March’s creak from the chair

The Leica EV1:  A glass half full?

The arrival of the EV1 has gently polarised M users, with traditionalists pointing out that M cameras are rangefinders by definition. True, but the EV1 does not claim to be an M.  Arthur Hannah – TLS’ membership secretary – uses the fastest M glass available, and was soon singing the EV’s praises on TLS’ WhatsApp group.  (All welcome btw) 

Arthur is always sage, so I decided I needed to give it a try.

The delightfully helpful Yumi at Leica Mayfair was kind enough to arrange a loaner.  Thank you so much Yumi.  I picked it up on a Friday lunchtime.  I had two lenses with me.  A Zeiss 15mm 2.8 distagon, which I wanted to test as it is not rangefinder coupled.  And the 75mm ‘lux, a notoriously tricky lens to focus with an M.

To kick off my trial, one of my favourite lunch spots, where I know the light is good for still-life shots.  It was love at first glass, literally and metaphorically.  I was able to accurately focus the 15mm at its closest focus setting. Amazing impact.  And the 75mm was a revelation.  The EV’s magnifying setting enabling me to nail focus even at 1.4 aperture, in very low light. 

I used the EV extensively over the next 3 days.  Trying it with 10 different lenses.  (135 Elmarit 2.8, 90mm cron.  75mm ‘lux and ‘cron.  Noctilux 50mm f1 and 0.95.  50mm ‘lux pre-asph.  The 35mm ‘lux AA. The 28mm ‘lux and the Zeiss 15mm Distagon 2.8)  Some examples attached, all at full aperture.  These lenses far exceed my ability, astonishing performers.  I should stress too, that the 50mm, 35mm and 28mm Summiluxes are not difficult to get sharp with an M.  The EV1 is just that much more precise.

Jonathan Slack’s excellent review on Macfilos covers the EV1 beautifully, I will keep my opinion brief.  The EV1 is not an M and could not replace my Ms.  What the EV1 does supremely well is enable total confidence of focus on any lens I tried.  It needs practice, and it is less spontaneous in my short test, but it’s a fabulous addition to M lens use.

So that, for me, is a glass filled to the brim.  I’m saving my pennies to buy that bottle, as soon as possible.

The online magazine has been well received.  I realise it will never fully replace the print, but we are pleased with progress.  The plan is to produce one print edition a year and we would love to receive TLS membership imagery to make that a reality.  Please contact me or editor Phil Coomes to receive specs for sharing.

Finally, our next online edition will be coming out by the end of April.  If you have a story, or an image to share, we would love to include it.  

Phil Coomes: editor@theleicasociety.uk

Giles Johnson: chair@theleicasociety.uk

And please keep uploading your images to Richard our webmaster via the link in the members area!

Thanks to all.