Lss
Well-known
Yes, and with some notes and trial and error it can even be operated blindly. But that is not really usability comparable to one with a functioning screen. As I explained, the menu design (well, whole UI design) of the Epson R-D1 is not similarly dependent on the screen. If the M8 menu followed similar principles, you could just memorize a couple of sequences and operate the menu without looking.
It's a pretty good estimate, as long as any real common problem does not pop up - and one hasn't so far. The coffee stain issue is a minor irritation, it is not comparable to a dead screen, nor does it lead to one. No need to scare the users.
Sorry to hear that you actually have experienced a dead LCD on yours.
user237428934
User deletion pending
You know, in other forums it's not very appreciated when Nikon users go to the Canon section an post "Nikon is better" and vice versa. They do this more often, they will be banned.
It's a year old forum culture here that it's absolutely ok when someone enters a digital talk and posts "digital sucks, film is better". Of course it's not ok the other way round.
Ignore it or leave it.
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
That is not a bad idea/suggestion. iPods already can connect via Bluetooth. Having any camera that would hook up via Bluetooth as an option to USB tethering shouldn't be too much of an issue. "Shouldn't be".
Now, about known radio interference showing up in some M8 photos...the whole camera is a big antenna. I'd say lots of testing would need to happen.
I wonder if they could make future models so that a Bluetooth dongle could be hooked up via the USB port...if they pull either of these options off, it'd be a great highlight in the selling point. Imagine an iOS/Android app for that. Great for proofing (LCD screens in top models are far better than anything found on any commercially-available popular digital camera).
burancap
Mentor
What about the WiFi SD cards (which I do not believe are compatible with the M digitals, yet...)? I believe they create an ad-hoc network with an iOs device or similar. If you can write back down the pipe -that may be your conduit w/o a dongle.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
The Eye-Fi Pro and FlashAIR cards are camera agnostic in so far as you can browse the card contents from the connected network, even on cameras that have no networking support at all (indeed they'd even support file access on some bare socket connected to a power supply). Lesser Eye-Fi cards may need camera support, as they have been (marketing) restricted to uploading from the camera.
But all these cards only provide access to the stored images on the card, not to the camera itself. And the range might be an issue inside a mostly metal camera body like the M8/M9.
Spicy
Well-known
While a solution is all well and good, that wifi-access is only "just bareable." Who buys a Leica to have to carry around not only a wireless dongle, but whip out their cell phone to change settings? The whole point of Leica is shooting simplicity - everything you need and nothing you don't.
Yes, it's cheaper and in some ways better than having a camera without a functioning LCD/method to change camera settings, but the point is, it shouldn't have come to this to begin with. Like buying a Ferrari and being told "oh yeah, when your gearbox breaks, you can swap it for an old ford taurus automatic, and it'll let you drive just fine."
Yes, it's cheaper and in some ways better than having a camera without a functioning LCD/method to change camera settings, but the point is, it shouldn't have come to this to begin with. Like buying a Ferrari and being told "oh yeah, when your gearbox breaks, you can swap it for an old ford taurus automatic, and it'll let you drive just fine."
burancap
Mentor
As a former M8 owner, I am really trying to remember just how often I ever had to go menu-diving after initial configuration.
I am sure something will come to me, but off the top of my head -I seem to recall formatting the SD card after reloading as about the only "habitual" task ...
I am sure something will come to me, but off the top of my head -I seem to recall formatting the SD card after reloading as about the only "habitual" task ...
Teuthida
-
When and if my M8 screen goes south I'll throw the camera in the trash and buy something else. Simple, really. Anybody who thinks a digital Leica is going to have the same shelf life as their film M is engaging in what psychologists call Magical Thinking.
user237428934
User deletion pending
If my M8 screen breaks then I will have my 2nd paperweight for the office. The first one is a non functioning Hexar RF where I already put too much money in non working repairs.
gdi
Mentor
I've had both and you are right, it would be much easier to use the R-D1 without a display; but I wouldn't bother to do that with either one, I'd get it fixed or get another camera.
Informing is not equal to scaring people. The brown staining is an indisputably common (and real ) problem that I doubt many have experienced on other electronic devices, let alone cameras.
I can see some people not considering it more than a nuisance, because you can still operate the camera. But, for others (most, I would wager) having a nasty brown blob obscuring the display diminishes the usability for evaluating an image (already hard to do with the low-resolution), even if it doesn't prevent the use of the menus.
So, I would wager that there were very few owners who decided it wasn't a problem and skipped warranty repair if it was an option, and I would bet this unexpected problem has contributed to the lack of spares now being experienced. On top of the appearance and usability I would say it puts a serious dent in the camera's residual value; an honest seller will have to take a lower price to sell one, especially now that it is not fixable.
As for my M8's LCD failure - it was not totally dead, it was a very large dark discoloration that diminished its functionality; Leica agreed it was a failure and replaced it.
gdi
Mentor
Yes! Doing anything less is taking the lazy way out!
bobbyrab
Well-known
I think if you roll over so easily your what retailers call a magical customer.
DamenS
Well-known
There's the other possibility of leaving the M8 in your camera bag and using the Android phone, in an untethered manner, to take the actual photos - there, problem solved !!
bob338
Well-known
This thread is bringing RFF down to the level of the other photography forums.
Does anyone else have anything constructive to add?
Does anyone else have anything constructive to add?
willie_901
Mentor
Absolutely not.
It's only a matter of time before Bluetooth or other wireless communication via mobile apps is commonplace in cameras. Leica already has a wired solution.
If I owned a M8 with a dead LCD screen and did not have the funds to upgrade to a M9, I would happily accept a free dongle and smart phone app as a solution. Bluetooth is a standard technology so government approval for the wireless hardware is not needed. The means this solution could be implemented quickly. And, Leica could apply it to other digital cameras as well as an alternate way to make menu changes. You could even envision a mobile device connected to Solms for electronic trouble shooting and performance evaluation.
gdi
Mentor
Sometimes that would be an improvement!
Good Lord, JAAPV. You are aware of the new blogger disclosure laws?
How much does Leica pay you to make tens of thousands of posts in defense of Leica on multiple fori?
* I like Leicas as much as the next guy, and have many bodies and lenses, from early Barnacks to the M9, but sometimes you are WAY over the top. Get real, bucko.
How much does Leica pay you to make tens of thousands of posts in defense of Leica on multiple fori?
* I like Leicas as much as the next guy, and have many bodies and lenses, from early Barnacks to the M9, but sometimes you are WAY over the top. Get real, bucko.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
It's amazing the way this place has changed since the introduction of the digital M back whenever ... and it changed for the better IMO. Courtesy of Leica digital suddenly became a lot more acceptable around here. Prior to this point posting digital images in the gallery wasn't encouraged and discussing digital imagery in the forums was akin to admitting you strangled puppies in your spare time!
The RD-1 also played a part in this shift. I was thinking about this last night after the dust settled in this rather volitile thread ... as much as the digital M divides us at times it has played a huge part in changing a few attitudes as well.
The RD-1 also played a part in this shift. I was thinking about this last night after the dust settled in this rather volitile thread ... as much as the digital M divides us at times it has played a huge part in changing a few attitudes as well.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
What has this to do with defense of Leica?
. Read before you go ad hominem.
Google shows thousands of screens. If the pages are not out of date.
Someone at Leica must know Google
So the problem must be in some other component associated with the LCD.
Is that defending Leica?
Only Leica bashers are allowed to post?
I am not a Leica basher. I'm a strong Leica enthusiast. I have been since I was a teenager, and have always owned Leicas.
I appreciate that you want to put a positive spin on everything concerned with Leica, but sometimes you hit the ball out of the park with your unbridled defense of Leica concerning EVERYTHING, leading to wild assertions.
C'mon now, even Leica can make a mistake once in a while.,
I appreciate that you want to put a positive spin on everything concerned with Leica, but sometimes you hit the ball out of the park with your unbridled defense of Leica concerning EVERYTHING, leading to wild assertions.
C'mon now, even Leica can make a mistake once in a while.,