Upgrade TL (32MB) to TL2

[bencychin]

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I have today written to Leica to enquire if they would do the upgrade, and cost involved.

 

The chassis and control knobs are identical for both TL and TL2, although their internal organs - the CMOS and related circuitry are all different.

 

Theoratically it should be able to replace the internal system.

The real question is whether Leica will do such customisation and cost chargeable may be prohibitive.

After upgrade, the top plate inscription will of course still say TL, but it is a TL2 camera.

 

So i wonder if anyone else is thinking of the same idea - i having purchased TL in December 2016 and now saddled with an old model since Mid 2017.

 

I will keep the forum posted if i do get a response from Leica, whatever their decision should be.

 

Hoping for a Christmas gift - an affordable Yes from Leica.

 

Benedict.

[tom0511]

Hi Benedict,

I hope you get a positive reponse but personally I can not believe that this is possible for lower cost than buying a new TL2. Keep us posted and good luck.

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[Belle123]

Not sure in your topic what the 32mb is? But, doubt Leica is going to customize for one customer, plus there is physical difference between the TL and the TL2, which doesn’t have built in flash. Your better off just getting new TL2, unless you can find a used one....which is what I am waiting for.

[jevidon]

After a few years with the Leica T, I bought a new TL2 with the 32GB internal memory. I thought the 32 GB was totally unnecessary until two weeks ago.

I hurriedly packed for a family Thanksgiving get together out of town. I packed the TL2 without checking to make sure I had the SD card in the camera.

When I came home after a weeks worth of tourist shooting, I opened the SD card slot to load the pics into my computer. Lo and behold, no SD card was

in the camera. A first for me. Panicked, I hooked the TL2 to my computer via the supplied mini-USB cord and there they were; all my images. 

 

Thank you Leica for your thoughtfulness for this previously-thought 'unnecessary' feature.

[Belle123]

After a few years with the Leica T, I bought a new TL2 with the 32GB internal memory. I thought the 32 GB was totally unnecessary until two weeks ago.

I hurriedly packed for a family Thanksgiving get together out of town. I packed the TL2 without checking to make sure I had the SD card in the camera.

When I came home after a weeks worth of tourist shooting, I opened the SD card slot to load the pics into my computer. Lo and behold, no SD card was

in the camera. A first for me. Panicked, I hooked the TL2 to my computer via the supplied mini-USB cord and there they were; all my images. 

 

Thank you Leica for your thoughtfulness for this previously-thought 'unnecessary' feature.

Yes, had that happen on the old T as well and was thankful for it. I don’t recall how much it has, but very handy.

[bencychin]

Not sure in your topic what the 32mb is? But, doubt Leica is going to customize for one customer, plus there is physical difference between the TL and the TL2, which doesn’t have built in flash. Your better off just getting new TL2, unless you can find a used one....which is what I am waiting for.

 

I bought the TL version released just shortly before the TL2.

It has 32Gb (wrongly stated as 32mb) internal memory instead of 16gb in T version.

 

I think i had forgotten about the flash TL vs. no flash TL2.

 

You are right i am better of getting a TL2, probably a used one.

Edited December 6, 2017 by bencychin

[bencychin]

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Hi Benedict,

I hope you get a positive reponse but personally I can not believe that this is possible for lower cost than buying a new TL2. Keep us posted and good luck.

I think it is not possible to upgrade as the TL2 don't have a built in flash unit, but TL does.

So the chasis actually is different.

 

In case i receive response from Leica, i will share with members.

[bencychin]

Just to keep members updated, a week had passed and no reply from Leica.

 

I am closing my request as I had forgotten the TL has flash whereas TL2 don't.  So the chassis is actually different.

My very basis of exploring internal upgrades is unfounded.

 

Thanks to all who had enlightened my old mind.

Merry Christmas to all readers too.

 

Benedict.

[tom0511]

still sad that Leica has not responded. I believe they still have to go a way in regards of customer-communication. Sometimes great, sometimes just non existent.

[bencychin]

still sad that Leica has not responded. I believe they still have to go a way in regards of customer-communication. Sometimes great, sometimes just non existent.

 

I should have been more patient for another day.

Today Leica in Singapore replied:

"Unfortunately, we do not have any trade in program for upgrading of a TL to TL2".

 

So they did not answer if TL can be technically upgraded by changing parts. Anyway, i also now realize it cannot be done as the chassis is already different between TL and TL2 due to flash unit.

 

I suppose Leica then just answer the commercial aspect of no trade in program available.

 

Ok. I shall keep this TL for my family members as its local resale price is in the basement 1 level.

Basement 2 is T resale price - asking US$550 no takers.

Basement 1 is TL resale price - asking US$880 no takers.

[Belle123]

I should have been more patient for another day.

Today Leica in Singapore replied:

"Unfortunately, we do not have any trade in program for upgrading of a TL to TL2".

So they did not answer if TL can be technically upgraded by changing parts. Anyway, i also now realize it cannot be done as the chassis is already different between TL and TL2 due to flash unit.

I suppose Leica then just answer the commercial aspect of no trade in program available.

Ok. I shall keep this TL for my family members as its local resale price is in the basement 1 level.

Basement 2 is T resale price - asking US$550 no takers.

Basement 1 is TL resale price - asking US$880 no takers.

Well, at least you got a response. That is impressive.

 

Saw the first used TL2 come up for sale at Leica Store Miami on line yesterday. A significant drop. Those of us with the original T or TL, not worth trading in. Still a great camera in my opinion. It isn’t necessary to always go out and buy the latest and greatest unless provides something you really need. Speed, faster autofocus, etc., are over rated. The difference in IQ is all I care about. The original T is no slouch in that department. But I would not mind getting the TL2 with updated sensor eventually.

Edited December 12, 2017 by Belle123

[tritentrue]

Having had some focus inaccuracy issues with my 55-135mm on my TL2, I decided to try it on my old T to determine whether the fault was with the lens or the camera.  So I strapped on the T instead of the TL2 for my morning walk.

 

For the first ten minutes, the T seemed so slow to respond to its controls that it made me wonder how I ever managed to use it for so long. Forgetting that the video button can't be set to switch from LCD to EVF, I activated video recording a few times.

 

But after about ten minutes I got used to it and the menu changes and pace of operation felt normal again.  Focus accuracy was dead on with the 55-135mm and I shot a couple of other lenses, too. The pop-up flash came in handy a few times. Image quality was spectacular, as usual.

 

For shooters who don't need to crop heavily, who don't need the TL2's upgraded sensor, and who don't try to shoehorn the camera into doing things like shooting birds in flight, the T is a perfectly capable camera.  

[gbealnz]

Ah, music to my ears Rob, pure music.

Gary

[ropo54]

Ah, music to my ears Rob, pure music.

Gary

 

 

 

 

For shooters who don't need to crop heavily, who don't need the TL2's upgraded sensor, and who don't try to shoehorn the camera into doing things like shooting birds in flight, the T is a perfectly capable camera.  

I will echo Rob's thoughts: I have pulled out my old T the last few days. I am finding that the faster AF (since the software update) is just working like a charm.  Yes, it may hunt in low light, but for the most part the focus felt pretty quick, certainly faster than I had recalled.

 

Ts for $500-600 are really priced quite nicely.

Edited December 13, 2017 by ropo54

[thighslapper]

Leica seem to have given up most 'customisation' round about the time the M9M appeared ..... a few of us managed to get body changes and other things altered .... but after the the door appears to have been firmly shut. Leica special editions only. The chance of any upgrades is zero. I don't think Leica has the inclination or the capacity.

 

I have given up keeping cameras I don't use ...... hanging on to them 'just in case' or because the eBay price is low is daft unless you genuinely need a spare body. Even $600 is better than nothing ..... and the price is only going to go one way. 

 

As an inveterate hoarder this change in behaviour has not been easy ...... but my recent pre-xmas fire sale has netted £10k, so I am not weeping as much as I thought I would ..... 

Edited December 14, 2017 by thighslapper

[bencychin]

Leica seem to have given up most 'customisation' round about the time the M9M appeared ..... a few of us managed to get body changes and other things altered .... but after the the door appears to have been firmly shut. Leica special editions only. The chance of any upgrades is zero. I don't think Leica has the inclination or the capacity.

 

I have given up keeping cameras I don't use ...... hanging on to them 'just in case' or because the eBay price is low is daft unless you genuinely need a spare body. Even $600 is better than nothing ..... and the price is only going to go one way. 

 

As an inveterate hoarder this change in behaviour has not been easy ...... but my recent pre-xmas fire sale has netted £10k, so I am not weeping as much as I thought I would ..... 

Very wise recommendation.

Thanks for sharing your "pain". 

 

I too will likely take the surgical approach as I have just too many standbys that I hardly use.

Off to the "market" very soon.

[m0n0]

I should have been more patient for another day.

Today Leica in Singapore replied:

"Unfortunately, we do not have any trade in program for upgrading of a TL to TL2".

 

So they did not answer if TL can be technically upgraded by changing parts. Anyway, i also now realize it cannot be done as the chassis is already different between TL and TL2 due to flash unit.

 

I suppose Leica then just answer the commercial aspect of no trade in program available.

 

Ok. I shall keep this TL for my family members as its local resale price is in the basement 1 level.

Basement 2 is T resale price - asking US$550 no takers.

Basement 1 is TL resale price - asking US$880 no takers.

 

Benedict, next time you need to ask Leica Singapore anything that can be answered quickly just give them a call. They run a full regional service centre there and provide excellent service. There are some very experienced Leica technicians there. Andrew Chan, a longtime technician, now has now moved to the Leica Store at Raffles Arcade and is a goldmine of experience. I moved to the US recently and am not sure I will get that level of service out here.

[Don Morley]

Leica seem to have given up most 'customisation' round about the time the M9M appeared ..... a few of us managed to get body changes and other things altered .... but after the the door appears to have been firmly shut. Leica special editions only. The chance of any upgrades is zero. I don't think Leica has the inclination or the capacity.

 

I have given up keeping cameras I don't use ...... hanging on to them 'just in case' or because the eBay price is low is daft unless you genuinely need a spare body. Even $600 is better than nothing ..... and the price is only going to go one way. 

 

As an inveterate hoarder this change in behaviour has not been easy ...... but my recent pre-xmas fire sale has netted £10k, so I am not weeping as much as I thought I would ..... 

Yes I bought your MP240 and love it so thank you for clearing out. Don

[lanetomlane]

I can't honestly see it happening, but would be extremely interested if it did. I would certainly consider upgrading my T. Great idea.

 

Cheers, Tom

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[lanetomlane]

But read later posts and am disappointed to learn it's not going to happen, not that I ever really thought it would.

 

Tom