M, of metamorphosis.
Another perspective on the Leica M EV1
Let me return to our imagined dialogue, shaped by my experience with Leica cameras.
Without introducing myself again, as I did at the beginning of my Leica Q3 43 review, I will state this plainly: I am not, and will most likely never be, a photojournalist.
Which is to say, engaging in a critical review of a camera from the M series, when my identity does not align with the original purpose of such a tool, may seem curious, even misplaced.
And yet… this in no way implies any ignorance on my behalf regarding photojournalism, nor of the techniques and knowledge inherent to photographic disciplines beyond my own. Nor does it suggest that I have no need for M cameras in my work - quite the opposite.
One owes the reader clarity and honesty, and that is precisely what I intend to offer.
Therefor, what exactly is the Leica M EV1?
Nothing more than an M11 with an electronic viewfinder, apparently. Is it really?
In my analysis of the excellent Leica Q3 43, which I still consider the greatest camera to date, I suggested my previous attachment to fully coherent and mature systems, which can define a photographic tool as an extension of the photographer's eye.
In this perspective, let's ask ourselves what is a fully coherent system? The Sony system, for example, is a highly automated proposal, with a mount that allows you to use almost any lens - without exaggeration - often with automation, even if it sometimes requires some adjustments. Today, Nikon also offers this, but not yet with the same degree of maturity.
So, what do we want from a Leica M with an electronic viewfinder if not versatility through a certain degree of automation?
Well, it depends on the automatisms we are looking for in photographic practice.
For my part, I long remained deeply committed to manual focus - deliberate, consistent, intentional. As you will come to understand.
As for autofocus, without attempting to persuade but simply put into perspective: I was often faster focusing manually with Zeiss Planar lenses than with the first three generations of Sony autofocus systems.
The patience of the subjects was not put to the test when I focused manually, while, by comparison, the different focusing modes offered by the AF device menus required more patience to achieve a higher degree of reliability for the type of scene addressed.
Of course, today, with the advent of the smartphones - powerful beyond measure - having reshaped both photography and client expectations, the situation has largely reversed. Even more so: Sony no longer merely focuses on the subject you chose, it actually decides which subject is susceptible to interest the photographer more. And it's almost always right !
With the Alpha 9 and Alpha 1 series, these creatures-alike even release the shutter one full second before your finger fully registers the act. The next step? Perhaps a camera that orders you a coffee while producing, on its own, more spectacular images than your editing skills will ever dream of - whether one should laugh or despair, it's secondary topic already.
I sens we've just entered a very sensitive territory, one that lends itself easily to extended debate. Knowing myself - not entirely restrained, and not especially enamoured with robotics - I will leave that space to your own reflections, and rapidly return to my subject: the Leica M EV1 experience.
For those still here - more or less amused - you've certainly understood that I do appreciate humour, but I do not speak lightly. I approach these questions with rigour. And from that perspective, it matters to say this: I worked with the first three generations of Sony Alpha in much the same way that others have long worked with a Leica M: observing the subject, pre-selecting the focus zone, estimating distance, composing precisely, refining the last millimetres - often wide open, in my case - and releasing the shutter. All within one or two instants.
And no, this was not exceptional. This is the very standard. Ask Von Overgaard, or look at the work of Schaller, Penman, Selaru - this is where it begins. Only then can photography follow.
Whether seen as elegantly simple or, for rangefinder purists, almost scandalous, Leica’s proposal seems to have shifted the ground.
The modern photographer rarely works in fully manual mode - let no one fool you otherwise. Aperture priority, auto ISO, TTL: these are tools integrated into contemporary practice. And rightly so. They free mental space for creation, accelerate the act of photographing, and allow one to adapt to a world in constant motion.
Without rewriting history: the rangefinder brought precision and compactness. The electronic viewfinder introduces real-time exposure control and immediate responsiveness - another degree of automation. Quite an evolution isn't it?
By the way, I doubt that figures such as Irving Penn or Robert Capa would have refused such evolved tools, if given the choice... As for Andre Kertesz, Henri Cartier-Bresson or Brassaï, I would venture that each would've kept at least one M EV in their bag and some Noctilux lenses, often kept at open aperture, thanks to the high resolution EVF that facilitates the manual focus.
But this is not where I wish to risk offending rangefinder purists and Leica’s own R&D teams.
Where I do take a risk is in saying this openly: unlike the Q series, Leica does not seem to have fully embraced its gesture.
The result is a camera that is almost cute… yet clearly incoherent.
With relatively minor adjustments, the M EV1 could become one of the most compelling propositions in photography today. As it stands, it remains a secondary tool.
The viewfinder still lacks precision at wide apertures, and remains sensitive to stray light.
Weather sealing is limited by M lenses; it is time for this to evolve.
The fixed screen constrains certain uses; an inconsistency for a body so close in spirit to the Q series.
Storage could be better aligned with intensive use, and we know Leica already offers 256 GB internally; why not anticipate that a more accessible shooting experience leads to a much higher number of keepers?
Nothing dramatic, but a constellation of small limitations that hold back an otherwise powerful idea.
And yet… the essential lies elsewhere.
This M EV1 convinced me of one thing: a contemporary Leica should not be a variation on the past, but a fully assumed proposition.
The Q3 43 is one: it stands out as Leica’s quintessential instrument, probably the most essential photography tool to this date.
The M EV1, it still remains between two worlds, while it has the potential to far exceed the rangefinder icon, itself no longer quite as fascinating compared to the Q series...
However, an M EV platform should fully affirm a new line at Leica, fully versatile, fully mature thanks to the formidable engineers that they have at their disposal.
With complete tropicalization — body and lenses —, better integration of automation, more mature focus assistance, and why not even a more contemporary, tiltable and adjustable viewfinder, the EV series could become nothing less than the definitive photojournalism tool ever. Add to that an SSD of minimum 256GB and Leica Content Credential, without raising the price further, and I'm not sure that Leica could face the number of orders!
Today, the M EV1 is a desirable luxury, almost touching in its weaknesses and inconsistencies, which I would gladly use in addition to the essential Leica Q3 43. Then, if I had such sums to spend without thinking, why restrict myself to APO Summicron lenses ?! So I would also buy a Noctilux, for example. Even two, in Silver and Black. Or a bunch more. Better even, all the Noctilux lenses! Because if it is to dream without restrain, Doctor, then free me from my straithjacket!
More seriously, I can't afford luxury items. And that's good, because I would be forced to eat my words and admit that despite everything, the M EV1 is a little gem to offer oneself if possible and that any Leica lenses deserves a purchase, even if for my part, I swear only by APO Summicron - nothing new, I had clearly suggested at the beginning that I chose coherence and consistency to unbridled voluptuousness...
From here and until the next generation of M EVs, I remain on my position to say that with such potential, with such a legacy and huge prospects, an M system marking intelligent modernity and deep photographic tradition deserves more than a second role. That's it, I said it!
After the Q3 43 masterclass, we are now waiting for the real Leica EV series. It should not be a complement, nor a secondary offer, but a real metamorphosis - with, or without, this particular name...
