wilfredo Posted December 29, 2009 Share #21 Posted December 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) After I read this message, sure enough my M8 did the Card Lock thing again. I replaced the battery with one that was fully charged and all was well again. It is a nag not to remove the SD card when the battery is not fully charged for fear that it will lock again but this is one of those little Leica annoyances some of us reluctantly have chosen to live with. As far as I can tell, Leica has never given an official explanation for why this happens. The tech whiz people on this forum come up with all kinds of theories but the bottom line appears to be that there is a flaw in design or quality control that has been carried over to the M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 29, 2009 Posted December 29, 2009 Hi wilfredo, Take a look here M9 became useless tonight. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
brainiac37 Posted December 30, 2009 Author Share #22 Posted December 30, 2009 Hi Wilfredo. Yeah, if replacing the battery fixes it, I'd go with that. It doesn't do the trick on my unit. No offense to anyone intended (except maybe Leica), but from looking at the forums, it's pretty weird to see that people have come up with all sorts of "home remedies" for the digital Leica's. If iPods/iPhones/cars/computers acted up like this periodically, people would be screaming bloody murder. Get your (digital) act together, Leica. Your amazing optics and legacy cry out for it... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiel Fokkema Posted December 30, 2009 Share #23 Posted December 30, 2009 Being a professional wedding photographer I take a backup to any occasion that is only remotely important. Anything can and will fail at some moment. Cheers, Michiel Fokkema Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brainiac37 Posted December 30, 2009 Author Share #24 Posted December 30, 2009 Being a professional wedding photographer I take a backup to any occasion that is only remotely important.Anything can and will fail at some moment. Michiel Fokkema Yes, great advice, Michael. It's very true, isn't it? I'm looking for a backup now... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
milyovsky Posted December 30, 2009 Share #25 Posted December 30, 2009 This is a function built into the M9 so that we might avoid the agony of having to take pictures of family gatherings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ccmsosse Posted December 30, 2009 Share #26 Posted December 30, 2009 I didn't have a backup camera, jaapv. On the one hand, if I have to carry a dSLR as a backup to the M9, that negates the small and light advantage of the rangefinder. No one should have to carry a backup to make up for what is essentially a defective camera (whether design, firmware, or just the "unluck" of my draw). On the other hand, whether I "should" or "should not" have to carry a backup doesn't change the fact that I missed a lot of shots. For that reason, I started thinking maybe I should get a M8.2 or a GF1. But I'm a little concerned about Leica digital quality, given the complaints and the intermittent issues that I read about in the M8 forums. Perhaps the GF1 would be a good complement to the M9 (a different set of features, plus AF may come in handy when I'm not using M glass with it.) Hi - I own the Lumix GF1 and it sure comes in handy for quick and dirty shots (even the little flash helps) - I am still waiting for the Lumix m4/3 Leica adapter... but even in Raw, the image of the GF1 with the 1.7 20mm pancake lens does not come close to the M9. I have only owned my M9 since 12/23 but am blown away so far by the difference (Summilux 50 vs Lumix 20mm 1.7) - clearly the M9 wins, but I always have my GF1 as a backup - small and easy. Both M9 and GF1 plus 1-2 extra lenses (stacked ontop of one-another) fit easily into a Billingham Combination Leica bag (I bought it in black and love it). Hope this helps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Evel Knievel Posted December 30, 2009 Share #27 Posted December 30, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) The worst thing that could happen with my camera happened tonight. We had a multi-generation family Christmas/New Year's banquet and I was tasked with taking pictures for the night. My Leica M9 worked for a while (about 30 shots, with some on/off switch toggling in between), and then complained that my ExtremeIII SD card was locked. I switched to an Ultra2, and that worked for a few more shots, with intermittent "SD locked" messages here and there. Then, just when my 3-year-old nephew agreed to being photographed -- after avoiding the camera for days -- the M9 steadfastly complained that all three of my SD cards were locked. No amount of coaxing made it work again (removing the cards, removing the battery, powering off and on). I had to put away the camera for the rest of the night. When I got home, the camera started working again. This camera has already been to Leica USA's repair facility for the last 2 weeks and supposed all tested and working after some repair. (Firmware is still at 1.002.) Having a $7000 camera turn into a useless piece of metal at a whim and intermittently is really unacceptable. When this happens, my 35mm cron, 50mm lux, and 90 mm cron also all turn into useless chunks of (optically beautiful) glass. As photographers, I'm sure that you understand -- what is the point of having a camera that does not take photographs? What would you do with such a camera? Sorry, I wanted to vent... It's no problem - it's a Leica! Go to the archives of this forum, read about the multiple problems of the M8 and you will understand. On the other side it's only a few familiyshots you missed - imagine if this happens to a professional photographer on assignment! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted December 30, 2009 Share #28 Posted December 30, 2009 Hi Wilfredo. Yeah, if replacing the battery fixes it, I'd go with that. It doesn't do the trick on my unit. No offense to anyone intended (except maybe Leica), but from looking at the forums, it's pretty weird to see that people have come up with all sorts of "home remedies" for the digital Leica's. If iPods/iPhones/cars/computers acted up like this periodically, people would be screaming bloody murder. Get your (digital) act together, Leica. Your amazing optics and legacy cry out for it... I think I spoke to soon. This seemed to work for a while but my M8 is back to it's old tricks. I'm getting the "Card Locked" message again. I will call Leica today or tomorrow and send it to N.J. for repair. I hope they won't charge me since they really didn't fix the problem when I first sent it to them. This type of thing takes the fun out of Leica cameras. Thankfully I don't have to rely on this one camera. What a frustration! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted December 30, 2009 Share #29 Posted December 30, 2009 It's no problem - it's a Leica! Go to the archives of this forum, read about the multiple problems of the M8 and you will understand. On the other side it's only a few familiyshots you missed - imagine if this happens to a professional photographer on assignment! But can you imagine how embarrasing it could be when uncle Joe's $7000.00 camera (not counting lens) is out performed by a point and shoot digicam in front of the entire family? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brainiac37 Posted December 30, 2009 Author Share #30 Posted December 30, 2009 But can you imagine how embarrasing it could be when uncle Joe's $7000.00 camera (not counting lens) is out performed by a point and shoot digicam in front of the entire family? Haha, good one, wilfredo. Yes I was definitely embarrassed. No amount of justification (e.g. "But the 50mm lux is so amazing") can rationalize a dead-weight camera that won't take any picture. No picture is the worst of all pictures. The embarrassment was fortunately tempered by the fact that no one knew how expensive this thing was. I wanted to keep it that way. The comments were all along the lines of "where did you get that thing?" and "why are you shooting with an old camera?" and not "how much was that thing?" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenerrolrd Posted December 31, 2009 Share #31 Posted December 31, 2009 I had this problem occasionally after the M8.2 was released and the firmware was upgraded to handle the SDHC cards. Always starting with a fully charged battery and a reformatted card helps eliminate user induced issues . With a weak battery in cold weather I had incomplete writes to the card..this will corrupt the card making it unreadable. I have also had brand new cards 4gb-8gb that would not reformat correctly in the camera. Best new idea is to carry a few older 2gb cards...I never had a failure with the older 2gb Lexar 133X cards . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted December 31, 2009 Share #32 Posted December 31, 2009 Haha, good one, wilfredo. Yes I was definitely embarrassed. No amount of justification (e.g. "But the 50mm lux is so amazing") can rationalize a dead-weight camera that won't take any picture. No picture is the worst of all pictures. The embarrassment was fortunately tempered by the fact that no one knew how expensive this thing was. I wanted to keep it that way. The comments were all along the lines of "where did you get that thing?" and "why are you shooting with an old camera?" and not "how much was that thing?" Well, good luck. You have a full warranty so you are covered. My M8 is going to make a second trip to New Jersey. If I weren't so attached to M8 files, it wouldn't bother me as much, I really like this camera when it works. I have done some of my best work with it. BTW, for family events and gatherings with friends I recently picked up a used minty D2 and I'm really loving it. It's got it's limitations but it was a worthwhile investment ($600.00). I'm really glad I got it, the IQ is way better than I expected. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/107930-m9-became-useless-tonight/?do=findComment&comment=1169320'>More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted December 31, 2009 Share #33 Posted December 31, 2009 Brainiac, My camera is packed and ready for shiiping to Allendale, N.J. Please keep us posted on how your issue get's resolved. I will do the same. Happy New Year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brainiac37 Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share #34 Posted December 31, 2009 Will do. Good luck with your repair. I was looking at maybe a M8 for a backup camera, but now I'm not sure. How are we getting this unlucky? I want something that can use my M lenses, so it's either a M7 or a GF1 (distant second option)...ugh. Perhaps a RD-1x, but not sure if I can find one...The D2 is interesting though... Seriously, it's a SDHC card slot. There are about 250 manufacturers (card readers, cameras, etc.) that can make a reliable one without failure. The EE/firmware department (or maybe it's mechanical engineering) needs some help... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hacker Posted January 1, 2010 Share #35 Posted January 1, 2010 Today, being the long hols, I decided to take out the M9 for a shoot. It locked up 5 times (during formating, viewing, and erasing pictures) within the space of about 60 minutes. On one occasion, it refused to turn back on and I had to take out the battery as usual. Had the locked SD card error once. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brainiac37 Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share #36 Posted January 1, 2010 Bummer... Leica USA told me two weeks ago that they are "not aware of any SD card issues" with the M9. Not sure if that's just corporate-speak or if they are really unaware. I am going to point them to these threads here... Happy New Year, everybody -- make this a great photography year! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jockele Posted January 1, 2010 Share #37 Posted January 1, 2010 Buy a Nikon. I did. :cool: Yes, a D700 !!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted January 1, 2010 Share #38 Posted January 1, 2010 wilfredo... maybe it is time to move on. You are rather long in the tooth here as far as Leica bashing goes. Try Canon. I have the 5D2 and love it. Maybe you could as well. You could move on. But, for me, the M8 has been bliss. Waiting for the M9 to arrive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enboe Posted January 1, 2010 Share #39 Posted January 1, 2010 It may be worth calibrating ones' expectations to be realistic. A product with the complexity of a Leica M digital can be expected to have some issues, both in engineering and in manufacture. I am patient and have worked through the issues on my M8, and am also working through the issues on the M9. I also was patient as issues with my Nikon D1 and D1X were worked in prior years. This forum provides more than sufficient value to justify the bandwidth of reading and participation. When any of our other regular contributors post issues, I learn. A practical example: some M9's are having freeze-up problems when used in the "A" mode. I learned here that moving the shutter dial to a fixed speed, then back, will unfreeze the camera. This is far more expedient than removing a case, removing the baseplate, and removing the battery. Definitely useful. In the longer term, the west coast Leica representative informed me that the next version of the firmware should provide more robust operation with a wider selection of cards. Bottom line: I appreciate the discussion of any and all issues discovered and solved with regards to the use of Leica products. Eric Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan States Posted January 1, 2010 Share #40 Posted January 1, 2010 Guys, just a reminder that before shipping off your cameras you should try doing a full forced discarge of the battery (totally dead) by leaving the camera on. This will reset the batterys charge measurement. Then fully recharge the battery. Doing this, combined with leaving the battery out of the camera for 48 hours, completely cleared up all the wonky behavior in my M8. (This was a cure for all the lockup issues I had early on) Since you won't be using the camera for a few days anyhow it may be worth a try. Best wishes Dan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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