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M8 Freezing Issue / Power Issue


mklnz

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I have recently purchased an used Leica M8 and have noticed one very peculiar issue.

When the camera is in the "OFF" position, sometimes I accidentally process the shutter button and sometimes the red LED comes on. If I subsequently turn on the camera by changing to S/C/Timer positions, the camera becomes buggy and is unable to turn on fully.

 

There is no exposure or shutter timer in the viewfinder, and also the top LCD does not come on. I'm able to access things in the menu, although it is very laggy compared to normal.

 

So I try switch to the OFF position again, the camera is still able to access menu, play functions. It is as if the camera is "stuck" and won't turn off, and sometimes the shutter releases after a minute or so of being stuck.

 

While its stuck like this, I can hear a high pitched noise cycling over and over again.

 

I have to remove the battery and it will reset the camera back to its normal state again.

 

I'm just wondering if anyone else have come across this issue? First of all it is weird how the LED lights up when I press the shutter even though the camera is off. Does it light up for any of you guys when your camera is OFF?

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... Does it light up for any of you guys when your camera is OFF?

Nope, mine doesn't.

 

Sounds to me like a switch problem. You might try both pressing the shutter release at funny angles and as usual--just give it a work-out; and switching the main switch on and off a number of times and giving it a work-out as well.

 

Mark Norton would probably have a good idea where the problem lies--he's the one who disassembled his M8 to create the "Anatomy of the M8" thread (http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/21331-anatomy-leica-m8.html).

 

I would think it might be a piece of sand keeping it from turning all the way off. If you can't get it straightened out by working the switches and popping it against the palm of your hand (those would be my suggestions, but not guaranteed ;) ), I'd say it should get a trip to Leica when you feel like it.

 

As you know, pulling the battery is a good trick any time an electronic device acts up, but the M8 shouldn't be behaving that way.

 

And, as Jaap said, be sure you're running the latest M8 firmware.

 

Welcome aboard the forum! :)

 

And keep us posted how this works itself out.

Edited by ho_co
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Thanks guys for the prompt replies.

 

ho_co:

I've tried working the switches and the shutter however the problem still persists :(

 

What should be my next step? Should I contact the store I purchased the used M8 from first before contacting Leica? They advertised it as fault free. I would assume sending it to Leica would be costly.

 

I've made a video about the issue just in case I wasn't clear.

 

Edit: Sorry, I forgot to mention I've already updated to 2.005.

Edited by mklnz
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formosadog:

Sorry, I forgot to mention I've already updated to 2.005.

The camera came as 2.004, so I upgraded to 2.005 to see if it fixes things but it didn't unfortunately.

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Thanks guys for the prompt replies.

 

ho_co:

I've tried working the switches and the shutter however the problem still persists :(

 

What should be my next step? Should I contact the store I purchased the used M8 from first before contacting Leica? They advertised it as fault free. I would assume sending it to Leica would be costly.

 

I've made a video about the issue just in case I wasn't clear.

 

Edit: Sorry, I forgot to mention I've already updated to 2.005.

 

Sorry for the problem with your M8. I saw the YouTube Video and it is definitely that M8 is out of order. It may not be a simple switch problem. Looks more serious to me.

If I were you, bring M8 back to the store and get refund or exchange to another one.

SATOKI

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Yes, it isn't fault-free. Definitely has a problem that needs correcting. "Advertised as fault-free" is almost like a warranty, but not quite, I guess.

 

Definitely check with the store and see what they're willing to do to get it working right (and to keep it sold). ;)

 

 

Rather nicely done video, with the help pointers along the way. Maybe it's Leica's way of saying you should go into video production instead of stills. :D

Edited by ho_co
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Thanks for the pointers guys, I'll contact the store I got it from and sort it out from there. Hopefully they're willing to do something about it.

 

Otherwise I may just have to be careful and not press the shutter when the camera is off. It just sucks when you miss the moment because your camera can't turn on and you have to take the battery out.

 

Maybe I should've just saved up for a brand new M9 :p

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One tip that I was given (by the Forum) when something vaguely similar happened to me was - take the battery out and leave it out at least overnight, maybe even 24 hours; after that, take a fully charged battery (a different one if possible), insert it and try the camera.

No guarantees, but it worked for me and no further trouble, so perhaps worth a try; but I would still recommend talking to your supplier.

Good luck - and welcome to the Forum.

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  • 2 years later...
the due suggestions have been posted above at times .. you need to look at those for help !

 

Yes I did; I went through the whole post many times and obviously tried those without much success hence the post.

 

Anyway, I got it solved. It was the piece of plastic like stopper inside the shutter chamber that got out of place. Replaced it to its original position and it's now solved.

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