LEICA RELEASES NEW FIRMWARE FOR M CAMERA LINEUP

By Josh Lehrer, Leica Store Miami

Leica Camera has released new firmware for most of its current digital M lineup. The firmware fixes a number of bugs and improves operational stability of the M (Typ 240), M-P (Typ 240), M (Typ 262) and M Monochrom (Typ 246).

Among the numerous improvements, one stands out: the removal of the infamous “Check Battery Age” message that many users were seeing on their cameras, despite perfectly functioning batteries. The new firmware also improves operation during continuous shooting,  allows the use of SD cards up to 512GB, and more. Links to the firmware are below:

Leica M/M-P (Typ 240): Firmware Version 2.0.3.0

Leica M (Typ 262): Firmware Version 1.0.0.6

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246): Firmware Version 1.0.1.0

The new firmware offers the following improvements:

• Prevents the camera controls from becoming unresponsive after a series of continuous burst images fills the buffer
• The selected user profile will be displayed even when exposure compensation has been adjusted
• Exposure compensation is no longer saved to the user profile
• Memory cards with a capacity of up to 512GB are now supported (we don’t necessarily recommend SD cards this large due to long startup times)
• The default file format settings upon resetting the camera has been changed from ‘JPG’ to ‘DNG+JPG’
• The time-out period for the last GPS Position, when no GPS signal is received, is extended to 2.5 hours for the Leica M/M-P (Typ 240) and Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) – GPS is not available with the M (Typ 262)
• It is now possible to display all zoom steps when reviewing images in playback mode from the Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246), Leica M (Typ 262) and Leica M/M-P (Typ 240)
• When using SD cards that are too slow for movie recording, a message appears in the viewfinder display

The new firmware update removes the deceptive “Check battery age” message as it did not correlate with actual battery life.

And the following bug fixes

•  Bugs that led to the camera freezing when shooting fast sequences have been fixed
• The accuracy of the internal clock has been improved
• When using ‘AUTO ISO in M mode’ the used exposure metering mode is now displayed in play mode
• Files larger than 2GB can now be transferred from the camera to the PC via USB
• The display of the histogram has been optimized for high ISO values
• The display of flash exposure compensation values has been improved in the menu
• A misleading message (‘check battery age’) has been removed
• With the Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246), a bug that led to black pixels in fine patterns has been fixed
• Further system optimizations have been implemented

To update the firmware of your camera, please following these instructions:

1. Insert a fully charged battery into your M camera.
2. Insert an SD memory card into your M camera that you can erase.
3. Format the SD memory card in the camera (this will erase all photos and videos on the card!).
4. Turn off the camera and remove the SD card.
5. Insert the SD memory card into a card reader on your computer.
6. Download the firmware for your camera model using the links above.
7. Copy that firmware file (do not try to open it) onto the SD memory card. You don’t want to put it inside any of the folders on the card, but on the card’s “root directory.” You can drag the firmware file directly onto the SD card icon on your desktop.
8. Eject the the SD memory card properly from your computer.
9. Insert the SD memory card into your camera (with the camera still turned off).
10. Hold down the INFO button on the back of the camera, and then turn the camera on (while holding down the INFO button).
11. The firmware update process will begin. It can take between 2-5 minutes. Do not touch any buttons on the camera or turn it off during this process.
12. When the update is done, a message will indicate as such and you are ready to shoot!

For the firmware updated go here.

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LEICA ANNOUNCES M-D (TYP 262): DIGITAL M WITH ANALOG FEEL

By Josh Lehrer 

Today, Leica Camera has announced the Leica M-D (Typ 262), a full-frame digital M rangefinder camera with no rear LCD screen, live view, video or electronic viewfinder compatibility. The camera features similar specifications to the M (Typ 240) with a finish in black paint, brass construction (same 690 gram weight as the M240), a 1GB buffer and 3 frames-per-second continuous shooting. However, it does have a quieter shutter mechanism like the recently released M (Typ 262).

The M-D (Typ 262) follows the limited-edition M Edition 60, which was the first Leica digital M camera to have no rear LCD screen. Like the M60, the M-D (Typ 262) has a beautifully finished metal ISO dial on the back of the camera in place of a display, putting all three exposure controls (aperture, shutter speed, ISO) right at your fingertips. A welcome addition not found on the M60 is a rear thumb dial to adjust exposure compensation. Unlike the M (Typ 262), the M-D is styled more like the M-P (Typ 240) with no red Leica dot and the classic white Leica script engraving on the top plate.

Since the announcement of the M Edition 60 at the last Photokina, many users requested a non-special edition M that would have a similar design philosophy, one that would reduce the camera down to the bare essentials of rangefinder photography. With the release of the M-D (Typ 262), Leica shooters looking for the pure M experience who still want the benefits of Leica’s latest digital technology now have their wish granted.

The camera is priced at $5,995. For full specifications or to place an order, you can check out the M-D at Leica Store Miami here: Leica M-D (Typ 262). First deliveries of the camera are expected in early May 2016.

The full press release, from Leica:

Reduced to the essentials both in features and design, the Leica M-D (Typ 262) embodies the essence of rangefinder photography. For features, it has setting options for ISO values, aperture and shutter speeds. Design wise, the camera excludes an LCD monitor, menu controls and Leica red dot logo. It features the classic step at the end of the top plate.

The images from the Leica M-D (Typ 262) are characterized by outstanding contrast, exceptional detail resolution and low image noise. It is ideal to shoot with available light.

The Leica M-D (Typ 262) features a shutter cocking system that is quieter than that of its sister models the M and M-P (Typ 240). In single exposure mode, the shutter release frequency is up to two frames per second. In continuous mode, the Leica M (Typ 262) has the same burst rate as its sister models and shoots up to three frames per second.

The discreteness and compact size of the camera allows photographers to not only get close to the action, but into the heart of where it’s happening.

         

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To comment or to read comments please scroll past the ads below.

All ads present items of interest to Leica owners.

www.classicconnection.com

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      www.mgrproduction.net

      MGR STORE: NEW ULTRA FIT LEATHER CASE FOR LEICA M9/M6/X1

www.eddycam.com

www.9days.hk

Inventive Camera Bags for All of Your Gear

For more information on KOMARU and for orders go to: www.taos-photographic.com

NEW  Komaru Colors

For more information and pre orders go to: www.lenstab.com

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