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

[Kiwimac]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

8 hours ago, algrove said:

Wait a minute, how can that be? It costs about $1000 to remove it from the M11 for an M11M.

It’s now a subscription service. 
 

Red Dot - $500 per annum 

 

No Red Dot - $800 per annum

 

 in both, Wetzlar gain an unrestricted right to own everything you shoot. You may lease back your work at rates to be advised. 
 

Adobe are advisors on the new methodology. 

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[BernardC]

14 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

Having seen the herd of YouTubers Leica flew to Germany for the launch, Leica clearly think YT is the whole world 🤣

A single tactical strike could have dealt to just about every YT channel that ever mentioned Leica!

Clearly that's how a lot of photographers get their news these days, including yourself. Most photo magazines are gone (or pointless). Our favourite writers are now freelancers.

The few people I follow weren't invited, or they declined. They got their M EV1 from a local shop or distributor. Some of them have been to Wetzlar for previous launches, but clearly it's not the exotic holiday that it's made-out to be (by some): industrial park hotel, breakfast buffet, chilly overcast weather. 

[algrove]

Italy was well represented in the EV1 YT stuff. You are right-it is so boring to watch how one says it and the other has to say it slightly differently to be independent or whatever. I see Petapixel video guy even shot Ted Forbes video for him since Ted was on his own.

Sad tale.

[Paulus]

I tried the M EV1 today....

 

With a summilux 1,4 ash and an apo-telyt 135mm . The pictures ar rather sharp but the viewing trough te finder are so bad... so bad.. It's not a rangefinder-experience  at all . 

The things I like from the rangefinder... are gone. The camera is to slow for making fast photos because of the way you have to handle and keep  looking for a way to stay in focus, which is so different from the viewfinder that is frustrating. The Q had less issues, it was an EV , but the autofocus worked and this M EV1 is terrible in Manual . 

 

I must say, I never used a EV before, so this is maybe my experience, but I just don't like it. The M11p is so much faster in handling , the M EV1 is  annoying. Totally convinced: No camera for me. But you have to trie it first before you buy it , I heartily advise. 

 

And. the advertisement? This https://leica-camera.com/en-int/photography/cameras/m/m-ev1-black?utm_source=CRM&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20251030_HQ_ROW_LNL2_M_ybh&cpid=912183bc42354c3c8b8e2db8bed1d7bb#focus

I did not find this way of looking through the lens at all. What did I do wrong? 

 

 

 

 

[Paulus]

Am 26.10.2025 um 22:42 schrieb BillCB:

Well, I've read all 29 (so far) pages of critique and find myself rather amused. I see the new camera as one of many choices in the Leica line up and applaud the fact we have choices. I love the M11-P but when it comes to using the APO 135  (and even the 90 mm) I find RF focussing problematic and I switch to the SL. To have an M that can avoid parallax error and shoot macro is another great tool.

Thanks for the choice, Leica!

 

The M11p focussing with the apo 135mm is rather good! The manusl focussing is faster than with the M EV1 and appears to be spot on! 

[Paulus]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb Paulus:

I tried the M EV1 today....

 

With a summilux 1,4 ash and an apo-telyt 135mm . The pictures ar rather sharp but the viewing trough te finder are so bad... so bad.. It's not a rangefinder-experience  at all . 

The things I like from the rangefinder... are gone. The camera is to slow for making fast photos because of the way you have to handle and keep  looking for a way to stay in focus, which is so different from the viewfinder that is frustrating. The Q had less issues, it was an EV , but the autofocus worked and this M EV1 is terrible in Manual . 

 

I must say, I never used a EV before, so this is maybe my experience, but I just don't like it. The M11p is so much faster in handling , the M EV1 is  annoying. Totally convinced: No camera for me. But you have to trie it first before you buy it , I heartily advise. 

 

And. the advertisement? This https://leica-camera.com/en-int/photography/cameras/m/m-ev1-black?utm_source=CRM&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20251030_HQ_ROW_LNL2_M_ybh&cpid=912183bc42354c3c8b8e2db8bed1d7bb#focus

I did not find this way of looking through the lens at all. What did I do wrong? 

 

 

 

 

What bothers me a little is that this idea just isn’t true IMHO , Leica states about the M EV1 : 

 

The Easiest Way to Enter the Legendary M-System  “ 

[Paulus]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Gerade eben schrieb Paulus:

What bothers me a little is that this idea just isn’t true IMHO , Leica states about the M EV1 : 

 

The Easiest Way to Enter the Legendary M-System  “ 

When I started with the M6 , I was using a Minolta 7000 AF and a Nikon F3 . 
In the manual of the M6 I could read the simple explanation of how to focus, it was so easy , even a child can do it;

 

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!

 

 

[SrMi]

5 minutes ago, Paulus said:

What bothers me a little is that this idea just isn’t true IMHO , Leica states about the M EV1 : 

 

The Easiest Way to Enter the Legendary M-System  “ 

I believe that for most, using an EVF is easier than using an RF. So they can start with M-EV1 and then graduate to an RF M.

[Paulus]

vor 4 Minuten schrieb SrMi:

I believe that for most, using an EVF is easier than using an RF. So they can start with M-EV1 and then graduate to an RF M.

Why would this be? Is the learning curve so much steeper?
Directing two squares over each other until they fall in place is not rocket science? As I remember corectly , it took me one magical evening unboxing and practising in an almost dark livingroom.  It worked like s charm! 

[edstock]

I'm not a technician and really don't understand most of what is being said. Did Leica really say this new VF overcomes the problems associated with the M rangefinder? I've been using Leica Ms and Rs professionally since the '70s, and for my own pleasure. I've never had a problem, and at $8,000, they can keep it.

[Jipster]

34 minutes ago, edstock said:

I'm not a technician and really don't understand most of what is being said. Did Leica really say this new VF overcomes the problems associated with the M rangefinder? I've been using Leica Ms and Rs professionally since the '70s, and for my own pleasure. I've never had a problem, and at $8,000, they can keep it.

For whatever it is worth, the most interesting aspect of the EV1 for me is the ability to use a larger set of lenses without any fuss. Long lenses (including long R lenses), close focus lenses without an Visoflex or on the back screen and very wide angle lenses without an extra external viewfinder. That said, probably not for me as of now, but used in a few years, who knows.