Leica X-Vario and X Series Firmware Update?

[Don Morley]

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Several subscribers have alluded to having been told (or tipped off by someone at Leica) that a long overdue firmware update for the X series is now in the pipeline. But is it? And why is it taking so long? And indeed are any of these rumors are even remotely true?

 

Maybe I am alone in this but as a lifelong Leica user and fan It worries me greatly as I increasingly get the feeling Leica do not much care for we Leica or more specifically X series camera users, and that we are perhaps forgotten once they have made the initial sale.

 

I sincerely hope I am wrong, and in any case I am lucky enough to own and run a couple of M9's as well as my X-Vario BUT I also own a truly brilliant Fuji X-E2 outfit where the X-Vario beating camera is super fast in use by comparison, and is dare I say all which the X-Vario should and maybe could be care of a half decent firmware update.

 

Anyway I have loved using and owning a very many different Leica's over the past 60 years but my patience is wearing more than a little thin over the lack of such as these vital though as yet long non existent firmware updates which I feel we and Leica's own reputation truly deserve.

 

Come on Leica. Lets have some speedy follow up action now please. Its called customer care! Don Morley.

[colonel]

Fuji is the market leader in kicking out useful firmware updates, so perhaps an unfair comparison

Canon and Olympus are great, Sony and Nikon are ok for their leading models

 

I wonder how many software teams Leica has ? They have just released a large update for the M240. so I suspect they are doing something else now but would a T update rank higher then an XV ? probably for Leica. Lets see. Perhaps the XV update has been on slow burn for sometime and it is due shortly

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[thighslapper]

I wonder how many software teams Leica has ?

 

Two spotty teenagers in a cupboard

 

..... seriously though ....... as a small company doing things now in-house (it was previously outsourced) they must have a real headache keeping S,M,X and T series bug free and updated .... plus work on the next generation of cameras. Recent improvements of the M and their speed of reaction with beta testing was quite impressive ....... and I am sure it is not quality but quantity that is an issue with the software team .....

Edited August 18, 2014 by thighslapper

[wda]

There is a feeling that Leica support for the X Vario suffers a lower priority in their total upgrade programme. This is a pity, if true, but the relative time lags support that belief. The XV was launched at the same time as the M Typ 240 which has already received significant firmware updating. Perhaps it would help to restore confidence in loyal owners and users of the XV if Leica would make a statement of intent regarding the future of the camera. It is a very high quality product and deserves to benefit from firmware updating.

[Don Morley]

There is a feeling that Leica support for the X Vario suffers a lower priority in their total upgrade programme. This is a pity, if true, but the relative time lags support that belief. The XV was launched at the same time as the M Typ 240 which has already received significant firmware updating. Perhaps it would help to restore confidence in loyal owners and users of the XV if Leica would make a statement of intent regarding the future of the camera. It is a very high quality product and deserves to benefit from firmware updating.

 

Precisely! My feelings better put thank you David. Now all we need is someone at Leica to take note and DO something rather than just ignore us. Don;)

[Douglasco]

I was thinking of getting an XV, but this thread has put me off. It was the same problem with the X1. I would have thought Leica would have got its act together by now, after all they are not new to making digital cameras now.

[Manoleica]

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I was thinking of getting an XV, but this thread has put me off. It was the same problem with the X1. I would have thought Leica would have got its act together by now, after all they are not new to making digital cameras now.

 

Even without software updates the XV is still a great piece of equipment... there are workarounds and after all that's what photography is all about.. My X1 is great camera and it's always with me, the XV is the master... People make excuses about the XV plus negative thoughts and the possibility that may not be able to master the camera..

Buy it, master it, enjoy.............. Regards, L.

[wda]

I was thinking of getting an XV, but this thread has put me off. It was the same problem with the X1. I would have thought Leica would have got its act together by now, after all they are not new to making digital cameras now.

I am not sure why you regard the lack of firmware updates as a tipping point regarding an XV purchase. The camera is a wonderful working tool, capable of pulling punches way over its weight. Any updates will merely add to the ease and pleasure of using the camera.

[Douglasco]

The XV reminds me of my old Digilux 2 looking at the photographs I have seen taken with it, thats why I would like one. Although I liked the X1 I never really conected with it until after the first firmware update, same with the x pro1.

I just feel that a camera manufacturer should release a camera that is fully functional from day one and a firmware update shou!d be a bonus. If I get an XV in the near future I want to enjoy it from day one and have confidence that if an update is required I wont have to wait for months before one is released.

The one thing I will say for Fuji is that they do look after its customers regarding firmware update waiting times.

[wda]

...

The one thing I will say for Fuji is that they do look after its customers regarding firmware update waiting times.

A company with rather richer resources. But I do agree with you. Although I cannot remember ever getting one for my Fuji MX700. Perhaps I should sell it.

Edited August 23, 2014 by wda

[euston]

I just feel that a camera manufacturer should release a camera that is fully functional from day one and a firmware update shou!d be a bonus.

 

My XV was fully functional from day one. Over a year on, and it still is.

 

The only thing I would like to see dealt with in a firmware update is a setting that really does turn the review feature off. How significant that is depends, I suppose, on the kind of photography you do. For me, it’s a minor nuisance rather than something that prevents me from enjoying the camera and getting the results I want.

 

With prices in the UK much reduced from what they were at launch, I’d say the XV looks like what passes for a bargain in Leicaland. This camera has been a victim of internet panic since it was announced and the absence of a firmware update is keeping it on the boil. The result is that some people are being unnecessarily put off buying a camera they would enjoy at what is now an almost reasonable price. That's sad!

[Manoleica]

The "Update Software" excuse is really another in a long line of excuses.

It's a great camera with great IQ.. So it has a few quirks as do Jaguars, Bentleys, Porches &

many other high end products.. It can produce the images, but I doubt some of the "excusers" have the ability to master a true Leica. I've had mine for about 2months, I am just getting into the "feeling comfortable" mode when shooting with the XV.. Regards, L.

[Lee Martin]

A company with rather richer resources. But I do agree with you. Although I cannot remember ever getting one for my Fuji MX700. Perhaps I should sell it.

 

I think the difference is that Fuji care after you've handed over your money and LISTEN to what customers are asking for and that the cameras would benefit from.

[Phil75]

Isn't it the case that volume manufacturer, such as Fuji, have shorter lifecycles and certainly do less testing prior to publishing software? Consequences is a higher rate of updates.

[Lee Martin]

Isn't it the case that volume manufacturer, such as Fuji, have shorter lifecycles and certainly do less testing prior to publishing software? Consequences is a higher rate of updates.

 

I've seen plenty of comments about numerous shortfalls in the brand new Leica T software that clearly hasn't been tested anything like enough prior to release. Owners are asking for software updates and are being ignored. Fuji listen and respond promptly rather than possibly/maybe getting round to it if and when it suits them. So yes you may have a camera with a longer life span that will have the issues years after you've bought it as opposed to improved within a short time of using it.

[Don Morley]

Even without software updates the XV is still a great piece of equipment... there are workarounds and after all that's what photography is all about.. My X1 is great camera and it's always with me, the XV is the master... People make excuses about the XV plus negative thoughts and the possibility that may not be able to master the camera..

Buy it, master it, enjoy.............. Regards, L.

 

After a lifetime as a Pro photographer working Internationally I think I am sufficiently qualified to be able to say I do know how to use a camera and how to distinguish which is the most capable between the two compact systems I have. I.E. The Leica X-Vario and the Fuji X-E2 and much as I love the X-Vario (And my M9's), My very carefully arrived at view is the Fuji beats the Leica in almost every way.

 

Sadly that also includes outright definition where my numerous back to back tests have shown the Fuji's (much wider aperture) zoom outperforms the lens on my X-Vario, and please note I am saying MY X-Vario just in case the lens of my camera is not one of the better examples BUT that all said the difference is not major and so I am in fact quite happy still with the Leica on that score and therefore to get to my main point -

 

THE LEICA X-VARIO COULD CLOSE THE GAP AND MAYBE EVEN BETTER THE FUJI IF ONLY LEICA COULD OR WOULD COME UP WITH A MUCH NEEDED FIRMWARE UPDATE. Sorry but that was is and remains my only point and unlike some who have replied so far I am not deluding myself!

[Don Morley]

I was thinking of getting an XV, but this thread has put me off. It was the same problem with the X1. I would have thought Leica would have got its act together by now, after all they are not new to making digital cameras now.

 

 

Please do not let it put you off, but equally go into it with your eyes open to the thought not everything made by Leica is the best of your options. Don

[Manoleica]

Don, back to back tests, IQ and whatever are Not the be all and end all of judging any camera.. Leica's as you know are a different breed.. Only the Results matter. (with or without updates) If any make or model floats your boat apart from Leica I'm happy for you.. Yes there are horses for courses and Leica's are not the panacea of photographic equipment..

At the end of the day it's what matters to You... No disrespect meant..

My D90 pretty much stays in the bag, I gave my son the D300. To my eyes the results from my Leica's are like a beautiful woman.. I think it's called the Leica Glow...Regards, L.

[Don Morley]

Don, back to back tests, IQ and whatever are Not the be all and end all of judging any camera.. Leica's as you know are a different breed.. Only the Results matter. (with or without updates) If any make or model floats your boat apart from Leica I'm happy for you.. Yes there are horses for courses and Leica's are not the panacea of photographic equipment..

At the end of the day it's what matters to You... No disrespect meant..

My D90 pretty much stays in the bag, I gave my son the D300. To my eyes the results from my Leica's are like a beautiful woman.. I think it's called the Leica Glow...Regards, L.

 

Hello again Manoleica,

 

I am not actually disagreeing with you in principal though I do feel I am stating a fact! Put it this way and using a car analogy if I were a Pro race driver I would not choose to race a slower car than I needed too, nor one with obvious failings or faults, and the same applies to my thinking as a Pro photographer. In short I don't care or make allowances for whatever name it says on it. I want THE most capable of getting THE BEST results I can for my money and at the moment for me at least it is not the X-Vario. BUT with the right firmware upgrade i honestly feel it just could be. Best regards, Don

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[Manoleica]

Hi Don, I absolutely agree with you, in the 60's & 70's I was a freelance for Fleet Street. I used a Miranda Sensorex (I knew no better) and then various Minox ending up with the GT..

We used to take the pictures, then drive to Fleet Street to hand in our 35mm rolls... If they used the pictures we got somewhere around ₤20.. if not we got a roll of film..

I was a London Taxi driver so I was always out N about, lots of stories about that era........ )

Stay Safe & Be Successful. Regards, L.