fefe Posted June 12, 2007 Share #1 Posted June 12, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) It's been 2 times I had my M8 connected to the PC via USB (was lazy to remove bottom plate and put cards in reader), and in less than an hour both times I got my battery fully drained. I was transfering files for like 1 min then just leaving the camera on not doing anything. I assumed it would go to sleep or get its power from USB. I know USB can carry power, I assume they are not using it to see the speed at which it drains. Anyway now I know how to drain my M8 batteries super fast . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 12, 2007 Posted June 12, 2007 Hi fefe, Take a look here Battery life and USB. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stephengilbert Posted June 12, 2007 Share #2 Posted June 12, 2007 I'm sure you'll hear more details about this from other more knowledgeable folk, but my understanding is: 1. a USB port will not charge your M8, and 2. it is not good practice to transfer files by a USB connection (use a card reader). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted June 12, 2007 Share #3 Posted June 12, 2007 Julien, you are correct that the computer does NOT power the M8 via the usb port. Many, myself included, use a card reader to transfer files. The Sandisk Imagemate is hightly recommended, features usb-2 (very fast), and is inexpensive. Sorry you drained your power. If Leica gets the tethered functions to work well, they will need to take power via the usb for the photographer's convenience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted June 12, 2007 Share #4 Posted June 12, 2007 Problem is, a USB connection is only good for 500mA @ 5v and the M8 requires Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted June 12, 2007 Share #5 Posted June 12, 2007 Problem is, a USB connection is only good for 500mA @ 5v and the M8 requires Yup, M8's require a lot. Money, devotion, care. They are not ready for tethered, however, without a power source. Such a source would be terrific for an extended studio shoot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted June 12, 2007 Share #6 Posted June 12, 2007 I find it harder and more trouble to open that stupid USB trap door then to take the bottom off. The USB door always seems to get in the way of plugging in the cable. The socket on the M8 is straight to the side of the camera, if you were to square the side off, but the door is at a angle on the back part of the rounded end. This always makes me think the socket is also at that same angle, it isn't. For me it is just a pain in the posterior end to use the USB connection. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted June 12, 2007 Share #7 Posted June 12, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yup, M8's require a lot. Money, devotion, care. They are not ready for tethered, however, without a power source. Such a source would be terrific for an extended studio shoot. Hah, cut off in my prime I was... I meant to say, more than 500 mA so powering it from the USB socket is not really on, nor even is charging the battery since that is charged at about 0.7A. All in all, it's not that useful - and to think I worried about how long the door was going to last. Quite along time judging by the lack of use I give it. I had hoped more of the camera would be accessible through the base plate. Not just a grip but things like a manual winder, a wireless LAN connection, alternative batteries and so on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baxter Posted June 12, 2007 Share #8 Posted June 12, 2007 When this first happened to me, I thought I had Sudden Death Syndrome. I have subsequently used this 'feature' to completely drain down the battery of charge to maximise capacity as outlined in User manual. Currently (pun intended!) just running down my new spare battery for second time. Point taken about using USM lead, in my naivity I'd thought it a better method than removing base plate etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted June 12, 2007 Share #9 Posted June 12, 2007 Hah, cut off in my prime I was.... I know that story ... . ... I had hoped more of the camera would be accessible through the base plate. Not just a grip but things like a manual winder, a wireless LAN connection, alternative batteries and so on. it may be that (1) when Leica solves all the remaining small problems; (2) the M8 becomes the prescribed pro camera, ;and (3) enormous sales of M8's, lens availability, and 3rd party addons like power supplies give us everything we need, then this will indeed be the system camera of the 21st century. Ernst ... Ernst ... wake up. Smell the coffee. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael M. Posted June 12, 2007 Share #10 Posted June 12, 2007 Dear friends in M8 ... I was facing the problem of draining the battery in USB mode right from the beginning of my M8 time. Was looking to do astro pictures controlled by laptop. Recognized that at best 2-3 hours working time. Leica CS confirmed that behaviour as regular. There is no "stand-by-mode" during USB operation. They told me that they do not plan to bring up some external power supply in near future but they want to support me by some material (empty battery - without cells and baseplate to drill hole for power cable) ... still waiting ... Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.