photolandscape Posted December 12, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 12, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Playing off a thread in the M9 Forum, would anyone care to predict when (if ever) M8 users may be blessed with updated firmware, and what it will include? When the M9 emerged on 9.9.09 I could see how Leica would be putting all its assets into the M9, S2, and X1. But it has been more than three months. Firmware isn't simple, but it's not rocket science to update it. I'm beginning to think that the M8 is being orphaned in this regard, and that the only thing we're going to see in terms of future firmware improvements for the M8 are additional lens recognition, and that's about it. That would be a huge disappointment, and from my perspective, a very poor marketing move for Leica to make. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 12, 2009 Posted December 12, 2009 Hi photolandscape, Take a look here Predictions for updated M8 Firmware?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jsrockit Posted December 12, 2009 Share #2 Posted December 12, 2009 Why is it a poor marketing move to concentrate on the company's newest camera? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
photolandscape Posted December 12, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted December 12, 2009 Why is it a poor marketing move to concentrate on the company's newest camera? Thanks for such an easy question. It's fine to concentrate on a new product, but when the preceding camera body, the M8, was brought to market with so many flaws that took so much time to correct and alienated so many Leica customers in the process, it only makes sense to appease the M8 crowd, do the right thing, and offer them something simple--a substantial firmware update. Hell, I'd even pay for it. Give us the code and we'll do it ourselves. The M8 left a bitter taste in a lot of mouths, so anything Leica could offer up in the way of an olive branch to keep the faithful faithful certainly wouldn't hurt. Leica, bring it on for god sake. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted December 13, 2009 Share #4 Posted December 13, 2009 I see. I'm a new M8 user (bought used) and am very satisfied. It seems like a solid camera at this point that works well. Anything I would want added to the camera, as far I can think of, could not be added via a firmware update. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnastovall Posted December 13, 2009 Share #5 Posted December 13, 2009 I see no reason Leica would waste (nor would I want them to) resources on the M8 line. They need to focus on the future lines, M9, S2 and X1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfokevin Posted December 13, 2009 Share #6 Posted December 13, 2009 We here in the M8 forum are way ahead of the curve... This subject has already been BEATEN TO DEATH in a another recent M8 thread... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenMacPhoto Posted December 13, 2009 Share #7 Posted December 13, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Wasn't this subject BEATEN TO DEATH in a another recent thread?.... On multiple forums as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsjxyz Posted December 13, 2009 Share #8 Posted December 13, 2009 Need manual choice for lenses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logic108 Posted December 13, 2009 Share #9 Posted December 13, 2009 Everything seems pretty o.k for me. I think I remember that there isn't enough processing power to have a lens list function. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
epand56 Posted December 13, 2009 Share #10 Posted December 13, 2009 I must say that I'm enjoying my M8 as I never did with any other camera. Dont feel the urge to upgrade to M9 at all and I'm very satisfied with the results I get with my old, trusty "8". It is far ahead as a camera than I am as a photographer. Not a trouble in a long time but the usual green line that I only got a couple time in almost two years of use. That said, I would not mind a new firmware with some of the "9" features. Would be a nice sign from that great company that Leica is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronazle Posted December 13, 2009 Share #11 Posted December 13, 2009 Mike, much of Leica's historic success has resulted from long term support of its always expensive line of photographic equipment. It is simply good business to "waste" resources on old (three years already?) camera support. regards, ron Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammam Posted December 13, 2009 Share #12 Posted December 13, 2009 Thanks for such an easy question. It's fine to concentrate on a new product, but when the preceding camera body, the M8, was brought to market with so many flaws that took so much time to correct and alienated so many Leica customers in the process, it only makes sense to appease the M8 crowd, do the right thing, and offer them something simple--a substantial firmware update. Hell, I'd even pay for it. Give us the code and we'll do it ourselves. The M8 left a bitter taste in a lot of mouths, so anything Leica could offer up in the way of an olive branch to keep the faithful faithful certainly wouldn't hurt. Leica, bring it on for god sake. +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rami G Posted December 13, 2009 Share #13 Posted December 13, 2009 I see no reason Leica would waste (nor would I want them to) resources on the M8 line. They need to focus on the future lines, M9, S2 and X1. As a rather long time user of Leica (and I guess, you might be too), I would think that treating their products as disposables "when the next generation arrives" is not really Leica's way, and for many, that is the reason to choose Leica. Why did Leica ever cared to allow M6 and first M7 users to upgrade the viewfinder to the MP/M7? Were you also bothered back then that they "waste resources" on such an upgrade, rather than made all users dump their p&s M6 and upgrade to the latest Leica? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammam Posted December 13, 2009 Share #14 Posted December 13, 2009 I see no reason Leica would waste (nor would I want them to) resources on the M8 line. They need to focus on the future lines, M9, S2 and X1. If they focus only on the niche market the X1 will probably be, on the very expensive M9, and on the astronomically expensive and «nichi-er» S2, and disregard the «more affordable» M8, then they will agan be perceived as the camera company for the wealthy elite. In these days of recession, not a very good marketing strategy in my book. I was lucky enough to find a demo M8.2 at my dealer's, for which I traded some equipment, and forked some cash, but I could never have afforded an M9, had I wanted one anyway. So, I would have ended up buying... nothing Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnastovall Posted December 13, 2009 Share #15 Posted December 13, 2009 As a rather long time user of Leica (and I guess, you might be too), I would think that treating their products as disposables "when the next generation arrives" is not really Leica's way, and for many, that is the reason to choose Leica. Why did Leica ever cared to allow M6 and first M7 users to upgrade the viewfinder to the MP/M7? Were you also bothered back then that they "waste resources" on such an upgrade, rather than made all users dump their p&s M6 and upgrade to the latest Leica? Firmware is very different when it comes to modifications than the mechnical/optical ones you mentioned. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rami G Posted December 13, 2009 Share #16 Posted December 13, 2009 Firmware is very different when it comes to modifications than the mechnical/optical ones you mentioned. That's seems to support my point, doesn't it? As far as I understand it, the "improvements" people are expecting are of three types: 1. Manual lens selection. 2. Non-compressed files. 3. Inovations made with the M9, such as better ISO performance. Regarding to 1, I don't feel I have a say. While I wish they would add it I understand the 3rd party lenses argument. Regarding 2, it doesn't need any extra resources on Leica team as they discussed extensively the tests they made with a full bit M8 and "decided" it doesn't worth the extra CPU resources and loss of speed. Well, I want the option for a non-compressed file with my M8. I am not convinced it does not worth it for me (as many DMR users have testified) and like many, I see no point in introducing a high market camera without allowing it to use it full potential. Regarding to 3, here people are referring to actual achievements accomplished on the software of the M9 which could be utilized on the M8. Are there such accomplishments? apparently, the answer might be 'yes'. So we are not talking, again, about having Leica team work on the M8, but just as with my previous example, of using some development made for the M9 on an older model camera. Some camera makers (Epson, Kodak) did it, and their users (me, amongst others) were grateful for that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted December 13, 2009 Share #17 Posted December 13, 2009 Mike, much of Leica's historic success has resulted from long term support of its always expensive line of photographic equipment. It is simply good business to "waste" resources on old (three years already?) camera support. regards, ron Support comes in many forms. They will continue to support it by repairing the M8 when it has issues and stuff of that nature. However, to expect them to keep making firm ware updates is a bit much. The camera works great. It could happen, but if it doesn't, oh well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsrockit Posted December 13, 2009 Share #18 Posted December 13, 2009 Why did Leica ever cared to allow M6 and first M7 users to upgrade the viewfinder to the MP/M7? Were you also bothered back then that they "waste resources" on such an upgrade, rather than made all users dump their p&s M6 and upgrade to the latest Leica? This upgrade brought in cash for the company! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfokevin Posted December 14, 2009 Share #19 Posted December 14, 2009 Ok... I'll bite.... As far as economic sense I would say that a final firmware upgrade that has manual lens selection would make economic sense... Presently every time a new lens is introduced they must upgrade the firmware to recognize the new lens... They could give us a manual selection option and cut us loose... Call it "Perpetual Manual Lens Selection" and they kill two birds with one stone Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rami G Posted December 14, 2009 Share #20 Posted December 14, 2009 This upgrade brought in cash for the company! Not as much as a new camera would have. Obviously, for some optional upgrades, it would make sense for Leica to allow them for a charge. The question is, rather, should we look at the M8/M9 line as a short term investment, unlike any past Leica. With my (12,15 VC), 21 Elm Asph, 28 cron asph, 35 lux asph, 50 cron, 75 lux and 135 apo and with my print needs hardly exceeding A3+, there is nothing I need that my M8.2 could not do. I will, as soon as I could, get an M9, but I do like the M8.2 very much, and unless I will need the cash, I will keep it as a second body. In the film days I used regularly 3 bodies (I don't like changing lenses) and 2 bodies, I find, essential for serious work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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