Different firmware on M8 and M8.2?

[movito]

In Sean Reid's review of the M8.2 he mentions a new shortcut for changing the EV compensation, one that doesn't involve the use of the screen.

In my view, the code for this functionality resides in the firmware, so it should be possible to use the command dial, arrows, etc. for changing EV compensation, ISO, self-timer length, etc.

Hopefully Leica will improve the interaction design of the M8 with these near-zero cost changes.

In the meantime, I've upgraded to the 2.000 version of the M8 firmware, but the EV compensation trick isn't available there.

Does anyone have any information on what firmware version the M8.2 uses? If it's something else than v2.000, is there some way of upgrading the firmware of my M8 to match the M8.2 more closely?

 

[Ken Shipman]

The M8.2 comes with 2.000, same as the upgrade. The EV comp involves holding the shutter release half way and rotating the rear dial. I think it must involve an electronic connection of some sort. Actually I find it very awkward.

 

[jaapv]

It is the same firmware, but it recognizes the type of camera it is loaded into. On the M8.2 it implements a couple of extra features, i.e. the exposure compensation and the delayed cocking shutter. The EV compensation has, basically speaking, not much of a function in shooting. It is easier to use the camera in manual and use the internal lightmeter as a semi-spotmeter, or point - AElock -recompose. The EV compensation is better used for implementing a permanent bias.

 

[user237428934]

....
The EV compensation has, basically speaking, not much of a function in shooting. It is easier to use the camera in manual and use the internal lightmeter as a semi-spotmeter, or point - AElock -recompose. The EV compensation is better used for inmplementing a permanent bias.

No Sir. This is just your opinion. I have this feature in my DSLR and use the quick compensation quite often and miss those feature in my M8.

 

[jaapv]

Not quite. DSLR cameras use elaborate matrix metering, making user input different, so it is possible to rely on blanket corrections. With a basic meter like the M8 that is a recipe for exposure errors. It is needed to fall back on the exposure skills of yesteryear. Measure the highlights, measure the shadows and use that as a basis for your exposure. The whole concept of the M8 is a manual camera; the AE and EV compensation are just crutches.

 

[movito]

Thanks for the info. It's unsurprising, though regrettable that this feature isn't available om the M8.

You may consider certain features to be crutches but for me, the interaction design of the M8 is just incomplete. In my view it should be easy to change (and see what you changed it to) ISO, EV and shutter speed without looking away from the finder. When using the camera in manual mode I'd benefit from seeing the shutter speed in the finder.

With thousands of posts, Jaap is most likely an expert user who masters his camera. For him, the existing implementation probably works well. For me, the "analog" parts of the M8 are a pleasure to use, the digital parts less so.

One idea that I hope Leica takes up at some point is an online configurator that lets you customize how the dial, keypad and menu controls operate. That way, we wouldn't have to argue about what the best solution is, but make our own customizations.

 

[jaapv]

Thanks for the info. It's unsurprising, though regrettable that this feature isn't available om the M8.

You may consider certain features to be crutches but for me, the interaction design of the M8 is just incomplete. In my view it should be easy to change (and see what you changed it to) ISO, EV and shutter speed without looking away from the finder. When using the camera in manual mode I'd benefit from seeing the shutter speed in the finder.

With thousands of posts, Jaap is most likely an expert user who masters his camera. For him, the existing implementation probably works well. For me, the "analog" parts of the M8 are a pleasure to use, the digital parts less so.

One idea that I hope Leica takes up at some point is an online configurator that lets you customize how the dial, keypad and menu controls operate. That way, we wouldn't have to argue about what the best solution is, but make our own customizations.

Get loose from the goblins inside the camera who want to think for you😀

EV compensation.
Method 1:
Full manual, this means Auto-Iso off:
Go to manual, choose your aperture or shutterspeed.
Change the shutterspeed or aperture to each compensation:
Red dot= spot on
Red dot+triangle = 1/2 stop compensated
Triangle= 1 stop (or more) compensated.
To keep track of aperture or speed: count the clicks.

Method 2:
AE, Auto-Iso may be on:
Compose, note the shutterspeed in the VF
Move around, the shutterspeed changes.
When you reach the compensation you want, half-depress the shutter to switch on the little red point and hold,
recompose and fire.

Best method - use an incident light meter.

 

[yanidel]

It is the same firmware, but it recognizes the type of camera it is loaded into. On the M8.2 it implements a couple of extra features, i.e. the exposure compensation and the delayed cocking shutter. The EV compensation has, basically speaking, not much of a function in shooting. It is easier to use the camera in manual and use the internal lightmeter as a semi-spotmeter, or point - AElock -recompose. The EV compensation is better used for implementing a permanent bias.

Fully agree. On the R-D1 I use to compensate a lot with the EV dial yet on the M8 I learnt (well still learning 😛) to use the internal lightmeter. Only issue with that, is speed to adjust and when the light source is very bright. To recompose can be difficult as a small aim variation can have the lightmeter swing wildy and you lose time trying to get exactly the good number locked. Yet, I am getting better at it and don't miss EV compensation as much as I did when I first used the M8.