Shutter blades jammed

[chris_tribble]

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Gib - go to this page on the Leica site and scroll down a bit. The professional service is provided by Solms, but your contact is in the USA.

 

Leica Camera AG - Service - worldwide network

 

My memory is you have to fill in some kind of questionnaire detailing work / equipment etc, and this is appraised by Leica. Once you're in you get fast track on service + access to loan equipment if there's going to be a delay. I've found it really helpful. It's similar to the Canon Professional Service - though membership level here is simply established on the basis of ownership of certain levels of kit (pro-bodies / L lenses). REALLY worth having as it also gives you access to preferential rates on camera insurance (CPS does anyway - not tried Leica...).

[yanidel]

Just got my M9 back from Solms today. Shutter replaced and body CLA'd.

 

I followed Chris advice (thanks!) and contacted Andrea who was very helpful. Repair took a week, and another one for the back and forth shipping.

 

Anyway, thanks all for your suggestions and advices on this thread. So happy, now I can finally test that 50mm Summilux Asph that I have on exchange

[hoppyman]

This is great news for you Yanidel.

Even better that it was just one week in servicing. Fancy that

[Doc Henry]

Just got my M9 back from Solms today. Shutter replaced and body CLA'd.

 

I followed Chris advice (thanks!) and contacted Andrea who was very helpful. Repair took a week, and another one for the back and forth shipping.

 

Anyway, thanks all for your suggestions and advices on this thread. So happy, now I can finally test that 50mm Summilux Asph that I have on exchange

Hi Yanidel,

 

Good news for you !

 

A defective piece of metal and everything is ****** !

Interest to have 2 cameras (per exemple M9 and M8)

or film camera , until it's repaired

 

Beautiful photo with M8 of the woman cyclist on your blog !

 

Henry

[marknorton]

I assume I am not the only one to object to this gratuitous use of bad language?

[terrycioni]

Greetings all,

 

At the risk of sounding like an apologist - but call it what you will.

 

Nikon in my neck of the woods typically takes 3 to 5 weeks to turn around lens and body repairs - there are occasions when it is faster but not often. This is considered acceptable by most - but people do complain as always.

 

In the City I live in - there is a Nikon repair depot and all work we requested was using an NPS number. The significant difference is they often can offer a service replacement, IF you are a working Pro who needs the gear to make a living and has an NPS card. I should say my group was responsible for managing camera repairs for about a dozen working pro shooters who used Nikon pro level equipment.

 

In August (holiday time in most places) I had a problem with an M8 - it took approximately 4+ weeks with shipping, etc and the work was done well and I don't think the turn around was out of line.

 

Best regards, Terry

[jaapv]

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Well, I'm not a working pro, and still Leica loaned me an M9, albeit because I am off on a 5-week trip.

[hoppyman]

I assume I am not the only one to object to this gratuitous use of bad language?

Mark I agree that it is unacceptable in the forum of course. I recommend the use of the report post option (the little red triangled symbol at bottom left).

[terrycioni]

Well, I'm not a working pro, and still Leica loaned me an M9, albeit because I am off on a 5-week trip.

 

Maybe not a working pro, but you are special.

[neli]

Just so Yanidel doesn't feel lonely.

This has happened to me and the Camera gave up saying Shutter Fault on the screen.

And it made clicking whirring sounds I used to associate with Dr. Who.

It's at Solms and I'm waiting and not sure whether to get an M9 Backup or go for the D3x. I miss using my 28 Lux (oops, 28/1.4 Aspherical in F-Mount).

Yanidel: Any chance you had the camera set to Discreet & Soft and then switched it to Continuous mode. Would this cause a Shutter Fault? I don't see how it should but it might if the Firmware didn't set the shutter properly.

Voices of the innocent and experienced welcome.

[yanidel]

Just so Yanidel doesn't feel lonely.

This has happened to me and the Camera gave up saying Shutter Fault on the screen.

And it made clicking whirring sounds I used to associate with Dr. Who.

It's at Solms and I'm waiting and not sure whether to get an M9 Backup or go for the D3x. I miss using my 28 Lux (oops, 28/1.4 Aspherical in F-Mount).

Yanidel: Any chance you had the camera set to Discreet & Soft and then switched it to Continuous mode. Would this cause a Shutter Fault? I don't see how it should but it might if the Firmware didn't set the shutter properly.

Voices of the innocent and experienced welcome.

It is always on discreet & soft, yet it was the blades that failed, not the shutter mechanisme itself. I fear your problem is another one.

[pico]

I strongly recommend that you do not try unjamming your shutter with compressed air. [...]

 

*shudder* - I agree.

 

Rule: if you wouldn't blast a particular source of compressed air into your ear, then don't use it on sensitive materials, and never blast it into camera areas you cannot see.

 

I've had some cans suddenly spew the refrigerant. Gosh only knows what that might do to internals.

[ho_co]

... Any chance you had the camera set to Discreet & Soft and then switched it to Continuous mode. Would this cause a Shutter Fault? ...

 

I'm probably saying something you're already aware of, but this did indeed happen with upgraded M8's until Leica tweaked the firmware, so it's definitely a relevant issue.

[alexmann]

You guys are forgetting that many companies in Europe shut down completely for two weeks annual holiday. This must be Leica's fortnight.

 

Everyone is entitled to a holiday during the summer.

 

Consequently, there is always a back-log at the end of the summer, while they catch up with the workload that has arrived while they have been on the beach.

 

It happens every year.

 

And I am not an apologist, just someone who understands how companies work in Germany and many other countries.

 

With respect, I think that this idea of a large, international, world renowned, company shutting down completely for two weeks a year is an anachronism that doesn't belong in modern global conditions. A thriving business should organize it's work force to take holidays in rotation as they do most other forward thinking western countries. If you're competing on a global scale then you should at least attempt to keep all your (mostly international) customers happy all of the time.

[coup de foudre]

With respect, I think that this idea of a large, international, world renowned, company shutting down completely for two weeks a year is an anachronism that doesn't belong in modern global conditions. A thriving business should organize it's work force to take holidays in rotation as they do most other forward thinking western countries. If you're competing on a global scale then you should at least attempt to keep all your (mostly international) customers happy all of the time.

 

where are you from?

 

seriously, could you be any more condescending? about a two week shutdown?

 

there is absolutely nothing backwards about companies closing down for summer holiday, it's pretty much standard in Europe. it's a fact of life, not an anachronism. does it offend your modern sensibility too when when they shut down (gasp!) between Christmas and New Years?

 

my dealings with Leica service at Solms have been possibly the most professional, kind, and efficient of any company i've ever dealt with it -- in any country.

 

i honestly think a lot more companies in "forward thinking western countries" could learn a lesson or two from the way things are run over here. you think it backwards, i call it civilised.

 

for reference, i am an american lucky enough to be living in europe.

[yanidel]

With respect, I think that this idea of a large, international, world renowned, company shutting down completely for two weeks a year is an anachronism that doesn't belong in modern global conditions. A thriving business should organize it's work force to take holidays in rotation as they do most other forward thinking western countries. If you're competing on a global scale then you should at least attempt to keep all your (mostly international) customers happy all of the time.

In many manufacturing companies, a shutdown is often necessary for yearly maintenace of the facility and tools. They make it coincide with summer holidays in Europe. It allows most employees to take vacations at the same time and therefore be at full capacity the rest of the year. So all in all, I think customers are better off this way.

[AlanG]

I thought the typical German worker gets more than 2 weeks for vacation. (35 days paid vacation per year is what I've heard.) So if they only close the "shop" for 2 weeks a year, they still have to stagger vacations. (Unless Leica's workers are atypical.)

 

It really doesn't matter to most users how many days Leica runs its design and assembly operation. But repairs should not be closed for two weeks if they care as much about their customers as they care about their employees. (Keep in mind that without customers, there would be no employees.)

 

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0922052.html#axzz0zk1DvoNC

[yanidel]

I thought the typical German worker gets more than 2 weeks for vacation. (35 days paid vacation per year is what I've heard.) So if they only close the "shop" for 2 weeks a year, they still have to stagger vacations. (Unless Leica's workers are atypical.)

 

It really doesn't matter to most users how many days Leica runs its design and assembly operation. But repairs should not be closed for two weeks if they care as much about their customers as they care about their employees. (Keep in mind that without customers, there would be no employees.)

 

Paid Vacation Around the World — Infoplease.com

Yes, but it makes it much easier to plan vacations schedule around the year if a large chunk goes at the same time for all.

 

Anyways, at some point, social peace and tradition are as important factors to manage for a company then pure customer satisfaction. Remember that these are countries (Western Europe) where most shops close at 18h on weekdays, most of Saturday and all of Sunday. So liberalism yes, but not at all cost.

[AlanG]

Yes, but it makes it much easier to plan vacations schedule around the year if a large chunk goes at the same time for all.

 

Anyways, at some point, social peace and tradition are as important factors to manage for a company then pure customer satisfaction. Remember that these are countries (Western Europe) where most shops close at 18h on weekdays, most of Saturday and all of Sunday. So liberalism yes, but not at all cost.

 

If it is easier to plan vacations if a large chunk goes the same time of year, then management may just have to see if they can "challenge" themselves and figure out an alternative schedule. (This isn't exactly rocket science and they already do it if they provide the typical 5 weeks of vacation.) In any case a large chunk could still go at the same time as they only will need a skeleton crew for customer service and repairs. Do you think there is absolutely nobody at the facility for those two weeks when it is closed?

 

Look, I don't care if Leica gives the workers 100 days of vacation per year. I don't know what the typical shop closing time or "social peace" has to do with any of this. I think you are really stretching the point. Are you saying that every business in Europe closes for two weeks at a time?

 

It can't be that hard to keep a few people working on repairs and customer service for the two weeks that the rest of the facility is closed. It isn't as if those two specific weeks is the only possible time that those workers would enjoy a vacation. Would they miss a two week Leica employee camping trip or something?

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[yanidel]

. Are you saying that every business in Europe closes for two weeks at a time?

I welcome you to come for business in any French, Italian or Spanish cities in August. You'll get bored very quickly Most shops (many restaurants too) close for 2 to 4 weeks. I work for a large corporation and all our European factories (up to 3000 employees on site) are shut down for 2 weeks in July or August.

 

So everybody goes on vacation except those poor guys from repair. Come on ... who's going to want to work there ?