Firmware updates for Q3; costs and benefits

[Ian Piper]

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Hi everyone,

I'm fairly new to Leica; I've had my Q3 for about nine months but it's my first Leica. My question is about firmware updates. I've done loads of these for other cameras over the years, and not had any problems, but I have some concerns about the Leica firmware updates. I've seen two since I bought my camera, and from what I've read here there seem to be quite a few problems encountered by users.

Is Leica firmware/software unusually prone to problems? I'd hate to turn my camera into an expensive paperweight due to an update issue. What's the usual practice here? Do you keep up to the latest version, stay one version behind the bleeding edge, only update for critical bugs, or what?

My current firmware version is 1.3.0 (I haven't done any since buying the camera).

Thanks for any insights.

 

Ian.

Edited August 20, 2024 by Ian Piper

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[Le Chef]

Touching wood, I have not had a single issue with firmware updates on any Leica camera currently or previously owned.

Some simple steps to bear in mind:

1) Wait for two weeks and monitor this site for problems. They’re usually issues with not following Leica’s instructions to the letter.

2) Use a fresh SD card and format in camera before downloading the new firmware.

3) Avoid using Fotos and installing over the air. There are too many variable like your WiFi going out to trust it.

4) Download the new firmware to your computer and then transfer to the SD card.

5) If asked, save Profiles you have created, to the SD card.

6) When complete with the date and time reset, reload your Profiles from the User Profile setting.

Enjoy!

[ajmarton1]

Never had a problem with my Q2 or Q3.  Follow directions and do it from the memory card.  Have a fully charged battery and you will be fine.  Ask questions before the installation if a step is unclear to you. Good luck and enjoy!  The new firmware makes AF even better.  

[Ian Piper]

On 8/20/2024 at 6:25 PM, Le Chef said:

Touching wood, I have not had a single issue with firmware updates on any Leica camera currently or previously owned.

Some simple steps to bear in mind:

1) Wait for two weeks and monitor this site for problems. They’re usually issues with not following Leica’s instructions to the letter.

2) Use a fresh SD card and format in camera before downloading the new firmware.

3) Avoid using Fotos and installing over the air. There are too many variable like your WiFi going out to trust it.

4) Download the new firmware to your computer and then transfer to the SD card.

5) If asked, save Profiles you have created, to the SD card.

6) When complete with the date and time reset, reload your Profiles from the User Profile setting.

Enjoy!

Very useful information, thanks. I did the update from a card and it worked OK. I restored my profile and it all seems OK.

 

[Le Chef]

22 minutes ago, Ian Piper said:

Very useful information, thanks. I did the update from a card and it worked OK. I restored my profile and it all seems OK.

 

Good!

There was one missing instruction which actually should be the first: make sure your battery is fully charged before attempting this.

[Marc283]

I got the Q3 shortly after its release, have done several firmware updates. Never had any issues. Just follow the steps. The only thing I encountered was with the last update to 2.05, that filename was wrong, the - in the filename should have been _.
I've only updated via de SD card, never uses the Leica Fotos app for the update.

[Trankster]

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FWIW I have done the last two updates with Fotos at home with a reliable internet connection.  The only minor issue with 2.05 was needing to resave the user profiles.  Fotos seems to be more stable and reliable with the Q3 compared to my past experiences with my prior Q2.   

[WeiterWinkel]

Adding my experience with updates: never had a problem with my Q2, Q2M and Q3. The only annoying thing that happened was resetting the number count of the camera to 0. But even this seems to be have been solved with the last to updates for the Q3.