trav1234 Posted August 18, 2010 Share #1 Posted August 18, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello All, Having a bit of a problem with my MP that I hope you can help me with. After purchasing the camera used in 2007, it unfortunately sat in it's case for two years as I moved to a place that wasn't friendly to film photography (read Africa, digital much easier to manage). Although I didn't use it, I regularly cycled the shutter through all the speeds to keep things moving. When I moved back home, I ran one roll of film through it and then had to send it to New Jersey because the shutter release button got stuck in the fully depressed position. After a speedy three month turn around and $325 fee, the camera was returned to me in working order. No big deal, I wanted to give it a CLA anyway. Sadly, after two rolls of film, the meter is no longer coming on and I don't feel the second detent when I depress the release button. I've done the following: - Changed the battery (and checked with voltage meter) - Made sure the shutter speed dial wasn't on B - Opened and closed the back - Cleaned the battery contacts with a pencil eraser, even though they were already clean. - Cursed Honestly, I'm frustrated. I don't treat it roughly and can't imagine why I'm experiencing this much trouble with a camera that seems to be barely used. What should I do? Send it back to New Jersey? Germany? Should I have to pay again? Thanks for any advice you can give. -Wes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 18, 2010 Posted August 18, 2010 Hi trav1234, Take a look here MP Meter Switch Woes. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
rsh Posted August 18, 2010 Share #2 Posted August 18, 2010 Send it back to New Jersey with a copy of the repair slip to the attention of Dave Elwell or Brenda Olesin. They will most likely put a rush on it for re repair at you request. It should be under warranty. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted August 18, 2010 Share #3 Posted August 18, 2010 I'd say during the cla (what does that stand for?) something a wire was moved and it's now lost contact. Send it back to NJ. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 18, 2010 Share #4 Posted August 18, 2010 CLA = Clean Lube Adjust Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted August 21, 2010 Share #5 Posted August 21, 2010 Wes, I notice in your list of things you've done that you didn't include cocking the shutter. The MP's meter won't come on until the shutter's cocked. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trav1234 Posted August 21, 2010 Author Share #6 Posted August 21, 2010 Thanks All, Indeed, I cocked the shutter, and have dry fired numerous times but no luck. This raises a question though. I've been bouncing between my MP, M8 and Bronica RF, and now can't remember what the second detent on the MP should feel like. Right now, it is completely smooth until the shutter fires. Should there be a noticeable (like/close to M8) detent? -Wes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted August 21, 2010 Share #7 Posted August 21, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks All, Indeed, I cocked the shutter, and have dry fired numerous times but no luck. This raises a question though. I've been bouncing between my MP, M8 and Bronica RF, and now can't remember what the second detent on the MP should feel like. Right now, it is completely smooth until the shutter fires. Should there be a noticeable (like/close to M8) detent? -Wes Wes, Welcome to the forum! I thought you'd probably cocked the shutter but it seemed worthwhile mentioning in case. From memory there's no discernible detent that energises the meter in my MP and certainly nothing like there is in my M8. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trav1234 Posted August 21, 2010 Author Share #8 Posted August 21, 2010 Definitely worth mentioning. Thanks again for the help. Before I send it off I'm going to go buy another fresh pack of batteries and try them just in case... Will report back. -Wes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trav1234 Posted August 21, 2010 Author Share #9 Posted August 21, 2010 Success! New batteries did the trick, although it's a bit of a head scratcher. The old battery tests at 3.24V and doesn't work. The new ones show 3.17V and work fine. Go figure... Apologies to Leica NJ and to the Leica gods. -Wes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted August 21, 2010 Share #10 Posted August 21, 2010 Wes, Great news! If you were measuring the battery voltage with an ordinary voltmeter it's quite likely that the first batteries were dead but you wouldn't know it. The only way to test a battery is to test its voltage while it's under load. The 3.24V you saw is the terminal voltage but as soon as you connect a resistance to it (the lightmeter) so that current is drawn, you would see the terminal voltage plummet to around zero. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trav1234 Posted August 22, 2010 Author Share #11 Posted August 22, 2010 Good point. Need to get a battery tester... Thanks again for your help. -Wes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted August 22, 2010 Share #12 Posted August 22, 2010 Good point. Need to get a battery tester... Thanks again for your help. -Wes Wes, you could just invest in a 1 penny resistor of appropriate value to put across the battery and simulate the load as you make the measurement. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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