Leica M EV1 First Review - It's Bad

[splitimageview]

All of which says to me, why did they bother doing an EVF version at all? They are going to reach that sort of clientele anyway. The answer, of course, is they think there is some demand for it (tiny though it my be compared to the overall market.) Rather than try to educate on the benefits and advantages of an optical RF they now can offer an option for incremental sales.

 

[trix4ever]

Playing with the camera in a showroom isn’t real use. I’d want 2-3,000 frames before I could say for sure. My guess, overall, is that I would prefer it to Ms with a rangefinder. Its principal components are still from the M11. From my experience I would be suspicious of its reliability, but maybe my experience was with a lemon. I could buy a Fuji GFX 100S II and two lenses for less money, which I need to think about.

Funny, all this release really did was get me looking at X2dii prices.
In fact I could get an mint X2d and 28mm for about the same as this body only, and adapted my shift lenses to it...

 

[chuckroast]

One final thought from me on this M EV1 topic. For all those citing how the EVF is superior to the RF in ease of use, focusing accuracy, precise framing, etc etc: Having lived through the switchover from RF cameras to SLR cameras in the 1960s and 1970s, what I'm hearing is an almost exact redux of the same arguments that decimated nearly to extinction the RF camera. The Rangefinder Forum was created, in part, to celebrate the continued existence and usefulness of rangefinder cameras.

And now so many seem fixed on getting EVFs into their Leica M cameras because (hyperbole) "it's obviously a better technology than the rangefinder for focusing and framing!] Who needs that skanky old, hard to use, rangefinder?"

Doesn't anyone else think this is a sad irony?

G

They will pry my IIIf, M2, M4, and M5 out of my cold, dead hands ...

 

[Freakscene]

All of which says to me, why did they bother doing an EVF version at all? They are going to reach that sort of clientele anyway. The answer, of course, is they think there is some demand for it (tiny though it my be compared to the overall market.) Rather than try to educate on the benefits and advantages of an optical RF they now can offer an option for incremental sales.

Users asked for it. I asked for it, loudly, in Solms and Wetzlar. Complain and criticise all you like, but I suspect it will sell well.

My only functional criticisms, having handled it, are that the EVF resolution could be higher (9mp vs 5.7mp) and that the refresh rate is too slow (60hz). But maybe Sony wouldn’t sell them any better hardware, or it is beyond the power management system of the M11 to deal with a better evf, or maybe this way if the M11 EV1 is a bomb they will just install the evfs in SL series cameras.

 

[splitimageview]

Please don't mistake my commentary as a complaint or criticism. As I stated, clearly they think it will create more profit. Why else would they do it? 🙂

 

[ellisson]

I imagine that Leica will eventually introduce a hot shoe mounted rangefinder attachment for the M-EV1 with integrated optical viewfinder - lets call it an "Optiflex I" since Visoflex is already taken by the hot shoe mounted EVFs of the M cameras. 😉

 

[boojum]

This camera may have been designed taking into account user requests. Judging by the responses here and those on the internet and YT they did not ask a lot of users. I do not know much about photography or cameras or much at all. Nevertheless this camera looks to me like a kludge The already existing EVF Leicas can do all the EVF-1 does and do it better.

I do not get the camera at all. It seems like a "get it out the door" alpha release. And the fact that for its price and lens you can be shooting an X2D II with an XCD 55V or similar kind of begs the question, why? But we vote with our wallets. There will always be Leica devotees regardless. But listening to some of the supportive arguments I think of a dysfunctional family saying that drunken and disruptive uncle was an Eagle Scout. Yeah, but.

 

[JeffS7444]

It could be as simple as Leica wanting to offer something new, in the same way they've offered M11 special editions, and niche variants, like monochrome and lcd-less models.

Although fans might long for it, M12 may not yet be on the horizon, because at least for now, FF sensors seem to have plateaued at ~60 megapixels. And while IBIS, self-cleaning sensors and more computational features might be attractive, would they fit into an M-sized package?

But I'm pretty sure that Leica does not want any of their other products directly competing with the M-system: They're happy to sell you a rangefinder-esque FF camera with a fixed lens (Q), or a smaller sensor (D-Lux). But if you want both a rangefinder-style body and FF, M is it.

 

[Rob-F]

Well, time will tell, I guess. I don't expect to buy one; but if others do, and it helps Leica stay afloat, OK by me.

 

[Archiver]

I find the strength of feeling this has engendered amusing. Manual eye focus like the Nikon Zf and Z8 have would be great, and once zoomed the magnified section in the EVF can’t be moved, but in general this is what I wanted. None of the adapted cameras I have tried work to the edges as well as cameras with optimised angled microlenses. Even adapted M lenses on SL cameras are not as good as on M lenses. So to use M lenses optically I want an M camera.

See, this is exactly what I've been saying for a while, and even reviewers don't seem to mention this. The only way to shoot M lenses to their best potential is on a M body, not even a SL body will bring out the full sharpness of particular M lenses. Heck, there is a huge difference in sharpness and bite between the the Zeiss Biogon 21mm f2.8 on the M9 vs the SL2-S, which I presume is similar for the M10/11 vs the SL3/S.

The M EV1 (guh, what a name) is the only game in town for using M glass to its best potential in a compact body with an EVF, and it is considerably less expensive than a M11.

And as for cost, it’s a Leica, of course it’s going to cost a lot. It’s against all normal evidence to think anything else. “It’s too expensive” is what gets said every time theyproduce a new camera. They cost a lot. They will always cost a lot.

'Of course it's expensive, it's a Leica, what did you expect?' 😂

I handled an M11 EV1 tonight. Once zoomed, the EVF magnified area can’t be moved. You can exit the magnification, move the zoom point on the screen on the back, and re-zoom. The M10 and M11 series cameras with the Visoflex don’t work like this.

🙏 Glad you went!

 

[Archiver]

This camera may have been designed taking into account user requests. Judging by the responses here and those on the internet and YT they did not ask a lot of users. I do not know much about photography or cameras or much at all. Nevertheless this camera looks to me like a kludge The already existing EVF Leicas can do all the EVF-1 does and do it better.

Not really. The SL bodies have varying levels of performance with M glass. For example, the Summicron 50 works a treat on the SL2-S; I don't see any difference in sharpness between the 2S and the M9. But the Zeiss Biogon 21 is soft and dull on the 2S, but so sharp, rich and contrasty on the M9.

I do not get the camera at all. It seems like a "get it out the door" alpha release. And the fact that for its price and lens you can be shooting an X2D II with an XCD 55V or similar kind of begs the question, why? But we vote with our wallets. There will always be Leica devotees regardless. But listening to some of the supportive arguments I think of a dysfunctional family saying that drunken and disruptive uncle was an Eagle Scout. Yeah, but.

This camera costs less than a M11, and has a high res EVF built in. If one were to shoot with lenses like the Noctilux 50 or (gasp) 75, it would be a devil of a time getting critical focus with the rangefinder, especially on offset subjects. This camera opens the door to critical focus with these kinds of lenses for less than a M11 with Visoflex. And it is lighter, less expensive, and smaller than a M11 with Visoflex. This seems like a good deal with the Leica world.

 

[splitimageview]

Saving $900 on a Leica body is like finding a quarter in your pocket. People will buy it because they want it, not because it costs a smidge less. 😀

 

[AusDLK]

i'm sure that none of us want Leica to go out of business. if the M-EV1 ends up being successful, more power to them.

Leica has sailed into the sunset as far as purchasing a new camera is concerned. and i've never purchased a new Leica lens -- what's the point of that with all the great used stuff out there? not to mention Voigtlander and the new king of third party glass LLL.

i love my M7, M10-D, and surprised myself with how much I enjoy and use my Nodinkee Q2 (the real one, not the "knock-off" that Leica introduced for the masses) -- so i don't foresee myself ever buying a new model again. an M11 or a Q3 are completely unnecessary, and the SL product line doesn't interest me -- Panasonic simply does it better for a lot less.

my M10-D and Q2 cannot be improved upon -- and even if i ever had to have an M13 or whatever, Leica has moved past a pricing level that I'm comfortable with now that the five figures threshold has crossed. $10,000+ for a camera? that seems insane to me even when at one time, $9400 for a M10 Monochrom (which I didn't keep) was "sure, why not?"

so, yes, i'm clearly on the sidelines of this discussion but, as it has been for a couple of decades now, it sure is fun to follow (and occasionally participate) in all of the Leica bickering that goes on!

 

[boojum]

Following this thread makes me think that no one is quite sure why Leica did this or what they are trying to create. Confusion reigns. As Alice Saud,, "Curioser and curioser."

 

[joe bosak]

If M lenses do best on an M body due to sensor/microlenses/whatever design, it gives people who care about that a choice of VF type. Can't think of a better reason to legitimise its existence. Prices are what they are.

 

[Harry the K]

Owning a couple of film Leicas, I´m not interested in a digital M. If I were, the M EV1 would be my choice. It allows the use of very wide or long focal lenghts without the restrictions of an optical rangefinder. With my film Ms, I restrict myself to 35 and 50 mm.

 

[luuca]

Owning a couple of film Leicas, I´m not interested in a digital M. If I were, the M EV1 would be my choice. It allows the use of very wide or long focal lenghts without the restrictions of an optical rangefinder. With my film Ms, I restrict myself to 35 and 50 mm.

Ok, I must admit this is a good point: finally something totally different from the analogue M cameras but still packed in the same form factor.

If you want analogical and mechanical feeling --> film M camera

If you want no compromises digital ease of use --> EV1


I personally want an analogical and mechanical feeling 😬

 

[jay1155234]

They will pry my IIIf, M2, M4, and M5 out of my cold, dead hands ...

agree totally! manual focussing on a plain screen is horrible! No anti shake! Geez! 60Mp! a new M5...

 

[splitimageview]

What they could have done with an EVF offering, is to repackage the SL3 into an RF-style body. Make priority one a sensor capable of getting the full potential of M glass, instead of priority one matching the traditional M form factor. Similar design to the traditional M body but not necessarily exact, as it doesn’t actually need to be exact (i.e., compatible with goggled lenses, etc.)

Similar to what Fuji has done with SLR-style bodies but also RF-style bodies with identical chipsets.

So it would be an M with IBIS, AF, video, etc. Bundle an M to L adapter.

The SL3 is $7500, significantly cheaper than the M EV1 and with far more features. Why pay more for less, only for the sake of form factor?

Anything wrong with this reasoning, from a technical standpoint? It’s a given some will argue ‘we must follow tradition.’ 😆

 

[Duofold RF]

I like Fujifilm’s color. I wish Fujifilm would make a compact, full frame M-style body with an EVF to enjoy rangefinder-style photography. I kept using the Leica film camera not only for the ergonomic, rangefinder-style experience but also for its timeless feel. Current mirrorless cameras with adapters works, however, at least ergonomically, too large and too ugly.