S Firmware in Camera HDR on M 240

[neli]

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Merry Christmas everyone

 

And a nifty question for Leica. At photokina, a while ago, I don't recall which, Leica was showing off an S with in-camera HDR as part of the firmware. Since the new M has a Maestro processor, can we have this feature as part of the firmware on the M now?

Please?

Was it ever released for the S?

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[sdw]

Funny, the D-Lux already has it: Leica Dlux4 in camera HDR - YouTube

[peterv]

Was it ever released for the S?

 

To the best of my knowledge, no. I just installed the latest firmware on my S2, and there's no HDR option.

I do remember there was some unofficial talk about this not too long ago. Maybe Leica is still working on this.

[jaapv]

I'm not sure about the value of in camera HDR. In HDR in the post processor there are o many possibilities and effects that I doubt whether a camera will be able to offer full functionality. P

[CheshireCat]

I'm not sure about the value of in camera HDR. In HDR in the post processor there are o many possibilities and effects that I doubt whether a camera will be able to offer full functionality. P

 

One thing is HDR, and another thing is Tone Mapping.

HDR is just more stops of dynamic range, and that would be a nice feature to have in camera...

 

...but apart from a proper RAW format, it requires proper processing to align multiple shots. Proper processing in a couple of seconds requires computing power that is not available in the M. Finally, any function that is not properly implemented in camera is wasted engineering effort, as users will end up using the best app around.

 

I would rather have a way to quick cycle between custom settings. On my Canon, I switch between single exposure and multiple exposures AEB just by pressing a button, on a subject by subject basis.

But this seems to be science-fiction for Leica

[neli]

Sure, I get the part of wasted engineering effort.

Other things like choosing video compression are higher on my list of priorities.

The fact that someone was playing with the feature means someone in engineering was either having fun or someone up the ladder thought it was worth trying.

I wasn't aware that the M had less processing power than the original S, I'm not savvy on which processors are being used.

But, you know, we have video, so why not HDR, my iphone can do it, and I'd be pretty happy to be able to do some quick and dirties, ditto for scrolling pano's.

[PabloR]

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With raw files you have enough info to expand lights and shadows over a large dynamic range.

 

More of that, multi exposures to expand dynamic range is not necessary for a creative photographer. And in my opinion it is usually ugly looking.

 

Leica is not for all users, is not a machine with "everything". It is a very limit system, but in his limits is the best ones.

 

Go on with photography with a Leica and shot the things a Leica is ready for, and you will be very happy.

 

A camera ready for absolutely every kind of terms go for a canon 5D, it has all kind of adjustments, and a very nice multishot on camera mode, also for HDR and multishot stitch.

 

If I can advice you, I will tell you choose Leica and learn about the light.

 

ciao

 

excuse my english

[CheshireCat]

I wasn't aware that the M had less processing power than the original S, I'm not savvy on which processors are being used.

But, you know, we have video, so why not HDR, my iphone can do it, and I'd be pretty happy to be able to do some quick and dirties, ditto for scrolling pano's.

 

Actually, I don't know whether the S has more processing power than the M (I would expect less or equal, but I can be wrong). My point is just that high quality image alignment on multiple full-size raw files is computationally intensive if you want to support handheld shots. I have several HDR apps on my iPhone, and even if iPhones have less pixels and much more processing power than the M, none of them outputs high quality results. Then again, we all know that technical quality is not mandatory for a lovely photo, and no one expects state of the art output from an iPhone. I must confess I use these apps when I have no real camera with me

[CheshireCat]

More of that, multi exposures to expand dynamic range is not necessary for a creative photographer.

 

Creative photographers can certainly achieve outstanding results just with an iPhone, so why should they use a Leica ?

They can expand their creative options with a Leica, and even more with a higher dynamic range. Technology is good, and always helps artists expand their creative options.

 

Let me spend a couple of words about "options". Options are... optional. You are free not to use an option as much as I should be free to use it.

Too many users on this forum are trying to impose their "correct" way of shooting. How many times I have heard that auto-exposure is for noobs and should be removed ? Or that the video feature should not be in a Leica ?

And now I hear that HDR is not for creative photographers... I hope Leica will add an option in future HDR cameras, to allow you to limit the dynamic range and keep being a creative photographer

 

And in my opinion it is usually ugly looking.

 

As I have explained, HDR is just a higher dynamic range. It is just more real information. It is just capturing an image that is more similar to what the artist's eyes saw.

You probably don't like the subsequent and often abused Tone Mapping with overly pushed rendering parameters.

Note that Tone Mapping would not be needed if we had displays able to render with the same dynamic range our eyes can see.

 

Leica is not for all users, is not a machine with "everything". It is a very limit system, but in his limits is the best ones.

 

Let's say among the best ones