New firmware is up (2.004)

[ulrik]

Hmm. There's no real reason to shoot in C mode with Discreet advance enabled... oh wait, there is: I might want to quickly switch from "S" to "C" mode when shooting fast action (without having to go turn discreet mode off first, of course). This struck me as a bit "buggy". We'll see if it replicates. Yay, I'm the first person in this section of the Galaxy to report a bug with this firmware.

Actually a great idea - not a bug.

"Discreet" when in S mode.
"Discreet" disables when switching to C mode.

 

[Patman]

What noise, never noticed any!

 

[gfspencer]

I just did the upgrade. So far (after only 15 or 20 shots) everything works fine. I like the discreet mode. However, I agree with OurManInTangier. The noise didn't really bother me before the upgrade. It's just nice to have a choice.

 

[hans voralberg]

Just update 5 mins ago, kinda like the discreet mode, somehow without the rewind the clunking sound just on its own is much more acceptable haha. I like it.

 

[Hiding_Pup]

Going to go out on a limb and say that, after ten minutes with the new firmware on my M8.0, yes, I rather like it. I can imagine it being useful when you take just the one shot: take the shot, take the camera away from your eye, wind-on... The cat doesn't seem to mind either way though 😎

 

[ruslan]

Also, I'm not installing this on my M8.1 until I get at least two weeks without someone saying "my shutter never re-cocked, my camera is on a trip to Germany"...

I'm with you!

 

[Keith]

I must admit in the daylight the shutter wallop seems lens for some reason. Why do things always seem louder at night? 😛

I was also curious to see what happens when you hold your finger down after the exposure and flick the power switch off ... it re-cocks!

 

[Belle]

I'm very pleased with this new function. Dividing out the shutter mechanism/noise in two is very useful on the street. The benefit is real and practical for me. I think it even helps minimize shutter movement.

 

[Keith]

I really wonder if Leica are going to sucumb to pressure and give us menu driven lens coding at some stage? I think they need to grease the M8 user wheels a little and this would be reassuring ... that perhaps they do care about us after all! 😛

 

[Artorius]

I really wonder if Leica are going to sucumb to pressure and give us menu driven lens coding at some stage? I think they need to grease the M8 user wheels a little and this would be reassuring ... that perhaps they do care about us after all! 😛

We can only hope and wish.

 

[joshlty]

i am just surprised no one has really praised the new auto white balance with the new update! With the new update, finally .. colors are so much more dependable 🙂!
Less need for me to frequently do a manual preset and more time to shoot!

 

[user237428934]

i am just surprised no one has really praised the new auto white balance with the new update! With the new update, finally .. colors are so much more dependable 🙂!
Less need for me to frequently do a manual preset and more time to shoot!

From which version did you upgrade to 2.004? As far as I know nothing changed from 2.002 to 2.004 regarding white balance.

 

[Richard Marks]

Oh joy! Most important is that Leica have actually responded to user suggestions. I think I am pretty lucky as the shutter noise has not actually been a problem for me but undeniably this is better.

Richard

 

[myyra_ug]

The discreet mode makes a huge difference. Great update, thanks Leica.

 

[jbf]

I think all updates are pointless until they get better high ISO.

While delayed shutter is nice, it's not really an issue when working on a documentary project. People know your photographing already so it doesnt matter. I could even be happy with a cropped sensor if it just had a better high ISO ability.

 

[Olsen]

i am just surprised no one has really praised the new auto white balance with the new update! With the new update, finally .. colors are so much more dependable 🙂!
Less need for me to frequently do a manual preset and more time to shoot!

I have just gone through my M8 files. WB has gradually become better. There was one earlier up date that made a hell of a difference. I have also become better at checking that 'lens detection' is on, use the filters, when needed, and all that.

 

[OurManInTangier]

I've been using the new firmware on my M8 for a few days now and I think the separation of the shutter and recocking is the key component in reducing perceived sound.

I too was surprised at quite how quiet the recocking proceedure is when it is heard by itself, but also hugely impressed by the sound of the shutter. Obviously its a 'clunkier' sound than the film bodies but it is a noise that easily gets lost in the general sounds of the modern world.

I've stated earlier in this post that I had no problem with the sound of my M8 prior to this upgrade but having used this for a few days I can honestly say there is a noticeable improvement to me. By this I mean that I don't feel in the least nervous or concerned that someone may be able to discern the sound of my camera from the general hubbub because of the 'camera-like' sound of the clunk-wherrr. I've always known this is unlikely but any hesitation, any unnecessary thought over instinct can lead to a lost picture.

For an update I didn't really think I needed, I've found myself to be hugely impressed simply by it's pyschological effect on me, the photographer with his head so close to the camera

As such this isn't a major leap forward for me in the development of a decent digital RF but an important evolutionary trigger along what will hopefully be a successful future lineage.

 

[Keith]

I'll be interested to try my camera out in varying arificial light ... it's been one of my bugbears when shooting in galleries and moving around in all the different light sources. I keep meaning to just set the white balance manually and deal with it in post processing but I always forget! 😛

 

[kipkeston]

I'm pretty stoked about this discreet mode. Sure it's not cloth quiet, but it does make a difference. Happy about WB too.

 

[Richard Marks]

A few days in I have to say I am very impressed with the discreet mode. In fact I am actually more appreciative of the criticisms of others of the previous incarnation. Something else which feels better is less vibration. Granted the vibration was after the shutter had fired, but it was irritating and this is far smoother.

Richard