Newbie with M8.2...did I get a lemon?

[elmoslate]

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Greetings. I was a lurker here for a bit of time, but as of last night I became “Leicaman”. After selling off my ten pound Canon DSLR and small collection of sharp L glass I got myself a second hand black M8.2, used 6-bit coded 50mm Summicron, and a new non-coded Zeiss 25mm f/2.8 all off Ebay (from separate sellers). Everything arrived in beautiful mint condition and I started playing around with it. All the camera controls seem to work fine; however, when I set the dial to “S” (snapshot mode) and pressed the INFO button, nothing appears on the screen. I don’t ever intend to use the S mode, but I’m concerned that if there’s a problem with this function, what other problem is lurking inside. I guess my question is – is there a hidden menu I was supposed to set in order to get the INFO screen activated in snapshot mode? I slapped on both lenses and got zilch both times. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's just my newbie stupidity and not the camera. Your kind expert advice will be much 'preciated. Cheers!

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[adan]

In Snapshot mode, the info button is supposed to bring up a lens diagram with recommendations for aperture to get a given depth of field. It only works with coded lenses, though - so the 25 won't work for that mode/screen regardless.

 

The manual does not mention needing a separate step in menus - just mounting a coded lens and setting camera to "S".

 

The coded 50 should work. Some ideas:

 

Take off the lens and check the coding detector area (a black glass curved slit on the camera's lens mount at about 5 o'clock as seen from the front). If that has collected grime through use, it may not be seeing the lens coding marks.

 

Also check the lens coding marks themselves - if grime has darkened any of the white marks, that may also be a problem.

 

Finally, mount the 50, turn on the camera, set to it to "S", press INFO. If it is still not working, try wiggling the lens in its mount a bit to make sure it is fully mounted and press INFO again. The coding marks are spaced radially around the lens, so if it is not fully locked into place, the camera will see marks in the wrong places, and assume an uncoded lens.

 

One final test. Set the camera to something other than "S", use the main menu to make sure lens detection is set to On or ON-UV/IR, and then take a picture with the 50. Review the picture and press the INFO button. The review info screen should tell you that you used a 50mm lens. (top right of the screen). If no lens focal length is recorded even in non-snapshot mode - then something is wrong somewhere in the lens recognition system. Either the problems already mentioned above - or possibly a wire has come loose from the lens detection diodes (it has been seen before).

[beewee]

I just tested this with my M8.2. Using a coded 28/2.8 ASPH, I get the cliche setting advice on the LCD when I press info. However, when I put on a 90/2.8 tele-elmarit which is not coded but normally gives me a 90/2.8 tag in the image metadata, I get nothing from pressing the Info button in S mode. Also using a non-coded 50/2 which normally doesn't give any lens focal length info in the image metadata at all, I get nothing as well.

 

You might want take a picture and see if you notice any lens information in the image metadata. If not, since both your lens are coded, it might be due to either a dirty 6bit sensor glass or a faulty sensor that's not reading your lens code.

[ho_co]

I'm not sure, but doesn't the help screen only pop up with lenses shorter than 50mm?

 

Not clear from manual, but implied by item 1 under "Explanations," p 97:

Shorter focal lengths – in the wide angle range – result in relatively large depth of field ranges and are therefore better suited for snapshots from the outset. Longer focal lengths of above 50mm – normal and telephoto lenses – sometimes have significantly narrower depth of field ranges, which means

that in practice taking photographs is rarely possible without precise focusing.

[adan]

You are probably right, Howard - although the manual language is rather vague. It says "particularly useful for short focal lengths up to 35mm" rather than "ONLY for short focal lengths up to 35mm."

 

Even the "explanatory note" says only "Longer focal lengths...sometimes have significantly narrower depth of field ranges, which means in practice taking photographs is rarely possible without precise focusing."

 

A simple "This only works for lenses 35mm or wider" would be clearer and save some ink as well.

[ho_co]

...A simple "This only works for lenses 35mm or wider" would be clearer and save some ink as well.

Andy, I think they hire professional obfuscators to write their manuals.

 

 

Same deep understand of Leica logic in this beautiful explanation of the fact that if Leica would be crazy to do a particular thing, they'll probably do it:

... It would be akin to letting the loonies run the asylum if Leica were to announce another product when they are still trying to get other products out in order to meet demand. ... So I guess they are quite likely to try it. [ :D ]

[elmoslate]

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Thank you all for your suggestions. I'll try each one and keep my fingers crossed that its just dirt on the 6 bit sensor. Cheers.

 

paul

[ho_co]

... I'll ... keep my fingers crossed that its just dirt on the 6 bit sensor.

From what you've said, there's no problem indicated.

 

I don't think a 50 is supposed to generate the cliche diagram, and that's the only lens you've got that might.

 

See if you can check the camera with a coded Leica 35.

 

 

Here's one applicable thread turned up by the forum's 'search' function: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/90273-new-m8-2-owner.html.

[jaapv]

Howard is right, I think. Uncoded lenses do not generate a diagram, nor lenses of 50 and longer. I don't have an M8.2, but it was discussed in this forum after a nearly identical question when the camera came to market.

[jlindstrom]

Just a quick check-up on this one.. I don't have an M8.2 either nor any coded lenses. But did you turn lens detection on in the menus? If you didn't, regardless of coding the lense is not recognised..

 

Just my 2c,

Juha

[Jeff S]

I have an M8.2, but until this post, never put the camera in S mode to check anything.

 

I just did, however, and the info button brings up a diagram for my 28 and 35 coded Summicron asphs, but not my 50 coded Summilux asph, nor my uncoded 75 Summicron asph.

 

Jeff

[elmoslate]

Thanks again for everyone's input...I'm still trying to wean myself from the auto-everything dslr mindset. Other than that non-issue I'm glad I made the leap to the M. Manual focusing is more accurate than I thought it'd be:D

 

paul

[ho_co]

Great to have you aboard, Paul, and great to find a newcomer to the M. It's a delicious tool and addiction, but it does have some quirks, as you've discovered.

[Clook]

If you do want to check info for an image shot in 'S' mode flick out of 'S' onto any other speed on the dial, play the image again so that it appears on the screen then press info and the details, histogram, file number etc should come up as normal. Leica obviously think that people using 'S' won't need this information!

[ho_co]

Paul--one more thing: Do you get the help screen if you manually set a 35 mm lens?

 

(Just guessing. That setting may not even work in "S" mode.)

[Jeff S]

Paul--one more thing: (snipped)...if you manually set a 35 mm lens?

 

Are you referring to lens setting via the menu, which I think occurred with the M9? The M8.2 relies on codes. Or, maybe I misunderstood your question for Paul.

 

Jeff

[elmoslate]

Howard, no, I do not get a help screen when I attach the non-coded Zeiss. I set the the lens detection to 'off' as per the manual. Took some photos like that and couldn't detect any image problems. I think I lucked out and got a good late model.

 

paul

[ho_co]

You're right, Jeff. Totally off-base question. I was indeed thinking of the M9. Useless, time-wasting, uninformed, dumb.

 

Thanks for reminding me to read the title of the thread before posting.

 

 

Paul, sorry to have made such a meaningless post. Thanks for taking the time to respond anyway.

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[dr dull]

Hello Elmoslate!

 

You did not get a lemon, the m8.2 is fuctioning as it should.

When mounting an uncoded lens you shall not be able to get the "info menu"

When mounting a coded lens 50 mm or higher you shouldnt get it either.

 

So its not a lemon but a nice orange

 

best regards

Christian

[sfokevin]

Hello Elmoslate!

 

You did not get a lemon, the m8.2 is fuctioning as it should.

When mounting an uncoded lens you shall not be able to get the "info menu"

When mounting a coded lens 50 mm or higher you shouldnt get it either.

 

So its not a lemon but a nice orange

 

best regards

Christian

 

Better still a Peach of a camera!... Have Fun!