Firmware Friday: Leica T (Typ 701) gets much faster autofocus, additional lens support and new app

 

 

After last week's laundry list of updates, Firmware Friday is a much simpler affair this time around. In place of the staggering 36 updates in our last roundup, there's only a single firmware release to discuss, and this time it's from Germany's Leica Camera AG.

The Leica T (Typ 701)'s new firmware version 1.6 release makes three changes in total. By far the most important of these is a huge improvement in autofocus performance, at least if Leica's claims are accurate. The company says that when running the new firmware, its Typ 701 camera can now focus fully one-quarter faster in typical operation. And for close-up subjects, the scope of the improvement is even greater, with a claimed 45%+ increase in focus speed.

Along with this change, the new firmware adds support for optical image stabilization when shooting with Leica SL lenses, and gains new support for the Leica R-Adapter, allowing use of adapter R-mount lenses on the Leica T (Typ 701) camera body. You can get the new update here.

Oh, and as for that new app mentioned in the headline -- well, the firmware release notes also mention "improvements in camera operation, menu and focus selection; improved playback and pictures in full frame modus through swiping; multiple selections possible." However, a quick check of the app on the Google Play and Apple iTunes stores shows no updates since mid-November, so we're presuming that updates will be coming shortly on both platforms.

(Camera parts image courtesy of Kelly Hofer / Flickr; used under a Creative Commons CC-BY-2.0 license. Image has been modified from the original.)