M11 freeze issues [Merged]

[TeleElmar135mm]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

vor 30 Minuten schrieb fotografr:

Most likely 30 days prior to release of the M12. 

You are no insider: Don't you know that the M12 has the same FW as the M11?

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[lct]

28 minutes ago, fotografr said:

Most likely 30 days prior to release of the M12. 

You're being optimistic 😉 The last bug fix of the M240 has been released in Nov. 2017 (fw 2.0.5.0)  i.e. 10 months after the launch of the M10. Every good thing comes in due time 😄

[IkarusJohn]

I suspect the only effective firmware update will be to disable, either permanently or optionally, the mix of functions that are overwhelming the processor.  The alternative would be replacing the processor and a lot besides abd completely rewriting the firmware.  That isn’t going to happen. 

Long awaited press release from Leica acknowledging the problem:

“A small minority of M11 series owners (a handful really - not a widespread issue) have had problems with freezing, bricking and corrupt files. As a gesture of goodwill, Leica will offer an upgrade to the new M12 to those owners of affected cameras.”

Where’s the popcorn …

[fotografr]

4 hours ago, TeleElmar135mm said:

You are no insider: Don't you know that the M12 has the same FW as the M11?

Believe me, it's no insult to not be an insider in this case. 😁

[TeleElmar135mm]

vor 2 Stunden schrieb IkarusJohn:

(...)

“A small minority of M11 series owners (a handful really - not a widespread issue) have had problems with freezing, bricking and corrupt files. As a gesture of goodwill, Leica will offer an upgrade to the new M12 to those owners of affected cameras.”
 

(...)

Now I know why the black steel rim is so "cheap" - The costs have to come in somewhere ...

[fotografr]

9 hours ago, IkarusJohn said:

I suspect the only effective firmware update will be to disable, either permanently or optionally, the mix of functions that are overwhelming the processor.  The alternative would be replacing the processor and a lot besides abd completely rewriting the firmware.  That isn’t going to happen. 

Long awaited press release from Leica acknowledging the problem:

“A small minority of M11 series owners (a handful really - not a widespread issue) have had problems with freezing, bricking and corrupt files. As a gesture of goodwill, Leica will offer an upgrade to the new M12 to those owners of affected cameras.”

Where’s the popcorn …

Where did the statement appear?

Second question, is there a general feeling here that these problems only affect a "small minority of M11 series owners?" 

[tom0511]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

vor 14 Stunden schrieb IkarusJohn:

I suspect the only effective firmware update will be to disable, either permanently or optionally, the mix of functions that are overwhelming the processor.  The alternative would be replacing the processor and a lot besides abd completely rewriting the firmware.  That isn’t going to happen. 

Long awaited press release from Leica acknowledging the problem:

“A small minority of M11 series owners (a handful really - not a widespread issue) have had problems with freezing, bricking and corrupt files. As a gesture of goodwill, Leica will offer an upgrade to the new M12 to those owners of affected cameras.”

Where’s the popcorn …

Its not yet April 1 is it?

[TeleElmar135mm]

vor 40 Minuten schrieb tom0511:

Its not yet April 1 is it?

But in 6 days  - there comes FW 4.01

[charlesphoto99]

10 hours ago, fotografr said:

Where did the statement appear?

Second question, is there a general feeling here that these problems only affect a "small minority of M11 series owners?" 

I believe that was sarcasm (i.e. Leica will try and minimize that there's any real problem, as they have done in the past). 

[fotografr]

48 minutes ago, charlesphoto99 said:

I believe that was sarcasm (i.e. Leica will try and minimize that there's any real problem, as they have done in the past). 

🥴 Yes, it was a joke. Sorry to have carried it on prior to April 1. If true, Leica would be inundated with M11s to take advantage of the M12 "upgrade." 

Edited March 26, 2024 by fotografr

[IkarusJohn]

4 hours ago, fotografr said:

🥴 Yes, it was a joke. Sorry to have carried it on prior to April 1. If true, Leica would be inundated with M11s to take advantage of the M12 "upgrade." 

It was tongue in cheek, Brent.

But …

I think we have already had a number of comments here (none from Leica) that it’s a minority, most cameras are fine etc. Leica made such comments about the M9 sensor issue (repeated by a number here).  On the trade in, only the M(240) was available, not the M10, and the trade in price was more than what it would cost simply repairing, selling your M9 and buying the M10 (from memory).  Not very attractive at all.

What’s more problematic here is, for those with defective M11 series cameras (all?), there doesn’t appear to be a fix …

[fotografr]

59 minutes ago, IkarusJohn said:

It was tongue in cheek, Brent.

But …

I think we have already had a number of comments here (none from Leica) that it’s a minority, most cameras are fine etc. Leica made such comments about the M9 sensor issue (repeated by a number here).  On the trade in, only the M(240) was available, not the M10, and the trade in price was more than what it would cost simply repairing, selling your M9 and buying the M10 (from memory).  Not very attractive at all.

What’s more problematic here is, for those with defective M11 series cameras (all?), there doesn’t appear to be a fix …

I know you were joking, but it's not at all far fetched that this would be the response from Leica. It's very sad because the M11 and M11M have such tremendous potential. Image quality is wonderful and the long battery life, light weight, internal storage, etc , are very appealing. I'm certain, however, that I'm not the only person remaining on the sidelines for fear of buying a $9K camera that is plagued with problems. 

[IkarusJohn]

Well, I do have a camera with good battery life (for me), 1TB of internal storage, IBIS, 100MP medium format sensor, most comfortable camera to hold and Leica like menus - actually, a joy to use.  And $700 cheaper than the M11, with cheaper (AF) lenses.  No freezes or other issues (yet), though the leaf shutter in the only lens I have at the moment has failed.

In the words of Ned Kelly, "Such is life!"

Edited March 26, 2024 by IkarusJohn

[fotografr]

33 minutes ago, IkarusJohn said:

Well, I do have a camera with good battery life (for me), 1TB of internal storage, IBIS, 100MP medium format sensor, most comfortable camera to hold and Leica like menus - actually, a joy to use.  And $700 cheaper than the M11, with cheaper (AF) lenses.  No freezes or other issues (yet), though the leaf shutter in the only lens I have at the moment has failed.

In the words of Ned Kelly, "Such is life!"

Fuji GFX?  You were knocking on wood as you write that, right? 😉

[IkarusJohn]

1 hour ago, fotografr said:

Fuji GFX?  You were knocking on wood as you write that, right? 😉

Actually, no - Hasselblad X2D 100c.

I used a 503cx for many years, with the 50mm, 80mm & 150mm lenses for personal use and loved it.  Sure, it required thought and some messing about, but the results were very satisfying.  Always had a soft spot for Hasselblad.  Tried the X1D II, and had the 21mm, 45Pmm, 80mm & 135mm (with teleconverter) and sold out of it all after considerable le frustration with the AF and the X1D itself.  Regret settling the lenses now.

I have only one XCD lens at the moment - the 38V.  It's a lovely single lens (roughly 30mm fov), and I used it as my only camera in France and Italy last year.  When I picked it up again in January, I found the leaf shutter had failed.  Not a huge fan of the electronic shutter, so the lens is going back to Hasselblad - boy are they slow.  Glacial!  The lens has been sitting in a box on my desk for over two months waiting for Hasselblad to collect it.  Leica looks fast by comparison.

Back on topic - when the specs for the M11 broke cover, it wasn't for me.  Worse, I don't like the direction this camera takes the M system in.  Happy with my M10-D (which is also back in Germany as the WiFi wasn't connecting).

My M-A is looking safe!

Edited March 26, 2024 by IkarusJohn

[fotografr]

25 minutes ago, IkarusJohn said:

Actually, no - Hasselblad X2D 100c.

I used a 503cx for many years, with the 50mm, 80mm & 150mm lenses for personal use and loved it.  Sure, it required thought and some messing about, but the results were very satisfying.  Always had a soft spot for Hasselblad.  

That makes a lot of sense. I was at Camera West recently and had the X2D in my hands and had a very hard time putting it down. I never got into the Hasselblad 2 1/4 system because of size and weight, but I certainly admired the results I saw from friends. The X2D fit my hand like it was made for it. Great ergonomics and fantastic image quality. 

[Smogg]

I, too, now, due to problems with my Leica cameras, practically do not let the X2D out of my hands. I use 38 and 55. The color is much better than the M11, although I do miss the small rangefinder camera

[RMF]

44 minutes ago, Smogg said:

I, too, now, due to problems with my Leica cameras, practically do not let the X2D out of my hands. I use 38 and 55. The color is much better than the M11, although I do miss the small rangefinder camera

Yup, same here. I’m keeping my particular M11 as its been 99.9% problem free, but I’m going with an X2D next (with a 38mm) rather than acquire another M11* as its uncertain and a gamble if a new M11* will be a trouble free one or not 😐. Leica really needs to address these issues or make a statement as even sales from diehard Leica fans might be staring to wain because of the documented issues.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[gtownby]

Though I’d like to someday use the latest Leica M, the “freeze” issue is putting me on the sidelines. So, I’m shooting now with my never-failing M10 Monochrom and the Hasselblad X2D. My advice to Hasselblad X2D users: Get that 45P lens. It makes the camera into a terrific “carry-around” camera and with a 35mm frame equivalent, that combo will provide you with lots of (sharp) photo opportunities.

[Smogg]

24 minutes ago, gtownby said:

Though I’d like to someday use the latest Leica M, the “freeze” issue is putting me on the sidelines. So, I’m shooting now with my never-failing M10 Monochrom and the Hasselblad X2D. My advice to Hasselblad X2D users: Get that 45P lens. It makes the camera into a terrific “carry-around” camera and with a 35mm frame equivalent, that combo will provide you with lots of (sharp) photo opportunities.

I think Leica is very concerned about the existence of the X2D, much more than any camera from Sony, Nikon or Canon. In fact, the X2D is an example of a very successful solution (especially with small new lenses with the possibility of very convenient zone focus) and an unexpected direct competitor to cameras from Leica