Sent my R9 to Leica

[thebarnman]

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My Leica R9’s “Exposure mode dial” is no longer secure and freely turns.

 

 

The above sentence is the wording I used to describe for Leica (NJ) my issue. And so "Just incase," they need to know more info to help them search and/or test for certain things, I also included an area I called "Further notes:"

 

 

Further notes:

 

I had just unloaded a roll of film from the R9 and preceded to turn off the camera. It was at that point I noticed the “Exposure mode dial” was hard to turn while pushing down the “Release button.” Then it just froze on the “P” setting and the “Release button” was also stuck.

 

At that point, I couldn't even get the camera to operate it’s shutter.

 

I then loaded a test roll of film. The “Exposure mode dial” became unstuck, so did the “Release button,“ and I was finally able to operate the shutter.

 

Now (as described above,) the R9’s “Exposure mode dial” is no longer secure and freely turns.

 

 

Originally, I called Leica in Solmes (and luckally, the woman who answered spoke English!) who told me to contact the NJ location and ask them if they could fix the problem at hand. If not, they would help me get the camera to Germany...since I guess there's lots of issues for sending the camera overseas. If they could fix the issue, then I'd only need send it to NJ.

 

The only thing I didn't mention was when the dial was getting hard to turn, there was a point where it sounded like metal scraping against metal like a fast clicking sound.

 

I figured they would automatically inspect what ever "metal parts" that would be involved in that area...and of course they would switch it out if some type of metal part was worn.

 

 

Here's a qustion...

I'm starting to think maybe I should call them to let them know about the metal scraping sound I heard (while I was trying to turn the "Exposure Mode Dial...before it froze?)

 

Just so you know, I wasn't forcing anything (though it was harder to turn.) The round knob was at one point still turning, however there was some kind of metal type clicking sound coming from it. Of course after loading a test roll of film, now there is no noise and no resistance at all while turning the round "Exposure Mode Dial."

 

You might find interesting while I turn the "Exposure Mode Dial" while looking through the viewfinder, I can see the camera mode settings change from "M," "A," "P" etc. So the functions still work, it's just the dial that's loose.

 

 

At this point, I'm still waiting for my R9 to be entered electronically into their system (before a technician will work on it) which takes about two to three business days.

 

 

Oh, and I discovered this issue at home right after a 4th of July celebration! I simply left the last roll of film in the camera and decided to take it out when I returned home. I was lucky I didn't turn the camera off till the end of the day.

 

 

Here's another question...now that I think about it, am I suppose to turn the camera off while using the motor winder to wind the film back into the film cartridge?

[thebarnman]

The good news...My R9 is now in their system.

 

Surprisingly, the notes in their system about my R9 was that the "Exposure mode dial" is hard to turn...which is the opposite of what it is. Unless something happened to my camera between the time I sent it out and it reaching Leica (NJ,) it should still be freely turning as described originally with the notes I included with the R9.

 

Now, according to the woman I talked to...the technician has been on vacation and won't be back till Tuesday (12th of July.) Even so, I'm told it may be a week till the technician can look it over (since there's a weeks worth of work that's now been left behind.)

 

All of this normally wouldn't matter to me, however I'm on a deadline where I need the camera back in my hands by Monday, July 25th.

 

Ideally, if the technician is able to rush my repair, he/she would have one week to get my R9 back to working order...so I could have it back before the 07-25.

 

At the same time, I'm told the R's have their own schedule...what ever that means.

 

At this point, I'm still a little hopeful it will be done in time. Well see...

[tobey bilek]

I always include a note stating exactly what the problem is stated as clearly and short as possible.

 

When you speak over the phone, the person always puts their interpretation on what you say so they can further shorten it.

A good tech will check it all out and find what is wrong.

[thebarnman]

I always include a note stating exactly what the problem is stated as clearly and short as possible.

 

When you speak over the phone, the person always puts their interpretation on what you say so they can further shorten it.

A good tech will check it all out and find what is wrong.

 

Thank you and in fact, that's what I did with the very beginning of the note...

 

"My Leica R9’s “Exposure mode dial” is no longer secure and freely turns."

 

 

I felt if they needed anything more, I included it below that short sentence.

 

As far as an interpreter, I was on the phone with Leica NJ, so there wasn't any need for interpretation, though I could understand that if I was on the phone with someone in Solmes Germany. And when I originally called them, the woman who answered luckally spoke English.

 

I noticed your avatar does not state where your located. Are you in the states?

[thebarnman]

Last week after confirming the arrival of my R9 at Leica NJ, I was asked to call back Wednesday (today) (one day after the technician arrived back from vacation) for an update.

 

The technician looked over my R9 and noted the “Exposure mode dial” needed work and they were going to "adjust the film transport" and check the meter.

 

It's interesting to me the comment made about "adjusting the film transport," since I never felt there was an issue with that. However, it was explained to me since...in my notes, I had written:

 

"I then loaded a test roll of film. The “Exposure mode dial” became unstuck, so did the “Release button,“ and I was finally able to operate the shutter." is the reason for them for checking and possibly adjusting the Film Transport.

 

It seems to me they're on top of it! In fact, the camera was just looked over today and they sent me out a letter with an estimate. Since I was on the phone, I asked for the estimate (total $198) and gave them the payment information.

 

What's really interesting, that price includes a replacement plastic cap for the PC connection on the R9. And, it will include a genuine Leica lens cap for my Macro Elmarit -R 1:2.8/ 60mm lens. (I bought that lens used a few years ago and it came with a generic lens cap.) I figured since my camera is at Leica, I might as well get all these loose ends tie up.

 

And I'm told the camera will be fixed and sent out (with two day delivery) just a couple days before I need it.

 

At this point, all I can say is Leica has been fantastic!

 

Also, I asked if that price included a CLA (Clean, Lube & Adjustment.) It does not. However, even though I've had lots of film through my R9, it sill looks pretty brand new and probably doesn't really need it at this point. I think I've had my R9 for just over seven years.

 

After my phone call, I called back to ask if I would be receiving a "results sheet" on how my camera shutter tested. I was told not normally, however she would ask to see if one could be included.

 

If it wasn't for the fact I needed my camera back by a certain date, their normal turn around time would have been fine with me. I'm very happy Leica responded in a way that really makes a difference allowing me to move forward with my R9 the way I originally planned.

[thebarnman]

Today is the big day my camera gets sent back to me! Well...maybe.

 

I called Leica to make sure my R9 was going to be sent out today. At this time (very early this Friday morning) it turns out the work has not been completed.

 

I was told I would receive a return call in about 1.5 hours. We'll see what the update is at that time.

 

 

ALSO...

 

Originally Leica was going to send the camera back using a UPS two day service...not good enough if the R9 was being sent out Friday (today) when I need the camera on Monday. So I've been working with them to have it shipped "overnight" so it would arrive on Monday.

 

At this point I can only cross my fingers and hope the work on my R9 gets completed in time so it can be shipped out later today.

 

 

The other update is I received Leica's estimate in the mail last Wednesday...just over two weeks after they received my R9. Leica doesn't send estimates over email...so it was phone communication that allowed me to approve the work in one week's time.

[thebarnman]

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Last update. The camera arrived one day late. Disappointing since I had to use a different camera for a small personal event.

 

At the same time, it arrived early enough for another event that was much more important. My road trip through Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan.

 

A few days after I received my R9, I flew from Arizona, landed in Pennsylvania, rented a red Dodge Charger, drove 3000 miles and went to 10 drive-ins in 10 days. Photographed all of them with my R9 and had all the film processed through Dr5.

 

It was a combination of transparency film. Color and B&W.

All the B&W was reversed processed. 20 rolls in all...GORGEOUS processing and stunning imagery from my APO-SUMMICRON-R 90mm ASPH.

 

The B&W film was a combination of Ilford FP5 and Rollei retro 80s (the most stunning film I've ever used!) and some Fuji Provia.

 

I just received the film a few weeks ago and I'm still in the process of editing.

 

When I received my camera from Leica, the camera was packed like it was brand new and it did in fact, have a newness about it when I took it out of the box. They did a fantastic job!

[hamey]

Thats good news on your R9 and you don't have to convince me about Leica and film, beautiful combo.

 

I also Love my Leica R's, though sometimes I feel sorry for my lonely M7, as it doesn't get used much.

 

Cheers.