Which upgrade?

[Leggett74]

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Hi all, new here, and enjoying a recently purchased M8. It's a beauty, of course! I notice it's got a top speed of 4000 the sec, so assuming it's had the shower upgrade, is it likely to have been upgraded in other ways? Thanks. Dan

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[jaapv]

What firmware is it on? 4000  is the original shutter speed The M8.2 had 8000.  The “Shower “ update was a physical recall on the first 1500 cameras ( which yours is not) which added an extra mass connection. Apart from added lens profiles I only recall one useful firmware update to improve the AWB. And indeed a fine camera. Don’t’ forget to use IR blocking filters. 

[jdlaing]

42 minutes ago, jaapv said:

What firmware is it on? 4000  is the original shutter speed The M8.2 had 8000.  The “Shower “ update was a physical recall on the first 1500 cameras ( which yours is not) which added an extra mass connection. Apart from added lens profiles I only recall one useful firmware update to improve the AWB. And indeed a fine camera. Don’t’ forget to use IR blocking filters. 

Are you sure you don’t have that reversed. If I remember correctly the M-8 had a speed of 8000 and it was dropped to 4000 on the M-8.2

[jdlaing]

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[roelandinho]

Upgrades to the original M8 (—> “M8u) include the new 1/4000 s shutter, a sapphire screen and possibly frame lines optimised for a different distance than the original ones, but I’m not sure about that last point. 

[jaapv]

43 minutes ago, jdlaing said:

Are you sure you don’t have that reversed. If I remember correctly the M-8 had a speed of 8000 and it was dropped to 4000 on the M-8.2

Yes, you are right… 16 years ago…😪

[farnz]

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When I had my first M8 upgraded it was:

• 1/4000th shutter speed (quieter)
• viewfinder parallax increased from 1 metre to 2 metres (in line with film M cameras that preceded the M8).
• Replacement of the plastic LCD screen with an unscratchable Sapphire screen.

You could also have the covering changed from the 'sharkskin' slippery cover to a leather covering for more money if you chose (I didn't).  It looks like the OP's M8 has the original slippy covering.

Shortly after the upgrade programme a firmware upgrade was released that allowed the shutter to be held down after a shot to prevent/delay the rewind so that the camera could be held behind your back or wherever and release the shutter button there to soften the shutter rewind noise and not 'frighten the horses'.

Pete.

[costa43]

 

49 minutes ago, roelandinho said:

Upgrades to the original M8 (—> “M8u) include the new 1/4000 s shutter, a sapphire screen and possibly frame lines optimised for a different distance than the original ones, but I’m not sure about that last point. 

This is correct. I own an M8u and it comes with all of the above. The frame lines are optimised for 2m instead of the 0.7m of the original. This is the best compromise for parallax correction. The shutter is also a little quieter than the original m8. 

[Leggett74]

Thanks for the info everyone. The firmware is 2.024 by the way. Well I'm thankful for the upgraded shutter for sure. 

[farnz]

4 hours ago, Leggett74 said:

Thanks for the info everyone. The firmware is 2.024 by the way. Well I'm thankful for the upgraded shutter for sure. 

To add a little contrast, I missed the original 1/8000th shutter speed and when I reacquired my current M8, after trading my first one for an M9-P, I searched for one with 1/8000th.  In my humble opinion it's not appreciably noisier than the 1/4000th shutter had been (I accept that it's a subjective judgement) but it helps when shooting a Summilux or Noctilux on brighter days.

Pete.

[chris_livsey]

The original recall was for reported Issues "Banding" and "Mirror/Ghost images" early releases were recalled and cameras shipped from November 27th, 2006 with the upgrade.

Leica announce fixes for M8: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

First cameras shipped from end of October 2006 so the "fix" was in quickly.

The OP camera serial returns: The Camera with serial Number 3105536 is a M8 build in the year 2006

Leica Serial Number Lookup [Quickly searches 4332 records] - Red Dot Camera

I am not aware what the "fix" was firmware or hardware but probably not software as that would not require factory return.