M9 FW v1.116 available...

[k-hawinkler]

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None of these problems with either of my M9s. Oddly enough, they persist in working. They even let me go out and earn good money, dovetailing perfectly with my 5D2 + long lenses.

 

Evidence at: John Surman & Chris Laurence with Trans4mation - a set on Flickr

 

Should I complain to Leica? ...

 

Before I get flamed, I just want to flag that I posted this as there seems to be a huge amount of negative comment around, whereas my experience (and I think this goes for a lot of other users) of actually working with the M9 is pretty damn good.

 

Chris,

 

May I suggest that to characterize mere descriptions of observations as "huge amount of negative comment" is not accurate. Reporting an odd observation on this forum is not in conflict at all with utterly enjoying use of the M9, given access to those amazing lenses.

 

Sincerely, K-H.

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[chris_tribble]

Oh dear... I am sorry if I've appeared to denigrate the real issues that users have with the firmware, or to be inaccurate in my characterisation of the current mood of the forum. My concern is an old evaluator's problem - those with a concern or a complaint tend a) to make comments while those who are satisfied stay silent and get heard by the widest audience. Maybe I should have said predominantly negative rather than huge amount...

 

I'd just feel it was a shame for people to be put off the M9 because of the kinds of comments they're getting from the forum. Think about what Canon are having to deal with at the moment... Canon EOS 5D Mark II Firmware Update

 

[vanhulsenbeek]

Chris, I am with you. +1 as they say. My M9 rocks

 

Let me state it less diplomatically: the complainers and whiners have it again in this forum.

Pump up the flame throwers!

[ho_co]

... it would be great to have all of its features work considering there aren't that many to begin with.

<LOL>

 

 

Off-topic: Question in regard to 'reinstalling the firmware.'

 

I've heard people told to 'reinstall Windows over your current installation' to 'see if that doesn't fix the problem.' Now Leica says to try reinstalling the update to clear up snags.

 

IIRC, one user posted here that a reinstallation of an M8 update cured a problem he was having.

 

But does anyone know--statistically, how often does a reinstall actually produce positive results? I don't understand the logic; seems to me that the firmware/software installation should have worked right the first time; why should it work better the second?

 

Isn't "Try re-installing" really just a hope and a way to buy time?

[Jerry_R]

M9 + 24mm f/3.8 @3.8 on firmware 1.116

TOP: coded

BOTTOM: uncoded

 

[Jerry_R]

Only FYI, I do not ask Leica to solve Voigtlanders.

 

M9 + CV 15mm @4.5 on firmware 1.116

TOP: uncoded

BOTTOM: coded as 28mm f/2 ASPH

 

 

 

M9 + CV 15mm @4.5 on firmware 1.116

TOP: uncoded

BOTTOM: coded as WATE @16mm

 

[k-hawinkler]

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Chris, Sander,

 

Thanks for your replies. Sarcasm and over the top statements are not necessarily conducive to elevate the level of discourse in this forum.

 

Maybe we can agree on a few things:

 

• The M9 is a wonderful minimalist tool in the right hands.

• Some aspects of the M9 are on the cutting or bleeding edge of technology, such as the close proximity of WA lenses to the sensor and apparently associated red edge problems, that could hopefully benefit from further hard work.

• Other aspects of the M9 are rather mundane and just require the necessary attention to detail, as should be expected from Leica and their historically excellent reputation.

• Approached in an open, frank, and supported way, this forum could be helpful, maybe, to result in an even better Leica M camera and attracting new users with the necessary interest, time, and financial resources.

 

Sincerely, K-H.

[Alnitak]

Jerry,

 

Have you tried using the 21/2.8 11134 coding on the M9 for the CV 15? I tried nearly every possible setting and found that one gave by far the best correction. Others have found the same. If you haven't, I'd suggest you try it out.

 

Jeff

[meino]

Jerry,

 

Have you tried using the 21/2.8 11134 coding on the M9 for the CV 15? I tried nearly every possible setting and found that one gave by far the best correction. Others have found the same. If you haven't, I'd suggest you try it out.

 

Jeff

That is also the best setting for the Zeiss 18mm Distagon.

[Alnitak]

That is also the best setting for the Zeiss 18mm Distagon.

 

And the Voigtlander 12mm, while we are pointing things out.

 

Jeff

[k-hawinkler]

<LOL>

 

 

Off-topic: Question in regard to 'reinstalling the firmware.'

 

I've heard people told to 'reinstall Windows over your current installation' to 'see if that doesn't fix the problem.' Now Leica says to try reinstalling the update to clear up snags.

 

IIRC, one user posted here that a reinstallation of an M8 update cured a problem he was having.

 

But does anyone know--statistically, how often does a reinstall actually produce positive results? I don't understand the logic; seems to me that the firmware/software installation should have worked right the first time; why should it work better the second?

 

Isn't "Try re-installing" really just a hope and a way to buy time?

 

Howard,

 

Leica ought to be answering your question above. I certainly wouldn't know.

 

However, I install a lot of Apple beta OS X software where you have to use reversioners to get to a state so that you can install the next beta release. Their final official release typically comes in 2 versions, namely incremental or full. The incremental version is accessible from the Software Update... feature under the apple symbol. The full version has to be downloaded and installed separately. I sometimes use these full versions to assure that the new software in its entirety is installed correctly.

 

It would be interesting to know how Leica goes about updating their FW.

 

Regards, K-H.

[mjh]

It would be interesting to know how Leica goes about updating their FW.

As far as I can tell the firmware updates have never been incremental; the new version always completely replaced the already installed version. As a matter of fact I have never seen an incremental update from any camera vendor.

 

As a rule, firmware updates either proceed perfectly first time or they fail. If they fail, they either fail gracefully in that you can still try one more time (after replacing a damaged download with a good one, say), or they leave you with a brick (if there is a power failure in mid-update, for example). But that a firmware update seems to proceed OK, only to reveal subtle problems later on, is quite unusual and shouldn’t really happen. If it does happen it suggests that either the bootstrapping routine that loads and installs the new firmware doesn’t perform the required checks to make sure the file isn’t damaged or that the internal update process itself is prone to errors.

[Jerry_R]

One more try then ;-)

 

M9 + CV 15mm @4.5 on firmware 1.116

TOP: uncoded

BOTTOM: coded as 21mm f/2.8 (1134)

 

[Alnitak]

One more try then ;-)

 

M9 + CV 15mm @4.5 on firmware 1.116

TOP: uncoded

BOTTOM: coded as 21mm f/2.8 (1134)

 

Now we're talking! At least to my eyes, this is the best correction. I used to use this as a starting point for CornerFix. Then I got the WATE, which in my case has no red edge at all, and the CV was sold. Which is a shame, as it was such a compact lens, and so sharp--a tiny bit sharper than the WATE.

 

Jeff

[UliWer]

Thank you, Jerry, for your instructive examples. Besides the question of best coding they show most clearly that light seems to be the best remedy against the red shift. So one should take as a rule with a "suspicious" lens to avoid underexposure in the critical zones.

[Jerry_R]

Thank you Jeff & UliWe!

Yes, coding as [1134] is indeed best option! Best compromise I think!

 

What is interesting: I have finally learned how to correct red corner issue for 15mm in LR (without coding). There is no one fits all preset, but just few.

But coding as [1134] gives more warm results, what is nice in most cases for me.

I need to compare no coding vs 21mm coding outside and most probably I will stay with that.

Or replace 15mm with new 12mm - one day.

 

After all these tests I understand you Jeff ;-) My patience is almost finished.I have enough of white walls, etc. I want to spend time on photographing, not testing ;-)

 

PS: Exactly UliWer, correct exposure is important. Even more, as underexposing increases noise, and overexposing can quickly burn highlights. Need to be careful.

[ho_co]

... The incremental version is accessible from the Software Update... feature under the apple symbol. The full version has to be downloaded and installed separately. I sometimes use these full versions to assure that the new software in its entirety is installed correctly....

Thanks for the info, K-H! I knew the two options existed, but didn't realize the difference.

 

 

And thanks to both you and Michael for helping my understanding of the Leica firmware updates!

[chris_tribble]

Maybe we can agree on a few things:

 

• The M9 is a wonderful minimalist tool in the right hands.

• Some aspects of the M9 are on the cutting or bleeding edge of technology, such as the close proximity of WA lenses to the sensor and apparently associated red edge problems, that could hopefully benefit from further hard work.

• Other aspects of the M9 are rather mundane and just require the necessary attention to detail, as should be expected from Leica and their historically excellent reputation.

• Approached in an open, frank, and supported way, this forum could be helpful, maybe, to result in an even better Leica M camera and attracting new users with the necessary interest, time, and financial resources.

 

Sincerely, K-H.

 

This I can fully agree with..

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[carlmuck]

I updated my M9 to 1.116 and immediately noticed two issues:

 

1- I have Auto Power Off set to a minute and the camera shuts itself off after a minute even if I'm busy scrolling through the menus. Never happened before. Very annoying.

 

2- When the camera is switched off and I press the shutter release button, the rear LED blinks briefly each time, as if the camera is not actually powered off. This didn't happen with the previous firmware.

 

What gives?

 

#1 I can't comment on, but #2 has been true in M8 and M9 from day one. Setting the switch to "off" only recommends that the camera turn off... (I've seen several situations where battery removal was the only way to actually get the camera to turn "off".)

 

c.

[wlaidlaw]

#1 I can't comment on, but #2 has been true in M8 and M9 from day one. Setting the switch to "off" only recommends that the camera turn off... (I've seen several situations where battery removal was the only way to actually get the camera to turn "off".)

 

c.

 

.....but what is weird is that some M9's don't do this - mine included. Neither does my M8 (very early one). You would think this would be consistent behaviour.

 

Wilson