Leica M EV1: The first M with EVF instead of Rangefinder

[BWColor]

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36 minutes ago, FrozenInTime said:

Sales seem a bit slow off the blocks - maybe the momentum will pick up with time. 

A quick web browse to four of the UK's main Leica dealers ( Leica UK, Red Dot, Ffordes, Manchester )  all still show stock, some six hours after release.

I don't want this to the like the CL and be killed after the first attempt; rather it be a spark for future innovation.

You would need a pretty dark room to see the spark with this camera.

 

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[LD_50]

44 minutes ago, mpw said:

Why not just make a 'Q with interchangeable lens or upgrade the the very nice lite weight CL to FF. It seems like an over priced camera and takes away  the purity of the 'M system.  I guess Leica has done their research and believes they will have buyers for the EV1 ?!

I see this all the time: “why not make a Q with interchangeable lens?”

Which mount would it use? If M, that’s essentially what this is. Fixed lens cameras have the rear of the lens right up against the sensor, making the total package smaller. See Sony RX1 series. That doesn’t work in an interchangeable lens system. 

If I go buy a film M and a bunch of lenses, is my system less “pure” because someone else has an option for an EVF digital? If I buy a M D with no rear screen and a RF, is it less “pure” because of the EVF option for others? This is all nonsense. 

[Datsch]

Well I quite like it. 
 

It will also bring new people into the M system, especially once the inevitable M-EV-24-90mm-f2.8 Zoom lens comes out … 😏

[LVPhoto]

I recall when Leica firmly stated that they would never produce an electronic rangefinder for the M series. Given the brand’s philosophy, this stance was unsurprising. Personally, I would never purchase such a model. The essence of the M system lies in the direct optical experience — the ability to frame and focus using one’s own eyes rather than through an electronic display.

[Pelu2010]

5 hours ago, Robert Blanko said:

And what is the purpose of the center rangefinder window? 🤔🤔

That window is the Zen window. 
it provides always sharp images 

[maxpower]

I forgot to look for this when I played with the EV1 earlier today, and it's hard to follow all the discussions in multiple topics so maybe it has been discussed.. but I wonder if this will introduce different aspect ratios as a setting. With the optical viewfinder it doesn't really make sense, but now it's all EVF/LCD that could be an interesting "benefit" over using the EVF.. 

[algrove]

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12 minutes ago, maxpower said:

I forgot to look for this when I played with the EV1 earlier today, and it's hard to follow all the discussions in multiple topics so maybe it has been discussed.. but I wonder if this will introduce different aspect ratios as a setting. With the optical viewfinder it doesn't really make sense, but now it's all EVF/LCD that could be an interesting "benefit" over using the EVF.. 

In order to avoid me paying to "play with the EV1", I would like to positively know this too.

[wolan]

Thank you, Leica. This is the camera I have been waiting for years. Now that I see it, it makes me proud to have switched to Hasselblad one year ago.

 

 

[FrozenInTime]

Found an image of the camera without lens :

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Credit to Kai W, who also explains the focus assist modes

 

[algrove]

1 minute ago, wolan said:

Thank you, Leica. This is the camera I have been waiting for years. Now that I see it, it makes me proud to have switched to Hasselblad one year ago.

 

 

Well, with the EV1 selling for US$1700 more than a 44x33 sensor camera with AF and 10 stop IBIS plus a 1TB internal memory versus 64GB, I can understand your non-enthusiasm.

[Dazzajl]

2 minutes ago, algrove said:

Well, with the EV1 selling for US$1700 more than a 44x33 sensor camera with AF and 10 stop IBIS plus a 1TB internal memory versus 64GB, I can understand your non-enthusiasm.

When you put it like that……. Yikes!

Not that anyone is going to really be able to compete with DJI. So does that make it an unfair comparison or just cold hard facts?

[Tobers]

I had hoped for a more rangefinder-like focusing facility like the Fuji approach. Just the Q style focus peaking isn't adequate IMHO. It isn't accurate enough on the Q and I doubt it will be on this camera. It feels like the EV1 misses the point as a result. It does look nice though. 

If you just want to use your M lenses, stick them on a Sony body with an adapter. Focus peaking plus multiple stage focus zoom assist that is just a configurable button away. Otherwise the Q3 handles everything from 28-75mm for me. 

[SrMi]

49 minutes ago, LVPhoto said:

I recall when Leica firmly stated that they would never produce an electronic rangefinder for the M series. 

M-EV 1 is not a rangefinder.

[hroark]

2 minutes ago, SrMi said:

M-EV 1 is not a rangefinder.

Do you think we could call it an (expensive) Fuji X-E5 that only support manual focus?  /s

[lekitr]

Another M5 moment......

[SrMi]

4 minutes ago, hroark said:

Do you think we could call it an (expensive) Fuji X-E5 that only support manual focus?  /s

No.

[lct]

17 minutes ago, FrozenInTime said:

Found an image of the camera without lens

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Interesting to see that the rangefinder has not been 100% replaced since the MEV1 keeps the same roller cam as the M11, as expected.

[Dazzajl]

7 minutes ago, Tobers said:

I had hoped for a more rangefinder-like focusing facility like the Fuji approach. Just the Q style focus peaking isn't adequate IMHO. It isn't accurate enough on the Q and I doubt it will be on this camera. It feels like the EV1 misses the point as a result. It does look nice though. 

If you just want to use your M lenses, stick them on a Sony body with an adapter. Focus peaking plus multiple stage focus zoom assist that is just a configurable button away. Otherwise the Q3 handles everything from 28-75mm for me. 

I’m a big fan of the Fuji hybrid viewfinder but it doesn’t offer any focus assist in the optical view finder. Although you can use the mini EVF that sits in the bottom corner of your optical view that shows a magnified portion of the frame.

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[IkarusJohn]

2 hours ago, costa43 said:

The M is a legend so Leica have to expect a level of push back in these moments. I think it has a lot to do with the pricing and the not very ambitious effort to make something that interesting. They gave us the bare minimum but are charging the maximum and it does not have that much of the M experience to it.  Any mirrorless camera will give you similar function for many thousands of pounds less so we pay for form and legacy even more so than with the regular line.
 

Not really.  This camera was always going to be the current M camera, and nothing more - just with the EVF built in.  That opens up using adapted R lenses (including zooms and long telephotos) and close focus lenses; and makes the use of more difficult lenses, like the Noctiluxes, easier wide open.

With every M release, there’s been rage - a meter in the camera; too big and ugly; APS-H, not full frame; noisey shutter release and crap ISO; black & white only? Pointless; too thick; no LCD; 60MP, and on it goes …

Here, the rage is less about what the camera is (an M11, but with an EVF) than about what it isn’t - the fanciful dreaming of posters here who just hadn’t thought it through.  Putting an EVF in an otherwise standard M11 was a huge step for Leica, reluctantly taken.  It was never going to be another range - it’s an M.  The next round, the M12, will have more innovation (heaven forbid), and if the M EV-1 sells, then we might see further development.

It’s a welcome development, and even better everyone’s rangefinder M cameras will keep working after this release.

[Chito]

So from what I gather it's just an M11 without the rangefinder and an integrated visoflex right?  No advantages whatsoever?