Leica FOTOS 2.1 : Still a failure (for me at least)

[Stef63]

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When Fotos was initially launched I quickly came to the conclusion that although the idea was good the software was completely rubbish.  Now with version 2.1 out and Leica advertising it as “Revolutionize your mobile workflow with Leica FOTOS 2.1” I decide to give it another try.  I thought that the remote control feature could be useful for macro work as a step-up from a pure mechanical remote control release cord.

I might be doing several things wrong but these are my observations :

• Connecting the M10 and the app is still a hit and miss scenario.   
• It is pretty annoying that every time you put your phone in your pocket to reposition your tripod for example, the connection is lost and you have to reconnect which is time consuming.  10 years ago people on this forum  were complaining about missing the shot due to the “long” startup time of the M9 with certain SD cards.  They should us the Fotos app and then talk about missing a shot !
• I understand that the Fotos app relies on the M10 LV capability, but why is the rear display always showing LV when using remote control in the Fotos app?  It is of no use since you have the same live view on your mobile device and the only effect is that your M10 battery is even sooner dead.
• Speaking of battery life : when using the Leica Fotos app your mobile phone will run extremely hot after minutes, a sure sign of battery draining fast.
• Within less than 10 minutes (and only 6 captures) my M10 completely locked up with the rear screen still showing the last LV frozen image.  Removing the battery did the trick but with an M10 on a quick release plate on a tripod, removing the battery is not something that's taking only seconds before you are up and running again.

All in all still a disappointing experience and it certainly will not revolutionise my workflow like Leica marketing tells me.   For the record, this is only an observation of the remote control feature of the Fotos app.  I did not try the new announced integration with Lightroom yet.

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[Mikep996]

I just started using Fotos, having just purchased my first digital Leica.  I don't need it for the same purpose that Stef mentioned - remote control - but I find it annoying that, from what I can tell and from using it a bit, it can only work with IOS, not with a laptop/desktop.  For me, I don't have any purpose for it on my phone.  If I want a picture on my iPhone, I'll take it with my iPhone!  But I would like to be able to import straight to the computer.

Yes, I realize I can remove the card and connect it to my MacBook pro - (now requiring ANOTHER stupid dongle - where my old MacBook Air didn't - thanks, Apple!) but I frequently just want to load a few pics into the computer and it would be nice to just do so with Fotos as opposed to disassembling the camera/hunting up the dongle.  ;).

Oh well...

[Stef63]

1 hour ago, Mikep996 said:

Yes, I realize I can remove the card and connect it to my MacBook pro - (now requiring ANOTHER stupid dongle - where my old MacBook Air didn't - thanks, Apple!) but I frequently just want to load a few pics into the computer and it would be nice to just do so with Fotos as opposed to disassembling the camera/hunting up the dongle.  ;).

Oh well...

This Mac OS app might help you.  Was discussed on this forum some time ago.  I did not try it myself but the comments were positive.

 

[Mikep996]

Thanks!  I'll check it out!!  

 

[jakontil]

Luckily i found myself in situation where i didnt need a wifi most of the times

 

though like u said it would come in handy

i never found trouble connecting like hit n miss though, i used my m10-p and m10-d with success just it takes some time before they establish the connection

[onasj]

Is there a way to see in FOTOS which photos have been starred in-camera to make transferring them easier?  The connectivity is not perfect, as noted in this thread, but that's my number one feature request, which I have submitted through the app's feedback option.

[Stef63]

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5 hours ago, jakontil said:

... it takes some time before they establish the connection

And that is the problem that makes it useless as a remote control app.  Suppose it would take 7 to 10 seconds every time before your tv remote would wake up after you pick it up to interact with your tv set?  I would throw it out of the window in a minute.

The idea of being able to remotely trigger the M10 shutter from a mobile device and being able to have Live View is certainly interesting for some types of photography work (like macro).  But the real practical use in this version of FOTOS is rubbish and not what Leica tells us “Seamless. Instant. Everywhere.”

There are dozens of mobile applications that keep the wifi connection alive in the background when the phone gets locked.  So this is no rocket science. 

I know I might be ranting but it’s much easier to get software right than hardware.  It’s much easier to build a descent mobile app than to lift a high end optical lens design to a sky high level.  So Leica should do better on this.  They are experts in building photography devices,  if their marketing department claims Leica software products are at the same level they should be.  Otherwise it’s only marketing vapour.

[LBJ2]

12 hours ago, Stef63 said:

When Fotos was initially launched I quickly came to the conclusion that although the idea was good the software was completely rubbish.  Now with version 2.1 out and Leica advertising it as “Revolutionize your mobile workflow with Leica FOTOS 2.1” I decide to give it another try.  I thought that the remote control feature could be useful for macro work as a step-up from a pure mechanical remote control release cord.

I might be doing several things wrong but these are my observations :

• Connecting the M10 and the app is still a hit and miss scenario.   
• It is pretty annoying that every time you put your phone in your pocket to reposition your tripod for example, the connection is lost and you have to reconnect which is time consuming.  10 years ago people on this forum  were complaining about missing the shot due to the “long” startup time of the M9 with certain SD cards.  They should us the Fotos app and then talk about missing a shot !
• I understand that the Fotos app relies on the M10 LV capability, but why is the rear display always showing LV when using remote control in the Fotos app?  It is of no use since you have the same live view on your mobile device and the only effect is that your M10 battery is even sooner dead.
• Speaking of battery life : when using the Leica Fotos app your mobile phone will run extremely hot after minutes, a sure sign of battery draining fast.
• Within less than 10 minutes (and only 6 captures) my M10 completely locked up with the rear screen still showing the last LV frozen image.  Removing the battery did the trick but with an M10 on a quick release plate on a tripod, removing the battery is not something that's taking only seconds before you are up and running again.

All in all still a disappointing experience and it certainly will not revolutionise my workflow like Leica marketing tells me.   For the record, this is only an observation of the remote control feature of the Fotos app.  I did not try the new announced integration with Lightroom yet.

“Better to Remain Silent and Be Thought a Fool than to Speak and Remove All Doubt”

[Exodies]

Extraordinary.

[meerec]

It’s still a total failure. I thought I’d give it another chance for the full paid version. I was after the feature to remotely control the video mode. It’s slow and barely responsive for touch focus with the Leica SL2 and the latest firmware 2. But what is completely useless is that if you output video through HDMI you cannot remotely control the SL2. You cannot even connect through the app. Leica: boooooooooo. Crap. I’m glad I didn’t have to pay $80 to only find out about these hidden gems because there is no any documentation to warn you. 

[Photoworks]

The good news is that FOTOs app still works in IOS 14 beta. I was afraid not be able to connect anymore.

[jrp]

This app is still broken on iOS.  I just want to be able to get GPS for my SL2.  It insists on trying to catalogue my photos, which it does only slowly and renders my camera inoperable while doing so, as I have two cards, and it doesn't seem to write GPS data onto my photos, even when the satellite is showing.  The remote control functionality is sometimes useful and works occasionally.  But the overall experience remains poor.  I cannot imaging that Leica doesn't realise this as the experience is so manifestly poor..