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

[Alistairm]

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Any bargain LTM rangefinder uncoupled lenses out there those of us who have taken the plunge should be looking for? 
 

Has anyone tried an LTM lens on the M EVF yet?

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[IkarusJohn]

1 minute ago, Alistairm said:

Any bargain LTM rangefinder uncoupled lenses out there those of us who have taken the plunge should be looking for? 
 

Has anyone tried an LTM lens on the M EVF yet?

Lots.

I use a Summitar-LTM 50/2 from 1948 (it is coupled) with a Voigtlander adapter on my TL2 and my M cameras with the Visoflex, and I have used an uncoupled Distagon 15/2.8.  Just worth a bit of research and digging.

[algrove]

5 minutes ago, Alistairm said:

Any bargain LTM rangefinder uncoupled lenses out there those of us who have taken the plunge should be looking for? 
 

Has anyone tried an LTM lens on the M EVF yet?

Sure on my M11+Viso2 which is an M EVF. Old ones too from 1932 and 1934.

[Olaf_ZG]

Today some great bad clouds came over the hill. With rain falling out, and sunlight beaming through at the same time. I knew I needed to underexpose for a more dramatic effect, but was not sure how much.

An evf really helps in such situations. With a M it is guessing, at least for me. Maybe my fault as I don’t know its meter enough, but then I am not a diehard m photographer.

So, I really think this can be a great camera and I believe it will sell nicely.

True, same money can buy you the latest x2dii, but the m-mount has so much more to offer, from cheap to expensive, and that is a good USP.

[lct]

12 minutes ago, Alistairm said:

Has anyone tried an LTM lens on the M EVF yet?

Not yet received the MEV1 but i don't expect it to work differently with LTM lenses compared to the M11 which shares the same M mount normally.

[algrove]

1 hour ago, Olaf_ZG said:

Today some great bad clouds came over the hill. With rain falling out, and sunlight beaming through at the same time. I knew I needed to underexpose for a more dramatic effect, but was not sure how much.

An evf really helps in such situations. With a M it is guessing, at least for me. Maybe my fault as I don’t know its meter enough, but then I am not a diehard m photographer.

So, I really think this can be a great camera and I believe it will sell nicely.

True, same money can buy you the latest x2dii, but the m-mount has so much more to offer, from cheap to expensive, and that is a good USP.

The X2Dii is NOT the same money as it is $1700 less than this EV1 with a MUCH richer set of built-in options.

[lct]

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I have no experience with Hasselblad cameras. Do they work with M lenses?

[gbealnz]

Just now, lct said:

I have no experience with Hasselblad cameras. Do they work with M lenses?

Yes. I've used my Summilux's (35 and 50), plus my R lenses. The R series 21~35 is especially nice on the X1Dii and X2D.

[LocalHero1953]

10 hours ago, fotografr said:

I'm trying to imagine what a camera would look like after incorporating all of the suggested additions and subtractions that have been brought up here. 

The camera equivalent of the car Homer Simpson designed.

Edited Friday at 10:07 PM by LocalHero1953

[algrove]

30 minutes ago, lct said:

I have no experience with Hasselblad cameras. Do they work with M lenses?

Yes, with vignetting which can be compensated for while composing image. Still after cropping one gets a beautiful 90+MP image.

Edit-R lenses do not vignette on the X2Dii.

Edited Friday at 10:14 PM by algrove

[FrozenInTime]

3 minutes ago, algrove said:

Yes, with vignetting which can be compensated for while composing image. Still after cropping one gets a beautiful 90+MP image.

Without leaf shutter lenses, does that not leave an electronic shutter, with a read out time of 167...387ms ?

[algrove]

15 minutes ago, FrozenInTime said:

Without leaf shutter lenses, does that not leave an electronic shutter, with a read out time of 167...387ms ?

Yes, what ever the read out time.

However, I got the X2Dii mainly for use with excellent AF lenses which cost from $1500 to $3700. The IBIS alone sets this camera apart. The body costs $1700 less than the new EV1 and the feature set is phenomenal.

Edited Friday at 10:38 PM by algrove

[jaapv]

7 hours ago, Wipeout said:

I’ve bought one too — it’ll replace my M10 with the old Visoflex.

 

Why?

• Because I like seeing exactly what I’m getting before I press the shutter. The EVF shows brightness, colour and contrast live — no surprises afterwards.
• Focusing wide open is also much easier; with an f/1.4 lens you can actually see the eyes snap into focus instead of guessing with the rangefinder patch.
• You get 100% framing, so what you see really is what you get — perfect for 28 mm and wider lenses or telephotos.
• It’s great in low light, too. The EVF brightens the scene, while the rangefinder can be hard to use indoors or at night.
• No calibration worries either; the EVF doesn’t drift out like a rangefinder can.
• And as someone who wears glasses, I can finally see the whole frame clearly.
• Magnified view and focus peaking are just icing on the cake.

 

In short:

EVF M — easier, more precise, flexible, modern.

M11 — simpler, traditional, optical, mechanical charm.

 

Both have their place. I just don’t get the negativity here — the M3 was once a huge leap forward, and if the internet had existed back then, there’d probably have been 200 pages explaining why that was doomed too.

 

---

Well, Leica brought out a companion iiig specifically to address this issue. 

[kiwidad]

5 hours ago, Paulus said:

I’m thinking about buying a Nikon D6. I hear the focussing is pretty good? Next to my M’s . 

I Can shoot faster than the d6 if I pre focus lol

[S Maclean]

3 hours ago, lct said:

I have no experience with Hasselblad cameras. Do they work with M lenses?

Yes

[S Maclean]

Leica is surely pushing the advertising for this camera though. I have about 100 adds and placements for it all over my feeds. Crazy.  

[bobtodrick]

I find it funny...all the naysayers.  Go back into the archives from 2015 and there were so many posts wondering how Leica could foist the Q on us and what were they thinking.

Seems to have been pretty successful...has been credited with keeping Leica in the game.

I'll give them the benefit of the doubt...I think they know what they are doing 😂

[dsalamena]

I believe Leica hasn’t fully understood the needs expressed by its customers: the issue wasn’t just seeing better (EVF), but above all focusing more accurately and easily than with the rangefinder. With modern M models, you have three focus aids: rangefinder, magnification, and focus peaking (via LCD or optional EVF). With the new EV-1, you lose the rangefinder without gaining any real focusing assistance.In fact, I believe that moving the focus point is actually slower than with the rangefinder. A solution like focus confirmation (as in the Nikon ZF) would have greatly improved the experience for both new and long-time Leica users. As it is right now the EV-1 offer very little for a very high price. 

Edited yesterday at 01:23 AM by dsalamena

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[SoarFM]

On 10/23/2025 at 3:40 PM, Chito said:

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

That's what I'm seeing. The visoflex does everything this one does but the visoflex has the added benefit of tilting up! The rangefinder focuses far quicker than an EVF for 28-50. Only at 75, or wider than 28  does the visoflex or EVF eclipse the RF. I agree with the Kai W review that they missed by not improving the MF capability with an EVF micro prism or split image option.

Edited yesterday at 01:45 AM by SoarFM

[jaapv]

23 minutes ago, bobtodrick said:

I find it funny...all the naysayers.  Go back into the archives from 2015 and there were so many posts wondering how Leica could foist the Q on us and what were they thinking.

Seems to have been pretty successful...has been credited with keeping Leica in the game.

I'll give them the benefit of the doubt...I think they know what they are doing 😂

Hmm. I think that they are relying on sales expectations that may be - or not be- in step with reality. It would not be the first time that they overestimated, particularly in an internet age where a small vocal group can easily skew estimates. As I said earlier - remember the X-Vario, Digilux 3 and hot-potato drop of the CL system? I wish them that they are right - but I would not bet too much on it.