Survey of remaining issues after upgrade 1.2

[thighslapper]

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Either I am easily pleased or others have got rather sleepy cameras .......

 

EVF actuation is now just short of immediate since the new firmware ..... not instant, but certainly not such that it affects usage.

 

Similarly the pause between taking a photo and the EVF returning to a live image is only a fraction of a second ..... and if you immediately half press the shutter it is quicker still....

 

I know there are cameras which are quicker ..... but whether it actually makes a practical difference is not clear to me ......

[Jared]

I've spent a week or so now with my new 'T' (as a walk-around and vacation camera to compliment my 'M'), and here are the changes I would still like to see for the next firmware:

 

* As many of you have mentioned, the time between when you turn the camera on and when it is ready for use could be improved

* Likewise for the time to switch between the rear display and the Visoflex

* I'd love to see focus peaking enabled for my 'M' lenses

* The self timer setting should be sticky till the camera is turned off

* The left adjustment dial should not just enable/disable magnification in MF mode, it should also allow all three positions--1x, 3x, and 6x

* When using the Visoflex EVF with the camera set to 'Touch AF', I would like for a half press of the shutter to re-focus on the selected AF point. Right now, 'Touch AF' is really only usable without the Visoflex

* In Auto ISO when choosing a 'Max Exposure Time' one has the choice of either 'Auto' or a fixed exposure. I would like to have an option of a particular ratio of the focal length. The 'Auto' setting seems a little conservative. For example, an 18mm focal length (28mm equiv) will not choose a shutter speed slower than 1/50s. Especially when using the Visoflex (so that I am more stable than with the camera held at arm's length), I can pretty reliably hand hold the camera at 1/15s at 18mm, and I don't think my hands are more steady than many.

* In Auto ISO, once the maximum ISO is reached, the camera will underexpose rather than allow motion blur. I'd rather be able to choose which is the higher priority for me--trying to get a properly exposed picture or holding the minimum shutter speed. Very minor compared to the other issues listed.

* Would love the ability to transfer files to my computer via WiFi

* Would like the ability to set the image numbering. All I can see in the menu right now is the ability to re-set to factory default.

 

Overall, I'm very happy with the camera. Image quality is very good (though it tends to choose a more magenta color cast using AWB than I would like in many light conditions. I've been amazed at how quickly I have adapted to the touchscreen interface. I think with a very little evolution it may really be an improvement on the buttons and switches in a traditional camera. I would have liked the camera a lot more if the EVF had been built in and if some of the edges were a little softer/more rounded, but that's almost all I would want different on the hardware side. The quality of the zoom is excellent, and I'm happier with a slower, lighter zoom that produces good quality results than I would have been with a faster, heavier, bulkier lens. This camera would lose much of its value to me if it were as big and heavy as an 'M'. I'd just carry the 'M'. I hate the strap, but now that Match Technical has introduced a set of lugs you can insert that's a non issue. I'm using a strap with a very small split ring, so there's no chance of scratching the camera--only the leather of the strap comes in contact. It's very similar to the strap from an X2.

 

- Jared

[bencoyote]

* In Auto ISO when choosing a 'Max Exposure Time' one has the choice of either 'Auto' or a fixed exposure. I would like to have an option of a particular ratio of the focal length. The 'Auto' setting seems a little conservative. For example, an 18mm focal length (28mm equiv) will not choose a shutter speed slower than 1/50s. Especially when using the Visoflex (so that I am more stable than with the camera held at arm's length), I can pretty reliably hand hold the camera at 1/15s at 18mm, and I don't think my hands are more steady than many.

* In Auto ISO, once the maximum ISO is reached, the camera will underexpose rather than allow motion blur. I'd rather be able to choose which is the higher priority for me--trying to get a properly exposed picture or holding the minimum shutter speed. Very minor compared to the other issues listed.

 

I've been thinking about that auto ISO for max exposure time and my guess was that they were not thinking zoom lenses. With a prime having a set max exposure time makes sense. At first I thought one would need one for each lens but you are right with a zoom I you need a ratio.

 

Interestingly, I never noticed the other auto ISO problem. I think at that point I must have flipped to manual ISO.

[Jared]

I've been thinking about that auto ISO for max exposure time and my guess was that they were not thinking zoom lenses. With a prime having a set max exposure time makes sense. At first I thought one would need one for each lens but you are right with a zoom I you need a ratio.

 

Interestingly, I never noticed the other auto ISO problem. I think at that point I must have flipped to manual ISO.

 

Yes, the specific shutter speed would make more sense with a fixed focal length, but when you consider that three of the four lenses announced for the 'T' are zooms, a variable ratio based on the set focal length would make more sense. Still, I am very pleased with this early release of a new format/lens mount. I think Leica went way out of their comfort zone with the touch screen UI, and they succeeded very well. I wouldn't be surprised to see future Oly/Pana/Sony mirrorless cameras adopting many of the UI features of the 'T', and it's been a long while since Leica was a class leader in any areas but optical quality, tradition, (and price, of course).

 

Overall, the firmware is much more mature than I would have expected at this point in the camera's development. I am pleasantly surprised.

[bencoyote]

Yes, the specific shutter speed would make more sense with a fixed focal length, but when you consider that three of the four lenses announced for the 'T' are zooms, a variable ratio based on the set focal length would make more sense.

 

Agreed. I was just hypothesizing about the likely reason for the oversight by the designers.

 

Still, I am very pleased with this early release of a new format/lens mount. I think Leica went way out of their comfort zone with the touch screen UI, and they succeeded very well. I wouldn't be surprised to see future Oly/Pana/Sony mirrorless cameras adopting many of the UI features of the 'T', and it's been a long while since Leica was a class leader in any areas but optical quality, tradition, (and price, of course).

 

Overall, the firmware is much more mature than I would have expected at this point in the camera's development. I am pleasantly surprised.

 

Yes I am VERY impressed with how polished the UI is and share your feelings about how nice it feels to have Leica out in front. I believe that it will take longer for Sony, Panasonic and Olympus to ape their UI. Firmware development is hard and this is a radical change involving both HW and Firmware. I think it will be Samsung first and then other smartphone vendors. Also as it seems like Panasonic and Olympus are finding success going after the DSLR market and so their designs will lean that way to pick off people transitioning.

 

I hope that Leica sees the 701 as a development platform, the first release and they pay attention to feedback, and further refine their interface with fairly frequent firmware updates. Then when they make the 702 they walk the design forward a bit based upon feedback:

1) Faster processor - needed for quicker wakeups, quicker transitions, more FPS, qjicker AF & possibly additional functions/features

2) built in EVF/GPS rangefinder style. - make the flash external instead

3) slightly refined ergonomics

a) small thumb grip below wheels

different texture to wheels

c) slight overhang for right index finger

4) Weather and dust sealed

 

Then when Leica get around to making the next M I hope that they build it based upon the T's platform.

[erg]

I want to switch off the display permanently during the use of the EVF.