I’m a week into my time extensively photographing with the premium Leica M EV1. It’s a first-of-a-kind Leica M camera that’s dividing opinions, and I have an overriding conclusion of my own, along with my M EV1 review. But first, let me set the scene.
The Leica M mount recently celebrated 70 years, after its introduction in 1954, and is the oldest remaining lens mount still in production.
During this time, Leica has made analog models with the famed optical rangefinder and then stepped into the digital age with digital rangefinders, most recently the M11-P.
Leica M has a dedicated fan base who love the system’s unique and challenging experience of using the rangefinder to manually focus and compose pictures, plus, of course, the high-quality and compact design of the premium made in Germany bodies and lenses.
However, the EV1 marks a new dawn for Leica’s M mount, or at least a subcategory of it – it’s the first Leica M with an electronic viewfinder.
Such a move was only a matter of time – Leica isn’t recording year-on-year profits this decade by standing still. It continues to evolve, while keeping one foot in its century-long roots.
The Leica M series is steeped in tradition. Meanwhile, the Leica SL and Leica Q series offer a thoroughly modern shooting experience, most recently the SL3 and Q3 and variants. However, the M EV1 dares to evolve the Leica M into a fully electronic experience (minus autofocus). It’s a modern M.
Does the EV1 bastardize Leica M? Perhaps, but it marries Leica’s traditional and forward-thinking design approach, and there’s totally a place and a person for it.
So, with experience photographing with Leica M and Leica Q cameras and now a week with the M EV1 under my belt, would I myself buy the controversial model?
To M EV1, or to Q?
The Leica M EV1 has much in common with the Leica M11 digital rangefinder and the Leica Q3 premium compact camera, with the same 60MP sensor and base ISO 64 setting for super sharp stills, and a price tag somewhere in the middle.
The decision is not about quality, therefore, but about user experience, and ultimately, I feel the Leica M EV1 offers the worst of the Leica M and Leica Q worlds.
Crucially, you miss out on the charm of the optical rangefinder, like in the M11 (and superior battery life), and get the cold convenience of a 5.76m-dot EVF instead, as in the Leica Q3. Your complete frame and color profile are there to see, with easier manual focus aids to help nail the shot.
On the flip side, you are Leica M hamstrung, missing out on handy Leica Q3 features such as a tilt screen, autofocus, and video recording. The EV1 feels more like a Q3, only it doesn’t handle as well.
Yes, you get the ability to change lenses and choose between superb compact optics, which is distinctly M, whereas the Q3 compact is stuck with its built-in 28mm f/1.7 lens. However, that lens is fabulous and, really, how many Leica lenses will you actually use?
I don’t own any Leica gear. No camera, no lenses. And I think those with a collection of Leica M-mount lenses could be interested in the M EV1, especially if the optical rangefinder proves too challenging.
But for those likewise looking at Leica from scratch, I think the decision is pretty easy – you can pick up a Leica Q3 and a Leica Q3 43 (with its 43mm f/2 lens) for the same price as the Leica M EV1 and a typical M-mount lens, such as the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. That’s two Leica cameras and lenses for the price of one camera and lens.
I do think the EV1 is the most usable Leica M camera yet, but it loses a key part of that rangefinder charm, and I think a Leica Q handles better still.
I’m keen for your thoughts. Have you used Leica M and/or Leica Q cameras? How does the M EV1 sound to you? Let me know in the comments below.
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