So… The Leica M EV1… How Do I Say This?…

So… The Leica M EV1… How Do I Say This?…

Preamble in bullet form:

• I am honestly not looking for that smoke.
• While having owned three varieties of Leica, OG Film M, Q, and Digital M, I would not classify myself as a brand adherent. (Largely because I eventually traded them all after having my fun.) But that does put aside the notion that I am salty because I have never owned one. Have owned. Enjoyed them. No beef with them. Moved on.

This Old Camera: Leica CL 50 JAHRE

This Old Camera: Leica M3

The Leica Q 4 years on: An amazing camera still.

Vintage Digital: A Year of Leica M Type 240 Ownership Update.

• I typed all of those words because some… some… Leica folks can be a bit… nuts. It is a camera brand at the end of the day.
• Offended already? I suggest you click the “x” on this tab and enjoy your day. Nothing to see here. Just some ramblings from a hyperactive hobbyist is all.
• Still there? Ok… Moving on.

I’ll just say it. I do not get it.

I wrote a whole long winded post defending the M range…

Vintage Digital – Leica M Type 240 Part 3: May finally understand my M obsession.

…largely based on one single conceit. More on that at the close of the cut and paste from that post below. I listed a bunch of reasons others have given for using M cameras that did not apply to me. So if those were not the reasons I was drawn to digital M…

…what is it then?

Why won’t film M mount cameras do it?

Why won’t adapting M mount lenses to full frame mirrorless cameras, the “sensible” thing to do, cut it?

Those are the questions I have long asked myself. But now that I have had access to a digital Leica M for more than a few minutes I think I finally understand. And it is fairly simple.

The Rangefinder.

I further went on to say.

• I did not want to use an M mount lens adapted to a mirrorless camera with an EVF.
  • This became clear when I realized the M240’s rangefinder was out of calibration and I completely lost interest in it. It did not matter that it had the Leica name. It did not matter that the sensor may have the Leica look. It did not matter that it was a handbuilt gem of a camera. Without a functioning rangefinder it was of no interest to me.
• I wanted that analog rangefinder goodness with the immediacy of digital reward.

In case you missed it, my answer to what I think about the M EV1 is right there above:

Without a functioning rangefinder it was of no interest to me.

And what did Leica produce? An M without a rangefinder.

Feel I need to throw in an “In my opinion.” here, for those who do not believe that is implied.

Sans rangefinder, many more options interest me more.

For starters:

Sony A7RV.

Sony A7RV: My last A7III post.

You know what it has?

• A 60MP sensor.
  • Some seem convinced is shared with the M11. Even if it is not the same, the specs are on top of each other.
• An EVF.

I half thought about slapping on an MF lens, adding gaffer tape over the name, and writing M EV1 on it… but:

• Seems petty.
• I still had no interest in using an EVF.

Yes, the M has the whole look and feel thing going for it, but that does not cut it for me because…

• As of the writing of this post, the M EV1 is more than twice as expensive, approaching three times the cost.
• Has IBIS.
• Shoots video.
• Articulating screen.
  • The best on the market.
• AF.
• Other stuff.

The A7RV is a great do-it-all rig. But I get it. No one is cross-shopping these two cameras. Nor would I.

But another brand has two contenders. Once you remove the traditional mechanical rangefinder from the equation, both offer a compelling middle path.

Sidebar: Psst… While I am at it, the same case can be made for Leica’s own SL3.

GFX.

Fujifilm Face Off Series. Part 4: Fashion and Function. A Friendly Comparison Between The GFX100RF & GFX100S.

Fuji, in general, actually has a great MF aid.

In fact, it works so well that once I tried it, all apprehension about trading my M 240 for a GFX100S went out the window. And as an added bonus, it is as effective through the EVF as it is using the back screen. For me, it is very reminiscent of the rangefinder experience.

That is largely why I lumped these two bodies together. Why GFX Fujifilm and not X, since the same manual focus aid is available there? Fine cameras, but when compared to the M, price wise, why not swing for the fences? And plus APS-C would require a crop using the same lenses, while the full GF sensor offers a wider field of view with lenses that have well controlled vignetting.

The difference.

GFX100S.

Want to change lenses. The GFX100S has you covered.

Also adds:

• Much less expensive.
• An articulating screen.
• Even more MP at 100.
• Autofocus.
• Video.
• Other stuff.

But, like the A7RV is loses out in the areas of look and feel. But if you are ok with a fixed lens, Fujifilm has you covered.

GFX100RF.

The luxury thing. As far as special look and feel, the GFX100RF makes a heck of a case for itself. A camera that feels good in the hand.

A great solution if you do not need to change lenses.

Sidebar: Another lens included option from Leica is also available.

Now, if you are ok with a fixed lens, but can make do with a smaller (but big enough) sensor and less (but quite enough) MP, Fujifilm has what may be the most compelling alternative for my purposes.

X100VI.

No, it does not have a proper rangefinder. But it goes above the Fujifilm MF focus aid mentioned above. In addition to an EVF, an OVF is available. No, there is no rangefinder mechanism. But you have other options available.

Hybrid EVF/OVF.

• Regular OVF inlay with photo information, including a framing box that adjusts for the focus distance.
• With a flick of a toggle you have a pop up mini EVF in the lower right hand corner that will show a magnified focus patch that can be used to confirm focus with AF and MF.

And when using the OVF, it retains a favorite rangefinder perk.

Seeing outside of the frame lines. Something not possible with an EVF.

As described in this cut and paste from the post mentioned above.

…frame lines leave quite a bit of real estate on each side to take in the surrounding environment. We were in a garden lunch area and I was peering through the viewfinder. I saw that my wife was entering the frame from right to left looking elsewhere. I quickly panned slightly right, acquired focus with the focus patch, returned to my initial framing, and then called her name.

Something an M EV1 can no longer accomplish.

Anyone who has bemoaned the X100 OVF not being a true rangefinder will not like this… Or they may pivot and, high on brand pixie dust, pretend an EVF is exactly what they wanted all along now that Leica did it.

This was a fumble in my opinion. There are things that could have swayed me. Opportunities missed, in my humble opinion.

• A TTL system compatible with their SL line.
• IBIS.
• Some manner of hybrid OVF.

Normally, I can make a case for about any kit. Especially when it comes to Leica. But a camera in a range famous for having a rangefinder… without a rangefinder? And nothing else added to compensate?

Now, if one should choose to pick one up?

Go for it.

Whatever floats your boat. But…

I do not get it.

But what do I know anyway? Not like I can make a valid claim to rational decision-making. I still shoot and develop my own film.

Regardless, I wish them success.

Happy capturing.

-ELW