picture numbering question

[ccc yyy]

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the camera operation of sequential file number assignment (at factory default setting) appears to be inconsistent with what the user manual suggests the camera should be doing (... or at least what i am interpreting the camera should be doing: e.g., sequential numbering forever ... or at least till 9999, unless reset otherwise per below).

 

from the manual (pg. 120): The LEICA M8 assigns sequential numbers to the pictures, in the default factory setting regardless of whether the memory card is changed.

 

the camera is behaving as if the picture numbering option is set to Standard (again from pg. 120: Depending on the selected function, the picture numbering starts again from 1 either after the next change of memory card - Standard - or from the next picture - Set back now). so when a new SD card is inserted, the numbering sequence is reset to 1 (with the camera's picture numbering option set to Continuously).

 

 

buggy code (1.107)??

anyone else experiencing similar?

 

 

TIA for any offered insight.

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[arnaudhaifa]

hi I am experiencing the same problem from time to time, with no reason obvious to me.I have the latest firmware. Since 10 days the numbering is working correctly, but again, I haven't changed anything so I might come back, ending with 10 picures wiht the same file number ie L1000001.DNG.

 

Compared to other problems I saw on this forum, it seems of less importance but it's still one.

[ArtZ]

Roman,

 

Someone posted here, in another thread, how to reset picture and folder names (I think Jaapv or Shootist, I don't remember). As I use two cards, I was having the same problem. I have followed this procedure to create different folder names for each SD card and I don't have the problem anymore.

 

Here is a procedure that will allow you change to anything you want:

 

1. Set the Picture Number in the menu to "Standard".

2. Format the SD card in camera.

3. Reset the File Number in the menu. It actually says “Reset fold. No”, that is the one you want.

4. Set Picture Number back to "Continuous"

5. Take one image

6. Shut off camera, remove SD card and place in card reader attached to a computer.

7. Access the image in your Finder or Explorer (Mac or PC); rename the image number to whatever file number/image number you want. I would suggest Lyyyxxxx, with "y" being your preferred folder number (See Note Below) and "x" being the frame number you want to start with. (You are making these changes to the file name on the card in the card reader.)

 

 

NOTE

 

If you want to change the first or second digit of the L100 (Lyyy above) in the file name, like to L200 or 120 or 220, then you have to change the folder name also.

The directory/folder structure on the card when in a card reader is [Drive Letter]:\DCIM\100LEICA\. You need to change the 100LEICA to whatever you want the file number to start with. Like if you want it to be L200xxxx then you need to rename that folder to 200LEICA. If you want L120 then you need to change that folder name to 120LEICA. It would look like this [Drive Letter]:\DCIM\120 or 200LEICA.

 

8. Properly remove card from card reader and return to camera.

9. Turn the camera on and press "Play". The file will now display with newly renamed folder and file number. (Use "Info" to see this data.)

10. Expose another image to confirm and check file numbers.

11. Format SD card, and you are good to go from that point on.

 

Hope that helps

.

[texasrancher]

I have also experienced the apparent random resetting of number sequence as I frequently alternate among 4 or 5 different 2 GB SanDisk cards - have never had a similar issue with a variety of Canon & Pentax digital cameras. Given the attention paid to Leica firmware updates, you would think that this rather perplexing anomaly could be easily cured by the next update. I appreciate the detailed instructions put forth by ArtZ above, but "Come on, Leica - I have enough to worry about without having to follow a half page of instructions to overcome what every other manufacturer seems able to accomplish on its own!" Love the lenses, but the camera is quirky, to say the least.

[Shootist]

I have also experienced the apparent random resetting of number sequence as I frequently alternate among 4 or 5 different 2 GB SanDisk cards - have never had a similar issue with a variety of Canon & Pentax digital cameras. Given the attention paid to Leica firmware updates, you would think that this rather perplexing anomaly could be easily cured by the next update. I appreciate the detailed instructions put forth by ArtZ above, but "Come on, Leica - I have enough to worry about without having to follow a half page of instructions to overcome what every other manufacturer seems able to accomplish on its own!" Love the lenses, but the camera is quirky, to say the least.

I have owned 3 M8's and never ever had a problem with picture numbering resetting itself.

Did you possibly load User Profile 0 (zero) at the time the picture numbering started over? Or used a card that you DID NOT format, and had pictures on it, before you took the first shot with that card installed?

With using a card that has pictures on it the camera will start numbering files one digit after the last image on the card. Then if you do remember to format it after you take a shot the numbering will continue from that last shot.

In my opinion this is user error, someway somehow.

[ccc yyy]

thanks for your responses. each offered a hint towards what it took to solve the riddle.

 

basically, the file sequencing is very dependent on each and every SD card (that is to be used by the camera) being formated by the camera itself.

 

a card formated externally will still record images - and apparently w/o issues (at least that's been my experience so far), but the camera detecting the card as such resets the file numbering sequence to 1, irrespective of the menu option setting of Continuously. (... most likely a byproduct of poor s/w coding - as i don't understand otherwise why it's so.)

[Shootist]

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Well I must say that there is not one camera on the market that does not say in the manual to Always Format the card IN the camera before you take pictures. That goes for new cards and older ones that have been formatted on a computer.

Nothing new here and if you don't do it then you get what you experienced.

[cwf]

One trick I enjoy as often as I can is to avoid difficult answers by changing the question.

 

Using Aperture, I have it renumber to a custom number (specified by me) on import into the Library.

 

It seems to be working, at least for me. My needs are modest; all I wanted was a unique number for each image. YMMV.

[ccc yyy]

still sounds like poor s/w coding to me.

 

while i can understand the in-camera formating somehow being tied to the integrity of the image file structure itself, i am perplexed as to this requirement for the numbering itself. (and for the record ... the latter is not the case with any of my other cameras.)

 

again interestingly enough the m8 (or at least my copy) has no issues with actual recording/storage of the image file itself using a non-in-camera formated card. (just the file numbering.)