Firmware 2.014 - "Optimization of internal processes"

Robin Harrison

Robin Harrison

aka Harrison Cronbi
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Apr 12, 2005
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New firmware for the M8? Excitement! Miracle.

Total listed improvements:
Support of the new lens “Leica Super-Elmar-M 21mm/f3.4”
Optimization of internal processes

Wow. A new lookup for a $2k lens I'll never own to correct for corner shading.

If Leica can't expand on 'optimization of internal processes', I'm guessing nobody else will have a clue what they're on about? Kinda seems like someone said: "We should add support for the new shiny 21mm in that other camera we used to make...whatever it was called. What's that? Looks like a measly update? Well, make something up. Tell them we've expanded the gigawatt potential...or streamlined the download footprint...or optimized some internal processes. What will they know?"

Seriously - if Leica can't describe what the internal process is, or why it is to my benefit, why bother? They've already made it quite clear the M8 is a second class citizen, or else they would have added support for menu-based lens identification as per the M9.
 
Would you be better informed if they said "We found some sloppy code and thought up a better way so it works faster"? And don't the buyers of the new lens have a reasonable expectation that the lens will be supported?
 
ChrisN said:
Would you be better informed if they said "We found some sloppy code and thought up a better way so it works faster"? And don't the buyers of the new lens have a reasonable expectation that the lens will be supported?
Click to expand...

I think that's probably the case, Chris. But note 'optimization' isn't of benefit to a user, whereas speed-ups are. If they made something run faster, they should have said so. And yes, buyers of the new lens certainly are permitted to allow support, but my point was that just adding support for one lens would have made the 'list of improvements' rather laughable.

On a semi-related note, I wonder what the characteristics of the new 21mm are that meant that coding as the f2.8 lens wasn't sufficient?
 
I'm impressed that they even bothered ... gee, wish I'd kept my M8 now! :p
 
Well, in case you didn't see it, this is what I posted in another thread on RFF about a week ago.

I wrote to Leica Technical Support regarding the internal optimisation of the Firmware. Here's my question and reply :-

Following the release of the Firmware Update 2.014 for the M8, I was wondering if you could provide a bit more detail about which Internal Processes were Optimised?

-------------

In response to your question, there are no quantifiable examples of a process being optimised, other than the camera as a whole operating faster, smoother and with fewer glitches.

The processes that have been optimised are coding processes, these are running in the cameras CPU and dictate how the camera behaves and operates at a fundamental level, this code has been subtlety changed in the firmware update to remove areas identified over the cameras lifetime as problematic, and introduce new code where it has been deemed necessary by Leica’s electronics technicians.

I hope this answers your question and please feel free to reply with any further query’s you may have.

Thank you.

James Sargent
Client Care Technician
Leica Camera Ltd

------------

So it would seem this is a more far reaching update than first thought. I have to admit that since updating the M8, there is a certain something about it that I can't quite put my finger on. Smoother, more refined, more enjoyable maybe ? For sure the picture quality has improved ??
 
Awesome, thanks for that, Ming.

Ming Rider said:
So it would seem this is a more far reaching update than first thought. I have to admit that since updating the M8, there is a certain something about it that I can't quite put my finger on. Smoother, more refined, more enjoyable maybe ? For sure the picture quality has improved ??
Click to expand...

More Optimal, Internally?

Are you suggesting there are notable improvements? Once again, if the operation is smoother or the picture quality improved, wouldn't they have stated as such?
 
Maybe they didn't want to build peoples hopes up by making overstated claims, prefering instead to let the users come to their own conclusions.:cool:
 
I noticed that the full-resolution "pixel-peeping" read back was faster. I used the M8 to shim a couple of lenses, and the wait time seemed shorter than what I am used to.
 
Well my shutter is definitely much quieter now after the latest fw update.













So long as I keep my fingers in my ears. :D
 
Ming Rider said:
Maybe they didn't want to build peoples hopes up by making overstated claims, prefering instead to let the users come to their own conclusions.:cool:
Click to expand...

I'm sure had they been specific on what the "internal processes" were, somebody out there would have created a thread claiming that they don't see it --while the "apologists" who do would point out otherwise.

I guess they figured "why waste our breath?"

It's a clear case of Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't.


Oh, and: Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Fuji, expensive, luxury, niche.
 
Thanks Leica... !

Thanks Leica... !

Hi All

My opinion is simply that in this day and age, we can be happy that Leica supports such an old camera.

All other manufactures really cut the ropes when it comes to end of life support. (Apple comes to my mind here as being particularly brutal....)

Welcome to the new century folks!

Cheers to all,

JP

ps:
And let me also take the opportunity to thank the other members of the form here... I wasn't sure, if it would be worth it or adviseable to update. But, I'll give it a try now! Thanks for testing and sharing!
 
Last edited:
And let me also take the opportunity to thank the other members of the form here... I wasn't sure, if it would be worth it or adviseable to update. But, I'll give it a try now! Thanks for testing and sharing!
 
Robin Harrison said:
Seriously - if Leica can't describe what the internal process is, or why it is to my benefit, why bother? They've already made it quite clear the M8 is a second class citizen, or else they would have added support for menu-based lens identification as per the M9.
Click to expand...

Wow, you're complaining that Leica still supports a 5 year old camera?
 
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