mboerma Posted September 11, 2009 Share #21 Posted September 11, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) If Leica was a company with a short term vision they would drop the development of updated firmware for the M8.x. But I think they are looking further then just the short term extra sales of M9s. I think every buyer of Leica products will perceive the continuous work and maintenance on older products as a positive sign. I would not feel forgotten or left on my own after every new release in a product line. I sure Leica will update the firmware for the M8.x giving some new features and optimizing others. The only problem might be the amount of firmware memory available in the M8.x. This might limit the addition of new features, like the list of lenses which comes with manual lens selection. We will see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 Hi mboerma, Take a look here The M8 Auto Exposure Bracketing Support Thread. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Double Negative Posted September 15, 2009 Share #22 Posted September 15, 2009 There was some mention in the David Farkas review of the M9 about difficulties in implementing changes suggested to the M8 firmware and I quote: "Apparently, retrofitting the M8 firmware with this option wasn't a practical possibility." ..........which he got direct from Stefan Daniel. Yeah, I read that too and wondered why that was. Perhaps limited hardware resources in the firmware or who knows. Bummer if it's true either way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jquimby Posted September 15, 2009 Share #23 Posted September 15, 2009 Yeah, I read that too and wondered why that was. Perhaps limited hardware resources in the firmware or who knows. Bummer if it's true either way. It was mentioned in the interview published by luminous landscape, Stephen said it was a cost issue to go back into a "finished" camera and start trying to stick more things in there. I would love to have the features in my M8 but I think Leica wants me to buy an M9.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pieman64 Posted September 15, 2009 Share #24 Posted September 15, 2009 Hi I support this upgrade... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted September 15, 2009 Share #25 Posted September 15, 2009 I would like the auto-bracketting facility too. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lumbak Posted September 16, 2009 Share #26 Posted September 16, 2009 i prefer to have the M8 dial at the back be able to work like Canon for quick +/-EV adjustment.... that's what the dial for !!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamriman Posted September 16, 2009 Share #27 Posted September 16, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'd be thankful for anymore M8 updates no matter what they are. We would be lucky since now their main focus is on their new products. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gawain Hewitt Posted September 16, 2009 Share #28 Posted September 16, 2009 THere is a precedent for this kind of support in computers and my iPhone (which I am typing on now). Both are last generation but running latest software/firmware. I suffer slower speed as a result, but it does make me feel good about apple (although plenty other things annoy me about them!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 17, 2009 Share #29 Posted September 17, 2009 I am happy M8.2 user. I hope Leica will provide new firmware update for: 1) Manual lens selection option with Leica lenses database 2) Exposure bracketing for HDR 3) ISO quick access function using the current "info" button What an excellent post! Reminds me, that the length and number of posts does not necessarily raise the benefit. Had two hardware updates this spring. Very glad about it! Let's hope for a free software update for Christmas (thanks Santa ! Leica -like everybody else- needs to meet the bottom line, but a little freebee, that would be nice ) but why should software updates be free for the M8 model, that is not in the new list any more? If Leica sold SD cards with this update features, that need the serial number of the cam (in the ordering email to Leica) and devalidate after one use, how much would how many M8 enthusiasts pay for them? Of cause they could be hacked, but Leica owners in general are neither law-abiding nor risk seeking. I would buy two for my two M8s and I'd be interested to hear how much others would spent, just like for the hardware update for feature 1) , 2) or 3) or for a combination. Or make one for free when buying a new lens or an M9? So M8 owners either happen to buy a M9 anyway, or buy a LEICA lens, or have a friend buying new gear and after a while find out (not the hard way, as it would be when left without any M8 updates ever) that after all the M9 is the better cam and ... eventually upgrade to the FF cam or... not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
epand56 Posted September 17, 2009 Share #30 Posted September 17, 2009 I don't care about the bracketing so much... What I DO want is the manual selection of lenses from the internal database! That's what I'm interested more myself as well. Would be a huge improvement to those M8 user shooting with old leica lenses. I would be very happy to have that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMyers Posted September 17, 2009 Share #31 Posted September 17, 2009 I think the answer is obvious. Nikon, Canon, and others have a reputation for "dropping" the old model when a new model becomes available. Anybody using an "old" camera is forgotten about - no firmware upgrades, and no interest really. If you want to stay on top of things, it means buying a new body every two years, and finding out that your "old" body is financially worthless (even if it still works as well as when it was brand new). Leica has a reputation for supporting their products "forever". If you bought an M2 or an M3, it's as good today as the day you bought it. In most ways, it's still "current". That doesn't mean if I were buying a film Leica I wouldn't get one of the newer models, but it does mean that someone still using an old model doesn't feel any need to upgrade. With the M8, Leica can do one of two things. They can continue to support existing M8 users either with "free" upgrades if it's simply firmware, or they can provide upgrades for a fee. Either would be acceptable, and would re-affirm the idea that buying a Leica is a lifetime choice. Or, they can join the ranks of Canon and Nikon, with "disposable cameras" that are good for a couple of years or so. Not everyone wants to rush out and buy a brand new shiny M9. As for me, there are features that the M9 lacks (the hardened viewing screen is at the top of my list) that at least to me, are more important than some of the new features. The full-frame sensor is great, but Nikon and Canon have set the bar much higher, with noiseless images from very high ISO settings. I figure this means an M10, M11, and so on will become available as technology improves. I hope Leica remembers it's existing customers with just as much energy as they will spend in looking for new customers. (I've pretty much decided by now that if I'm going to get an M9, it will be in addition to my M8.2, not a replacement.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted September 17, 2009 Share #32 Posted September 17, 2009 I think the answer is obvious. (I've pretty much decided by now that if I'm going to get an M9, it will be in addition to my M8.2, not a replacement.) Mike, very sensible post. There are indeed features such as the screen I would miss, especially having paid out for it in the form an M8u, and as I read of one stop better noise I wonder if that is worth, to me, the jump. I have 12 x 15 inch prints I am not ashamed of and those extra pixels, as Canon have at last found ( G11) may not be for the best. Maybe I am concluding that as the M9, provided Leica survive, is not going to be the last word, indeed how short a time ago we were told, in I am sure all honesty, that full frame was not possible in the foreseeable future. The M10 may be the next step for me and missing a generation I may see a greater incremental improvement. Anyway the even numbered models have always been better Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocheung Posted December 14, 2009 Share #33 Posted December 14, 2009 All I wanna say is , if Leica doesn't serve the M8 users, it may represent they will treat the M9 in the same way if M10 comes, and so on. We pay premium to Leica, we pay for their premium goodwill and service. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 14, 2009 Share #34 Posted December 14, 2009 The full-frame sensor is great, but Nikon and Canon have set the bar much higher, with noiseless images from very high ISO settings. I figure this means an M10, M11, and so on will become available as technology improves. The newest LFI might interest you regarding the heigth of the bar set by Canon and Nikon. Much to my surprise, the colour rendering of high-ISO images makes a rethink about IQ needed. I'm not sure M users would accept those admittedly low noise images as satisfactory Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptarmigan Posted December 14, 2009 Share #35 Posted December 14, 2009 Much as I'd like a few M9 features, I think that 'supporting the M8' will simply mean that, supporting what we currently have. I work for a software company, and as is standard practice, our support & maintenance covers bug fixes and the like for a specific period after the product is superseded by a new version. I doubt that Windows 98 is now supported though MS still issues patches and bug-fixes for XP. That won't last for ever now that Windows 7 is out there. Similarly, Adobe was reluctant to tackle CS3 issues with Snow Leopard. They have proved totally unhelpful in doing anything to support users of Dreamweaver 2004 which now doesn't work with Snow Leopard. Two or three versions seems to be the 'accepted norm'. Don't forget that unlike an M3 or MP, an M8 is a computer as well as a camera. So I expect Leica to continue to provide spare parts for M8, including electronics and sensor replacements and firmware updates where bugs or issues are discovered for a period. If we get another 2 or 3 or 4 years 'full support' we will be very lucky. As for 'improvements' 'a la M9' - don't build your hopes up. And IMHO that's fair and reasonable. Though if Leica can see some financial or other benefit, we may see something free or chargeable. So my guess is expect M8 support to be phased out with the arrival of the M10 or M10.x. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brill64 Posted December 14, 2009 Share #36 Posted December 14, 2009 stop dreaming. the m8 is an old modell and leica needs to make money to survive.it was already a mistake to introduce an upgrade programm. if u buy an mercedes e class u know that 3 years later a new model will be launched and u can't upgrade an old car!!!!!! thats the way economy runs. if u can get features of the latest modell for free for an outdated modell why should someone buy a new camera??????? cheers andy what about in the future when resources are running out and upgrading and modifying is the only way to go? recycling isn't just a game for the middle class, it's not long in coming either! i think leica should and would eventually honor their initial promise or your m11/m12 etc.. is going to be made of plastic:o Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mc_k Posted December 14, 2009 Share #37 Posted December 14, 2009 I would like bracketing and lens selection, too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted December 14, 2009 Share #38 Posted December 14, 2009 All I wanna say is , if Leica doesn't serve the M8 users, it may represent they will treat the M9 in the same way if M10 comes, and so on. We pay premium to Leica, we pay for their premium goodwill and service. The way they treat the M8 user base, which includes the S/H route as an "entry" model will have a direct bearing on wether I spend the limited cash resources available on M9 or M10 models or move across makers for my digital needs. Analog is firmly Leica so the lenses will not be lying idle. They have an excellent record in film cameras but as they say past performance is no guide to the future performance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronazle Posted December 14, 2009 Share #39 Posted December 14, 2009 I would greatly welcome exposure bracketing; this is particularly true in the flash mode. ron Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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