the grip for M

[geesbert]

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I received mine yesterday. shelved out 750€ for this junk.

 

I don't need GPS, but as I paid for it I gave it a spin.

GPS takes minutes to connect in wide open field, never managed to connect while I was walking around my neighborhood in a suburban area.

Indoors no chance.

Once the camera went to sleep it had to reconnect.

 

So this function doesn't do what I don't need anyway.

 

ergonomics are mediocre, it kind of bends the wrist in a weird way, I didn't feel it right away, but after a while it gets awkward.

 

the grip flexes a bit, feels hollow, which is probably because it houses the useless GPS antenna.

 

I was amazed that they didnt' include the fingerloops, which I was expecting, but I probably haven't checke before purchase.

 

It is so silly to have an SCA Adapter plug, they should rather have a HDMI port.

 

USB mass storage works, but what's the point? PTP has yet to work, but none of my programs seem to recognize the camera.

 

IT HAS A FLASH PLUG! WOW!

now I can fire my strobes while using the EVF. Using cables, which I haven't for 5 years.

 

this one is probably going back.

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[algrove]

Agree, it's a little disappointing after waiting 14 months. I got it for the GPS + grip capabilities.

[Guest WPalank]

It does allow tethered shooting doesn't it? Or did the Light Room folks waste their time profiling the camera for tether?

[geesbert]

no, doesn't work with LR. hopefully yet?

[01af]

GPS takes minutes to connect in wide open field, never managed to connect while I was walking around my neighborhood in a suburban area. Indoors no chance.

Mine connects basically immediately out in the field or outdoors in suburban neighbourhood. It takes one minute or two indoors near a window. It even connects indoors away from any windows in certain positions, but not reliably so.

 

 

PTP has yet to work, but none of my programs seem to recognize the camera.

Lightroom 5 recognises it happily, and tethered shooting works. Contrary to what the manual says, Leica Image Shuttle is not ready for download just yet, but should be in the near future.

 

 

... which I haven't for 5 years. This one is probably going back.

So you bought an accessory item you don't need and then complain about it being of no use to you!?

[Guest WPalank]

Excuse the ignorant question, but how does one realize if the GPS is working or not?

 

There is absolutely no information in the manual. Since I got the first one at my store, no-one there knows how it works.

 

Finally, how did others figure out how to work the GPS? I have never owned a GPS rendering camera BTW.

[algrove]

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+1

[Guest WPalank]

I go to the Menu on the M, find GPS, hit "ON" and it says "On". What are others experiencing to suggest it took 1 minute, 15 minutes, etc.?

[01af]

... how does one realize if the GPS is working or not?

Press INFO and look at the display.

 

 

There is absolutely no information in the manual.

Of course there is.

[woorob]

William,

 

One minute and 15 seconds to "lock on" to a satellite signal is not uncommon at all in my experience, after having used dozens of different GPS devices. Sounds pretty much par for the course to me. Once "locked on," it should acquire signals much quicker the next time (assuming you're in the same basic geographic location).

[Guest WPalank]

Got it!

 

The Grip itself comes with a Manual as thick as a brick. There is no useful information there. I personally think that is what an accessory manual is for, to explain the function and usability of a specific product that it came in the box with.

 

Turning to the M Manual Index, there is a short bit "Recording the Location with GPS" page 198. It is not, it is on 199. Anyway, set GPS to On in Menu option (got that bit). "The camera Monitor Displays…" Nothing about hitting the Info Button, but it is there when depressed.

 

Now it shows basically 4 symbols, frighteningly enough that look like the Reichstag Eagle at first glance (due to the diminutive size), with the two bottom ones that have an offset black dot in the tallons….err…under the satellite thingy with some sort of script in the black dot that I cannot read with reading glasses. Unfortunately, won't be using the Surgical Operating Microscope until next week.

 

So I download the User Manual from Leica AG and have to zoom it to 200% to see that the black dots have either a exclamation point that means one thing or an x which means it boinked.

Mine has been on boink for the last 20 minutes. Case Closed….

[Surge]

William,

 

One minute and 15 seconds to "lock on" to a satellite signal is not uncommon at all in my experience, after having used dozens of different GPS devices. Sounds pretty much par for the course to me. Once "locked on," it should acquire signals much quicker the next time (assuming you're in the same basic geographic location).

 

It's not acceptable. My iPhone stays locked on even in my pocket. Even when a map app is launched for the first time, it locks within 5 seconds.

 

For a Leica product that costs nearly $1000, it's not acceptable to have to wait over a minute each time you wake the camera. Hopefully a firmware update can fix this.

I'm not buying it until then.

[HV25]

Hmm ... I wonder why would you buy this particular grip if you don't need GPS and you know that before placing the order ...

[jip]

....Now it shows basically 4 symbols, frighteningly enough that look like the Reichstag Eagle at first glance (due to the diminutive size)….

 

Hahahaha I laughed so hard at this!

[Guest WPalank]

Hmm ... I wonder why would you buy this particular grip if you don't need GPS and you know that before placing the order ...

I need the tethered capability and actually would love for the GPS TO WORK WHICH IT MAY IF I wander about outside. Why do you make the assumption there are people who don't want the functionality? :confused:

[Guest WPalank]

Hahahaha I laughed so hard at this!

 

I swear, that's the first thing I thought of when I saw the icon on my LCD.

[geesbert]

I don't need GPS, but i want tethering and I want a way to flash sync while using the evf. I could have done without the GPS, but i couldn't

[woorob]

One minute and 15 seconds to "lock on" to a satellite signal is not uncommon at all in my experience, after having used dozens of different GPS devices. Sounds pretty much par for the course to me. Once "locked on," it should acquire signals much quicker the next time (assuming you're in the same basic geographic location).

It's not acceptable. My iPhone stays locked on even in my pocket. Even when a map app is launched for the first time, it locks within 5 seconds.

 

For a Leica product that costs nearly $1000, it's not acceptable to have to wait over a minute each time you wake the camera. Hopefully a firmware update can fix this.

 

Go turn on a Garmin or TomTom device for the first time and see how long it takes for a separate GPS device to locate and lock on to navigational satellites. At least a minute or more in every case. Same with GPS units for Nikon DSLRs.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Surge]

Go turn on a Garmin or TomTom device for the first time and see how long it takes for a separate GPS device to locate and lock on to navigational satellites. At least a minute or more in every case. Same with GPS units for Nikon DSLRs.

 

But reports are that it takes more than a minute EACH TIME you wake or turn on the M! If true, that's not acceptable. Makes it rather unreliable for travel or street.

[Paul J]

The M9 never tethered directly with lightroom so it's no surprise. The M9 tethers reasonably well with aperture but is a bit slow. So hopefully the M will work with Aperture?

 

Wasn't it suppose to come with software called 'Leica Shuttle'? I'm guessing this will transport the files and then you can use a hot folder in Lightroom or Capture One. Fingers crossed anyway.