Press Release: Leica T Firmware Update 1.4
LEICA T: new Firmware update 1.4 and expansion of the lens portfolio bring greater speed and even more versatility
Wetzlar, 29 October 2015. Leica Camera AG presents a new firmware update for the Leica T camera system. Customers wishing to bring their camera up to date can now download the new firmware version 1.4 from the Leica website (www.leica-camera.com). Alternatively, they can update their Leica T as part of a complementary service in the Leica Stores, and receive advice at the same time.
The new firmware version 1.4 enormously increases the speed of the Leica T and improves its entire performance profile. The Leica T, which is now ready to go even faster, is immediately noticeable – evidenced by the Live View mode, which comes on in a fraction of a second. Installing the update improves the camera’s autofocus and makes it twice as fast as before. Touchscreen control has also been optimised and now offers response times that are three times as fast, for example in Review mode.
Firmware update 1.4 also expands the portfolio of lenses usable on the Leica T. As the camera shares the same Leica L bayonet mount with the new Leica SL system camera, updating the firmware makes it possible to use the SL lenses on the Leica T. The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24–90 mm f/2.8–4 ASPH. will be available from 16 November 2015 and further SL-System lenses, such as the Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90–280 mm f/2.8–4 and the Leica Summilux-SL 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH. will follow in 2016.
2016 will also see the launch of two new lenses for the Leica T camera system that bring even greater versatility in all photographic situations. As the Leica T and the new Leica SL share the L bayonet mount, this will be indicated by the designation ‘TL’ for all new Leica T lenses. The Leica Summilux-TL 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH. will be on sale from spring 2016 and will be joined by the Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-TL 60 mm f/2.8 ASPH. in autumn of the same year. Together with the Leica Summicron-T 23 mm f/2 ASPH., which is available now, this trio of prime lenses, available for the first time with either a black or silver finish, is impressive on account of its exceptional imaging performance and delivers pictures with the inimitable ‘Leica look’ and unmistakeable bokeh.
The T forum on the l-camera-forum website points to glitches in 1.4… Might an upgrade to the upgrade be just around the corner?
The 1.4 firmware is such a performance improvement, you’d swear you downloaded new hardware… it’s very fast on startup, and focusing is much faster as well (at least with the two lenses I have, the 23mm and the 18-56mm). It’s great, like an entirely new camera.
At $1300, the T is not a bad deal at all: same price gets you a Sony RX10 or Fuji x100t. You obviously still need to get a lens, but this is very affordable for a Leica. The lenses are obviously a bit spendy, but most folks understand Leica glass is worth it.
I still don’t understand who and why to buy a Leica T, (this comes from a Leica M user). Considering the $$$ why not spend it on other options.
It’s a very nice camera and very very different from the usual. It’s a whole different experience and the IQ is superb for APS-C. If I was going to buy an APS-C camera, the T is one I would still consider today just due to the IQ and uniqueness and the fact that it does well with M glass. With that said, one could get into full frame for that $$. So up to the individual. But the T is a cool camera with great color and pop. IQ is like the X-Vario and X.
If you wanted to complement the M with the versatility of zoom lenses, the T would be an excellent way of doing so, still staying within the Leica ecosystem. The Leica T is an excellent camera (I also own the Q, M9 and S2). The SL is now obviously another way of doing so but also adding more bulk and cost.
I will be interested to see the reviews of the new firmware. I have always found the T interface to be interesting, but the performance was lacking.
When I first saw the wide bayonet of the T, I am sure I wasn’t the only one who noticed that you could fit a bigger sensor in there. 🙂
Although I admit that the T doesn’t quite suit my needs (drat!) I am surprised that it hasn’t done as well as it should have.
While a firmware update is no small thing, I’d like to see Leica update its cameras more often. By now, the T should have had a new sensor. I don’t necessarily think that sensors must be the latest and greatest (e.g. I would not want Canon’s sensors, newest or not, in my cameras) but I’d like to see Leica give their products more momentum.