Next Firmware? Silent Mode?

[guy_mancuso]

I think you will see a mix like the last firmware. Our list is long let's see what they attack first

[chris_tribble]

Guy - I'll shut up now and hope for the best - and thanks again for your efforts on our behalf.

Best

[guy_mancuso]

Were all in this together my friend , so if i can help other leica users than it's all good.

[dlc43]

A Silent Mode is extremely important to me--after a family event where I was told to stop shooting--very embarrassing.

As for how to control it, I strongly recommend a TWO STEP process, meaning the first press takes the shot (in Silent Mode), then the SECOND press activates the cocking mechanism. This would permit the choice of when it makes sense for you to let the cocking motor whirr sound happen.

Can you imagine having to keep your finger on the shutter release while acrobatically having to maneuver the camera under your coat, behind your back, whatever, until it's safe to take your finger off? No!

Better to press once, then choose your own timing for the second press, after which you're good to go for your next shot.

On a separate matter, I got little reaction here to my report of the occasional wavering brightness of the display, beating brighter, darker, cycling at about a one second frequency. Annoying, not terrible, needs to be fixed. Is this on the "List"?

[chris_tribble]

Something I've noticed too - seems to happen with IR / Coded ON in the menu. Looks as if the camera has to process the vignetting etc as you scroll. BEST from my point of view would be to be able to turn this feature off in preview - it's not important at this stage in image review.

[DES]

Way To Go!!!!!.......I DO hope you are right. Must be great to have brains.!

[neelin]

Originally Posted by guy_mancuso

Ed all i can say is leica seemed to be more positive on being able to do it , whatever that means. Like words like piece of cake. Okay 3 beers later. ROTFLMAO

Translation German>American: 3 steins = 3- two-fours American beer (do you have 24's in the US?)

Robert

[kameraguy]

Was wondering if any further plans are in the works for something like this? After shooting and getting the "look" by folks despite my best efforts to be non-intrusive, it would be nice to have such a feature.

Since the shutter cocking mechanism is necessary, maybe Leica can take a page from the Konica playbook. My Konica Hexar Rhodium addresses such a noise by allowing the ability to delay the (in it's case) film winding by continuously holding down the shutter button after exposure (just as others have already stated here). But the Konica is clever in that it decreases the film wind mechanism's speed to lower the tone and overall perception of the process. In the Konica's case, it works supremely well...being one of the most quiet film cameras i've used.

Maybe the same principle can be used for the M8's cocking mechanism?

[Hookeye]

I strongly doubt if this will ever materialise "Kameraguy".

Leica would be shooting themselves in the foot if they did. Their reponse to the demand for a "silent mode" is to replace the whole shutter mechanism and earn €€s for providing the upgrade. So they are very unlikely to provide a firmware solution (for free) to the same problem.

[kameraguy]

If the upgrade is indeed the "attempt", I sure hope there is more room for improvement! Hopefully enough folks will still vocalize a need for a quieter shutter.

[chris_tribble]

Originally Posted by kameraguy

My Konica Hexar Rhodium addresses such a noise by allowing the ability to delay the (in it's case) film winding by continuously holding down the shutter button after exposure (just as others have already stated here). But the Konica is clever in that it decreases the film wind mechanism's speed to lower the tone and overall perception of the process. In the Konica's case, it works supremely well...being one of the most quiet film cameras i've used.

Maybe the same principle can be used for the M8's cocking mechanism?

I still want the quietest possible M8. Maybe the moment's come for us all to send Mr Daniel an email asking for this (and pointing to your interesting comments on the Hexar Konica Rhodium...) His email address is hidden. I've just sent him the following note:

===========
Dear Mr Daniel,

While I'm delighted that Leica is offering a quieter shutter in its new upgrade programme (I'll be registering my interest in this) I wonder if you are aware of the the strongly expressed wish of many of the participants in the Leica Forum for a "quiet mode" option whereby it is possible separate shutter actuation from shutter re-cocking. For many of us who work in the visual documentation of theatre or musical performance such a mode would be truly invaluable. When working with my M7 I am able to frame and shoot very discretely, and then can re-wind with the camera under a jacket or bag with zero disturbance to those around me. The M8 does not give me this option, and it's something that I truly miss.

If you visit the forum (http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...tml#post500107) you will find an some examples of the opinions of many Leica users. I think they constitute real evidence of a strongly felt need amongst a signficant number of experienced M8 users.

I do hope that all continues well with the M8 and that the firm prospers!

Very best regards

Dr Christopher Tribble
================

[chris_tribble]

MODERATOR - Jamie Roberts has noticed that I've committed an error of nettiquete... Could I ask you to edit out Stefan's email address... at the least the @ should become (at). My apologies.

[andybarton]

Guys

If you want to attract a Mod, please use the Warning Triangle on the left, under your name. It looks like this report.gif

That way you will reach all the Mods and Admin at the same time. Sending me a PM is fine if I am here, but we have Mods in Europe, the US and Australia, so there is half a chance that using the triangle will find one of us awake...

[chris_tribble]

Andy - thanks as ever for your presence, edit + for the advice...
Others - if you want to contact Mr Daniel, the email is stephan.daniel [AT] leica-camera.com. If we are polite and constructive, writing as users of the M8 who are committed to its future and concerned to make it the best possible digital RF, I don't think we can be doing any harm...

Best

[rosuna]

Guy Mancuso did a list of desired features for firmware future releases... I don't remember if this "silent mode" was included...

[guy_mancuso]

Hmmm I think I sent it in by itself but does not hurt to remind Stefan of this desire or need. Chris's e-mail was perfect. Nice work my friend.

[kameraguy]

Chris,

I'm with you on this. I just sent a polite e-mail to Mr. Daniel as well. At the very least, I certainly can't complain unless I do my part to ask

Guy,

I appreciate your efforts in helping us get our suggestions across to Leica. If there is anything you can do to help stress the importance of a quieter shutter cocking mechanism, that would be much appreciated. Maybe something as simple as having an option to decrease the speed of the cocking mechanism can be a realistic improvement?

Regards,
Christian

[chris_tribble]

Well ladies and gentlemen, this looks like excellent news. With Mr Daniel's permission, I'm quoting below the results of our email communication.

Awaiting forthcoming firmware updates with interest. To me, this is real evidence of Leica's commitment to the M8. I already have a camera that is giving me the IQ that I want - and I've bought it from a company that is committed to making it better.

=========================================
Dear Dr. Tribble,

I cannot confirm that it will be in the next FW update, but we are checking it. If you communicate it this way, you can share this information.

Best regards to the UK!

Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Kind regards

Stefan Daniel

-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----

Dear Mr Daniel - this is indeed excellent news. Would it be acceptable to you if I share this information with other members of the Leica User Forum?

With very best regards

Chris Tribble
--
IN CHESHIRE TODAY
Dr Christopher Tribble
TEL || +44 (0)161 929 4411
EMAIL || ctribble@clara.co.uk
WEB || Christopher Tribble: documentary photography, training, education, linguistics

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Daniel, Stefan [mailto:Stefan.Daniel@leica-camera.com]
> Sent: 03 March 2008 08:06
> To: ctribble@clara.co.uk
> Subject: AW: Quiet mode for upgraded M8
>
> Dear Mr. Tribble,
>
> Thank you for your friendly words. We are convinced that these
> release/cocking modes will be very helpful, when quiet operation of
> the camera is important. We will check the integration in one of the
> next firmware updates.
>
> Thanks again. Please let me know if there is something else I can do
> for you.
>
> Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Kind regards
>
> Stefan Daniel

[Venkman]

Cool, thanks for the info Chris - this is indeed good news.

[guy_mancuso]

Great stuff and nice work Chris. Honestly I think there things coming now that Leica has solved most of the firmware issues that were on a critical level . Hopefully they will go back and look at our lists and see what makes sense.