I’m per week into my time extensively photographing with the premium Leica M EV1. It’s a first-of-a-kind Leica M digicam that is dividing opinions, and I’ve an overriding conclusion of my very own, together with my M EV1 overview. But first, let me set the scene.
The Leica M mount just lately celebrated 70 years, after its introduction in 1954, and is the oldest remaining lens mount nonetheless in manufacturing.
During this time, Leica has made analog fashions with the famed optical rangefinder after which stepped into the digital age with digital rangefinders, most just lately the M11-P.
Leica M has a devoted fan base who love the system’s distinctive and difficult expertise of utilizing the rangefinder to manually focus and compose footage, plus, in fact, the high-quality and compact design of the premium made in Germany our bodies and lenses.
However, the EV1 marks a brand new daybreak for Leica’s M mount, or at the least a subcategory of it – it is the primary Leica M with an digital viewfinder.
Such a transfer was solely a matter of time – Leica is not recording year-on-year income this decade by standing nonetheless. It continues to evolve, whereas holding one foot in its century-long roots.
The Leica M sequence is steeped in custom. Meanwhile, the Leica SL and Leica Q sequence provide a totally trendy capturing expertise, most just lately the SL3 and Q3 and variants. However, the M EV1 dares to evolve the Leica M into a totally digital expertise (minus autofocus). It’s a contemporary M.
Does the EV1 bastardize Leica M? Perhaps, however it marries Leica’s conventional and forward-thinking design strategy, and there is completely a spot and an individual for it.
So, with expertise photographing with Leica M and Leica Q cameras and now per week with the M EV1 below my belt, would I personally purchase the controversial mannequin?
The EV1 – a Leica M with soul, minus the guts
To M EV1, or to Q?
The Leica M EV1 has a lot in widespread with the Leica M11 digital rangefinder and the Leica Q3 premium compact digicam, with the identical 60MP sensor and base ISO 64 setting for tremendous sharp stills, and a price ticket someplace within the center.
The resolution isn’t about high quality, subsequently, however about person expertise, and in the end, I really feel the Leica M EV1 affords the worst of the Leica M and Leica Q worlds.
Crucially, you miss out on the appeal of the optical rangefinder, like within the M11 (and superior battery life), and get the chilly comfort of a 5.76m-dot EVF as an alternative, as within the Leica Q3. Your full body and coloration profile are there to see, with simpler handbook focus aids to assist nail the shot.
On the flip facet, you might be Leica M hamstrung, lacking out on helpful Leica Q3 options reminiscent of a tilt display, autofocus, and video recording. The EV1 feels extra like a Q3, solely it does not deal with as nicely.
Yes, you get the flexibility to alter lenses and select between excellent compact optics, which is distinctly M, whereas the Q3 compact is caught with its built-in 28mm f/1.7 lens. However, that lens is fabulous and, actually, what number of Leica lenses will you really use?
I do not personal any Leica gear. No digicam, no lenses. And I feel these with a group of Leica M-mount lenses may very well be within the M EV1, particularly if the optical rangefinder proves too difficult.
But for these likewise taking a look at Leica from scratch, I feel the choice is fairly simple – you’ll be able to decide up a Leica Q3 and a Leica Q3 43 (with its 43mm f/2 lens) for a similar worth because the Leica M EV1 and a typical M-mount lens, such because the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. That’s two Leica cameras and lenses for the value of 1 digicam and lens.
I do suppose the EV1 is essentially the most usable Leica M digicam but, however it loses a key a part of that rangefinder appeal, and I feel a Leica Q handles higher nonetheless.
I’m eager on your ideas. Have you used Leica M and/or Leica Q cameras? How does the M EV1 sound to you? Let me know within the feedback beneath.