Leica’s M-System has been revered by photographers since the ‘50s, capturing the mechanical spirit of photography through its range of rangefinder cameras. Unlike DSLRs, the M-System doesn’t use through-the-lens viewing. Instead, you peer through an optical rangefinder, where a secondary image is projected onto the viewfinder. The mechanical beauty lies in turning the focusing ring until that ghost image aligns with the real one. When you no longer look like you’re seeing double, you know you’ve hit the perfect focus. It’s a tactile, intimate way of photography that not only captures images, but the mechanical soul behind the analogue experience.
It's not all roses, though—especially for people trying to get into the format. Without a through-the-lens preview, depth of field, exposure, and focus are lost on the photographer—which come with experience, instinct and time that are cultivated with time. That’s part of the challenge, and charm, of shooting with an M-camera.
Just last week, however, Leica unveiled the Leica M EV1, the first iteration of the M-system to come equipped with an electronic viewfinder. This makes the M-cameras much more accessible, inviting casual photographers and new customers alike into the M family. This means more reliable and comfortable focusing irrespective of visual acuity—better perception of depth of field, perfect for composing ultra-wide shots, telephoto and macro lenses.
The viewfinder will display the image in real-time, exactly as it will appear the moment the shutter snaps, all the while taking into consideration the lens used, focal length and focus distance.
The new M EV1 will also feature a full-frame sensor with Triple Resolution Technology—good for among the most powerful on the planet. This allows images to be captured in 60, 36, or 18 megapixels, recorded as raw data in DNG or JPEG format. Powered by the Maestro III processor, each shot can then be swiftly rendered and stored either in the 64GB internal memory or on an SD card. With built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB-C connectivity, the camera pairs seamlessly with the Leica FOTOS app for instant editing, transferring, or sharing of photos within seconds.
As a sweetener, the camera also comes with the Content Credentials technology, which essentially allows photographer to embed their own digital signature onto every image the moment its taken—safeguarding authenticity and eliminating the risk of post-processing tampering.
