Firmware niggle....

[jaapv]

I just connected it to an USB cable for the first time. Why does it not automatically disable autoshutoff??

[Shootist]

Originally Posted by jaapv

I just connected it to an USB cable for the first time. Why does it not automatically disable autoshutoff??

One reason could be that with Auto shut off disabled the battery will run out fairly fast.
I have mine set to the default 5 minutes and the few times I have had to connect it with a USB to PC that has been plenty of time to get whatever images I have on the card.

What do you have ASO set to?

[jaapv]

5 minutes. I had a Windows fight after connecting it, it was an old machine and didn't like the DNG files. However the camera shut off halfway and I could start all over again, without any succes I may add. The computer still thinks these are 10 Mb Tiff files of 340x280 pixels.... It obviously only reads out the embedded Jpg. I'll bring a cardreader next time. And switch off autoshutoff manually if I ever connect the camera again (unlikely...). I don't mind run down batteries, I always have a spare with me.

[gareth_c]

I tend to use the Sandisk SD cards that fold and have a USB connection built in. They were always useful with my R-D1 as the card readers seem to be problematic (and its one less thing to carry around).

[jaapv]

What is your experience with mechanical reliability, Gareth? I never bought them, as they seemed a bit delicate to me.

[luigi bertolotti]

Ehm, delicate is a right term, Jaap... but I have used one for 2 months... in-out at least, say, 25-30 times... still working fine; but I'd be not surprised to have to throw away in one year or so.. these kind of gizmos are TERRIBLY built... is a market so done...

[etherfarm]

I think they're tougher than they look. I've had one in my Treo for probably 9 months now, maybe more, and I've been using a 2GB one in my M8 since the 2GB was available. I don't know how many downloads I've done, but probably about average and the card seems to be doing just fine.

I've got several spares ready to go in the event this one breaks. When I travel I bring so many cables and chargers (and of course the Leica charger needs its own suitcase), and I find the convenience of this card, which allows me to leave yet another cable and/or reader at home, too great to abandon.

[gareth_c]

Originally Posted by jaapv

What is your experience with mechanical reliability, Gareth? I never bought them, as they seemed a bit delicate to me.

I have used them for some time now and have had no problems whatsoever. I even use one as a standard USB drive a lot at work. It must have been folded and unfolded hundreds of times and never a problem!

The folding system is quite clever (like a double hinge), I can't recommend them highly enough.

[marknorton]

I like the folding cards too and kicked myself after buying some normal cards when I found out 2Gb are available.

The USB connector, along with the Protect button must be the two features of the M8 I use least. I would have much preferred either a docking cradle or a wireless connection.

[rvaubel]

Originally Posted by marknorton

I like the folding cards too and kicked myself after buying some normal cards when I found out 2Gb are available.

The USB connector, along with the Protect button must be the two features of the M8 I use least. I would have much preferred either a docking cradle or a wireless connection.

I've never used the USB connector OR the Protect button. I've never accidently deleted a frame either. But on the other hand I rarely delete anything in the camera anyway. Why bother when memory is so cheap? I have three 2GB cards and I can't ever see myself needing more. And one of those is really a "Hail Mary" card. Just like my 3rd battery.

As for the USB connector, why would anyone want to download a memory card thru the friggin camera? Well if you enjoy watching paint dry, maybe.

Rex

[rvaubel]

Originally Posted by rvaubel

I've never used the USB connector OR the Protect button. I've never accidently deleted a frame either. But on the other hand I rarely delete anything in the camera anyway. Why bother when memory is so cheap? I have three 2GB cards and I can't ever see myself needing more. And one of those is really a "Hail Mary" card. Just like my 3rd battery.

As for the USB connector, why would anyone want to download a memory card thru the friggin camera? Well if you enjoy watching paint dry, maybe.

Rex

Oh ya, I forgot. I have a couple of those folding Sandisk plus cards and while they look delicate, mine have survive hundreds of foldings none the worse for wear

Rex

[wlaidlaw]

Originally Posted by jaapv

I just connected it to an USB cable for the first time. Why does it not automatically disable autoshutoff??

Jaap,

When I was still using the USB cable that seemed weird to me too. All the previous 4 digital Leicas I have had, disabled auto shut off when the cable was connected. The Digilux 2 had a very nice feature on the USB remote software that you could leave it on auto shut off but it could be woken up via the cable, so that you could use it for pre-programmed time lapse photography. A friend of mine built one of those Huf Haus wooden pre-constructed houses. He did a great time lapse photography sequence over the two week build period with his D2. Of course you could also connect a power connection to the D2 so that you were not using the battery, something the M8 is lacking.

Wilson