Leica Camera AG presents new firmware updates for the Leica T and Leica X Vario cameras. Users wishing to bring their products up to date can now download the new firmware versions 1.2 for the LeicaT (Type 701) and 1.1 for the Leica X Vario (Type 107)free of charge from the Leica website and take advantage of the enhancements.
The firmware version 1.2 for the Leica T enhances the performance profile of the camera with numerous additional features that make its handling even easier. Of particular interest to users is the new lock for the setting dial that can be activated and deactivated by touching the corresponding icon. Equally simple now is also the ability to change from Live View mode to video with a horizontal swipe across the display. In addition, the new touch-and-release autofocus function can now be selected in autofocus mode and activated with a touch.
Further new functions concern reviewing single exposures: this is now also possible in the EVF. Browsing forward and back through the pictures is now controlled by the camera’s left setting dial. Users of the Digiscoping Adapters for the Leica T (the Leica T2 adapter will be available from November 2014) also benefit from the firmware update and the new digiscoping programme in the selection of scene modes. Automatic playback has also been revised and now features an ‘off’ setting. Here, the playback time of the last image captured has been reduced to a minimum. Also new is the even easier control of the zoom function in playback mode: one double touch magnifies the image by 30% and a second double touch reverts to the full-frame view. The new firmware update also allows the preservation of existing Wi-Fi settings and user profiles when resetting the camera to factory defaults, if required.
Further improvements provided by the firmware update 1.2 include a shorter connect time to known Wi-Fi networks; a new keypad design for optimised handling and input response time; improved visibility of the setting dial display; a revision to the exposure compensation display (the neutral EV 0 setting is now also shown on the info bar); and a flash display that now shows a ‘flash not possible’ symbol when the shutter release is pressed half way down if shutter speeds are too fast for flash photography. In the case of automatic monitor brightness, the steps have been shortened to make the changes smoother and easier on the eye.
The firmware version 1.1 for the Leica X Vario also adds additional camera functions – for example, in Auto ISO mode. The fastest shutter speed can now be selected from a range from 1 s to 1/1000 s. After updating to the new version, Auto ISO now also remains active in M mode. Further improvements concern camera handling – for instance, direct access to exposure compensation in A and T modes is now possible with the thumb wheel. The functions of the Info button have been expanded and it can now be used in the same way as the menu/set button to confirm the menu selection. It can now also be used to start video playback with the camera in video playback mode. The audio volume in video playback can now also be controlled by the upper and lower buttons of the four-way switch control. The function of the flash button has also been revised. It is now only active when the built-in flash is extended or when a Leica accessory flash unit is mounted on the camera.