Switching to EV1 from Rangefinder not so easy

[albireo_double]

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For those suggesting to focus with an open aperture and then stop down, what happened with good old focus shift when shooting with older M lenses that do not have a floating element? Did it suddenly disappear with the M EV1? (....Of course, less of a problem with the latest FLE lenses). 

Nothing beats the RF for focusing wide angles, especially when stopped down. Then use the Visoflex for composition and exposure, as necessary. I once took an SL2 with a 28mm Summicron-M on a trip. Shot a bunch of street photos and environmental portraits - the street photos were all fine but the portraits were all slightly out of focus. But of course, they all seemed perfectly in focus in the viewfinder, with peaking galore.

I can't see the point of this camera. I would if Leica equipped it with some electronic RF / hybrid system like Fuji used to. As is, it looks to me like just another derivative camera aimed to skim some more cream off the M11 platform before the M12 comes in. Nothing wrong with that, but not for me, thanks.

 

 

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[AlanJW]

30 minutes ago, albireo_double said:

For those suggesting to focus with an open aperture and then stop down, what happened with good old focus shift when shooting with older M lenses that do not have a floating element? Did it suddenly disappear with the M EV1? (....Of course, less of a problem with the latest FLE lenses). 

Nothing beats the RF for focusing wide angles, especially when stopped down. Then use the Visoflex for composition and exposure, as necessary. I once took an SL2 with a 28mm Summicron-M on a trip. Shot a bunch of street photos and environmental portraits - the street photos were all fine but the portraits were all slightly out of focus. But of course, they all seemed perfectly in focus in the viewfinder, with peaking galore.

I can't see the point of this camera. I would if Leica equipped it with some electronic RF / hybrid system like Fuji used to. As is, it looks to me like just another derivative camera aimed to skim some more cream off the M11 platform before the M12 comes in. Nothing wrong with that, but not for me, thanks.

 

 

Nobody is forcing you to buy anything. I don't think Leica, or anybody else for that matter, would say either that the EV is a replacement for the M11 (or M12) or that the EV is for everyone. I happen to like it.  My aging and damaged eyes are thanking me, and I am having fun.  

[SrMi]

44 minutes ago, albireo_double said:

For those suggesting to focus with an open aperture and then stop down, what happened with good old focus shift when shooting with older M lenses that do not have a floating element? Did it suddenly disappear with the M EV1? (....Of course, less of a problem with the latest FLE lenses). 

Nothing beats the RF for focusing wide angles, especially when stopped down. Then use the Visoflex for composition and exposure, as necessary. I once took an SL2 with a 28mm Summicron-M on a trip. Shot a bunch of street photos and environmental portraits - the street photos were all fine but the portraits were all slightly out of focus. But of course, they all seemed perfectly in focus in the viewfinder, with peaking galore.

I can't see the point of this camera. I would if Leica equipped it with some electronic RF / hybrid system like Fuji used to. As is, it looks to me like just another derivative camera aimed to skim some more cream off the M11 platform before the M12 comes in. Nothing wrong with that, but not for me, thanks.

Focus shift is also a problem with rangefinders. Focusing with EVF requires different skills from rangefinder focusing, but it also requires specific skills.

Leica has said the camera is based on customer requests, not because it wanted to do so. And yes, neither the M11 nor the M-EV1 is for everybody, but isn't it great that Leica offers a choice, even if it's not for you?

Edited 3 hours ago by SrMi

[albireo_double]

Never said that somebody is forcing me to buy something or that it is not great that Leica offer a choice. I outlined the reason why it is not a camera for me. If my shooting called for a regular use of a Noctilux, or longer lenses wide open, I might be thinking differently. To me, focusing any Noctilux using an EVF is vastly preferable to the RF. But the most used lenses on my M11M are the Apo 35/2 and the 21SEM. I find both far easier to focus with the RF, and I use the Visoflex to compose with the 21. 

I know that focus shift is also a problem with rangefinders. I am just pointing out that one beautiful aspect of the M system is the availability of many interesting legacy lenses, some of which will shift focus when stopped down. So, I'd be careful with the "open up, focus, close down" routine. But if it works for people with their lenses, then all is good.

[lct]

17 minutes ago, albireo_double said:

[...] I know that focus shift is also a problem with rangefinders. I am just pointing out that one beautiful aspect of the M system is the availability of many interesting legacy lenses, some of which will shift focus when stopped down. So, I'd be careful with the "open up, focus, close down" routine. But if it works for people with their lenses, then all is good.

I mainly focus at working aperture with the MEV1. Great to use character lenses like the superb Sonnar 50/1.5 this way. Its well known focus shift is easy to avoid with the EVF and as much as i may like my RFs otherwise, i don't use them anymore with this lens. Same for flare prone lenses, i don't have to guestimate the flare with them since it is visible in the EVF. The MEV1 can be the best friend of legacy lenses from this viewpoint. Also true about my favorite Summicron 50/2 DR i don't have to use its goggles anymore. Same for my Elmarit 135/2.8 i can focus without goggles for the first time in 40+ years. « One beautiful aspect of the M system is the availability of many interesting legacy lenses », as you perfectly said. In my 50+ years experience with M gear, this statement has never been truer than with the MEV1. FWIW.

[mboerma]

What I don’t get is why people come to a forum like this one to tell others that something is not for them. Personally I would spend my time in places where I can learn from others how to use things I enjoy even better. I can spend my whole live going to the Sony, Canon forums, if we stay in the domain of photography, to tell others why I don’t buy these cameras. Or do people want to be convinced they are wrong? 

Anyway. This M EV1 forum seems to attract a fair share of these people. I don’t get it. But that must be me.