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X1 Firmware v2 Upgrade [Merged thread]


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Phenic,

 

Yes, the area was opened quite a while ago, a real nice place to walk the dog.

 

I just found out about this place last month, having got lost while trying to get to marina south. The whole system of roads around the place has been rerouted.

 

CJ

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Tried the new firmware update to see if the improvement in jpeg from camera is evident. Here's the first shot at the Marina barrage where I walk my dog.

 

CJ

 

Hi,

I haven't updated mine yet. But improvement in jpeg refers to color or IQ?

thanks.

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Hard to tell really, coz the X1 jpegs were already very good to start with before the update. I would assume they did tweak something otherwise they wouldnt have said. But many use raw exclusively here so jpegs are irrelevant.

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In normal use, it's hard to tell that it's actually twice-as-fast. What surprises me more though is the understated way in which Leica released this update. If Leica was any other company, they'd probably issue a Press-Release headlined; "50% AF Speed Improvement!" sorta thing ;) (I wonder if any X1 detractors and those who claimed "hardware limitations" are eating their shorts right about now.:D)

 

Impressive!

This shows a double speed indeed. Motors now move the lens faster it seems.

This should also have an impact in bright light

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leica rumors has a short v1 vs. v2 video up on af speed improvements.

 

This video is fixed.

With v1.0 the image is more out of focus to start with so no wonder it takes longer.

 

Shot to shot times are improved when there's little focusing to do but otherwise AF remains just the same for me ; even low light speed improvements aren't discernible.

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This video is fixed.

With v1.0 the image is more out of focus to start with so no wonder it takes longer.

 

Shot to shot times are improved when there's little focusing to do but otherwise AF remains just the same for me ; even low light speed improvements aren't discernible.

 

Agree with your observations. AF is what it is, I think we have to accept this as a fact.

I'm excited though, how much FW 2.0 improved the X1 as a MF/ZF tool.

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Don't forget to check out the Vivan Maier Exhibit at the Cultural Center( Vivian Maier - Her Discovered Work) being called one of the greatest street photographers of the 20th century now- amazing story. Free exhibit and only showing through the 3rd when they will then be going all over the world- but she was in Chicago first.

 

Also- Central Camera Company- family run by same people since 1899. First and last camera shop in Chicago and Leica dealer.

 

I'll be in Hyde Park on campus. If you are around feel free to shoot me a PM. I always have my X1.

 

Two of my favorite spots!

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In normal use, it's hard to tell that it's actually twice-as-fast. What surprises me more though is the understated way in which Leica released this update. If Leica was any other company, they'd probably issue a Press-Release headlined; "50% AF Speed Improvement!" sorta thing ;) (I wonder if any X1 detractors and those who claimed "hardware limitations" are eating their shorts right about now.:D)

 

Yes, they don't have to advertize. They know they have a winner in their hands.

The actual surprising thing for me is, how easy you can completely change the hardware functions of a camera with software. This is easy with the Leicas because they use mostly discrete components, so they can reprogram them in software as what happens here. you cant get the same control with all other manufacturers that use Asics.

Even if that video is staged, for sure when one hears the AF mechanism moving its lenses almost twice as fast, well that is a milestone!

This update made this camera a superb performer and maybe also gave it another year selling in a saturated market with other competitors (X100)

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Thing with the X1 is it is already competent in many respects, many may have had unrealistic expectations. With that sensor size and the type of AF (contrast detection) it will not be blazing fast. It always have been a tiny camera with big heart (sensor) and good lens.

 

What was deficient and evidently so was probably a less-than-optimal MF implementation that allows for more accurate ZF, and I think in that direction the FW update succeeded in making things right completely. Street shooters from the hip will have nothing to complain IMO.

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as a mostly "jpg" shooter i took a few "snaps" of my dog after upgrading- the colors to my eye appear more "real"- makes my decision to go "jpg" only easier the AF in my "darkish" living room seems speedier and the MF opens more options for my shooting.

 

i will have to wait to this weekend to make a more detailed photo comparison

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In normal use, it's hard to tell that it's actually twice-as-fast. What surprises me more though is the understated way in which Leica released this update. If Leica was any other company, they'd probably issue a Press-Release headlined; "50% AF Speed Improvement!" sorta thing ;) (I wonder if any X1 detractors and those who claimed "hardware limitations" are eating their shorts right about now.:D)

 

I asked someone at Leica USA how come their documentation mentions the manual focus in great detail, but only mentions the af improvement in passing. He said that was because better mf is what most people had been asking for. Yes, that does sound very understated compared to the way most companies trumpet every little feature.

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Don't forget to check out the Vivan Maier Exhibit at the Cultural Center( Vivian Maier - Her Discovered Work) being called one of the greatest street photographers of the 20th century now- amazing story. Free exhibit and only showing through the 3rd when they will then be going all over the world- but she was in Chicago first.

 

Also- Central Camera Company- family run by same people since 1899. First and last camera shop in Chicago and Leica dealer.

 

I'll be in Hyde Park on campus. If you are around feel free to shoot me a PM. I always have my X1.

 

I saw that show when it opened--wonderful! I hear a book is in the works too.

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I saw that show when it opened--wonderful! I hear a book is in the works too.

i saw the show in late january/early february-

 

she had an incredible eye

 

great street photographer who mastered a Rollei TLR

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In normal use, it's hard to tell that it's actually twice-as-fast. What surprises me more though is the understated way in which Leica released this update. If Leica was any other company, they'd probably issue a Press-Release headlined; "50% AF Speed Improvement!" sorta thing ;) (I wonder if any X1 detractors and those who claimed "hardware limitations" are eating their shorts right about now.:D)

 

I agree- the first thing I thought I noticed when I used the new firmware was that my Leica Autofocus Gnomes sounded like they got some espresso all of a sudden. The mechanical noises sounded faster. I told myself I must have been mistaken, even though I was really used to the way it sounded, but the video seems to confirm my initial impression.

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DNGs have small rear screen preview jpgs embedded in them.

 

One can shoot DNG only on an M9 and still see the image on the rear screen.

 

surely- but jippiejee was simply going off the explanation Leica gave to a thread starter somewhere in this forum when they asked about that feature at a show.

 

"The battery level indicator now features an additional setting option and thus enables better use of the battery capacity." This is in the Leica press release. What are the battery setting options? Am I missing them in the menu?

 

Thanks.

 

Anyone see this / find this?

 

-WOW SORRY FOR THE MULTIPLE POSTINGS! I guess I was subscribed to this so many ways since it was merged so many times that I thought I was commenting on different threads!

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Originally Posted by Backpage

"The battery level indicator now features an additional setting option and thus enables better use of the battery capacity." This is in the Leica press release. What are the battery setting options? Am I missing them in the menu?

 

Thanks.

 

Anyone see this / find this?

 

-!

 

I think this refers to the new 1 minute auto power off setting. Previously it was longer ( 2 or 3 minutes)

Allan

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