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

[Derbyshire Man]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

2 minutes ago, hexx said:

Just returned from the “town” and tried it out at Leica Mayfair store. I shall eat my words and correct what I’ve said about it before. It definitely is M rather than Q with M mount. It feels nice and solid in the hand like M11. It had 35 Lux on it and focusing was quite easy at 1.4. Tried few captures with and without magnification and it was tack sharp so that means, at least from that brief experience, that the EVF works well for focusing. Now I have a dilemma - should I sell Q3 and get this or not 😀

 

Yes, this was my experience and my thought process! I wouldn’t use it for 35/50 modern luxes but would be good for my pre-asph, tricky with focus shift, modified for close focus which exacerbates and happy to throw a flare when least expected/useful!

[charlesphoto99]

5 minutes ago, thighslapper said:

This is typical Leica ..... wring as many variants as possible out of the original form factor and watch the well heeled jump for the latest model. 

Just wait... we still have MEV1-P, MEV1-M, MEV1-glossy paint, MEV1 - D (for that truly pure EVF experience) to go, and most likely some version with cosmetics by a B-list rock star. 

[M8X2]

vor 9 Minuten schrieb charlesphoto99:

Just wait... we still have MEV1-P, MEV1-M, MEV1-glossy paint, MEV1 - D (for that truly pure EVF experience) to go, and most likely some version with cosmetics by a B-list rock star. 

These sound more like car models than cameras.

[SrMi]

32 minutes ago, lct said:

Autozoom does work from infinity to 0.5m on my M11. Just checked with my Summicron 50/2 DR. Same with Skopar 50/2.2. Are you sure it does not work below 0.7m on the MEV1? I

Verified that autozoom does not work for a range below 0.7m. However, that is a property of the lens. The lens stops reporting focus change (mechanically) once it is below 0.7m. I assume that all new CF lenses work the same way.

[DreiPunkte]

Yesterday I came in touch with the new toy
The auto zoom immediately reminds me of the Leica III experience when photographing a band in a small club at close range
and the III has a 1.5 x magnification factor in the rangefinder.
At that moment I understand the 'Bang' when 'M-Class' entered the stage.

Edited Saturday at 05:04 PM by DreiPunkte

[lct]

2 minutes ago, SrMi said:

Verified that autozoom does not work for a range below 0.7m. However, that is a property of the lens. The lens stops reporting focus change (mechanically) once it is below 0.7m. I assume that all new CF lenses work the same way.

Strange. No such issue on M11 with legacy Leica lenses, or Cosina made ZM and VM lenses. I have no experience with CF lenses but the WATE allows for autozoom closer than 0.7m too. Not a deal breaker but my MEV1 will work the same way as the M11 hopefully. Thanks for sharing anyway.

[algrove]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

19 minutes ago, lct said:

Strange. No such issue on M11 with legacy Leica lenses, or Cosina made ZM and VM lenses. I have no experience with CF lenses but the WATE allows for autozoom closer than 0.7m too. Not a deal breaker but my MEV1 will work the same way as the M11 hopefully. Thanks for sharing anyway.

ICT

Why did you decide to purchase this EV1? Thanks.

[jrichie]

6 hours ago, Tseg said:

Luckily, the top plate recycled from the M11-D parts bin saved about $1K a camera.

and the back from the M11, with a hacked in Q3 EVF.  Awesome design.

 

[lct]

1 minute ago, algrove said:

ICT

Why did you decide to purchase this EV1? Thanks.

The MEV1 matches the simple idea some of us did have since the beginning i.e. a mere M11 with an EVF in place of the RF. We were expecting a built-in Visoflex2 to reduce costs then but more resolution will do no harm hopefully. My reservation would come from the heath such resolution can cause but i shall see.

[algrove]

So if the SL2 with Maestro3 functions at 120 why does the EV1 only function at 60 with the same Maestro?

[Telecaster]

4 hours ago, elmars said:

There is not enough space in the M11 cameras for the needed WiFi module. 

I hope they can change that for future M models. The Leica App is great compared to what other manufacturers offer + fast connectivity is the way to go.

[elroustom]

Everything but the price. I bet it's superb to handle. I wonder if they addressed the problem of looking through the finder with glasses on and not being able to see the whole frame.

[jaapv]

38 minutes ago, algrove said:

So if the SL2 with Maestro3 functions at 120 why does the EV1 only function at 60 with the same Maestro?

Heat dissipation in warm weather. THe same reason that it does not have video   

[LocalHero1953]

40 minutes ago, algrove said:

So if the SL2 with Maestro3 functions at 120 why does the EV1 only function at 60 with the same Maestro?

I keep my Q3 43 and SL3-S at 60 - I don't notice any deficiencies in visual quality, and it saves battery. But then I use those cameras only in AF.

[Pixeleater]

On 10/24/2025 at 8:06 AM, Jeff S said:

Thought you might be relieved to know that the camera you own(ed) is better than you realized. 😉

Love my M10-R. 🙂

[algrove]

57 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

I keep my Q3 43 and SL3-S at 60 - I don't notice any deficiencies in visual quality, and it saves battery. But then I use those cameras only in AF.

That's not an answer to my question, but an answer on what you do plus both the Q3 and SL3S have the maestro IV processor.

I am looking for apples to apples explanations.

Nevertheless, thank for trying.

[rtai]

If I can mount my 24mm Summilux onto the EV1 and see the entire frame like having a .58x for my 28mm Summicron then it’s reason enough to seriously consider it as a second camera to my M11M for a compact 24/35 travel kit like the old days with two .58 and .85x bodies with 28/50 Summicrons. I zone focus wide angles so EVF or not only the price matters. I’ll wait for a used one.

Edited Saturday at 08:39 PM by rtai

[LocalHero1953]

.

Edited Saturday at 08:44 PM by LocalHero1953

[LocalHero1953]

 

6 minutes ago, algrove said:

That's not an answer to my question, but an answer on what you do plus both the Q3 and SL3S have the maestro IV processor.

I am looking for apples to apples explanations.

Nevertheless, thank for trying.

Apologies, it wasn't an answer - my post was just using yours as a generalised hook to hang a comment about the wish for 120fps.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[FlashGordonPhotography]

1 hour ago, algrove said:

So if the SL2 with Maestro3 functions at 120 why does the EV1 only function at 60 with the same Maestro?

Because battery life is already shorter with this camera. 230-270 shots. Compared to 700+++ with the M11. All of that is because of the EVF. Using 120fps would lower than even more.

Gordon