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FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac
  
 
Fred Miranda
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p.2 #1 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


I’ve received a couple questions about reading the shutter count on pre-M10 Leica bodies like the M240 M262, and M-D series. That data isn't exposed anywhere in the image files or firmware code...it's only accessible through a hidden service menu strictly known to Leica.

However, FM Studio still fully supports these older M bodies: either wirelessly using a Toshiba FlashAir Wi-Fi card or directly via a card reader connected to your computer. I use a 16GB FlashAir card with my M-D (Typ 262), and it works seamlessly with FM Studio. I rarely need to remove the bottom plate anymore...I just connect through the app to transfer, cull, and edit EXIF metadata directly.
Oct 26, 2026 at 06:34 PM
leorafa35mm
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p.2 #2 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


I don't know if I missed this anywhere but is there a trial available? I don't see a way to try it out before commiting to a subscription.


Oct 26, 2026 at 07:41 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.2 #3 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


leorafa35mm wrote:
I don't know if I missed this anywhere but is there a trial available? I don't see a way to try it out before commiting to a subscription.

Good question. There isn't a free trial at the moment. The closest thing is the 1-month plan at $9.95, which you can pay once by card or PayPal without auto-renew, so it won't renew on its own. That gives you a full month to run it with your own camera and Lightroom setup.

Also, FM Studio isn't subscription-only. There's a one-time lifetime license if you'd rather buy it once and be done. It never expires, and you'd get the updates as FM Studio grows.
Oct 26, 2026 at 10:23 PM
mcbroomf
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p.2 #4 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


Hi Fred,
Will a single license work on more than one Mac (and how many)?

Also, when you finish a Windows version will a license work on both Mac and Windows machines?

Thanks

Mike
Oct 27, 2026 at 09:19 AM
Fred Miranda
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p.2 #5 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


mcbroomf wrote:
Hi Fred,
Will a single license work on more than one Mac (and how many)?

Also, when you finish a Windows version will a license work on both Mac and Windows machines?

Thanks

Mike

Hi Mike,

Yes. A license is personal to you, and you can use it on your own Macs. There's no set limit at the moment, so a desktop and a laptop are no problem.

A Windows version is in development, and your license will cover both. One license will work on Mac and Windows at no extra cost, including for people who have already bought. I don't have a release date yet.

Fred
Oct 27, 2026 at 10:56 AM
SlowDriver
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p.2 #6 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


Fred Miranda wrote:
Thanks for asking. Windows is something I'm seriously considering, and part of the app should carry over.

Just out of curiosity, but related to this question, is it coded in Swift?


Oct 27, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Fred Miranda
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p.2 #7 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


FM Studio 1.2 is out!

First, a note on the quick updates since the release. Think of them as initial growing pains, and they should slow down a bit now. FM Studio works with a lot of different cameras, and since launch and based on feedback, we have been adding meaningful features and fixes so everyone gets the most out of it. Thanks for your patience and for the feedback.

The big change in v1.2 is that FM Studio now runs in its own app window instead of a browser window:

⦿ It has its own menu bar and feels like any other Mac app.
⦿ Closing the window keeps FM Studio running, and clicking its icon in the Dock brings the window back.
⦿ You can zoom with Cmd+Plus, Cmd+Minus and Cmd+0. FM Studio remembers your zoom and the size and position of the window.
⦿ Links, such as the manual, open in your regular web browser.
⦿ Your saved presets are now kept by the app itself.

Everything else works as before. If the window can't open for any reason, FM Studio falls back to your browser the way it used to. You can download the latest version from the FM Studio page, and the updated manual is there too.

I'm going back to the drawing board now and will keep working on Windows support. I will share news when there is something to show.
Oct 27, 2026 at 01:04 PM
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p.2 #8 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


How about code replacements? Do you use that feature (I do extensively) and didn't see it mentioned in FM Studio. Maybe I missed it. But yeah, cropping, and code replacement are non-negotiables for my workflow. I rate photos in camera and not lock them, so that feature is not quite as important for me.

schlotz wrote:
Fred this looks very interesting and it appears you've put quite a lot of effort to make it usable. While I've been a long time user of Photo Mechanic (PM) due to it's ability to support working professionals' needs, FM Studio seems to mostly cover PM's functionality. For me to seriously consider it I would need to see that it definitely recognizes locked photos and can only download them. The other aspect, which I use in PM because it's faster than in LR, is cropping capability. Cropping wouldn't be a deal breaker but I would have to modify my workflow...Show more →
Oct 27, 2026 at 01:30 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.2 #9 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


timgangloff wrote:
How about code replacements? Do you use that feature (I do extensively) and didn't see it mentioned in FM Studio. Maybe I missed it. But yeah, cropping, and code replacement are non-negotiables for my workflow. I rate photos in camera and not lock them, so that feature is not quite as important for me.

Thank you for the detailed feedback. While I don't currently have plans to add cropping, I wouldn't rule it out for the future. That feature really belongs in dedicated post-processing tools like Lightroom or Capture One, so for now, I'm going to leave it to them.

Code replacements are a different story. FM Studio already includes ExifTool and already writes metadata into your photos as they download, though today that covers a few EXIF fields such as lens, aperture and ISO. ExifTool can also write IPTC and XMP fields like caption, keywords, creator and copyright, so adding code replacements for those is realistic. I can't promise a date, but I'm adding it to my list and it's good to know it matters to your workflow.
Oct 27, 2026 at 01:45 PM
 


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timgangloff
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p.2 #10 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


Fred,

sincerely appreciate your quick and detailed responses.

Fred Miranda wrote:
Thank you for the detailed feedback. While I don't currently have plans to add cropping, I wouldn't rule it out for the future. That feature really belongs in dedicated post-processing tools like Lightroom or Capture One, so for now, I'm going to leave it to them.

Code replacements are a different story. FM Studio already includes ExifTool and already writes metadata into your photos as they download, though today that covers a few EXIF fields such as lens, aperture and ISO. ExifTool can also write IPTC and XMP fields like caption, keywords, creator and copyright, so adding code replacements for...Show more →
Oct 27, 2026 at 04:18 PM
Joe Colson
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p.2 #11 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


Excellent work, Fred. I've been using ImageIngester (authored by Marc Rochkind) for years but its useful life ends with MacOS 27. I run it with Rosetta now. FM Studio does most of what I need and I'm relieved that I now have an alternative to ImageIngester.

One feature request that I have is the ability to name folders using the same constructs as file renaming. For example, my folders are [YYYY][MM][DD]_[model].

Thanks very much, and know that I'm willing to beta test any changes.
Oct 27, 2026 at 09:59 PM
Joe Colson
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p.2 #12 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


Just to be clear, here's the dialog box from ImageIngester that lets me construct the folder and file names.
Oct 28, 2026 at 10:40 AM
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p.2 #13 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


I bought the lifetime option. The download into my Mac Mini was painless, but, linking to my M10 Monochrom is, well, the little wheels kept turning, on each device, though the Mac told me they were connected… I am reminded why I loathe computers, so very much.

I downloaded into a current-until-today iPad Mini, which does pair seamlessly, with the camera, with the Leica FOTOS app, but, I still have to sort-out whether the FM app will cooperate, because, then the camera started complaining about its juice running low. Darned M10 batteries…

The iPad Mini would be my preferred way to interface with a camera, when out and about. An iPhone is annoying too small, and a larger tablet or laptop is more than I would rather carry. Perhaps I should buy an 11” iPad Pro sooner, rather than later.

The Mac Mini seems to be “telling” me that it would rather that I physically tether the camera, so that it can remain connected to wi-fi. Next up, after I walk the little dogs, I’ll try tethering my Nikon ZR, with the cable…

I remain optimistic.
Oct 28, 2026 at 01:30 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.2 #14 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


Joe Colson wrote:
Excellent work, Fred. I've been using ImageIngester (authored by Marc Rochkind) for years but its useful life ends with MacOS 27. I run it with Rosetta now. FM Studio does most of what I need and I'm relieved that I now have an alternative to ImageIngester.

One feature request that I have is the ability to name folders using the same constructs as file renaming. For example, my folders are [YYYY][MM][DD]_[model].

Thanks very much, and know that I'm willing to beta test any changes.

Thanks, Joe, I'm glad FM Studio can replace ImageIngester for you. Folder naming with the same placeholders as file renaming is a good idea. FM Studio already has them (date, camera model, counter, your own text), so it's very doable. I've added it to my list and will let you know when it's ready.
Oct 28, 2026 at 01:34 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.2 #15 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


RexGig0 wrote:
I bought the lifetime option. The download into my Mac Mini was painless, but, linking to my M10 Monochrom is, well, the little wheels kept turning, on each device, though the Mac told me they were connected… I am reminded why I loathe computers, so very much.

I downloaded into a current-until-today iPad Mini, which does pair seamlessly, with the camera, with the Leica FOTOS app, but, I still have to sort-out whether the FM app will cooperate, because, then the camera started complaining about its juice running low. Darned M10 batteries…

The iPad Mini would be my preferred way to interface...Show more →

Thanks for picking up the Lifetime license, and sorry about the Wi-Fi trouble. A few things that should help. FM Studio runs on a Mac only (Windows is next), so it won’t work on the iPad.

Also, the camera’s Wi-Fi usually works with one device at a time, so close the Leica FOTOS app and unpair the iPad before connecting the Mac. When the Mac joins the camera’s Wi-Fi, it drops your home Wi-Fi, so if you can, plug the Mac Mini into your router with a network cable to keep the internet on. Wi-Fi also uses a lot of battery, so for a big batch a card reader or USB is faster.

Let me know how the Nikon ZR goes over USB. If you have an other technical questions please reach me via PM.


Oct 28, 2026 at 01:36 PM
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p.2 #16 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


Thanks, Fred. I did have to disconnect the Mac Mini from the house wi-fi, to force it to connect to the M10 Monochrom camera. I noticed that on my own, but, thanks,

Thanks for the other tips.
Oct 28, 2026 at 02:06 PM
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p.2 #17 · FM Studio: review, tag and transfer photos on Mac


Fred Miranda wrote:
Hi Mike,

Yes. A license is personal to you, and you can use it on your own Macs. There's no set limit at the moment, so a desktop and a laptop are no problem.

A Windows version is in development, and your license will cover both. One license will work on Mac and Windows at no extra cost, including for people who have already bought. I don't have a release date yet.

Fred

Awesome, looking forward to the windows release!
Oct 28, 2026 at 03:26 PM
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