Daniel Beacock Posted March 16, 2017 Share #1 Posted March 16, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) After 3 years of careful ownership I have finally managed to drop my M240, and not once, but twice, in the space of about 2 minutes!! Over concrete. From a height of a couple of feet..... Nice little dent on the left hand edge of the top plate and a rangefinder so out if whack I could only focus if I was drunk! Can't believe I was so stupid. Forgot to zip up my bag and then, after checking the camera over after the first drop, then managed to repeat the error!! Not a good morning... And to top it all I'm due to fly to New York on the 1st April! Luckily the EVF option is still ok for focusing, so all is but lost, and the rest of the camera seems fine. Tough bit of kit indeed. I'm assuming turn around time for repair back at Leica is not an option before the trip, but does anyone know how long it would take to repair anyway? Also, as it's covered by insurance, I wonder whether Leica would choose to replace the top plate? It is mostly cosmetic damage, nothing bent out of shape, but I don't know whether they would suggest it at the same time. Thanks Daniel Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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matlep Posted March 16, 2017 Share #2 Posted March 16, 2017 At the moment repair times at Leica seems to be around 4-6 weeks. You can always send it in for express repair at a premium. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted March 16, 2017 Share #3 Posted March 16, 2017 I left mine at Leica Mayfair yesterday for RF recalibration after dropping it, from a foot or so, onto a carpeted floor - not too far out, but far enough to be annoying. I was told 4-6 weeks. Smart move, dropping it twice. You've invested in your bad luck all in one go, and for only one set of repair costs. I wish I'd thought that far ahead! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Beacock Posted March 16, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted March 16, 2017 Thanks for the replies, I guessed the repair time was going to be too long. Just tried working out how to focus with it out of alignment. As long as the rangefinder image is slightly to the right and slightly above the viewfinder image I can nail it! :-) ;-). If I weren't so p*ssed off it would be hilarious... Looks like it's EVF only for the next few weeks. Daniel Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rus Posted March 16, 2017 Share #5 Posted March 16, 2017 (edited) I don't know if this voids the warrant, but if it doesn't (and if I were you ) I'd try to attempt a quick fix of the rangefinder myself, using the usual method of checking infinity alignment and then check alignment at minimal focus distance, and adjust accordingly and repeat the checks until I'm satisfied that I can manage reasonably well to obtain focus (or know how much to compensate for). Just a thought~ Edited March 16, 2017 by Rus 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodies Posted March 16, 2017 Share #6 Posted March 16, 2017 I dropped mine after owning it for a week. Took about 6 weeks to repair, with the APO 90 which took most of the damage. 600€ Although still under warranty. I asked them to leave the dinged top plate as a reminder. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted March 16, 2017 Share #7 Posted March 16, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Sorry to hear that. But then again your quota of bad luck is over. I like the idea of EVF only camera after RF goes out of whack. From now on I will travel with the EVF. Just in case. BTW, I dropped mine from three feet on a rock last year. Mine was in neoprene pouch and bottom plate took the impact. Neoprene got cut and I have a nice notch on the bottom plate. My RF worked fine afterwords. I think my neoprene pouch helped absorb part of the impact. and yes, don't expect faster turnaround than 6 weeks. Hope you have fixed camera soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 16, 2017 Share #8 Posted March 16, 2017 After 3 years of careful ownership I have finally managed to drop my M240, and not once, but twice, in the space of about 2 minutes!! Over concrete. From a height of a couple of feet..... Nice little dent on the left hand edge of the top plate and a rangefinder so out if whack I could only focus if I was drunk! Can't believe I was so stupid. Forgot to zip up my bag and then, after checking the camera over after the first drop, then managed to repeat the error!! Not a good morning... And to top it all I'm due to fly to New York on the 1st April! Luckily the EVF option is still ok for focusing, so all is but lost, and the rest of the camera seems fine. Tough bit of kit indeed. I'm assuming turn around time for repair back at Leica is not an option before the trip, but does anyone know how long it would take to repair anyway? Also, as it's covered by insurance, I wonder whether Leica would choose to replace the top plate? It is mostly cosmetic damage, nothing bent out of shape, but I don't know whether they would suggest it at the same time. Thanks Daniel Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk Normally they will replace the top plate and return the damaged plate with the repaired camera. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted March 16, 2017 Share #9 Posted March 16, 2017 I wanted to understand what are the reasons for camera drops. I myself have dropped it by kicking tripod (no more leaving camera on tall tripod unattended) and from a high ledge using self timer for selfie (no more unstable platform). I have never dropped it from strap or from my hand. I don't use a bag therefore I haven't encountered camera spilling out of open bag. Any other cause of camera drop so that we can be more mindful? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott kirkpatrick Posted March 16, 2017 Share #10 Posted March 16, 2017 I've managed three drops in the past year. One was a lens which rolled off a chair onto a stone floor. The aperture ring is stiff when going from f/2 to f/1.4 but its picture-taking seems unaffected. More colorful was a recent simultaneous two-camera drop. The cameras were on top of a bureau about four feet high, when our acrobatic cat jumped up to see what was there. When yelled at, she jumped back off, but got tangled in two of the cameras. There was about 3/8" of carpet over a stone floor, and both cameras hit on their bottoms and seem fine. scott Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregm61 Posted March 16, 2017 Share #11 Posted March 16, 2017 (edited) I sent my M262 to NJ for a rangefinder calibration and cleaning under warranty in mid-January and it came back about two weeks ago, so 4-6 weeks is probably a good estimate. The parts question is where things could get more time-intensive, if there's something they need that's not in stock and they have to wait for part(s) from Germany. If your timing is good and they receive a shipment of parts soon, all the better. If not, well, it could be a while. Edited March 16, 2017 by Gregm61 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted March 16, 2017 Share #12 Posted March 16, 2017 I've managed three drops in the past year. One was a lens which rolled off a chair onto a stone floor. The aperture ring is stiff when going from f/2 to f/1.4 but its picture-taking seems unaffected. More colorful was a recent simultaneous two-camera drop. The cameras were on top of a bureau about four feet high, when our acrobatic cat jumped up to see what was there. When yelled at, she jumped back off, but got tangled in two of the cameras. There was about 3/8" of carpet over a stone floor, and both cameras hit on their bottoms and seem fine. scott Alright.. I will add "beware of cats" to my list of precautions.. Glad, your cameras were fine though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECohen Posted March 16, 2017 Share #13 Posted March 16, 2017 I've managed three drops in the past year. One was a lens which rolled off a chair onto a stone floor. The aperture ring is stiff when going from f/2 to f/1.4 but its picture-taking seems unaffected. More colorful was a recent simultaneous two-camera drop. The cameras were on top of a bureau about four feet high, when our acrobatic cat jumped up to see what was there. When yelled at, she jumped back off, but got tangled in two of the cameras. There was about 3/8" of carpet over a stone floor, and both cameras hit on their bottoms and seem fine. scott Never yell at a cat ......it scares them usually the doing more damage....my experience with a new Sport Jacket Man a double ...... that cat would be violin strings I know ......violin strings are not made from cat guts;-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Kilmister Posted March 16, 2017 Share #14 Posted March 16, 2017 Beware of alcohol. However lovely the taste it can lead to accidents. Drugs probably have a similar or stronger effect but, as they are illegal, I don't use them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodies Posted March 16, 2017 Share #15 Posted March 16, 2017 My accident was camera on a wrist strap, gloves on hands. Wrist strap slipped onto the cuff of the glove. When I pulled off the glove the camera went flying. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 17, 2017 Share #16 Posted March 17, 2017 Worst drop: about ten years ago: Camera (M8) and me took a wrong turn in the pitch dark and went down a small cliff. The camera bounced down the rocks about six meters., the photographer two. Damage: deep dents in the top plate, bottom plate bent, cracked body, rangefinder out of adjustment, shutter knocked into wrong position and blocked, focusing ring on lens blocked. Abrasions, bumps and mildly twisted ankle. The camera spent two weeks in Solms hospital, the photographer took six weeks to lose the marks. Total cost 1800: Euro for new shutter, top plate, front body shell, bottom plate and adjustment. Now you may well ask: What was I doing outside in the pitch dark with an M8? Honest answer I really don't recall. Anyway I blame the camera. It is well known that it has poor night vision. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted March 17, 2017 Share #17 Posted March 17, 2017 Worst drop: about ten years ago: Camera (M8) and me took a wrong turn in the pitch dark and went down a small cliff. The camera bounced down the rocks about six meters., the photographer two. Damage: deep dents in the top plate, bottom plate bent, cracked body, rangefinder out of adjustment, shutter knocked into wrong position and blocked, focusing ring on lens blocked. Abrasions, bumps and mildly twisted ankle. The camera spent two weeks in Solms hospital, the photographer took six weeks to lose the marks. Total cost 1800: Euro for new shutter, top plate, front body shell, bottom plate and adjustment. Now you may well ask: What was I doing outside in the pitch dark with an M8? Honest answer I really don't recall. Anyway I blame the camera. It is well known that it has poor night vision. .. and you don't appreciate high ISO nigh vision capability of M10. Glad that everything was ok at the end though. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted March 17, 2017 Share #18 Posted March 17, 2017 An iPhone comes with a camera and a flashlight. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 17, 2017 Share #19 Posted March 17, 2017 But would not be repairable after six meters off a cliff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted March 17, 2017 Share #20 Posted March 17, 2017 But would not be repairable after six meters off a cliff There's your problem... the flashlight could have prevented the wrong turn in the first place. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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