As a Leica user and lover, I find this camera to be conforming to being like just any other camera. The magic of the rangefinder is the direct and peripheral line of sight to the subject.

Here in the UK, the EV 1 sells for £6840 which includes 20% VAT (sales tax).  An M 11 P sells for £8000 and the M11 black glossy £7900.

I wish they did the manual focus confirmation similar to the latest Z cameras!

Brilliant you’ve been included in the early pre launch crew 🙌

This camera will depreciate like a rock 🤘 can’t wait to buy it in like 10 years 😂

It is inexcusable that a near $10,000 camera takes that long to turn on and is in general less responsive than a $600 Canon R50.

Thanks Benj, appreciate all the detail. I’m a live music photographer and recently trying to shoot a show with an M was so much guess work. This now solves that with the option of using a 50mm. I better start saving!!

As someone who has been shooting Leica M since 1978 and shot two M4-Ps for many over 25 years as a newspaper and magazine shooter I applaud this move. In the digital world, I migrated through M9, M240, and now use two stock M10's for my daily work,

I do think this is a natural variant to produce and long overdue, and frankly, I've been wishing for this ever since I got an SL2-S.

I 'm 66 years old now, and my eyes aren't what they used to be. Focusing my two M10s and M2 film isn't as easy as it used to be. But I still do use them and have had two eye surgeries to preserve my ability to use them. Recently, I purchased an M11 to try it, and I love the feel of the M10 better, so I returned it. For those of us who love M glass and the feel of M bodies, I hope this option is here to stay. I'll wait and purchase a pair of them once the price drops on the used market as I am a two body shooter and need two!

Benj, keep making these videos - Long time watcher and first time poster, I'm a pro storyteller who still uses Leica M for much of my work. I appreciate your channel, and I usually watch all your Leica videos.

I think the purists will think more of this camera once they get to my age and/or they have eye issues. Look forward to you getting your hands on one of these for a deeper review. I moved up from M240 to M10 largely because of your reviews. Keep it up....

excellent breakdown!!

Always really interesting to hear your perspective, Benj. Thanks for sharing. :) Also: that B-roll is gorgeous!!!

great video, I agree with your sentiment towards the end of the video whole heartedly! This camera will attract a whole new segment into the M system which is a win win for keeping it alive! I'll stick with my M11-P but excited to see Leica investing further into the M system (the heart of Leica)

Thanks for the introduction ❤ I would love to see a comparison between the MEV1 and the SL3 viewfinder focussing experience.

cant belive i just went on youtube and that  video literally just came out

Benj, spot on with the economics.  Have the M11 and Visoflex, which I think is the perfect combination that allows both the full view of telephoto, electronic focus when necessary, AND the fun of using the rangefinder when in the mood.  And to be able to get into that at a price lower than the new camera, their pricing could have been better considered.  Still, I am very glad they continue to innovate!  And good for you to be invited to that event in Italy.

Although the Visoflex2 is bulky, its ability to articulate is helpful.

Enjoying the cameos.

It would be cool if it had the focus confirmation system like what they have on the zf

Your images were beautiful.

Very nice overview. I have an M11 Monochrom, and occasionally use the accessory EVF when shooting 21mm and 15mm lenses. I have a Q3 as well and the resolution of the EVF is excellent but occasionally find it difficult to work with on very bright, sunny days, particularly with specs on. I'm wondering whether the SL3 with M-L adapter is not a better option than M EV1. I appreciate that it is a bigger, heavier body. But it's less expensive, has a better eye cup making it easier to use in bright light, has IBIS and opens up the whole L mount AF eco system.

I think that leaves the M EV1 in a very niche position in the market, for people who want an EVF, want M lenses and in the most compact format possible. In that role the M EV1 does seem to be a great choice.

I will wait for a QL.