Leica M9 firmware update 1.196 is out

By LR admin | Published: July 23, 2012

Leica M9

The previously rumored Leica M9 firmware update 1.196 is officially out and can be downloaded directly from Leica's website.

The improvements in this release include:

  • Further improvements of SD-Card compatibility.
  • Implementation of the Lens detection of the new APO-Summicron-M 1:2/50mm ASPH.
  • Improved power management: the camera is now measuring battery stability internally. In case of weak battery stability, the camera switches off automatically. Using old batteries could have lead to camera crashes and banding stripes under certain conditions with the previous firmware versions. Especially the usage of nearly 6 years old M8 batteries proved to be critical. It is the nature of Li-ion batteries that the capacity weakens after a certain time. We recommend replacing the batteries for the M8 and the M9 after 3 years at the latest. Heavy usage can even accelerate the aging process, and then batteries should be replaced earlier. In case that the total amount of pictures, that can be taken with a certain battery, is significantly lower than before with Firmware 1.196, we recommend replacing this battery. New batteries can be ordered at all Leica Dealers (Order Number 14464).

Please be aware that your settings and your user profiles can be deleted after the firmware update.
Please make a note of your settings and user profiles before you run the firmware update.

Related posts:

  1. Another firmware update for Leica M9 coming soon?
  2. Leica M9 firmware update 1.134 should be available any moment now
  3. Is Leica D-Lux 4 next in line for a firmware update?
  4. Leica S2 firmware update v1.0.3.3
  5. Leica X1 firmware update “should” be released in March

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  • Dan

    So this patch makes you spend £70 on a new battery. No thanks ;-)

  • Fritz

    The new golden bottomless source of money: Batteries!! C’mon, old batteries can damage your precious Leica-lens drawn pictures. Get new batteries by the masses! For just how many bucks? – Fresh ideas from the new investor…

  • Richy Rick

    A firmware update to make batteries last shorter, in both ways. That’s real progress!

  • Nick

    Do you even own a Leica?

    • Richy Rick

      Yes, an M9 from 9/9/9. Why do you ask?
      Do you think the possession of a Leica vaccinates against reasoning?

  • Regular

    Wow. That’s disappointing. I suppose that 3rd party batteries will be detected as dangerously unstable and bad for your breath.

    Thinking twice. That’s alright with me, in fact. Leica expects battery to have a 3year lifespan but it is also the lifespan of the digital M cameras on the second-hand market. After 3years, Leica technology is outdated, resale value is halved. A new camera is released, no upgrade offer, you can throw the old one out… Along with its battery:)

  • Daryl

    The upgrade is not mandatory, the camera functions perfectly well for the vast majority of users with the previous firmwares. Two versions back for me, good battery life and the speed is blistering fast…..compared to a 4×5 :-)

  • Jonathan

    Electronics will always suck. You’re tethered to a certain daily or regular charging before going out to shoot. For Leica quality without the hassle, and to get back your schedule from the tyranny of electronics, buy an MP or other vintage M film cameras that don’t rely on batteries for capture.

    • Ronan

      Does it come with a batteryless and cordless scanner?

      • http://500px.com/danieltv/stories Daniel Gautreau

        Ha, good one Ronan!

      • Regular

        Yep, Batteryless and scanner less. like this clueless Henri Cartier-Bresson.

  • Roy Evans

    Obsolesence of leica M digital internals has/is not being actively commented upon or being practically addressed by Leica…..in hindsight one is better off with a film M because of the obsolescence factor….any comments

  • Fritz

    I remember those lucky days when the batteries of my Leica M6 needed replacement every three years as well.
    Only difference was, the batteries for the M6 didn’t need recharging in between. And, of course, always cost only a fraction of an M9 battery.

  • http://ventspleen.com Benjy

    Well here’s an M9 Update I won’t be using.

    Last time I updated the M9 destroyed my 16 gig Sandisk SD card so I won’t be risking that again until there is an update that offers something worthwhile!

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/witold witold

    oh yes, the banding was starting to creep into some of the pictures shot on the M9. I have three batteries and they have been pretty abused recently. Wish there were a way to test the batteries outside of the camera. There is software for mac batteries that can check the number of cycles of laptop batteries…
    Some pictures are best shot digitally. Some are best shot on film.

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