^ This. Also, I unfortunately learned the hard way that middle-of-the-road cases are usually a letdown. Spent money on a mid-tier one last year and the fit was just... sloppy. It moved around constantly. For an M11, you really want something that feels like a second skin because if grit gets trapped between the case and the metal, it actually scratches the finish anyway. Kinda defeats the whole purpose. Tbh, Oberwerth George Half Case for Leica M11 is likely your best bet for actual protection. It has a proper aluminum core so it wont warp over time like the cheap stuff. Another option is the Kaza Deluxe Leather Half Case for Leica M11 Brown which is okay, tho the leather is definitely thinner. Just make sure the one you pick has the hinged bottom door for battery access. Taking the case off every time you need to swap cards or charge is honestly the worst.

> I’m heading to Italy next week for a wedding and I really need to protect the bottom of the camera... Quick reply while I've got a sec. I went with the Gariz Leather Half Case for Leica M11 Black and I've been super satisfied. That metal base is a huge plus for reliability when you're setting the camera down on stone walls. It fits perfectly and feels secure. The Artisan & Artist LMB-M11 Leather Case also works well if you want a cleaner, slim look.

I totally get the anxiety of scratching a new M11. When I first got mine, I bought a cheap generic case thinking it would be fine, but it was a disaster. The leather was basically cardboard and the tolerance was way off, it didnt even align with the USB-C port properly. I also tried the Leica M11 Protector Black Leather but was pretty let down because the hide felt too thin and didnt offer any extra ergonomics for the price, tbh. If you want something that actually fits:

• Arte di Mano Half Case for Leica M11 Minerva Black
• Oberwerth Half Case for Leica M11 Classic Dark Brown
• Vi Vante Half Case for Leica M11 Quilted Leather If you go cheap, youll just end up buying a better one later. The Arte di Mano Half Case for Leica M11 Minerva Black is really the only one that felt like it belonged on the camera, even though the price is painful. Everything else I tested felt like a major technical compromise... just not worth it.

Building on the earlier suggestion, you really need to prioritize how you access the battery and port. Since you are traveling to Italy next week, you dont want a case that requires tools to remove every time you need to charge. I'd look at these options for a balance of cost and utility:

• Lim's Design Leather Half Case for Leica M11
• This one is solid because it has a milled aluminum base. It provides way more protection than just leather alone and the fit is perfect.
• TP Original Leather Half Case for Leica M11
• If you want to save some cash for wine in Italy, this is a decent budget option that actually fits well. Check out the Leica User Forum classifieds or Fred Miranda if you want to find something high-end used. Usually, people take great care of these so you can get a deal. Just avoid the super cheap unbranded stuff from eBay... it'll just frustrate you.