Shooting experience of the M EV1 vs SL3 with M Lenses

[microview]

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Tried focusing M11P Safari using Visoflex and results were fairly good, but invariably checking through the RF window showed exact focus was not achieved. Anyway, RF far quicker – I haven't needed to go for the closer focus some M lenses now offer. Would use Q2/non-micro setting for that.

[SrMi]

1 hour ago, algrove said:

You sound like Sean R.

Funny how we both came to the same conclusion after using M lenses with EVFs 🤣. Yes, I borrowed the term "riding the aperture" from Sean Reid. 

I share his fear that newbies will not realize that you cannot precisely focus with the aperture stopped down.

Edited Sunday at 02:47 PM by SrMi

[Jon Warwick]

I tried my Visoflex 2 on the M11, and compared it to my SL2-S. I was indoors under LED downlights.

Comparing them side-by-side, i was surprised at the difference.

I'm trying to figure out what part of their specification particularly creates the differences, and hence what one should expect vis-a-vis the M EV1?

(i) the Visoflex 2 seemed to project a smaller image, and it was flickering (is that because of a slower refresh rate interacting with the LED lights in my room?)

(ii) the SL2-S seemed to project a notably larger, clearer image, with no flickering and no juddering of the image when manually focusing. Just all very smooth.

My questions are ....

* are all the SLs’ EVFs (SL2, SL2-S, SL3, SL3-S) identical in specification and performance?

* is the EVF on the M EV1 identical to what we have on these SL cameras - it seems "yes" for 5.76mp resolution, but what about size of the image projected into the viewfinder (magnification?) and also clarity (is there a different construction of the EVFs across the systems, and does will it make a difference? I seem to recall the EVF of the SL2s were built with the benefit of "optical glass" to enhance clarity?)

 

Edited Monday at 09:41 AM by Jon Warwick

[LanceR]

On 10/26/2025 at 8:20 AM, Photoworks said:

is the EVF set to 60 or 120?

I have tried both.

[LanceR]

On 10/26/2025 at 8:23 AM, SrMi said:

The key to achieving critical focus with M lenses on EVF cameras is to "ride the aperture": open wide to focus, then close it to shoot.

This is how I achieve the best results, albeit a slower process.

[SrMi]

6 minutes ago, LanceR said:

This is how I achieve the best results, albeit a slower process.

I am used to that method with Visoflex on M11. However, with the magnified view, I may be able to focus well enough up to f/5.6 with a 28mm lens.

With M11, I switch to the rangefinder when I do not want to "ride the aperture." That is no longer an option.

[swatch]

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On 10/26/2025 at 10:15 PM, microview said:

Tried focusing M11P Safari using Visoflex and results were fairly good, but invariably checking through the RF window showed exact focus was not achieved. Anyway, RF far quicker – I haven't needed to go for the closer focus some M lenses now offer. Would use Q2/non-micro setting for that.

@microview thanks for your sharing which convince me rf is not suitable or challenging to achieve accurate focus for fast lenses.  I love rf experience and I should also accept its limitation.

[swatch]

On 10/26/2025 at 8:23 PM, SrMi said:

The key to achieving critical focus with M lenses on EVF cameras is to "ride the aperture": open wide to focus, then close it to shoot.

@SrMi this is slow in speed.  

What Leica should consider is the method of Nikon’s method in their SLR film camera system : AIS  lenses are always wide open in viewfinder no matter which aperture settings are, that benefit focusing, when user press the shutter there is a lever to stop down the lens at working aperture that have been pre-selected, that is instantly happened without further action from user/photographer.

Such mechanical change of M lenses and M camera with EVF will require effects and investment from Leica if the user experience is the important factor in selling.