X1 Firmware v2 Upgrade [Merged thread]

[phancj]

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Thats right and the "Special MIB Edition" is also availible with that Neuralisator thing, masked as a flash

 

They need that more in the S2, not the X1. So after shelling out so much for a camera you zap yourself to forget the big dent in your account.

 

CJ

[Archiver]

This was my reasoning to begin with for why there was no DNG option- playback is slow enough without that camera having to load 20mb previews. However, what do other cameras do in this regard if they have a RAW only option? Do they shoot a JPG thumbnail the exact size of the screen and not make it available in the file system for import?

 

A number of companies do something like that. Sigma raw files have three sizes of jpeg embedded with the raw: thumbnail, large and full resolution. The full resolution file is what is displayed on the screen, and I think that the thumbnails are used for scrolling playback.

 

The Ricoh GRD III is another camera that must always record a raw and a jpeg. The GRD III's processor cannot effectively display a DNG file, so it uses the jpeg for the purpose. Fortunately, you can get around that by setting the camera to shoot jpegs at the lowest resolution, 640x480. This saves a lot of space on the card. Does the X1 have this option?

[RockyIII]

Fortunately, you can get around that by setting the camera to shoot jpegs at the lowest resolution, 640x480. This saves a lot of space on the card. Does the X1 have this option?

 

On the X1, you can set the JPG resolution to 1.8, 3, 7, or 12.2 megapixels.

 

Rocky

[ChiILX1]

On the X1, you can set the JPG resolution to 1.8, 3, 7, or 12.2 megapixels.

 

Rocky

 

I thought the only jpg option was fine or superfine. Changing the megapixels changes the RAW too I believe

[RockyIII]

I thought the only jpg option was fine or superfine. Changing the megapixels changes the RAW too I believe

 

The X1 resolution setting only affects JPGs. RAW files are always full size. See page 94 of the manual.

 

Rocky

[ChiILX1]

The X1 resolution setting only affects JPGs. RAW files are always full size. See page 94 of the manual.

 

Rocky

 

WOW! I knew sharpness/color and other settings only affected JPEG but not that! Upon reviewing the manual you are correct!

 

This solves the issue! EVERY camera takes a tiny JPEG for display purposes! No camera loads RAW for display. Everyone can now set their JPEG review on 1.8mp, set aperture to not import jpegs, and quit complaining!

 

To think this whole time the solution was right there.

 

I just tested it. Here are the times for 6 continuous from first shutter click to screen going blank again (on viewfinder mode)

 

12.2 fine: 13.1 seconds

1.8 fine: 11.6 seconds

 

That's an 11.5% increase in speed on my Sandisk extreme Iii 16gb 30mb/s card.

[timetraveller]

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WOW! I knew sharpness/color and other settings only affected JPEG but not that! Upon reviewing the manual you are correct!

 

This solves the issue! EVERY camera takes a tiny JPEG for display purposes! No camera loads RAW for display. Everyone can now set their JPEG review on 1.8mp, set aperture to not import jpegs, and quit complaining!

 

To think this whole time the solution was right there.

 

I just tested it. Here are the times for 6 continuous from first shutter click to screen going blank again (on viewfinder mode)

 

12.2 fine: 13.1 seconds

1.8 fine: 11.6 seconds

 

That's an 11.5% increase in speed on my Sandisk extreme Iii 16gb 30mb/s card.

 

I think is much important note here that the performance is improved A LOT when reviewing pictures if you set resolution to 3mb. Of course, you have the DNG at full res, and for reviewing (check focus) purposes, even zooming at 100% there's no much difference compared to 12mb. In exchange for this "tradeoff" you win a much better performance.

 

I always shoot in RAW and sometimes is a pain reviewing as the camera is slow, but with this settings, it works fast as a bullet!

 

From the X1 manual:

"Note:

Raw images (DNG-format) are always recorded with the highest resolution, regardless of the settings for JPEG-images."

 

 

 

P.S. It's just me, or Leica's manuals are too "precise" when explaining features...

I think it would be better for all if manuals were more "explanatory". Using examples, advices and things like that. It's like reading a Law book, where every dot and letter has a purpose and meaning that you can't miss.

 

If manuals were "easier/funnier written" I think I wouldn't have missed this great option and have been much happier with my camera since the beginning.

 

Or maybe adding a place in their website with advices and techniques from the product department...

[ChiILX1]

I think is much important note here that the performance is improved A LOT when reviewing pictures if you set resolution to 3mb. Of course, you have the DNG at full res, and for reviewing (check focus) purposes, even zooming at 100% there's no much difference compared to 12mb. In exchange for this "tradeoff" you win a much better performance.

 

I always shoot in RAW and sometimes is a pain reviewing as the camera is slow, but with this settings, it works fast as a bullet!

 

From the X1 manual:

"Note:

Raw images (DNG-format) are always recorded with the highest resolution, regardless of the settings for JPEG-images."

 

 

 

P.S. It's just me, or Leica's manuals are too "precise" when explaining features...

I think it would be better for all if manuals were more "explanatory". Using examples, advices and things like that. It's like reading a Law book, where every dot and letter has a purpose and meaning that you can't miss.

 

If manuals were "easier/funnier written" I think I wouldn't have missed this great option and have been much happier with my camera since the beginning.

 

Tell a German they are too precise and they will take it as a compliment

[timetraveller]

Tell a German they are too precise and they will take it as a compliment

 

 

I know, that's why a put it into quotes....

 

I can see why they do it. From a product designer point of view, it's a much better looking and cleaner manual, but nobody reads a manual as a letter from your girlfiend.

You read a page here and there, features you need to start using it, and you come back to it everytime you need something else or questions come to your mind.

 

My point is that it should be a way to keep the manual as "pure" as it is, and adding some addenda with examples, advices and that kind of things...

[RockyIII]

I think it would be better for all if manuals were more "explanatory". Using examples, advices and things like that.

 

They do that in a few places. For example, when discussing metering modes on page 101, there are a couple of examples given. I agree it would be nice to have more examples in the manual, but at least we have this forum to help with that.

 

Rocky

[tom0511]

I write it in every x1 firmware thread but I have too:

 

It makes me mad that Leica does not give us that firmware.

They have talked about it since summer and just do not supply.

 

I like the x1 but the AF sucks and if Leica has a posibility to improve it they should give it to us.

 

Again Leica seems to act arrogant regarding their customers.

 

Great products but still bad customer relationship.

In some cases leica seems to have improved (I have good experience with service) - in other areas (Leica firmware for the x1) not.

 

Would be great if the X1 AF spped with the new firmware would come close to that of the EP2,G1/2.

THe IQ is allready slightly better and with a faster AF the x1 could become a real competition to m4/3.

[h00ligan]

Small company + small customer base = takes time to make sure it's correct.

 

That said, it would be nice if they released incremental upgrades...maybe they are trying to WOW those who gave the camera lackluster reviews though..and that could give sales a kick in the pants.

[JeTexas]

 

I know, that's why a put it into quotes....

 

I can see why they do it. From a product designer point of view, it's a much better looking and cleaner manual, but nobody reads a manual as a letter from your girlfiend.

You read a page here and there, features you need to start using it, and you come back to it everytime you need something else or questions come to your mind.

 

My point is that it should be a way to keep the manual as "pure" as it is, and adding some addenda with examples, advices and that kind of things...

 

If you've ever read a manual for Line 6 products, they use a friendly narrative tone and have actually made me chuckle while reading their manuals. I think Leica's biggest challenge is that they have to translate the manual into so many languages. It's very difficult to keep the same meaning and tone from language to language, which is probably why they attempt to be so precise. Porsche manuals tend to be the same way.

[h00ligan]

Don't over think it. They're German..not exactly known worldwide for sense of humour or conversation less than this is the proper way!

[phancj]

I write it in every x1 firmware thread but I have too:

 

It makes me mad that Leica does not give us that firmware.

They have talked about it since summer and just do not supply.

 

I like the x1 but the AF sucks and if Leica has a posibility to improve it they should give it to us.

 

Again Leica seems to act arrogant regarding their customers.

 

Great products but still bad customer relationship.

In some cases leica seems to have improved (I have good experience with service) - in other areas (Leica firmware for the x1) not.

 

Would be great if the X1 AF spped with the new firmware would come close to that of the EP2,G1/2.

THe IQ is allready slightly better and with a faster AF the x1 could become a real competition to m4/3.

 

Haiz so whats new? Life goes on we just gotta buy the stuff that best suit our individual needs. Totally not within our control.

[tom0511]

Small company + small customer base = takes time to make sure it's correct.

 

That said, it would be nice if they released incremental upgrades...maybe they are trying to WOW those who gave the camera lackluster reviews though..and that could give sales a kick in the pants.

 

What kind of WOW? something like "Wow-didnt know there are such slow cameras on the market anymore?"

[brill64]

I write it in every x1 firmware thread but I have too:

 

It makes me mad that Leica does not give us that firmware.

They have talked about it since summer and just do not supply.

 

I like the x1 but the AF sucks and if Leica has a posibility to improve it they should give it to us.

 

Again Leica seems to act arrogant regarding their customers.

 

Great products but still bad customer relationship.

In some cases leica seems to have improved (I have good experience with service) - in other areas (Leica firmware for the x1) not.

 

Would be great if the X1 AF spped with the new firmware would come close to that of the EP2,G1/2.

THe IQ is allready slightly better and with a faster AF the x1 could become a real competition to m4/3.

 

i think in business and it is a business after all, keeping quiet (and seeming arrogant) is an attempt at keeping the competition at bay. also, i would rather that the next update was right, had the maximum possible benefit to me as a consumer and was not released still "buggy" before time. releasing the original m8 before sorting out it's ir issues must have felt awkward and cut a big hole in company profits - once bitten, twice shy! i'm not a technician but i'm also guessing that getting it right before release is not always 100% quantifiable. i for one am patient and confident that it will come.

[h00ligan]

Hah, I was thinking more like 'wow they really made this camera so much better, we can recommend it now'

 

It would be nice if they opened a public beta of say, 500 slots..but I doubt they'd get proper bug reports back.

[tom0511]

i think in business and it is a business after all, keeping quiet (and seeming arrogant) is an attempt at keeping the competition at bay. also, i would rather that the next update was right, had the maximum possible benefit to me as a consumer and was not released still "buggy" before time. releasing the original m8 before sorting out it's ir issues must have felt awkward and cut a big hole in company profits - once bitten, twice shy! i'm not a technician but i'm also guessing that getting it right before release is not always 100% quantifiable. i for one am patient and confident that it will come.

 

They have sold the x1 without getting it right 100%, so I would rather get the improvedx1 from 90% to 95% instead of waiting for 6months+ and then achieving 96%.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[phancj]

Meanwhile the camera is still great as it is...