Firmware 2.014 tried

[johnwelburn]

M8 dot 2
Wow!
Before the new firmware: 2500ASA was in my view unusable - lines etc colour all over the place
Today I upgraded and shot a neutral scene with all speeds.
I am now very comfortable up to 1250 and 2500 will be very good in available and dark light.
There is much more consistancy of colour throughout the range -2500 just a whisker off.
I have seen interesting comments about "good of Leica to do this with an out of date camera".
Nonsense! Leica is what it is because my 50 years of their customer service is great.
A great lesson for all in business - ALWAYS look after your customers.
This is a radical improvement - the M9 must be absolutely glorious.
Thank you Leica

 

[Keith]

I'd need to see proof of this improvement ... that sensor has it's inherent limitations and I don't see how a firmware upgrade could overcome those!

I'm not denigrating Leica or the M8 I just don't quite see this as being viable!

 

[eleskin]

better high ISO?

better high ISO?

Am I to understand we have better high ISO? Could it be as god as the Fuji X100?

 

[jtullar]

I'd need to see proof of this improvement ... that sensor has it's inherent limitations and I don't see how a firmware upgrade could overcome those!

I'm not denigrating Leica or the M8 I just don't quite see this as being viable!

Keith, I think we are seeing a placebo effect here. I have updated my M8 and really to be honest I dont notice anything different. Same start up, same preview time, same noise level.

 

[eleskin]

Better to talk about M8 and post processing

Better to talk about M8 and post processing

With all the advances in software, maybe it would be better if M8 users (myself included) discuss what software works the best to improve high iso and other issues. This is where the M8 future lies unless someone other than Leica figures out how to replace sensors etc,,, which may happen some day as components get dirt cheap. M8 bodies will be around decades from now and serve as shells to hold off the shelf components.

 

[jtullar]

actually it would be cool to have a leica option to send your camera in for new advanced sensors. Sadly this would never happen.

 

[eleskin]

New sensors could be quite common in a few years

New sensors could be quite common in a few years

With advances in electronics, I can see the day where you buy the shell
You want and then add the sensor you want based on your budget and needs. I have seen the M8 taken apart and let me tell you, apart from the outer shell and rangefinder, you are talking about components common in the photo industry, circuit boards, sensors, battery chambers, etc,,,. The M9
Is very much the same as well.

Let us put it this way, Leica builds a rangefinder and cast metal camera housing that can last a few lifetimes. Why throw that away when you can swap the cheap stuff in and out as you need. Sensors and circuit boards change monthly but the camera bodies so not. The Leica is timeless and the camera body should be able to accimitate new sensors and electronics given the cast metal and glass components are way more costly than the electronic stuff. If there was a M8 upgrade for $3,500 I would pay for that. Way better than 7K plus. Besides, the cameras would be timeless and seen more as tools that can maintain a constant value. Hell, look at airplanes. Avaionics can be upgraded. You can have a glass cockpit in a 1930,s DC3 if you want. Certain cameras should be the same, Leica especially!

 

[eleskin]

JSU,

Well the Nikon selection is what you say, however, I love rangefinders (I am here on this forum for a reason eh?) and it would be great if we could pick and choose what we now. My biggest beef is better high ISO performance. I can live with the megapixel range of the M8 and forego what the M9 has in favor of much improved high ISO performance.

Ed