Is the EVF a must have if you buy the new M

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

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Simple question

Is the EVF a must have if you buy the new M..............personally I think they look ugly but then if it helps in making/taking better pictures then I guess ugly camera is the order of the day:D

[Guest tanks]

I have been using it for a few days. To be honest unless one has lenses wider than 28mm I'd say the answer is no.

 

I find rangefinder focusing much faster, and accurate. Now, let me add that I am still getting the hang of it, so with practice it might work better.

 

Right now the EVF is slow and cumbersome for me.

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[gabriel]

Also lenses 135 and longer

[ayewing]

And with an adapter Leica R lenses including zooms.

[theno23]

I use the rear screen probably more than the finder, the contrast is pretty good.

[01af]

Yes, definitely!

 

Those who say, "no," or "rangefinder focusing is more accurate," or something similar to that effect haven't fully understood the concept of the M (Typ 240) yet. It's not only the best digital rangefinder camera ever—it also is the world's only 35-mm full-frame EVIL camera. Of course only when you have the EVF.

 

With regular M lenses in the 28 - 90 mm range, you normally want to use the rangefinder. But with super-wides, with super-fast lenses in available darkness, or with adapted non-M lenses, the EVF is indispensable. It transforms the M from a rangefinder camera into an all-purpose camera that can carry virtually any image-forming device ever made for 35-mm rangefinder cameras, 35-mm SLR cameras, and larger-format camera over into the digital age. Sure, cheap µ4/3 or APS-C EVIL cameras can do the same, but only with reduced angles-of-view due to the crop factors ... and they are no rangefinders.

 

So if you spend all the money (and the time waiting) for a Leica M (Typ 240) then do yourself a favour and treat yourself with a Leica EVF 2 ... or, at half the price, with an Olympus VF-2 which is exactly the same thing by another name. You're not going to use it all the time ... but you definitely will appreciate it every now and then.

 

 

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Nightfall

Leica M; Noctilux-M 50 mm Asph; f/0.95, 1/30 s, ISO 6400/39°

 

 

This picture is nothing special ... but it illustrates my point. It was so dark that focusing via rangefinder was totally impossible, even framing was difficult. Using the EVF, however, I was able to see and accurately focus every single leaf of the young tree easily.

[jaapv]

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You don't need it or you do - depending on the use you want to put the camera to. It is the best digital rangefinder camera Leica has ever built, and I would even be prepared to make a case for it being the best M ever built. So if you want to use it as"just" a rangefinder, you cannot go wrong.

 

Having said that, the EVF, despite being clearly meant as an auxiliary tool, does expand the versatility of the camera immeasurably. It is a modern version of that marvelous but weird Visoflex, without the drawbacks.

Suddenly you can enter DSLR territory, and because of the short register distance you can use over 90% of all 135 format lenses ever built. Medium format lenses too, I shouldn't wonder.

Once you get used to it it is a quick and easy system, and you carry a complete additional camera system in a pouch the size of a matchbox. Focus peaking is a bit of a learning curve, as it can be quite subtle at lower contrast, but it functions exceedingly well, especially at 5x focus aid.

Edited August 30, 2013 by jaapv

[digitalfx]

must have, no.

Great option to have, yes.

[algrove]

Neil If you want to nail the focus more often than not with that Noctilux-yes. For your 21/1.4, yes.

 

I just watch the EVF for framing and put the exposure at the bottom of it-rotate speed or f stop and its fast and easy. Easy flow to using it after a short while. But then again, if you been piss and a couple botten of wine then nothing will help you except a good sleep.

[Jeff S]

Simple question

..............personally I think they look ugly but then if it helps in making/taking better pictures then I guess ugly camera is the order of the day:D

 

But if you paint the lettering red/orange, it makes a terrific companion to some straps and cases.

 

In answer to your question, though, it's a matter of shooting style and preference. I've only had the camera for a week or so and anticipated using the RF for most of my work. So far this seems to be exactly the case. I love the RF in this camera; every bit as good as discussed (by everyone but Leica, it seems).

 

But I'm glad I got the EVF as well. I didn't like it at first, but with some practice I can now see how it will come in handy for certain purposes, including use of longer lenses and occasional tripod use.

 

Thorsten seems to love his, it seems, especially with his Noctilux. I'll stick with the marvelous RF focusing for the most part. To each his/her own.

 

Not a big purchase considering the cost of camera and lens(es). If in doubt, a Leica store will have a demo.

 

Jeff

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Neil If you want to nail the focus more often than not with that Noctilux-yes. For your 21/1.4, yes.

 

I just watch the EVF for framing and put the exposure at the bottom of it-rotate speed or f stop and its fast and easy. Easy flow to using it after a short while. But then again, if you been piss and a couple botten of wine then nothing will help you except a good sleep.

 

Hay Algrove I have always played my best golf with a belly full of piss, not yet tried photography like that but maybe we could be onto something here.

If you think it will help with the Noctilux then I guess I had better get one.

Just a thought though what about the 21mm viewfinder that I already have does the EVF have the 21mm frame lines

[Jeff S]

Thorsten seems to love his, it seems, especially with his Noctilux.

 

Extensive commentary in this review, about a third to half way down.

 

Jeff

[efreed2754]

Neil, only had M a few days and only tried Visoflex in the store.

 

Did use M and LV for my 18. It worked perfectly well showing the almost exact final image. No need for any finders. Considering selling my 18/21/24 viewfinder.

 

Am waiting for M-R adapter and then will decide on Visoflex. Guess also hoping by then Leica will support new finder. Will get one eventually...

 

Ed

[jaques]

I think it is pretty much a must have... once you have used it you will appreciate how useful it is. I have been using it with a Macro Nikkor and a PC Shift Nikkor lens- amazing. Also brilliant for your super wides- no more accessory finders- and also very good with fast lenses wide open and very long lenses (on a tripod). My only fear is that I will get lazy and use it too much- forgetting about the fantastic rangefinder.

 

as an aside: I found an Australian ebay seller who has new olypus finders for $200 AUD- well less than half the price of the Leica branded finder.

[algrove]

Hay Algrove I have always played my best golf with a belly full of piss, not yet tried photography like that but maybe we could be onto something here.

If you think it will help with the Noctilux then I guess I had better get one.

Just a thought though what about the 21mm viewfinder that I already have does the EVF have the 21mm frame lines

 

Neil, the beauty of the EVF is that it is LV so whatever the lens gives you is what you see immediately in the EVF. Agree looks lousy on the top of the camera, but sure comes in handy. With an M lenses is all you have to do is turn the focus knob and the red area/lines which surrounds everything in focus pops up for you to see. As you increase or decrease the f stops you will see in the EVF the red in-focus area increase or decrease too. Really quite handy.

 

Save your 21 VF for the MM.

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Just called the Leica store in KL and they have one in stock, so going to go down there and see if they will let me have a look at it on a camera.

[Guest tanks]

...

Just a thought though what about the 21mm viewfinder that I already have does the EVF have the 21mm frame lines

 

EVF is what you see through the lens. However, when I first put it on, I kept trying to find the frame lines too.

[dadhk]

Just called the Leica store in KL and they have one in stock, so going to go down there and see if they will let me have a look at it on a camera.

 

I am in KL tue to thurs this week, let me know if you do not get to try out the evf at starhill and i will bring mine for you give it a shot.

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

I am in KL tue to thurs this week, let me know if you do not get to try out the evf at starhill and i will bring mine for you give it a shot.

Sir,

I went to the Leica store in Avenue K and they put it on a new M for me (they have new M's stock if anyone wants one)

Anyway it reminded me of the EVF option that my wife had on her Fugi X Pro 1 and I hated that, but saying that I think it could have been more that I hated the X Pro1.

I tried to focus on something in the shop with both the EVF and the rangefinder and the rangefinder viewfinder was a dream to get the lines lined up but trying to get the red lines on the EVF seemed like everything had red lines............I guess it needs practice.

Anyway cut a long story short I will get a EVF sent with the M and Noctilux on Friday from the UK. The Malaysian price is 25% more than the UK price once the VAT is off

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Overgaard]

Simple question

Is the EVF a must have if you buy the new M..............personally I think they look ugly but then if it helps in making/taking better pictures then I guess ugly camera is the order of the day:D

 

You get used to the look, and you can take it on and off after mood. But for many things it is really nice to have. Accuracy of focus is one, "night vision" is another, and being able to preview the exposure, depth of field and seeing the frame and image inside a viewfinder a la SLR is an add-on in learning to take pictures.

 

Then again, the days where you decide to leave it off ... brings the M back to beautiful industrial design ...

 

So yes, I would get one. I'm on my second Leica edition of the EVF-2 (the first one got beaten up when I dropped the camera)