Used M8 shutter fault

[thompsonkirk]

You'll need to see an estimate, & I hope the repair is minor. But if it's major, your best bet may be to upgrade to the 'M8u' shutter. It's quieter & doesn't seem to jar the camera as much.

Kirk

[john_newell]

I managed to un-freeze a shutter that had become frozen under exactly those circumstances. IIRC what I did that finally unlocked it was to power it up in C mode with the shutter release pressed or something along those lines. It worked fine thereafter. Good luck. I have avoided C mode ever since and would lock it out if I could...

[jsrockit]

Please let us know how much the repair is if you don't mind... Thanks.

[jbgeach]

I'll keep you updated. It should arrive tomorrow morning. Was $66 to overnight to Allentown, NJ. I hope I have an estimate soon. They said they would mail it to me, can they email it? I emailed them and they haven't gotten back yet.
Thanks for the support
Jonathan

[ho_co]

Jonathan--
They've got an operating procedure that includes mail. Period.

After your camera arrives, it takes about two business days to get entered into their system. From that point on, it can be accessed by Customer Service.

However, they will still send you a written estimate which you must accept or decline in writing by mail.

My recommendation is that you wait one or two days after your carrier shows the package 'delivered,' and then call Allendale and ask for "Repairs" or "Customer Service" (I think that for this type of thing they are equivalent). Leave a message on the phonemail you're likely to get, with camera serial number, explaining you'd like information about the estimate or status or however you want to put it.

When you get a call back, usually the next day, you'll have established a personal contact.

That's my experience of the system.

[jbgeach]

Hi guys, update here. My estimate is $425. They have to replace the release magnet, will also upgrade some other stuff, clean everything and adjust the focus. This is about what I was expecting. Still haven't gotten near the price of an M8.2

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by jbgeach

Hi guys, update here. My estimate is $425. They have to replace the release magnet, will also upgrade some other stuff, clean everything and adjust the focus. This is about what I was expecting. Still haven't gotten near the price of an M8.2

I'd say that is fair... good to know that it isn't $1000+....

[john_newell]

The camera was not covered by any kind of warranty from your seller? Or had it been too long?

[jbgeach]

I bought it used off forum, no waranty

[jaapv]

Originally Posted by jbgeach

Hi guys, update here. My estimate is $425. They have to replace the release magnet, will also upgrade some other stuff, clean everything and adjust the focus. This is about what I was expecting. Still haven't gotten near the price of an M8.2

You'll get a year of full warrantee out of it as well. That should ease the pain.

[2Bébèrt]

a nice "shutter and mirror" ballet video to ease the mind while you wait for the repaired M8.

YouTube - Nikon D3 slow motion - Continuous 11fps

[etp095]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Anyone know how much the repair is for an out of warranty M8? Just curious.

the price to upgrade the m8 shutter to an 8.2 shutter is $1300.00.

[jbgeach]

So I got my m8 back today. It works great. I really missed it. It was out of commission since Thanksgiving day, so I was out of a camera for two weeks. However, I am really happy to have it back for Christmas. The service was fine. They did return the camera to me by 2nd day air. Just hope it doesn't mess up again.

[Frank Black]

Originally Posted by john_newell

I managed to un-freeze a shutter that had become frozen under exactly those circumstances. IIRC what I did that finally unlocked it was to power it up in C mode with the shutter release pressed or something along those lines. It worked fine thereafter. Good luck. I have avoided C mode ever since and would lock it out if I could...

Yeah

I also had problems 2 times with the C on my M8

One time in India, where i was really scared, but it went fast, as i took out the batery

And today, when i had to take of the batery several times as i didnt even had batery indicator on ..

Uff

C mode is gone for me...

I guess i never use it again, just in case...

[jbgeach]

Have put over 1000 clicks on it this Christmas, things are still going well. I am trying to use it freely and in lots of situations now that it is under warranty.

[borrel]

Same problem. Sounds like this: http://abdallah.hiof.no/photography/leica-m8.mp3 In my case it is brought on by low temperatures. I have had it intermittently at around +15°C and below (with the error message) , but at -10°C it only takes 15 minutes for it to recycle continuously (without the error message as it does not stop by itself). It is only stopped by removing the battery and starts again as soon at the power is turned on. A 5D2 in the same conditions performed flawlessly.

- Børre

[wstotler]

Originally Posted by Frank Black

C mode is gone for me... I guess i never use it again, just in case...

I think the same thing about "C" mode--I don't use it. "C" tends to lock up my camera after shooting through a full sequence of shots, leaving me with a permanently flashing red light that requires a battery removal to reset the camera. This situation sucks. I mean, I *have* a C mode on my camera that I can't use without fear of jamming up the camera. But, "S" mode is what I use most of the time anyway, so I'm over it. I'm also suspicious of the "discrete" mode as I've had lockups using that, also. These days, I stick to "S" and the camera's behavior seems to be just fine 99.99% of the time, only needing a battery removal/reset during shooting every third month or so. Again, sucks, because it shouldn't happen at all. But I can live with it. I'm dreading the day that I get the "Attention! Shutter Fault!" like the original poster. Figure it will happen eventually.

Thanks,
Will

[johnalex141r]

So, my M8 used to do this when it was really cold: (thanks for the sound clip Børre!)

Originally Posted by borrel

...Same problem. Sounds like this: http://abdallah.hiof.no/photography/leica-m8.mp3 In my case it is brought on by low temperatures. I have had it intermittently at around +15°C and below (with the error message) , but at -10°C it only takes 15 minutes for it to recycle continuously (without the error message as it does not stop by itself). It is only stopped by removing the battery and starts again as soon at the power is turned on...

Then this year it started doing this when it was about 5 degrees C; New Years day, it happened again, this time it was just at the freezing mark. Now, it even did the "cycle sound" thing a couple of times yesterday at room temperature.

So, what does the repair entail? Is this a fault that is going to come around again 2 years from now, or is it actually fixed?

My little Olympus 35rc saved the day New Years' day; if this is a continuous repair; with the cost of the repair, and Leica batteries, and depreciation, film might turn out to be cheaper to shoot - scary thought.

Thanks; JohnS.

[jsjxyz]

My recently fixed M8 for vertical problem, suddenly now showing Attention Shutter Fault after using it several hundreth shoots.

And it is out of warranty now.

[atufte]

Originally Posted by Frank Black

Yeah

I also had problems 2 times with the C on my M8

One time in India, where i was really scared, but it went fast, as i took out the batery

And today, when i had to take of the batery several times as i didnt even had batery indicator on ..

Uff

C mode is gone for me...

I guess i never use it again, just in case...

Just do this, problem solved:

Leica M8/M9 power switch fix | galerielux