Hidden Leica M10 service menu reveals shutter count and enables touchscreen test

A secret service menu has been discovered on Leica camera models, showing otherwise hidden maintenance statistics. The fact that these secret menus exist is important because it allows users to confirm the health of second-hand Leica bodies.

Users can check shutter count and battery capacity on Leica M10 and M11 cameras

The ability to determine shutter actuations and battery capacity without third-party software or a visit to the service center. The secret service menu can be accessed on the Leica M10 and M11 cameras by following a sequence of button presses.

First, the user must press and hold down the "Play" button while pressing the direction pad a certain way. Then, follow another button sequence by pressing the "Play" button again.

This reveals the secret service menu, which is outside of the normal interface. The service menu will show the total shutter actuations for the camera body.

It will also show the remaining capacity of the battery, so the user can get a better idea of the remaining power. Most importantly, the service menu features a "Touchscreen Test" that enables the touchscreen functionality on the M10.

This may come as a shock, as the Leica M10 was originally marketed as a non-touchscreen camera. The M10-P was the first M-series model to officially feature touch functionality.

It's highly unlikely that Leica will add full touchscreen functionality to the M10 in a future firmware release. The secret service menu adds useful information for users buying a second-hand camera or who currently own a Leica camera.

It allows the user to confirm shutter actuations and battery capacity right on the camera. The existence of the secret service menu reveals a gap between the officially published specs of the camera and what can be done with the firmware.

Source: NotebookCheck