TL2 anomalies: (1) Focus peaking (2) Viso operation

[dkCambridgeshire]

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When using TL 23mm lens in manual focus mode, and when manually focusing legacy lenses, I'm unable to access 'focus peaking' i.e. cannot see the red highlights / border via FOCUS' two 'focus peaking' menu options (i.e. peaking 'with' and 'without' focus magnification)  A colleague also tried and was unable to see the 'peaking' pattern. TL2 is running Firmware 1.1.  Not sure if focus peaking was, or was not, available prior to firmware 1.1 installation. 

 

Also experiencing VISO image problem:  Main monitor imager not change to Viso image when my eye looks through Viso … or the Viso image disappears i.e. reverts to main monitor image  … and camera requires several re-starts and /or,  Viso removal / replace before Viso image is again available.  Cleaning terminals does not remedy the problem. 

 

Has anyone else experienced same with their TL2?

 

Thanks for reading.

 

dunk  

[tritentrue]

Before returning my TL2 it appeared to me that focus peaking displayed only very weak cues, and only with the 3X magnification.  This was running either FW v1.0 (as the camera indicated) or v0.XXX (as Leica indicated it could have been).

 

My only quibble with Visoflex operation was that, while FN button could be used to switch to full-time EVF operation, the camera did not maintain that setting and had to be reset to it after each start-up or wake-up.  

 

A third anomaly for my TL2 (and the demo unit in the Leica store) was that it could not operate a SL 90-280mm lens running the most recent firmware.

 

No matter how enthusiastic I am about any new gear coming to the market, I usually wait a few months before buying to make sure the bugs have been discovered and fixed.  The TL2, which I bought on launch day, was my first exception in many years.  

 

Although the TL2's many positives make it a temptation to buy again as soon as it is back in stock, I will now wait a few months until any existing anomalies are remedied.  My T is stable, and accurate focus can be obtained by using the shimmer cues without magnification, leaving the left dial free for another function.  And it makes great pictures, obviating any immediate need to upgrade before its successor has been proven to be stable.

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[dkCambridgeshire]

^^^  I have not attempted to use the 'full time' Viso mode yet . I need to experiment with same. My Viso problem might / could be, a 'wake-up' anomaly … but the monitor image wakes-up OK . The Viso image seems to switch off at the most awkward/ inopportune times …. when the camera immediately reverts to the monitor image. I was photographing birds at 80 yards distance earlier today using a 500mm lens … and using the 6x magnification … was very disconcerting when the Viso suddenly decided to switch off even though I was using the LH wheel to switch between magnifications and was tickling the shutter release.  

 

dunk

Edited August 3, 2017 by dkCambridgeshire

[tritentrue]

Could it be that operating the left dial while simultaneously half-pressing the shutter button causes a glitch?

 

I have noticed that with both the T and the TL2 the Visoflex can too easily become dislodged by about 1mm, but I imagine that was the first thing you checked when the problem occurred.

[dkCambridgeshire]

^^^ Yes it's easily shifted / dislodged so was checked each time it suddenly switched off .

 

dunk

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Hi Dunk,

 

I have just tried my TL2 with the Visoflex and 23mm. I have neither of the issues you see. Focus peaking works fine and I can see it with/without magnification. My EVF never switches off or to the LCD when my eye is close by.

 

Sorry I can't be of much help but I would suggest a trip to your dealer. Might be an exchange in order.

 

Gordon

[dkCambridgeshire]

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Thanks Gordon. I used the TL2 again this afternoon with Leica R lenses and although did not attempt to try focus peaking, once again experienced the Viso image cutting out at the most inopportune times. However, I'm wondering if might be due to using an old SD card? Next time I use the TL2 will try (1) a more recently purchased SD card and (2) TL2 internal memory … to see if problem persists. If the Viso anomaly persists will take the camera to the annual Rutland Birdfair on August 18-20 where there is a Leica Mayfair presence including very helpful Leica camera technicians. 

 

Best wishes

 

dunk 

Edited August 4, 2017 by dkCambridgeshire

[vikasmg]

When using TL 23mm lens in manual focus mode, and when manually focusing legacy lenses, I'm unable to access 'focus peaking' i.e. cannot see the red highlights / border via FOCUS' two 'focus peaking' menu options (i.e. peaking 'with' and 'without' focus magnification)  A colleague also tried and was unable to see the 'peaking' pattern. TL2 is running Firmware 1.1.  Not sure if focus peaking was, or was not, available prior to firmware 1.1 installation. 

 

Also experiencing VISO image problem:  Main monitor imager not change to Viso image when my eye looks through Viso … or the Viso image disappears i.e. reverts to main monitor image  … and camera requires several re-starts and /or,  Viso removal / replace before Viso image is again available.  Cleaning terminals does not remedy the problem. 

 

Has anyone else experienced same with their TL2?

 

Thanks for reading.

 

dunk

 

In the short time that I had the first TL2 with firmware 1.0, I do remember seeing very weak focus peaking. Now, with firmware 1.1 it's gone. I didn't find it all that useful and hadn't noticed it was gone till I checked on seeing your post.

 

The second problem I haven't experienced at all, though since getting the camera back I have had very little time to use it.

 

- Vikas

[vikasmg]

Hi Dunk,

 

I have just tried my TL2 with the Visoflex and 23mm. I have neither of the issues you see. Focus peaking works fine and I can see it with/without magnification. My EVF never switches off or to the LCD when my eye is close by.

 

Sorry I can't be of much help but I would suggest a trip to your dealer. Might be an exchange in order.

 

Gordon

Hi Gordon, are you using a TL2 with firmware 1.1?

 

- Vikas

Edited August 5, 2017 by vikasmg

[dkCambridgeshire]

In the short time that I had the first TL2 with firmware 1.0, I do remember seeing very weak focus peaking. Now, with firmware 1.1 it's gone. I didn't find it all that useful and hadn't noticed it was gone till I checked on seeing your post.

 

The second problem I haven't experienced at all, though since getting the camera back I have had very little time to use it.

 

- Vikas

 

 

So your experience suggests that following installing Firmware 1.1, the 'focus peaking' facility is no longer available i.e., when 'focus peaking' is switched on, no red highlights/outlines showing when manually focusing ? 

 

I have just tried using the Viso on my TL2 after cleaning the terminals and without using an SD card … i.e. relying on the camera's internal memory. The Viso seemed to be OK after cleaning both the Viso's and the camera's terminals …  so thought problem was remedied. However, the Viso image then suddenly cut out again after removing the Viso and then refitting it …  and /or switching the camera off and then on again.  Unlikely to be a Viso fault because I'm still using the original T camera purchased in 2015 with which the Viso does not 'cut out' i.e. works perfectly on the original T camera. And the fact that the Viso image cuts out when using the camera's internal memory suggests it is not SD card related. 

 

I will advise my dealer but will probably not send the camera back until I've spoken to a Leica Mayfair technician at Birdfair 2017 in two weeks time … David Porter the Leica Mayfair technician is usually part of the Leica team at Birdfair where he advises about binocular and scope problems and offers minor repairs / adjustments 'on the day' (if simple jobs). And I've attended his demos at Leica Mayfair in London where he strips down e.g. a Leica Q for sensor cleaning ... so he's likely the best person to advise about the TL2 anomaly. 

 

Unfortunately there are no Leica dealers in my immediate locality … and even if there were, unlikely any of them would be familiar with these anomalies. In my experience Leica dealers do not know a lot about Leica digital camera problems ... thus they tend to send faulty cameras straight back to Wetzlar … which may mean a long wait before the problem is remedied … unless a replacement camera is immediately offered. 

 

My TL2 is one of those which did not die when used with the Viso prior to installing firmware 1.1. Thus I'm wondering if the current Viso problem could be due to the Viso function being partially compromised when running the original firmware 1.0 i.e. prior to installing firmware 1.1?  Unlikely to be a lens/camera dirty electronic contacts problem because yesterday I was using a Novoflex R to T adapter which has no contacts.

 

Best wishes

 

dunk 

 

 

EDIT: Just tried to replicate the problem again i.e. the VISO cutting out but it kept working fine … until I removed, and then refitted, the TL 23mm lens … then the VISO image failed to show i.e. camera reverted to monitor screen live view only.  Unlikely to be a lens/camera electronic contacts problem because yesterday I was using an R lens via a non-smart Novoflex R to T/SL adapter 

Edited August 5, 2017 by dkCambridgeshire

[Sam_W]

Apologies for hijacking this thread briefly, but I have a somewhat relevant question:

 

Does Focus Peaking on the TL2 work when using the B&W preset? That is to say, with my old A7r, I would set the camera to RAW only and use the B&W film mode, and then enable Focus Peaking; I would then get a B&W image on the screen and through the EVF, but the focus peaking colour would show through. It was a fantastic way to get very fast focus feedback.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Hi Gordon, are you using a TL2 with firmware 1.1?

 

- Vikas

Yes. 1.1 

 

It is with my replacement TL2. We installed it at the Leica Store when I swapped them out.

 

Gordon

[dkCambridgeshire]

Apologies for hijacking this thread briefly, but I have a somewhat relevant question:

 

Does Focus Peaking on the TL2 work when using the B&W preset? That is to say, with my old A7r, I would set the camera to RAW only and use the B&W film mode, and then enable Focus Peaking; I would then get a B&W image on the screen and through the EVF, but the focus peaking colour would show through. It was a fantastic way to get very fast focus feedback.

 

 

Regret cannot answer the question because myTL2's focus peaking is not working. If nobody responds please try the camera at a Leica dealer. 

 

My dealer has contacted Leica Camera AG regarding the Viso problem thus now await further advice.

 

dunk 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

I did some more testing today. New TL2 f.w. 1.1

 

With TL lenses peaking works just fine. I tried all the ones I have (all except the 60mm) and peaking worked great. Also worked in b&W mode. Someone queried that.

 

Also tested with a range of M lenses using the Leica M-L adaptor. Peaking is very weak. I tried coded and un-coded lenses and couldn't see the peaking with any of them. I can see the peaking *IF* I zoom in but it's inconsistent in that sometimes it doesn't show on objects that are obviously in focus and sometimes it does.

 

So to me it looks like peaking works with TL lenses but not with M lenses using the official adaptor. I don't think this is intended behaviour. I'm going to report this to Leica.

 

Gordon

[Daedalus2000]

I did some more testing today. New TL2 f.w. 1.1

 

With TL lenses peaking works just fine. I tried all the ones I have (all except the 60mm) and peaking worked great. Also worked in b&W mode. Someone queried that.

 

Also tested with a range of M lenses using the Leica M-L adaptor. Peaking is very weak. I tried coded and un-coded lenses and couldn't see the peaking with any of them. I can see the peaking *IF* I zoom in but it's inconsistent in that sometimes it doesn't show on objects that are obviously in focus and sometimes it does.

 

So to me it looks like peaking works with TL lenses but not with M lenses using the official adaptor. I don't think this is intended behaviour. I'm going to report this to Leica.

 

Gordon

 

Thank you. Does the TL2 track at all with autofocus? (I started another thread for this earlier)

[dkCambridgeshire]

I did some more testing today. New TL2 f.w. 1.1

 

With TL lenses peaking works just fine. I tried all the ones I have (all except the 60mm) and peaking worked great. Also worked in b&W mode. Someone queried that.

 

Also tested with a range of M lenses using the Leica M-L adaptor. Peaking is very weak. I tried coded and un-coded lenses and couldn't see the peaking with any of them. I can see the peaking *IF* I zoom in but it's inconsistent in that sometimes it doesn't show on objects that are obviously in focus and sometimes it does.

 

So to me it looks like peaking works with TL lenses but not with M lenses using the official adaptor. I don't think this is intended behaviour. I'm going to report this to Leica.

 

Gordon

 

 

Gordon, Have you tried focus peaking with the TL 23/2? I only have one TL lens … the 23/2 … with which there is no 'focus peaking' visible on my camera. My main TL2 use is with legacy lenses.

 

dunk 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Gordon, Have you tried focus peaking with the TL 23/2? I only have one TL lens … the 23/2 … with which there is no 'focus peaking' visible on my camera. My main TL2 use is with legacy lenses.

 

dunk 

 

I have solid focus peaking with all my TL lenses, including the 23mm, in manual focus mode, with or without magnification. If I'm focusing on bright objects the effect is reduced and it's also reduced on low contrast subjects (object and background of a similar colour or tone).

 

It's only adapted M lenses I can't easily see the peaking at all.

 

So for me... TL lenses = good.... adapted lenses = bad. as far as peaking goes.

 

Gordon

[FlashGordonPhotography]

I should add that in AFS you can manually focus if the shutter is half pressed (MF over ride). In this case I get no peaking at all. Peaking only works with a TL lens set to MF.

 

Gordon

[dkCambridgeshire]

I should add that in AFS you can manually focus if the shutter is half pressed (MF over ride). In this case I get no peaking at all. Peaking only works with a TL lens set to MF.

 

Gordon

 

 

 

Thank you Gordon … I'm only using MF when attempting focus peaking . 

 

dunk 

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[Samir Jahjah]

When using TL 23mm lens in manual focus mode, and when manually focusing legacy lenses, I'm unable to access 'focus peaking' i.e. cannot see the red highlights / border via FOCUS' two 'focus peaking' menu options (i.e. peaking 'with' and 'without' focus magnification)  A colleague also tried and was unable to see the 'peaking' pattern. TL2 is running Firmware 1.1.  Not sure if focus peaking was, or was not, available prior to firmware 1.1 installation. 

 

Also experiencing VISO image problem:  Main monitor imager not change to Viso image when my eye looks through Viso … or the Viso image disappears i.e. reverts to main monitor image  … and camera requires several re-starts and /or,  Viso removal / replace before Viso image is again available.  Cleaning terminals does not remedy the problem. 

 

Has anyone else experienced same with their TL2?

 

Thanks for reading.

 

dunk

 

I had the same issue with my TL2 using M lenses...it was impossible peaking was not working as expected, even in high contrast subject.