M8 Battery

[Spo]

I'm an M8 newbie having only got mine a few days ago. I'm loving it so far, real photography is back and I'm actually having to think about exposures and focus!!
Quick query though. My camera was a demo version, it's immaculate and appears in perfect order however, the battery seems unwilling to take a proper charge.
I've charged it overnight twice now and on putting it into the body it shows up at the lowest level. It also rattles The battery) when you shake it!!

I'm assuming it's just a dud but was wondering historically if there is a battery issue with the camera?

[Bo_Lorentzen]

Hello Spo,

Have not heard about a rattling battery problem. always with charging naturally make sure it is completely empty before charging, but I am guessing it is ruined by being "topped off" for too long in the store maybe.

grap a new one and be on with the fun.

.

[ljclark]

Originally Posted by Bo_Lorentzen

always with charging naturally make sure it is completely empty before charging, but I am guessing it is ruined by being "topped off" for too long in the store maybe.

From batteryuniversity.com:

"Unlike nickel and lead-based batteries, a new lithium-ion pack does not need cycling through charging and discharging. Priming will make little difference because the maximum capacity of lithium-ion is available right from the beginning. Neither does a full discharge improve the capacity of a faded pack."

"Do charge the battery often. The battery lasts longer with partial rather than full discharges."

"Avoid full cycle because of wear. 80% depth-of-discharge recommended. Recharge more often. Avoid full discharge. Low voltage may cut off safety circuit."

[Shootist]

Is it a real Leica battery? Does it say LEICA CAMERA on it, #14464?
If not then it is not a real Leica battery and it is a aftermarket battery.
It has been my experience with aftermarket batteries, I have 2 of them, that you need to fully discharge them before you recharge them for the battery meter in the M8 to show it is fully charged.
What you do is put the battery in the camera and turn it on. Set the Auto Off feature, menu option, to OFF. That way the camera will not shut off automatically and the battery will get fully drained. This is also a good idea to do every now and then even to real Leica batteries.
Then recharge the battery. If it then doesn't show a full charge then the battery is faulty and needs to be replaced.

No none of my real Leica or aftermarket batteries rattle.

[MitchoIankov]

My Leica battery 'rattles' from the day it arrived. It changes fine (more than 2 year now).

[norm_snyder]

I have one replacement battery, from Leica, which has "rattled" from the day I got it. Charges as quickly, lasts as long as any of my other batteries.

Good luck--I'd suggest getting a new battery, as well.

[sfokevin]

Originally Posted by Shootist

Is it a real Leica battery? Does it say LEICA CAMERA on it, #14464?

Don't assume that a battery that has LEICA or the number 14464 is a true Leica battery...

Those capitalist Chinese are still on the easy slope of the Trademark learning curve...

If you got your demo camera from a reputable dealer they should replace the battery...

If you are looking at a low cost used original battery from a reputable dealer...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...1931&A=buyUsed

[thompsonkirk]

When one of mine rattled & didn't charge properly, I sent it back to NJ & they sent me a new one.

It took a while, because they were out-of-stock!

You're going to want a spare battery anyway, because they don't last for a lot of shots. So I suggest just buying another one & calling Customer Service about exchanging the rattley one.

Kirk

[Spo]

Folks, Thanks for all your quick replies. My battery seems to be genuine and has come from a reputable dealer. I've ordered another and will try and get this one changed.
Looking forward to using the forum regularly, looks like there's a lot of relevant information here.
Cheers

[Spo]

Well, just when I thought I'd sorted things out... new battery arrived today (real Leica battery from an approved dealer), charged it up over a six hour period, yellow light went off. Placed it in the camera, it showed up at the lowest level and I drained it by taking about 30-40 continuous shots.
So I figure that I have a problem with either the charger or the camera itself...or am I missing something??
Any suggestions gratefully received!!

[farnz]

Sorry to hear about your ongoing problem but unless your M8's getting hot then I'd suspect the charger. To drain the current from a fully charged battery in such a short time would invariably cause something to heat up.

Pete.

[Shootist]

Originally Posted by farnz

Sorry to hear about your ongoing problem but unless your M8's getting hot then I'd suspect the charger. To drain the current from a fully charged battery in such a short time would invariably cause something to heat up.

Pete.

Agree with this, probably the charger. You need to contact the dealer you bought it from and get another (NEW) charger.

If you know anyone that has a M8/.2 try charging your batteries in their charger and see what happens.

[Spo]

My trauma is over...it was the charger. I now have two fully charged batteries, life is great! Thanks for all the advice.