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Lost M240 baseplate magnet. DIY solution?


SKEdz

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The glued on magnet from my M240 baseplate fell off and has been lost. The camera is nonworking due to this. I've emailed the local Leica repair center (Singapore), yet I am currently in Thailand and traveling in SE Asia. Their answer (no parts here, will need to be sent back to Solms), which I want to try an avoid. Ive also considered another RSS baseplate (will have to ship international, etc).

 

I propose this question with hope there could be a simpler DIY solution. Does anyone know of an alternative solution, or have details about the small magnet (glued-bad design?)

Leica/RSS uses. I'm currently hunting a similar sized magent to use.. Would another (presumely) neodymium magnet work if I were to find one? A random issue, but seeing it is an inconvenience to take to service center now. Does anyone have a suggestion of an immediate fix? Thanks in advance.

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It is ridiculous to send the camera in for a baseplate problem.Let me take one guess: Schmidt?

 

Contact Solms. They can send a baseplate out by 24 hours courier.

 

Not necessarily.

 

The baseplate catch on my Monochrom is faulty. I spoke with someone in customer service in Solms who was very helpful. He put me in contact with someone in Leica Australia to arrange a replacement as I said that it was ludicrous that I have to send in the camera and be without it for a faulty baseplate.

 

Guess what? There are no spare Monochrom baseplates available. I then had to send in the camera so they could work out what parts to order to replace the catch. Camera is back with faulty baseplate whilst I wait for the parts to come in. Then I have to send the camera in again to get it fixed.

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Guess what? There are no spare Monochrom baseplates available. I then had to send in the camera so they could work out what parts to order to replace the catch. Camera is back with faulty baseplate whilst I wait for the parts to come in. Then I have to send the camera in again to get it fixed.

 

Indeed that is ludicrous. Couldn't you have been supplied with an M9 baseplate as a stopgap or are they now "unavailable" too?

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Indeed that is ludicrous. Couldn't you have been supplied with an M9 baseplate as a stopgap or are they now "unavailable" too?

 

No, I asked.

 

Shame I sold my M9 handgrip but I never used it. Didn't anticipate that I may need to use it for my own stock of spare parts :rolleyes:.

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It is ridiculous to send the camera in for a baseplate problem.Let me take one guess: Schmidt?

 

Contact Solms. They can send a baseplate out by 24 hours courier.

 

Sorry Jaapv. If it is Singapore it will be Leica itself - SEA regional Office.

 

If it is Schmitt I believe the Service was better - maybe a baseplate on loan while its being repaired or even better - an immediate replacement.

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There's a simple temporary solution. The internal magnetic sensor is very sensitive, probably Hall effect. A magnet a few inches away from the SD card area is sufficient to fool the camera into thinking it's base plate is attached.

 

With the base plate attached but no magnet the camera will indicate "Bottom Cover Removed" A small Neodymium magnet in the same position as the original but taped to the outside of the cover should be sufficient. You can check this by switching on the camera (with base plate on) and moving the magnet around until the error message disappears. The base plate is weakly paramagnetic (probably stainless steel and not brass) but is still easily penetrated by a magnetic field, I've tried it :).

 

Bob.

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I am currently in Thailand and traveling in SE Asia.
If you come to Hong Kong, go to Apliu St. in Sham Shui Po. One the street market there is a stand that sells neodyme magnets for HKD 5 the size of a HK 10c coin. Unfortunately I don't know the BK street markets so well ... There are also some nice photography accessories stores around :rolleyes:

 

Bernd

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The diameter of a HK 10c coin is 4mm? I don't think so!

I think Bernd intended the larger magnet to be attached to the outside of the baseplate as a temporary measure. With a larger magnet, say N35 material 10mm square/diameter it's position would not be critical at all.

 

Bob.

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This whole thing is ridiculous.

 

Why still retain the bottom plate missing function of the digital M cameras?

This has always bugged the heck out of me with the M8/9/MM.

It was most inconvenient when preparing cameras for use, when checking camera settings, formatting cards, etc …

 

Is the M10 also inoperable, when missing the baseplate (you cannot access camera menus, format cards, etc …)?

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Hi.

I have had a problem with my M240 baseplate. CS promised me to send a new one when it was available (no stock in Solms).

3 weeks after I got a mail informing that the baseplate was in stock, and they asked med to send the address for shipment. I did so, and 2 days later a new mail and they said "sorry but we need to have our technicians to look at the camera, so please send your camera to Solms".

I was close to Solms at that moment, so I went there, and the helpful lady picked up the new baseplate so I could change it myself. No technicians involved.

Strange, isn't it?

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Hi.

I have had a problem with my M240 baseplate. CS promised me to send a new one when it was available (no stock in Solms).

3 weeks after I got a mail informing that the baseplate was in stock, and they asked med to send the address for shipment. I did so, and 2 days later a new mail and they said "sorry but we need to have our technicians to look at the camera, so please send your camera to Solms".

I was close to Solms at that moment, so I went there, and the helpful lady picked up the new baseplate so I could change it myself. No technicians involved.

Strange, isn't it?

 

Could be they want a check in the system or they will be sending out a lot of baseplates if anyone can just phone and say "I have a faulty baseplate". Just a thought.

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Perhaps not so strange. My new M(240) had to be returned for a shutter replacement. I was told the camera ended up in their QA department. I think they are keen to analyse failures and determine their cause. The repair was carried out very promptly.

 

Bob.

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How about buying the Really Right Stuff baseplate/Arca Swiss rail? it replaces the M240 baseplate. You can get it with a grip on the right and a plate for verticals on the left. Both are removable. It attaches via the 1/4-20 tripod mount.

 

I like mine a lot.

 

Jim

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  • 1 year later...

Hi.

I have had a problem with my M240 baseplate. CS promised me to send a new one when it was available (no stock in Solms).

3 weeks after I got a mail informing that the baseplate was in stock, and they asked med to send the address for shipment. I did so, and 2 days later a new mail and they said "sorry but we need to have our technicians to look at the camera, so please send your camera to Solms".

I was close to Solms at that moment, so I went there, and the helpful lady picked up the new baseplate so I could change it myself. No technicians involved.

Strange, isn't it?

How much did you pay for it ?

 

I have lost and need another one 

 

thanks

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