oh man, congrats on the M11! honestly, i get the urge to protect it but you gotta be careful not to turn it into a bulky monster. i have been shooting Ms for over a decade and i have learned that less is usually more... though the M11 does need a few specific bits to really shine. Here is what i recommend based on my years of trial and error:

• the Leica Visoflex 2 is actually a total game changer. i use it constantly for my wider lenses and for nailing focus when i am tired. its kinda pricey but the tilt function basically saves my neck during long street sessions.
• for protection, definitely grab the Leica M11 Screen Protector. make sure to apply it in a humid bathroom to avoid dust lol. i personally wouldn't bother with a half-case tho. i mean, the M11 feels so good in the hand and cases just make the battery access door a hassle to get to.
• i was torn on thumb grips too, but i eventually got the Match Technical Thumbs Up EP-MX and seriously... i cant go back. it makes the grip way more secure when youre shooting one-handed, especially with heavier glass.
• for a strap, i lowkey swear by the Rock n Roll M Pro Leather Strap. its soft enough that it doesnt dig in but sturdy enough for the weight of the body.
• also, definitely get a spare Leica BP-SCL7 Lithium-Ion Battery. even though the battery life is way better than the M10, if you use the visoflex or wifi a lot, it drains faster than you think.
• be careful with third-party cables too. make sure to use a high-quality data cable if you are plugging directly into an ipad. anyway, gl with the new kit! you are gonna love it. peace.

Curious about one thing: what is your primary shooting environment? I mean, are you doing street photography in crowds or mostly quiet landscapes? I am still kinda new to the Leica world myself, but I have found that safety really depends on your surroundings. Since I am also very focused on reliability, here is my methodical approach to keeping it safe:

• Use Vancity Leica M Lug Protectors to ensure the metal rings dont scratch the body finish.
• I am very satisfied with the Oberwerth Half Case for Leica M11 for high-quality bottom-plate protection. I have been using this combo and honestly it works well for me without adding too much bulk. It is just such a relief knowing the finish is protected, you know? Anyway, tell me a bit more about your shooting style so I can give better advice!

Yo, congrats on the M11!! Honestly though, before you buy anything, I gotta warn you about those cheap third-party thumb grips. I learned this the hard way with my last kit... basically, some of those budget grips have terrible tolerances. I had one that was slightly too thick and it ended up scratching the finish right off the hot shoe and even felt like it was putting weird pressure on the internal frame. On a camera this expensive, its just not worth it to save fifty bucks on a piece of metal that might mess up your rails. Technical wise, the M11 is a bit of a shift cuz of the new bottom design. If you go with a half-case, make sure it has an open bottom or a flap. If youre constantly taking the case off to get to the USB-C port or the battery, your gonna eventually trap dust and grit between the leather and the body. That grit acts like sandpaper and will ruin the matte black or silver finish faster than if you just left it naked. Highkey, it's pretty disappointing when you try to protect your gear and end up being the one who causes the wear lol. For a minimal setup, I mean, I would actually skip the bulky neck straps and just get a simple braided silk or leather wrist strap. It keeps the camera secure without the clutter. Also, since you mentioned the Visoflex, you definitely wanna grab a second battery. The M11 draws way more power than the older models when that EVF is active, and there's nothing worse than your camera dying mid-shoot. Anyway, enjoy the new toy!! peace

+1

Ok so i saw this earlier but just getting around to it now. Congrats on the M11!!! One thing most people forget when they go minimal is the actual maintenance side of things especially with that e-shutter. Since there is no mechanical shutter in the way the sensor is basically a dust magnet every time you swap glass and i have found that learning to do my own wet cleanings saved me a fortune and tons of downtime compared to shipping it off to a service center every time a spot shows up. Before you buy more gear I have a couple questions:

• How comfortable are you with doing your own internal maintenance like sensor cleaning?
• Are you looking for accessories that strictly protect the resale value or stuff that actually improves the ergonomics for long days? Tbh i found that a lot of the protection stuff just gets in the way of a good cleaning routine and i highly suggest looking into high quality sensor swabs and specialized solutions before you drop another grand on leather. Its way more essential than a thumb grip if you actually plan on shooting in the real world and want to keep that image quality pristine without cloning out spots in post constantly!!!