Leica M EV1 First Review - It's Bad

[Duofold RF]

The new digital sensors have turned old-era lenses into “character” lenses—prone to flare and low contrast. If you want the best results from a digital body, you’ll need to replace all your vintage glass to achieve optimal performance.

 

[pgk]

I am waiting to find out how the actual reality of using such a camera is viewed once the hype and excitement have died down and the 'honeymoon' period is over. My experience of using manual focus lenses on EVF cameras suggests to me that rf focusing will still be quicker and that using an EVF to try to quickly focus a manual focus lens will increase the failure rate, or at least increase the incidence of 'near miss focus' images. To me this all feels rather like Leica chasing markets rather than staying true to its history of producing precision cameras (albeit at a price).

I've been using M cameras on and off for 45 years and still run M9s and a number of lenses. I'm starting to become disillusioned about the path Leica are taking. IMO 60MPixels is excessive and the base problem with the M is now that it is looking for a niche to fill. An EVF only, M shaped camera is intended to satisfy a demand rather than genuinely move the M forward. All cameras are compromises and the M-EV1 has adavantages and disadvantages over rangefinder versions. I feel that its focus will be slower than traditionally and that whilst it may be precise with magnification, I'm not sure how relevant this is to a camera many fundamentally use handheld.

 

[JeffS7444]

I've been using M cameras on and off for 45 years and still run M9s and a number of lenses. I'm starting to become disillusioned about the path Leica are taking.

What would they need to do in order to entice you into buying a new or factory-refurbished M camera? For me, it would not be easy, because once the novelty has worn off, cameras are picture-taking appliances to me. Unless they are film cameras, in which case, they might also be appealing relics.