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The future of M9/M8 batteries?


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A lot of the recent threads about M9 and M8 longevity made me think about possible stopping points for the camera. Conceivably, how long will we be able to obtain and use batteries for the M9 or M8? And how for long afterwards will they be usable?

 

I know that any answer to these questions are just guesses and extrapolations, but I would like to be able to use my M9 for as long as possible, and I see battery availability as being a major factor.

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Thank you for your well considered response. ;)

 

To put it another way: how long will Leica continue to make M9 batteries?

 

And how long can a battery last under either storage or normal use?

 

PS. You can always put hot water in your tea. That doesn't work with batteries. :D

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The availability of batteries depends on the number of cameras in use. Leica will supply them for as long as possible. When that option runs out, existing batteries can be refurbished. See the worst-case scenario of the DMR. Only 3600 made, so demand too low to make new ones, and Leica found a refurbishing service. The best-case scenario is the M8/9. tens of thousands made, so no manufactring problems, still in current use and very likely for the M10 into the future as well.

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The best-case scenario is the M8/9. tens of thousands made, so no manufactring problems, still in current use and very likely for the M10 into the future as well.

 

I hope the M10 will use the same battery, or a fully compatible battery unit... (the internals may change).

 

The M9 will be in production at least until the end of 2012 (M9, M9-P... it does not matter), and the M8 was presented in 2006, so that is 6 years of production for those batteries. I would like to see an even longer life for them, but those 6 years are not usual in the industry.

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Many film cameras used mercury cells. Eventually mercury was banned. Film cameras using mercury cells were saved by a substitute power source. They still work decades after the cameras were built.

 

Have faith; the Leica Ms are built to last. I doubt they will fall from use due to no batteries being available.

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