Survey: Leica M EV1 – Future or mistake?

[jaapv]

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18 hours ago, 3D-Kraft.com said:

Thanks, but my question asked something different. Imaging (this includes Instax/film/paper as well as digital imaging) makes ≈ 17% of the total revenues of Fujifilm.

Like any other large camera industry, Sony, Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, all have cameras etc. as a small part of their conglomerate. Another completely irrelevant non-argument.  

May I suggest sticking to the thread instead of attempting to derail it? 

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[3D-Kraft.com]

vor einer Stunde schrieb jaapv:

May I suggest sticking to the thread instead of attempting to derail it? 

Good suggestion (it was you, who brought the film into the discussion).

[jonoslack]

23 hours ago, Olaf_ZG said:

Even feedback from people not buying could be useful, it depends just how open one is too listen to its customers.

HI Olaf - one thing is for sure - this camera only exists because Leica was listening to its customers! I was in Dublin when the decision was made (even though it wasn't announced then). . . . . . . most of the posters on this thread seem to think they should have listened to different customers (I guess we all think that!). 

[lct]

As long as i can recall, LUF members intested in an EVF-M were asking exactly for what Leica are releasing now: an M11 with a built-in EVF in place of the RF. Unsure what's not to like about that. A tilting EVF? Would it be technically possible and, if so, could the body remain as compact as the MEV1 is at present?

Edited Sunday at 04:54 PM by lct

[Smudgerer]

9 minutes ago, jonoslack said:

HI Olaf - one thing is for sure - this camera only exists because Leica was listening to its customers! I was in Dublin when the decision was made (even though it wasn't announced then). . . . . . . most of the posters on this thread seem to think they should have listened to different customers (I guess we all think that!). 

Well Jono although this M-EV1 isn't a M for me I think as you say here Leica did listen to their customers, and perhaps "M-EV" people too back at Wetzlar and decided to make the camera, plus as already mentioned somewhere here they had already sort of considered an EVF version during the design stages of the M11 so that if the decision was made they had a body that could accommodate the EVF "works" sort of ready off the shelf. I think that shows quite sound thinking on Leica's part, if this camera doesn't fly and they don't take it's development any further than this initial effort then the minimum of financial hurt would be done.

The camera itself I find, for my purposes that is, quite lame and bloody expensive for what it is, ( but it's a Leica made in Germany so what did one expect? It just couldn't be a "cheap" M ), but as I said in a previous post I can see that this might be able to find it's way into M users kit as a "B" or "C" camera and prove useful in that task at times.

What did catch my attention though in all the "noise" was the mention by Leica that they are working on improvements in regards to the rangefinder system / mechanism, now that would be good to have come to fruition.

[jonoslack]

4 minutes ago, Smudgerer said:

Well Jono although this M-EV1 isn't a M for me I think as you say here Leica did listen to their customers, and perhaps "M-EV" people too back at Wetzlar and decided to make the camera, plus as already mentioned somewhere here they had already sort of considered an EVF version during the design stages of the M11 so that if the decision was made they had a body that could accommodate the EVF "works" sort of ready off the shelf. I think that shows quite sound thinking on Leica's part, if this camera doesn't fly and they don't take it's development any further than this initial effort then the minimum of financial hurt would be done.

The camera itself I find, for my purposes that is, quite lame and bloody expensive for what it is, ( but it's a Leica made in Germany so what did one expect? It just couldn't be a "cheap" M ), but as I said in a previous post I can see that this might be able to find it's way into M users kit as a "B" or "C" camera and prove useful in that task at times.

What did catch my attention though in all the "noise" was the mention by Leica that they are working on improvements in regards to the rangefinder system / mechanism, now that would be good to have come to fruition.

I think it was telling that on the day the M EV1 was launched, Peter Karbe did a presentation about the history of the rangefinder at Leica! 

I don't think the M EV1 is a camera for me really either (I haven't decided yet and I still have Leica's test camera kidnapped - but it's been a lot of fun shooting with it these 6 months or so, and I know that all the other testers enjoyed it as well (and some will buy it). 

Of course, if I knew anything I couldn't say - what I can say though is that Leica product management team have thought about all of this very hard - they are a bright and imaginative bunch - full of ideas.

All the best

[Olaf_ZG]

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56 minutes ago, jonoslack said:

HI Olaf - one thing is for sure - this camera only exists because Leica was listening to its customers! I was in Dublin when the decision was made (even though it wasn't announced then). . . . . . . most of the posters on this thread seem to think they should have listened to different customers (I guess we all think that!). 

Hi Jono, reading this forum a lot I know the camera is asked for, and I do believe it is a great camera. Yet, though considering it, I will in the end not buy it. There might be more people like me, who are genuinely interested, but in the end not buying. Why not? I believe this could be interesting for Leica.

[jaapv]

6 hours ago, 3D-Kraft.com said:

Good suggestion (it was you, who brought the film into the discussion).

Next time read my posts - I brought the versatility of a (D)SLR  viewfinder vs a RF viewfinder in the past, and the fact that it did not finish the M,  into the discussion.

[Edward Schwartzreich]

Thanks to William and others as to why I was a tester of the camera.  I get to test a few Leica things here and there before release, but also Light Lens Lab lenses.   I write articles for Viewfinder all the time, and am Associate Editor along with Chats.

I think we are getting closer here to why this camera was released, and the fact that it is exactly what it is, not something in any way more advanced than was asked for: an M11 with EVF only.

It was fun to use and play with, but I was happy to pass it on to the next reviewer.  Not for me.  I would have no use for it.

[SrMi]

1 hour ago, Olaf_ZG said:

Hi Jono, reading this forum a lot I know the camera is asked for, and I do believe it is a great camera. Yet, though considering it, I will in the end not buy it. There might be more people like me, who are genuinely interested, but in the end not buying. Why not? I believe this could be interesting for Leica.

I believe it is Leica's hope and expectation that most M owner would prefer rangefinder to M-EV1. The posts in this forum confirm that. However, there is a (small?) group of Leica owners who would prefer an EVF Leica.

[S Maclean]

I have been a beta tester, not of this product, but on several others. There are very critical threads and internal conversations between testers. With the “product” often staying on the sideline taking notes.  The job is not to praise, or critique, if that’s what you do you’re not often asked back. The job is to test, turn the product back and straight and back again to cover as many end user scenarios as possible, identify glitches and trends. Problems and successes. See if they are unit related, user related or product related. Report and sit back.  All that happens a longtime before you see the first YouTube or blog, which come out after release. 

[Edward Schwartzreich]

I have yet to write up this camera.  I am not sure how this will be accomplished in Viewfinder.   Several other persons are involved.  

Sure, there s much to say.  But I was giving only my opinions, not the nits and bolts.

 

Ed

[charlesphoto99]

3 hours ago, lct said:

As long as i can recall, LUF members intested in an EVF-M were asking exactly for what Leica are releasing now: an M11 with a built-in EVF in place of the RF. Unsure what's not to like about that. A tilting EVF? Would it be technically possible and, if so, could the body remain as compact as the MEV1 is at present?

I feel most were thinking Leica would come up with a unique EVF solution to the way the traditional rangefinder works, versus just slapping inside what many users already own for their M11. Like anything, some will love it, and that's great. But I think for many it's too just dear (expensive) for that special occasion use, esp with the M12 around the corner (which will most likely come with an updated Viso). And it's still not AF, with no way to ever do so (unlike the other EVF cameras M lenses are adapted to) so it only solves half of the aging or disabled eyes problem. 

[lct]

The market will decide as always.

[Planetwide]

On 11/1/2025 at 6:40 AM, jonoslack said:

You are still assuming that people will buy this camera on the basis of its technical prowess (or not as it hasn’t much-I don’t disagree). 
I’m maintaining that nobody ever bought a Leica camera on the basis of its technical prowess (at least since 1960 - (how could they have done). 
So that saying this camera is doomed for its lack of technical prowess is missing the point!

The M EV1 has lots going for it: it has a fantastic interface, great image quality, a beautiful body and a wonderful selection of lenses for which it is specifically designed. There is all that Leica history, It’s lovely to shoot with and it makes a great consistent companion for an M11. 
 

Those are the reasons people will buy it! 
I would suggest that those who are saying they won’t buy it because of its technical shortcomings wouldn’t have bought it anyway (because Sony make smaller, cheaper more technically advanced bodies)

I had planned to buy it, even had the money set aside. Since I own well over 30 M lenses, and that I had pushed for this camera extensively, I am very disappointed with what was introduced. Leica had an opportunity here, that was not exercised. At the minimum, a tilt screen should have been included. IBIS would have cemented this, as the go to body for manual focus on M lenses. Other than weight, I cannot think of a reason to buy it over an SL3 and M adapter.

[SrMi]

29 minutes ago, Planetwide said:

I had planned to buy it, even had the money set aside. Since I own well over 30 M lenses, and that I had pushed for this camera extensively, I am very disappointed with what was introduced. Leica had an opportunity here, that was not exercised. At the minimum, a tilt screen should have been included. IBIS would have cemented this, as the go to body for manual focus on M lenses. Other than weight, I cannot think of a reason to buy it over an SL3 and M adapter.

It is unrealistic to expect Leica to design a new camera from scratch (tilting LCD, IBIS) just for a niche product (M with EVF). If those features are added they will first come to the rangefinder cameras.

An M-EV1 is significantly smaller, lighter and less conspicuous than an SL with M adapter. It also has autozoom, which SL is missing.

Indeed, if you do not care about those benefits, an SL with adapter is a better choice.

Edited Sunday at 11:36 PM by SrMi

[lct]

Whether it has an RF or an EVF, an M is an M, not a Swiss Army knife. People dream of things they don't ask the manufacturer for, and when the latter doesn't make their dreams come true, they complain on the internet. Not easy being a camera manufacturer these days... Nothing personal 😎

[Planetwide]

3 hours ago, SrMi said:

It is unrealistic to expect Leica to design a new camera from scratch (tilting LCD, IBIS) just for a niche product (M with EVF). If those features are added they will first come to the rangefinder cameras.

An M-EV1 is significantly smaller, lighter and less conspicuous than an SL with M adapter. It also has autozoom, which SL is missing.

Indeed, if you do not care about those benefits, an SL with adapter is a better choice.

Gimme a break, they added those items to the SL and Q. Also, every other manufacturer seems to find a way to add these items. They could have designed in the Q or SL screen for that matter. These are off the shelf components... 

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Hallo,

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[Planetwide]

1 hour ago, lct said:

Whether it has an RF or an EVF, an M is an M, not a Swiss Army knife. People dream of things they don't ask the manufacturer for, and when the latter doesn't make their dreams come true, they complain on the internet. Not easy being a camera manufacturer these days... Nothing personal 😎

I guess assuming that Leica might step out of the 90's in camera design was too much of an ask... This board had months of you guys saying that the M-EVF was not a real M, and now it is? A little criticism of Leica is entirely warranted, and yes, I expected more for the price, too bad if you don't like it - nothing personal.

[lct]

5 hours ago, Planetwide said:

Gimme a break, they added those items to the SL and Q. Also, every other manufacturer seems to find a way to add these items. They could have designed in the Q or SL screen for that matter. These are off the shelf components... 

My memory may be failing me, but no one asked for these additions at the beginning of the EVF-M adventure. As has been repeated ad nauseam, the idea was simply to replace the RF with an EVF in the M11 body. Leica listened carefully and did what we wanted in the MEV1. Except that the built-in EVF is not a Visoflex2, but comes from the Q3, if i understand correctly. Apart from that, and the difference is not obvious to be honest, the end result exactly matches those expectations. If people's expectations have changed since then, we will see by watching what the market does.