensions may not be sufficient to cover living…

Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku Gyoen

A picnic at Shinjuku Gyoen is a delightful way to spend a day, immersed in the beauty of nature while enjoying some tasty treats. The park’s expansive lawns and serene gardens provide the perfect backdrop for a relaxing meal outdoors. Whether you prefer to spread out a blanket under the shade of a tree or…

Ramen Time

Ramen Time

Japanese ramen is a beloved dish that has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide. Originating from China, ramen has been adapted and perfected in Japan, becoming a staple of Japanese cuisine. The dish is composed of wheat noodles immersed in a savory broth, which can be flavored with soy sauce, miso, or salt, among…

Walking the Dog

Walking the Dog

Strolling with the furball, leash in one hand, M11 in the other, testing out the 35mm APO lens… Oh, the Leica APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH—now that’s a lens that’ll make your photography nerd friends drool like a puppy over a fresh bowl of kibble. This optical marvel is like the love child of precision engineering…

Minimum Focus Distance

Minimum Focus Distance

The Leica APO-Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH is renowned for its exceptional minimum focusing distance (MFD) of just 30 centimeters. This close focusing capability allows photographers to capture stunning close-up shots with incredible detail, making it an extremely versatile lens for a wide range of photographic scenarios. The ability to get so close to subjects opens…

Orchids

Orchids

Our kitchen window is adorned with three orchids that bloom regularly. They thrive in that spot, providing a calming view while washing dishes. Apparently we managed to create an ideal microclimate: the right amount of light, consistent temperature, and just enough humidity—it’s like we’ve hacked the perfect formula for orchid happiness!

Japanese Cashiers

Japanese Cashiers

Ah, Japanese cashiers—the unsung heroes of retail efficiency and customer service! Let’s dive into the fascinating world of Japanese cashiers, where precision meets politeness in a symphony of transactional excellence. First off, Japanese cashiers are renowned for their speed and accuracy. Ever noticed how they can ring up your items faster than you can say…

Roppongi Hills

Roppongi Hills

Got my Nokton 35mm back from Voigtländer—finally focuses to infinity like it should. Took them two months to sort it out. Took it for a spin in Roppongi. Roppongi Hills was a solid test ground—towering skyscrapers, polished architecture, high-end shopping, sleek cafes… Plenty of contrast, reflections, and deep shadows to play with.

Land Cruiser 70

Land Cruiser 70

The Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series is the kind of vehicle that doesn’t care about trends, comfort, or fuel efficiency. It’s built for the toughest environments on Earth, the kind where lesser SUVs crumble and die. This machine is a rolling monument to Toyota’s engineering stubbornness, refusing to modernise in any way that would compromise…