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Leica M EV1: Top Tips and Tricks

RedDotForum

14,257 views

In this video, Leica Specialist Josh Lehrer shares his complete Leica M EV1 setup, based on extensive real-world experience with the camera. Josh walks through the entire setup process, from his favorite accessories and physical configuration to every menu setting he changes from the factory default.

Along the way, Josh explains the reasoning behind his choices and shares practical tips for getting the most out of the M EV1. He covers everything from screen protectors, batteries, grips, straps and charging accessories to configuring the EVF, display, power saving features, capture assistants and more.

With its integrated electronic viewfinder, the M EV1 opens up some exciting possibilities for shooting with M lenses, especially fast, vintage, wide-angle and telephoto glass. Josh shares how he has the camera configured for his own photography, along with the settings and accessories that have made the biggest difference in everyday use.

Whether you’ve just unboxed a new M EV1 or have been shooting with one since launch, follow along, try out some of Josh’s tips, and get your M EV1 dialed in and ready to shoot.

What does your M EV1 setup look like? Let us know in the comments!

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Support the channel by shopping at https://leicastoremiami.com

Order the Leica M EV1

https://lsm.to/M-EV1

New Leica
============
M-System - https://lsm.to/M-System
SL-System - https://lsm.to/SL-System
Q-System - https://lsm.to/Q-System

Used Leica
============
Used M System - https://lsm.to/Used-M
Used SL System - https://lsm.to/Used-SL
Used Q System - https://lsm.to/Used-Q

Straps
============
Peak Design Leash - https://lsm.to/Leash
ADM Classic Neck Straps - https://lsm.to/ADM-ClassicNeck
ADM Comodo Neck Straps - https://lsm.to/ADM-ComodoNeck

Camera Essentials
=================
Lexar memory cards - https://lsm.to/MemoryCards
Leica Battery Charger BC-SCL7 for M11 - https://leicastoremiami.com/products/...
Leica Thumb Support M11, black - https://leicastoremiami.com/products/...
Leica Protector Case M11 - https://leicastoremiami.com/products/...
Leica Handgrip M EV1, black - https://leicastoremiami.com/products/...
Leica Premium Hybrid Glass Screen Protector for M EV1 - https://leicastoremiami.com/products/...

Power Essentials
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Anker Nano 3-in-1 Powerbank/Charger - https://amzn.to/44BoPtM
Anker 30W Nano Charger - https://amzn.to/4lCNFiO

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Leica M Resources
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Check out our Leica M playlist on Red Dot Forum for tons of Red Dot Forum Camera Talk episodes dedicated to the system: Leica M Rangefinder Focusing Tips and Tricks

Visit https://reddotforum.com for the latest Leica news, reviews, technical articles and more.

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20 Comments

@billspencer9778 1 hour ago

Just got my EV1 yesterday. I'm a long time Leica user since 1968. I traded in my M10 with Visoflex for this. I'm having problems with the diopter adjustment, but looking at the menu helped. thanks for the tips.

@pauldipasquale281 1 month ago

Diopter adjustment with menu text is the best Leica tip I've heard. Thanks Josh.

@smdreyer 1 month ago

Josh - you are so good at providing a lot of useful information in a clear and detailed manner!!

@Thomas-Schwabenländle 2 weeks ago

Easy understandable - Perfect - Greetings from the "Land"

@Mel-95 1 month ago

Fantastic! Clear. Concise. Reflecting a year's experience with the camera. Nicely done. Thanks, Josh.

@option3 1 month ago

Super helpful! Thanks for the taking the time to walk through the setup! Also appreciate you folks letting me pick up my lenses on a Monday!

@DavidTurner-z9y 1 month ago

Excellent video. Great introduction to a fantastic camera!

@snarkytadpole4799 1 month ago

Excellent presentation, Josh. Many thanks.

@kraznayaploshad 1 month ago

Thanks Josh. Very helpful. Loving the MEV1 and now hoping for a monochrom version to complement it

@msark3103 1 month ago

Thanks!!!

@r.oltramare515 1 month ago

Great vidéo Josh ! I love the way you adjust the diopter Looking at the menu, LV Mode off and EVF extended. Thanks I will adjust my camera right away 😊

@louis5352 1 month ago

Thanks Josh. One can never stop learning. Lou

@Pen-Granger 1 month ago

Nice video. My current favourite strap is the Leica rope strap. Love the Helium grip, although not a Leica product. The Leica 100 hotshoe cover is great, and I always use a soft release.

@sanfordlavine1760 1 month ago

Josh, very helpful video. I use the front function button for exposure compensation. Focus peaking is useless. Great camera

@rexgigout1472 2 weeks ago

Thumbs-Up for the wonderful presentation, even if the M EV concept is, well, just not for me. Thanks, Josh!

I think SL makes more sense, in my case, especially now that the wonderful 100mm SL Macro APO is extant. ESPECIALLY now that the wonderful 100mm SL Macro APO is extant! Macro was THE reason I became serious about photography, in 2010. The lovely, compact Leica M macro 90mm f/4 is on my long-term wish list, and, I already have the Macro Adaptor M, to pair with it, but, pursuing insects and wee beasties, in the field, is best done with auto-focus.

I had decided that SL was my logical way forward, within the Leica brand, even when the M11 series was introduced. I decided to keep using my M10 and M Type 246 cameras, and, eventually add SL. This personal road map was modified, in early 2026, when a particularly well-preserved M10 Monochrom was available, from a trusted seller.

OK, I’ll stop rambling, now. Hopefully, my comments will tickle the The Algorithm, in a positive way, for y’all. 🙂

@CW-CCC 1 month ago (edited)

This was a very good group of tips. My settings are very similar but I did like your thoughts on "use more battery" idea because that resonates with me. Diopter trick is a good one too. Note on the profile - if you change something, all your other settings are still in effect, but the head and shoulder lets you know you changed something. This is how I use my existing profile as a springboard to another setting with additional tweaks. I change a few setting and then go back and save as my next user profile. For storage, after I had a scare that I lost my memory card, even though it was that same one you used and high quality, I save JPGs to internal and DNG to the card. When I a done shooting, I use a blank card to copy the JPGs from internal to SD, offload, then format internal storage.
I REALLY wish we could change the quick settings menu.

@LeicaM82 1 month ago

Silver thumb grip to match silver focus tab and silver battery, now I feel validated for adding a silver battery cover on my silver chrome MP.

@rachelmeier3298 1 month ago

I always wondered why when I moved between Info Profiles, there was an extra blank screen! I have been using manual shutter speed and ISO because otherwise the image in the viewfinder constantly adjusts itself as you set the CPL into the right position. So I wish that ISO could be assigned to the thumb wheel without having to press it in. I find it convenient to use Focus Aid and Focus Peaking on the brightline selector.

@dougrguth93 1 month ago

Just a note on the M11 grip for M EV1… it fits perfectly on mine but the battery doesn’t release. Probably worth investing in the EV1 handgrip for look and functionality.