I am per week into my time extensively photographing with the premium Leica M EV1. It is a first-of-a-kind Leica M digital camera that is dividing opinions, and I’ve an overriding conclusion of my very own, together with my M EV1 overview. However first, let me set the scene.
The Leica M mount not too long ago celebrated 70 years, after its introduction in 1954, and is the oldest remaining lens mount nonetheless in manufacturing.
Nevertheless, 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.
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Such a transfer was solely a matter of time – Leica is not recording year-on-year earnings this decade by standing nonetheless. It continues to evolve, whereas maintaining one foot in its century-long roots.
The Leica M collection is steeped in custom. In the meantime, the Leica SL and Leica Q collection provide a completely trendy capturing expertise, most not too long ago the SL3 and Q3 and variants. Nevertheless, the M EV1 dares to evolve the Leica M into a totally digital expertise (minus autofocus). It is a trendy M.
Does the EV1 bastardize Leica M? Maybe, 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 beneath my belt, would I actually purchase the controversial mannequin?
To M EV1, or to Q?
The Leica M EV1 has a lot in frequent with the Leica M11 digital rangefinder and the Leica Q3 premium compact digital camera, with the identical 60MP sensor and base ISO 64 setting for tremendous sharp stills, and a price ticket someplace within the center.
The choice shouldn’t be 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 attraction 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 colour profile are there to see, with simpler handbook focus aids to assist nail the shot.
On the flip aspect, you might be Leica M hamstrung, lacking out on helpful Leica Q3 options similar to a tilt display screen, autofocus, and video recording. The EV1 feels extra like a Q3, solely it would not deal with as properly.
Sure, 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. Nevertheless, that lens is fabulous and, actually, what number of Leica lenses will you truly use?
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I do not personal any Leica gear. No digital camera, no lenses. And I believe these with a set of Leica M-mount lenses might be within the M EV1, particularly if the optical rangefinder proves too difficult.
However for these likewise taking a look at Leica from scratch, I believe the choice is fairly straightforward – you possibly can choose up a Leica Q3 and a Leica Q3 43 (with its 43mm f/2 lens) for a similar value because the Leica M EV1 and a typical M-mount lens, such because the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. That is two Leica cameras and lenses for the worth of 1 digital camera and lens.
I do suppose the EV1 is essentially the most usable Leica M digital camera but, however it loses a key a part of that rangefinder attraction, and I believe a Leica Q handles higher nonetheless.
I am eager to your ideas. Have you ever used Leica M and/or Leica Q cameras? How does the M EV1 sound to you? Let me know within the feedback beneath.
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