streetshot Posted September 8, 2009 Share #1 Posted September 8, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) For reasons I cannot explain, when I set the rear-door dial for the ISO/ASA of the film I'm using the readout in the viewfinder doesn't match. If set the dial to 400 ASA, the readout says "500", if I set it for 320 ASA, the readout says "400". So its consistently 1/3 stop more in the viewfinder than the dial setting. I've been living with this daily and its not a huge deal but it is distracting and I wonder what I should believe...is the readout in the viewfinder the true setting in the mind of the camera or is the ISO position set with the dial on the back door what it pays attention to? And which one is right? Is there a simple fix to true-up the difference between these two or does this involve a trip to Leica service in NJ? And setting the compensation one way or the other by 1/3 stop is not the option that would work for me. Anyone have experience with this? With thanks, Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 8, 2009 Posted September 8, 2009 Hi streetshot, Take a look here M7 ISO dial doesn't match ISO readout in viewfinder..... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
alun Posted September 8, 2009 Share #2 Posted September 8, 2009 It sounds like a job for Leica tech service. I had multiple problems with my M7 a few years back (although not the one you describe) and they were finally fixed by replacement of the DX reader and a subsequent second trip to Leica for replacement of a circuit board that was also malfunctioning (but wasn't identified as a problem when the DX reader was replaced). This was a pain (it was a new M7) but to Leica's credit they also upgraded the finder to the MP variant at nil cost. It has worked perfectly since then. I hope you get the problem sorted out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted September 8, 2009 Share #3 Posted September 8, 2009 Just a thought: Is the plus/minus exposure compensation setting, which surrounds the ISO dial, in its neutral position? If not, that could be the cause of your problem, as you may have a certain offset permanently keyed in. Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted September 8, 2009 Share #4 Posted September 8, 2009 For reasons I cannot explain, when I set the rear-door dial for the ISO/ASA of the film I'm using the readout in the viewfinder doesn't match. If set the dial to 400 ASA, the readout says "500", if I set it for 320 ASA, the readout says "400". So its consistently 1/3 stop more in the viewfinder than the dial setting........ With thanks, Michael Michael, What happens if you set the ISO/ASA dial to DX (so that it reads the ISO/ASA speed directly from the film canister) - does the camera still indicate incorrect film speed? In this case I would try cleaning the DX contacts in the film chamber. Just a thought:Is the plus/minus exposure compensation setting, which surrounds the ISO dial, in its neutral position? If not, that could be the cause of your problem, as you may have a certain offset permanently keyed in. Andy This could be another possibility. Best, Jan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom M Posted September 10, 2009 Share #5 Posted September 10, 2009 Streetshot: My first M7 made several trips to Leica Service in Toronto and eventually, to Solms for inconsistent ISO displays and blinking warning lights. After altogether nine months, it returned with the contact ISO sensors replaced with a photo ISO reader (for want of an official term) in the film chamber. Having lost patience after a few months waiting, I bought another M7 which, after the first film, also showed erratic ISO readings and blinking red lights. I suspect, that the tight film chamber leads to damage of the contact sensors by the film canister, but this only a guess. I was not prepared to repeat the servicing experience with my second M7 and I sold it. The photo ISO reader on my original M7 has worked without problems for the past four years. Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris roberts Posted September 17, 2009 Share #6 Posted September 17, 2009 Hmm. This thread has got me a bit concerned. I bought a used M7 (serial 277.....) Just over a week ago. Discovered the blinking light when I put a film in it later that morning. Popped back to the dealer (Classic Camera, London) who was very helpful and tried new batteries - problem solved. However later that day the light started blinking again, but the ISO reading was correct, as were all the shots taken that day. Phoned dealer back and after enquiries, Leica suggested dirty contacts, or something like that, which was a quick job. A further roll of B&W came out perfectly exposed, but still the blinking light. Camera has now gone back to Classic Camera for checking/repair. Their comment on checking the camera was that 'strange things seemed to be going on in the viewfinder', so it's off for repair. Hopefully it is just dirty contacts somewhere as I don't want to be without it for too long if I can help it. I've only just come back to RF cameras after several years of using only slrs and want to make up for lost time! Sorry if I've run on a bit here:>) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted September 17, 2009 Share #7 Posted September 17, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Chris, check whether your camera still has the old DX reader (you will see golden contacts in the film cartridge receiving chamber). If so, have your dealer change it to the new contact-less, optical DX reader (Leica normally does that for free). Your problems should be gone then. Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris roberts Posted September 18, 2009 Share #8 Posted September 18, 2009 Thanks Andy. I should have mentioned, I think, that it has the ir reader installed. I await feedback from the dealer and just hope it's not news that the camera has to go back to Solms. Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrh68uk Posted September 18, 2009 Share #9 Posted September 18, 2009 I noticed the lower blinking LED in my M7 a few days ago. Mine is a 294xxxx s/n with the optical DX reader. I rotated the rear dial away from, and back to, DX. Problem solved and has remained good since. I have put it down to one of two things: either the dial had moved slightly off (one click either side of DX central sets the LED off, correctly) or the contacts within the dial (or maybe between back door and main body) were bad. In any case, it's OK now, but I'll be keeping an eye on it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris roberts Posted September 18, 2009 Share #10 Posted September 18, 2009 Thanks for that. I tried the same with the dial and got random messages in the vf as well as no 'red dot' at all! I suspect you are right about there being dirt in there somewhere that is causing the problem. The interesting thing is that all shots have been correctly exposed, so the reader, clearly, is picking up the correct ISO, whether set to DX or the film's ASA number. Regards, Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sepiareverb Posted September 18, 2009 Share #11 Posted September 18, 2009 I've been having blinking lights & etc. from two of my M7's for a while. One has the new DX reader, one does not. Neither has the extra washer in the baseplate, and I can hear the film rattling around in the film chamber after I rewind. I'm adding the washer and hope that will end these blinkers. Spinning the DX dial does help sometimes, but I wonder if that simple re-aligns the film cassette in the camera? One of these cameras goes through batteries fast no matter what I do- shooting at manually set 60 & 125 most of the time even. That one is next for a trip to NJ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris roberts Posted September 18, 2009 Share #12 Posted September 18, 2009 This is starting to sound a bit too commonplace for comfort. I know my M7 exposes accurately, but I don't expect this sort of irritation from what is supposed to be Leica's latest (and best???) creation in film cameras. If the blinking light is supposed to warn you that you've altered something (ASA, or exposure compensation) and its blinking reguardless then it can't perform its function. I'm beginning to wonder if I've made a wise choice in trading a perfectly functioning M6 Classic. However, I need to wait to hear from the repairer I suppose before getting too concerned. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrh68uk Posted September 19, 2009 Share #13 Posted September 19, 2009 Chris, can you remember what the random messages were, that you saw? At the DX central setting I have (now) no flashing LED. As I click away from the central point I'm introducing exposure compensation with two stops either way, as per the indications for exposure comp. on the back (actually, I wasn't aware it worked this way, i.e., you can simply rotate the inner dial to introduce exposure comp. without having to use the button to rotate the outer dial, but it works, and I digress...) So, at two stops either side of central I get a valid, compensated reading with flashing LED. One click outside of this range at either end and I get a flashing "ASA" until the marked ISO settings are approached. I don't see any other messages and so I'm just wondering what you saw and what it could mean. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris roberts Posted September 19, 2009 Share #14 Posted September 19, 2009 I got ASA, no red dot at all, blinking and then steady red dot, random numbers and a dot that all flashed and then nothing at all at one point. I am also now not sure that I was correctly informed as to whether or not my camera did, in fact, have the IR reader. Pictures I've seen of the two tend to suggest that mine still has the original type of reader. I will speak to the dealer on Monday in an attempt to get to the bottom of this. I really am beginning to regret changing from my M6. A supposed upgrade is no good to me when the camera is with a service technician rather than capturing images Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris roberts Posted September 19, 2009 Share #15 Posted September 19, 2009 I forgot to mention that moving the rear dial, or pressing on it also generated all the above 'signals' in the viewfinder. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrh68uk Posted September 21, 2009 Share #16 Posted September 21, 2009 Hmm. Doesn't sound good but I hope it gets rectified soon. I have to say that my M7 is a joy and I'm not especially put off by the one occurrence I had of the flashing dot that I "fixed" myself. When I change the film soon I'll check the contacts between back and body, but I suspect they're fine. I strongly suspect the dial itself and I'm lucky in that I have more than three years of Passport left. Hope you get yours back soon - let us know what happens... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris roberts Posted October 2, 2009 Share #17 Posted October 2, 2009 Well the M7 arrived today. The carbon track under the ISO/DX dial was replaced and the problem seems cured. Just one question as it isn't clear in the manual (well not to me, anyway). Should the lower led point be on steadily when everything is set as standard? I ask because, in the past, I've had such random signals from it that I don't know what is supposed to be normal, i.e. with dial set to DX, no exposure compensation, DX film loaded, should there be a steady led point, or no led point? Sorry to be such a muppet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted October 3, 2009 Share #18 Posted October 3, 2009 Well the M7 arrived today. The carbon track under the ISO/DX dial was replaced and the problem seems cured. Just one question as it isn't clear in the manual (well not to me, anyway). Should the lower led point be on steadily when everything is set as standard? I ask because, in the past, I've had such random signals from it that I don't know what is supposed to be normal, i.e. with dial set to DX, no exposure compensation, DX film loaded, should there be a steady led point, or no led point? Sorry to be such a muppet. DX set, no comp = no bottom light. DX set, With Comp = blinking bottom light. Wrong film speed set from what DX read is seeing = blinking bottom light Never saw the bottom light stay lit, it is either blinking or out Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris roberts Posted October 3, 2009 Share #19 Posted October 3, 2009 Thanks Shootist. Much appreciated. Happy bunny now:>) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Lemon Posted October 6, 2009 Share #20 Posted October 6, 2009 Ok worried now! So checking my understanding if I set dial to 160 for my 100 portra film then: Wrong film speed set from what DX read is seeing = blinking bottom light. Thats correct yes Chris/Shootist? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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