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Very strange shutter sound.


mostebo

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Hello all,

as a pretty new M8-user I got very shocked when my M8 started making horrible noises! I will try to explain: I was taking a series of rapid photos (in S mode), when suddenly the shutter sounded like it retrackted (winded back) about 5-6 times, and the the camera died due to an empty battery. The sound was ugly and I was scared someting was broke, but with a charged battery everything now is as it should be.

 

I told my friend, a professional Leica-user, this and he had never heard of such thing or these noises from the shutter mechanism.

 

So I wonder, have any of you experienced this or have any explanation to why this occured?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Matias

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Matias--

Welcome to the forum. Sorry it's with an alarm like this.

 

I'm glad a fresh battery corrected the problem; let's hope it doesn't recur.

 

The way you describe it, it sounds similar to a problem some M8's had in which the shutter-recock sequence didn't run off properly. That is, the camera has already cocked the shutter, but the feedback mechanism doesn't work right, and the camera tries to cock the shutter again despite the fact that it is already cocked.

 

Is your M8 one with the 1/8000 top shutter speed? I seem to recall that this problem was more prevalent with the older shutter than with the "upgraded," slower shutter.

 

IIRC, in severe cases, this glitch could cause the camera to jam and become inoperative.

 

I'd say best thing to do is to keep using the camera and hope that the problem doesn't recur. If it does start to occur more frequently, the camera may eventually need a trip to Leica for adjustment or repair.

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Hi Matias.

 

Welcome. Sorry to hear of your problem.It sounds like the one i had with my M8.2. As Howard stated it was a problem with a faulty/broken shutter sensor. First it occurred just occasionally, but the camera did not stop to recock until i took out the battery. Very scary. Then it was good for some shots - until it started again. So be careful and watch out, the problem might not just go away like that.

 

In my case the camera had to go to Solms for service. They repaired it without charging anything. Turnaround time was 4 weeks, but just because they lacked the part.Best would be to pre-arrange a service schedule via telephone.

 

Good luck.

 

Mike

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Thanks for all answers. I do have the latest firmware, and also the "old" shutter with 1/8000. I wil keep an eye (and an ear) out for this noise, just hope it doesn't happen again. The camera is in exellent condition otherwise, with just over a 1000 actuations, so it might be something wrong. I'll send it away if it happens again... Thanks again for all the quick replies.

 

Have a nice day,

 

Matias

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There were few reports of this over last year or so in the forum. Of course, one would think it won't happened to me, it does.

 

It happened to me about a month ago in NYC. I was over there on vaca and sure enough, there goes my M8 with continious winding noise. It just did not stop. I pulled the battery out while it was still making noise. Then of course it stopped. I put the second battery in, with some click or so, it started working fine again. When check the battery I took it out, it was empty.

 

I did not consider sending it to Leica though. Now that you brought it up, I guess I should be talking to them.

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It is a known problem. Personally I would send the camera in for this at a time that fitted me, instead of waiting for it to break down, probably at an inconvenient time.

 

Is there a "silent recall" or something like that where Leica will address the issue post-warranty? I just bought an M8 with 2050 clicks on it and he shutter is pretty noisy...

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Is there a "silent recall" or something like that where Leica will address the issue post-warranty? I just bought an M8 with 2050 clicks on it and he shutter is pretty noisy...
Not that I am aware of. But when Leica does a repair or CLA that involves opening the camera and checking it completely they will bring it up to spec and extend a years guaranty on the whole camera. Speak to them. A noisy shuter is a subjective complaint that has been around since the first M8 and not a fault, btw.
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Not that I am aware of. But when Leica does a repair or CLA that involves opening the camera and checking it completely they will bring it up to spec and extend a years guaranty on the whole camera. Speak to them. A noisy shuter is a subjective complaint that has been around since the first M8 and not a fault, btw.

 

Is it worth it to upgrade the M8 to an M8.2 if the upgrade is still available? I would "assume" that a CLA is essentially done during the upgrade process??

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M8 can't be upgraded to M8.2, but can get some features of M8.2.

 

The upgrades to

  • shutter (slower, quieter)
  • frames (tighter)
  • LCD cover plate (sapphire glass)

are all still available, separately or combined. See Leica Camera AG - Service - M8 Upgrade.

 

As Jaap said, all billable repairs from Leica include going over the whole camera and bringing it to current specification and include a one-year warranty on the whole kaboodle.

 

Whether the upgrade is worth it to you is your decision. It was to me. :)

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OP here:) So if I was to send it in for repair, would it be free of charge? How would I know this before I sent it to Solms? If not, how are the rates for repairs? As I just recently purchased the M8 (and two weeks later a Summicron 50) my wallet is.... you all know...empty!

 

Should I call or email Leica first, to let them know I'm sending it over there, and get a price on the repairs?

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M8 can't be upgraded to M8.2, but can get some features of M8.2.

 

The upgrades to

  • shutter (slower, quieter)
  • frames (tighter)
  • LCD cover plate (sapphire glass)

are all still available, separately or combined. See Leica Camera AG - Service - M8 Upgrade.

 

As Jaap said, all billable repairs from Leica include going over the whole camera and bringing it to current specification and include a one-year warranty on the whole kaboodle.

 

Whether the upgrade is worth it to you is your decision. It was to me. :)

 

Howard I did see that but the link to upgrades available in the US doesn't work. I emailed Leica yesterday to see what the deal was - will update when I hear back. From what I can see, once you add the new shutter, sapphire glass and frame lines it's essentially an M8.2 - the sensor is the same...

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Yes, it's essentially the same, but doesn't have the help screens in idiot mode IIRC. And when you come to sell it, it's an upgraded M8, not an M8.2.

 

Interesting that the upgrade link doesn't work for you. Just one of those jurisdictional differences, I guess. :(

 

Here in the States, the upgrades and prices are listed as:

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

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I received an email back from Leica US in New Jersey and the upgrades are still being done - prices are as follows:

 

M8 Upgrade Option MSP

Shutter + Sapphire Glass + Rangefinder Mask $2,150.00

Shutter & Sapphire Glass $1,850.00

Shutter & Rangefinder Mask $1,600.00

Shutter Only $1,300.00

Sapphire Glass & Rangefinder Mask $1,550.00

Sapphire Glass $1,300.00

Rangefinder Mask $1,100.00

Signature Engraving on top plate

(Must attach signature on a white sheet of paper. Signature must be in black ink.) $ 510.00

Personal Engraving on top plate $ 325.00

Vulcanite Leatherette body $ 360.00

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