10/02/2026 6:55 pm
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Hi everyone! I recently treated myself to a Leica M11 and I’m absolutely loving the experience so far. I’m currently planning a two-week solo trip through Portugal next month and want to make sure my kit is dialed in for a lot of walking and street photography. Since the M11 has some unique features like the internal memory and the new battery design without the traditional baseplate, I’m wondering how to best optimize my setup for travel.
I’m already leaning toward getting the Visoflex 2 because I sometimes struggle with the rangefinder in very bright light, but I’m torn on other bits. For instance, do you find a half-case is necessary for protection, or does it just add unwanted bulk? I’m also curious about power—is the USB-C charging reliable enough for daily use, or should I still pack a spare battery and the dedicated charger just in case? I want to stay as lightweight as possible, ideally sticking to a small sling bag that doesn't scream 'camera gear.'
I’ve put a lot of thought into the lenses, but the small accessories are where I’m feeling a bit stuck. For those of you who have traveled extensively with the M11, what are the absolute essential accessories you wouldn't leave home without to keep the shooting experience seamless?
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10/02/2026 6:56 pm
Oh man, I literally just spent weeks shooting Lisbon with my M11! Here's what I recommend:
• Leica Visoflex 2: Lifesaver for bright hills!
• Naked vs Leica M11 Half Case (Black Leather): Skip the case, its too bulky for small slings.
• Leica BP-SCL7 Lithium-ion Battery vs USB-C: Bring a spare, hot-swapping is highkey faster than charging.
Pack light and enjoy ur trip! Cheers
5
14/02/2026 10:10 pm
> I’m wondering how to best optimize my setup for travel. Tbh, everyone talks about batteries, but data redundancy is where people actually lose photos on a long trip. As an M11 owner, you need to be very careful with how you configure the internal storage vs SD card. From a technical standpoint, writing to both simultaneously is the only way to ensure reliability. I've been analyzing the latest UHS-II benchmarks on sites like Fred Miranda and Diglloyd to see what actually holds up. The SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II is the industry standard for stability, but the ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS-II V60 Gold Card has actually been outperforming it in thermal stress tests lately—which is CRITICAL if you're shooting in the Portuguese sun. The SanDisk is easier to find, but ProGrade uses higher-tier NAND flash which is safer for travel, right? Also, instead of a case, check out the Match Technical Thumbs Up EP-MX. Most market reviews suggest its more ergonomic than the official Leica thumb grip because of the solid brass construction. It gives you way better leverage for one-handed street shots while you're navigating those steep Lisbon hills haha. Just make sure your firmware is up to date before you go!
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10/02/2026 8:00 pm
Same setup here, love it
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10/02/2026 8:00 pm
Sooo, I went through this last year and honestly... it was kinda frustrating. I spent way too much on official accessories thinking they’d be bulletproof, but I was lowkey disappointed. I brought the Leica BC-SCL7 Battery Charger on a long trip and it actually failed on me mid-journey. Not ideal! I tried relying on just any USB-C cable, but most cheap ones barely even register a charge.
I eventually realized power delivery specs matter way more than the brand name. I switched to using an Anker 735 Charger GaNPrime 65W and it was a total game changer. It charges everything from my M11 to my phone, so I didn't have to carry multiple bricks. Also, I found leather straps get way too sweaty while walking miles in the sun. I ended up using the Peak Design Leash Camera Strap because it was just so much more practical for quick adjustments. gl!
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06/03/2026 10:10 am
Same here!
