WarriorJazz Posted December 3, 2010 Share #1 Posted December 3, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Something weird going on with m8. I recharged the battery just a few days ago and now it seems dead. The camera does't respond when I switch it on. The red light only blinks once when I try fire the shutter (but it does not actually fire). I needed to buy a second charger anyway so I rushed to the shop to get another one so I can recharge the battery (I'm currently at work). After a few hours of recharging the battery nothing changed,..! I can try to recharge it again with the original charger when I get home. Most of the posts I read on the internet involving dead batteries say that there camera don't respond in any way. Since my m8 does respond (a bit) It might be that this is not battery problem,... right? Does this mean the battery is dead or that I need to send it back to Solms (again)? Does anyone have any experience with this problem? Thanks, -Eelco Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 3, 2010 Posted December 3, 2010 Hi WarriorJazz, Take a look here Dead Battery? Or something else?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted December 3, 2010 Share #2 Posted December 3, 2010 Just a blink is normal behaviour with an empty battery. But batteries can die. I would try a second battery first. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted December 3, 2010 Share #3 Posted December 3, 2010 You, everyone, really need at least 2 batteries for every camera they own. What happens if one battery dies, No camera. What happens if you are out and the 1 battery you have runs out of juice, No camera, No more shots. Please buy another battery. As to your problem it could be the battery, both chargers you have or the camera. No way to tell with only one battery at your disposal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorJazz Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share #4 Posted December 3, 2010 Hi Jaap, Thanks for your reply. I'm happy to hear that that red light is normal ;-) It just seems weird that a fully charged battery is empty that quick and that after recharging in a new charger that it is still drained. The battery is not even a year old. But like you say, these things can die. Seems like the battery is broken... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorJazz Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted December 3, 2010 @Shootist: Thanks! I know, two batteries would be best. If this is a battery problem than I will get two for sure! I missed out on some great shots today!!! Are there any great alternative for these batteries or do I really need to get the official Leica ones? There must be other threads on this subject... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestMichigan Posted December 3, 2010 Share #6 Posted December 3, 2010 To sincerely harp on Warrior Jazz's point, it's not 'if this is a battery problem' that you get two batteries, it's that it's de rigeur to have Two Batteries. I'm not trying to be harsh or unsympathetic, just speaking from personal experience - like many many others can - that it's a terrible feeling to be presented with a wonderful photographic opportunity and one's equipment is rendered into paperweights by no juice in one's battery or the battery has gone kaput. As for the 'cost' issue of Leica Batteries? How economical is it to have spent 3-5-7-even-10 thousand dollars/euros on gaining possession of a 'Leica M Outfit', but all those thousands of dollars of equipment are rendered into objects d' art for lack of a 100 dollar/euro Battery? Yes the Leica Batteries are Pricey, but considering the vastly smaller unit volume of all things Leica, the price premium for the Battery for an M8 compared to the price of a Genuine Canon EOS dSLR Battery isn't outlandish. Compare that to 7,000k for an M9 versus a Top Tier Nikon or Canon Professional All Weather 10fps AutoFocus in a Coal Mine dSLR for LESS MONEY and forking over a few more TENS of Dollars or Euros for a Battery isn't the worst thing in the world. Least not in my sincere opinion. Keep us updated please on whether it turns out to be the battery, the charger(s), or the camera itself. Sincerely Richard in Michigan @Shootist: Thanks! I know, two batteries would be best. If this is a battery problem than I will get two for sure! I missed out on some great shots today!!! Are there any great alternative for these batteries or do I really need to get the official Leica ones? There must be other threads on this subject... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorJazz Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted December 3, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks for your reply. I get your point and I don't mind paying more for a Leica battery but since mine is allready dead after using it for less than a year (camera and battery have been away to Solms for 3 months because of a shutter fault). I am not that impressed by it's quality. And I read allot about these batteries failing really quick. So I think I need to explore other options too. I have read some stories about these cheaper batteries and the don't seen like a good long term option. I'll probably end up with an original battery. Or a m6 :-) I'll give you guys an update when I get home. Regards, -Eelco Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 3, 2010 Share #8 Posted December 3, 2010 If it is dead you should send it to Leica - they are guaranteed you know Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted December 3, 2010 Share #9 Posted December 3, 2010 @Shootist: Thanks! I know, two batteries would be best. If this is a battery problem than I will get two for sure! I missed out on some great shots today!!! Are there any great alternative for these batteries or do I really need to get the official Leica ones? There must be other threads on this subject... I have 4 Leica batteries and one aftermarket. I mainly use the Leica batteries but right now I have he aftermarket one in the camera. The problem with ALL aftermarket batteries that I have tried and heard about from others is they do not have the special circuit in the battery to tell the camera just how much charge is in them. That has not been a problem when the battery is full and then used in the camera, the camera battery meter seems to drop just like using OEM batteries. But is it a problem when you recharge them. If you don't completely drain these afternmarket batteries before you recharge them the camera will not show the batteery as fully charged. Get at least 1 other REAL M8/9 Leica battery so you have a total of 2 REAL batteries. Then if you feel lucky get an aftermarket for those Just In Case moments. I'm sorry to say this but I do not believe it is battery or charger problem. I suspect your camera has suffered a failure. But then you won't really know until you use your home charger and or get another battery. Your comment about the battery draining fast is the tell tail sign. This has happened to others and it was a fault in the camera where it didn't shut completely off even though it looks like it did. Does the camera get warm over a period of time even if you turn the main switch to the off position? If it did you will need to send the camera in for repair. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valau Posted December 3, 2010 Share #10 Posted December 3, 2010 Hi Eelco, Maybe not the battery at all, see previous thread 'Help please. M8 LCD will not illuminate'. Could be the same problem, my M8.2 is back with Leica at Solms for check and repair. Leica Shop London have lent me another M8.2 whilst mine is away! David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted December 3, 2010 Share #11 Posted December 3, 2010 +1 re contacting Leica about the battery. I have four Leica batteries for my M8. I ordered a second one with the camera in 2006 added a third in 2007 and the last in 2008. I'm using them in a round robin sequence 1-2-3-4. No problems with any of them and no detectable loss of capacity so far. I had the out M8 in -17C today with battery 1, no problem. Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestMichigan Posted December 3, 2010 Share #12 Posted December 3, 2010 If Battery was 'Wonky' the 90day trip to Solms alone could have killed it. (assuming battery was installed throughout) It's kind of theoretical on my part directly linking my experiences to an M8 Battery, but I've seen any number of cameras plow through their charge just sitting doing nothing in the off position. Full charge and 7 days or so in my EOS 20D in OFF doing nothing becomes 1/3rd charged the moment it's turned on. A Canon D2000/Kodak DCS520 dSLR I had would actually leave a battery needing repair work if left in camera til fully discharged. Further, I'd like to say I am incredibly sympathetic for owning an M8 less than 12months and having these issues. I'll be entering the ranks of Digital M ownership and hearing these stories isn't exactly heart warming! Query: Did you buy a Used M8, New-Old-Stock, Demo, Factory Refurbished, or New New (ie: never owned by another)? Although, I guess N.O.S. qualifies as never owned by another, too! I hope all works out for you and if it doesn't Just Ship It to Me in Michigan and I'll see that it's Properly Recycled in order to 'protect the environment'! Hee Hee Richard in Michigan Thanks for your reply. I get your point and I don't mind paying more for a Leica battery but since mine is allready dead after using it for less than a year (camera and battery have been away to Solms for 3 months because of a shutter fault). I am not that impressed by it's quality. And I read allot about these batteries failing really quick. So I think I need to explore other options too. I have read some stories about these cheaper batteries and the don't seen like a good long term option. I'll probably end up with an original battery. Or a m6 :-) I'll give you guys an update when I get home. Regards, -Eelco Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgc2010 Posted December 3, 2010 Share #13 Posted December 3, 2010 I experience a similar problem from time to time after re-installing a fully charged battery. The battery level indicator blinks (as in an empty battery situation) when I switch on. The problem is solved, in my case anyway, by removing the battery and pushing it back in again. I assume it's just slightly dirty connections. This has happened with the non-genuine battery which came with my used M8 but not the genuine one which I purchased new recently - just in case... Colin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarriorJazz Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share #14 Posted December 3, 2010 I just came home and I recharged the battery with the original (big fat) charger that came with my m8. And you know what? It was drained and it now seems to work just fine! My memorycard was filled with 72 black photo's. So I guess I left it on and it kept on firing in my bag. My mistake. So it was not a bad battery but my new charger (slim) is probably broken. I'll return it and get a extra battery while I'm at it. I missed some amazing shots on my way back from work and I'm going to make sure that this will never happen any more @Jaap: Really? Thanks for that great tip! @WestMichigan: My M8 was "New New"! Even with the shutter fault drama,... I'm still extremely happy with my Leica!. But sometimes I'm thinking about getting a backup film Leica. @mgc2010: I have heard allot of stories like these with the non-genuine batteries. I'm spending that extra money to be safe. @all: Thanks again for your replies! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramosa Posted December 4, 2010 Share #15 Posted December 4, 2010 I have had two batteries since getting my M8 three years ago. Recently, I noticed that one wasn't fully charging and seemed to want to go kaput at about the halfway mark. After reading various posts, I completely discharged the battery and then recharged it. I will see if that helps things out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted December 4, 2010 Share #16 Posted December 4, 2010 Eelco, If it's a battery problem:i mentioned several times the high capacity of the battery for M8 (or M9). Example here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/80260-anatomy-leica-m8s-power-consumption-4.html MarkNorton shows that M needs to operate a good battery. Leica batteries are guaranteed. I know there are generic batteries.But I do not buy them. I have 6 Leica batteries for my M8 and M9 For your problem, you should call Leica customer service as said Shootist, it could be something else.It comes from the battery or other reasons, as mentioned here ? But before , trying to remove the battery (new and charged) and put it again in a camera as said Colin and Ramosa ? (Problem of electrical contacts?). Don't forget to turn off the camera when it is not used Best Henry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted December 4, 2010 Share #17 Posted December 4, 2010 If, as I suspect, it is not a battery problem but a firmware lock-up then leave the camera without a battery in it for at least 24-36 hours, then insert your battery and then you will probably find it will all start to work again. LouisB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestMichigan Posted December 4, 2010 Share #18 Posted December 4, 2010 Please Check Original Posters responses - confirmed a charger issue. Would not, myself, think he's absolutely confirmed he doesn't also have battery issue, but wouldn't expect his discovery of 70 some 'blank' images from apparently leaving camera on, in closed bag, and shutter having gotten held down by something. :-) If, as I suspect, it is not a battery problem but a firmware lock-up then leave the camera without a battery in it for at least 24-36 hours, then insert your battery and then you will probably find it will all start to work again. LouisB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mc_k Posted December 4, 2010 Share #19 Posted December 4, 2010 I just came home and I recharged the battery with the original (big fat) charger that came with my m8. And you know what? It was drained and it now seems to work just fine!My memorycard was filled with 72 black photo's. So I guess I left it on and it kept on firing in my bag... pretty common, especially if you leave a soft-release in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted December 5, 2010 Share #20 Posted December 5, 2010 Please Check Original Posters responses - confirmed a charger issue. Would not, myself, think he's absolutely confirmed he doesn't also have battery issue, but wouldn't expect his discovery of 70 some 'blank' images from apparently leaving camera on, in closed bag, and shutter having gotten held down by something. :-) Pardon me! But as an aside - people will experience once in a while a firmware lock up which has the same conditions - the red led will flash once each time the shutter is pressed but nothing happens. If it helps to know how to cold reset the camera then perhaps my post was worthwhile... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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