250swb Posted February 2, 2012 Share #21 Â Posted February 2, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) There have been plenty of threads about how the M9 can work perfectly well in the damp and cold. The fact that it coincidentally failed in Antarctica is irrelevant. Â Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Hi 250swb, Take a look here M9 Dies after 193 shots in Antarctica. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Alnitak Posted February 2, 2012 Share #22 Â Posted February 2, 2012 Leica should take better parts for lower and higher temperatures. Otherwise digital Ms will be only "Nice-weather-cameras". Â I was using my M9-P's in RIga this past weekend at temps ranging down to -15C with no trouble. Even the battery life was not affected much. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiwing Posted February 2, 2012 Share #23 Â Posted February 2, 2012 Sorry to hear that. I guess some preparation (decent battery or camera case) and protection may help to keep the body work. I still trust the M9 will help me to take good photos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 2, 2012 Share #24  Posted February 2, 2012 I was using my M9-P's in RIga this past weekend at temps ranging down to -15C with no trouble. Even the battery life was not affected much.  Lucky man! When I tried some shots on the windy Zugsoitze /2.962 m) at -12°C, both batteries for the M8.2 failed after few photos in RAW-modus. Time for saving pictures on the card got longer and longer, at least only some jpgs were possible. By the way, I had done this trip by cable-car, so camera and batteries have been on quite normal temperatures. When backpacking in the alps during cold winters, I should better take an analog M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceberg Posted February 3, 2012 Share #25  Posted February 3, 2012 I had a similar problem some weeks ago shooting at night around 0 ºC at some point the camera was not able to transfer the photos to the memory card and the battery showed no charge so I lost some photos change the battery and again in happen the same night the same so I lost some more shoots in between. Both batteries recovered or rather the camera worked again with both batteries without recharged the next day when the camera was warmer, that night the metal surface of the camera was very cold and the problem was intermittent Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxJ1961 Posted February 3, 2012 Share #26 Â Posted February 3, 2012 I've taken mine to Spain last summer and the summer before. No problems. However, to be safe, I brought my D700 and a 50mm lens. Never took it out of the safe! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastgreenlander Posted February 3, 2012 Share #27  Posted February 3, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello I'm writing from snowy and cold East Greenland, Tasiilaq. I've had the M9 for two winter, never had any problems with my M9 despite almost daily use in sub zero temps the coldest being -20c, the only reaction to the camera is a slower LCD and faster battery drainage. The most important thing to remember is to prevent condensation once taken back inside and I do that by wrapping my jacket around the M9. What ever cause you camera to stop working, its not the cold.   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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/171836-m9-dies-after-193-shots-in-antarctica/?do=findComment&comment=1916338'>More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted February 3, 2012 Share #28 Â Posted February 3, 2012 Stunning photos Per. My only comment would be that you indicated that the OP's M9 failure was not caused by cold. In point of fact we have no idea what caused the failure, but it isn't really material. What matters is that no product, regardless of how rigorously tested and inspected, can achieve zero defect. The only solution is to have a backup. Redundancy is the best way to greatly increases the chances of a successful mission. Just ask NASA. Â The Space Shuttle had 5 redundant computers running the flight control system. If one failed the other computers "voted" it out, and the mission continued. If two failed the other three voted them both out. To the best of my knowledge this double failure never happened on a shuttle mission, but NASA was ready. Also, the 5th computer ran on completely different code, in case the other four computers crashed due to software. I know this never occurred on a mission. Â I'm not NASA, but for my part I have 2 M9 bodies, 4 batteries, 2 chargers (with 2 different power cables), numerous SD cards, and several lenses. It's the only way to be sure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hydeca Posted February 3, 2012 Share #29 Â Posted February 3, 2012 Its good to hear of trouble-free operation in Greenland. Â There's no mention of min/max temperature in the technical data for film Ms yet Leica specify 0..40C for the M9. Why do they mention it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted February 3, 2012 Share #30 Â Posted February 3, 2012 Its good to hear of trouble-free operation in Greenland. Â There's no mention of min/max temperature in the technical data for film Ms yet Leica specify 0..40C for the M9. Why do they mention it? Â Probably because circuits and batteries can start to become erratic at the extremes, so Leica are just covering themselves. But I think in reality they follow the policy of a good Italian car maker, the speedometer redlines at 130m.p.h. but the customer is even more delighted with his purchase when they find their car can really go 140m.p.h. fully laden with Grandma and Grandpa in the back! Â Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf Posted February 3, 2012 Share #31 Â Posted February 3, 2012 I've taken mine to Spain last summer and the summer before. No problems. However, to be safe, I brought my D700 and a 50mm lens. Never took it out of the safe! Â So, how cold was it in Spain then? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted February 3, 2012 Share #32 Â Posted February 3, 2012 I bring my M8u for hiking, skiing or biking in the cold -15C no problems except bad battery performance. Â Super pictures from Greenland! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eastgreenlander Posted February 3, 2012 Share #33 Â Posted February 3, 2012 Stunning photos Per. My only comment would be that you indicated that the OP's M9 failure was not caused by cold. In point of fact we have no idea what caused the failure, but it isn't really material. What matters is that no product, regardless of how rigorously tested and inspected, can achieve zero defect. Â You are right. Just so hard to belive when I have used my M9 in cold weather so many times. Â Â Â --- I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=65.613512,-37.637330 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmradman Posted February 3, 2012 Share #34 Â Posted February 3, 2012 Â I'm not NASA, but for my part I have 2 M9 bodies, 4 batteries, 2 chargers (with 2 different power cables), numerous SD cards, and several lenses. It's the only way to be sure. Â You will not likely ever expose your M9 to same stresses you expose Space Shuttle especially on takeoff. Having two M9 is somewhat expensive backup strategy for many outside pro pool. Â For still photography NASA used Nikon DSLR cameras with Nikon lenses despite bulk and lack of "Leica glow" on space Shuttle flights. Only difference from standard equipment was use of NASA specified lubricant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pelagia Posted February 3, 2012 Share #35  Posted February 3, 2012 For still photography NASA used Nikon DSLR cameras with Nikon lenses  Because there is weightlessness there Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmradman Posted February 3, 2012 Share #36  Posted February 3, 2012 Because there is weightlessness there  Tell that gravity on take-off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
@bumac Posted February 3, 2012 Share #37  Posted February 3, 2012 I used mine in Lappland during 3 hours for norther light pics. No problem at all. Even the battery works fine.  M-Impresión: Nordlichter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted February 4, 2012 Share #38  Posted February 4, 2012 It's not clear from the OP's description what has caused the falure in this instance. It may or may not be related to temperature. The description does not sound like loss of power from the battery getting too cold.  Did the camera work again after return home?  I hope that the repairer can resolve this quickly and we learn what the problem and resolution were on its return. Good luck for its speedy return   My M8 kept working for several hours in Minus 15 C with the battery running out of steam more quickly. Fitting a warm battery restored normal operation until the (very unprepared) sub-tropical photographer cold soaked enough to surrender. See my left hand! Did you know that you cannot buy a warm hat or gloves for any amount of money at the Visitor Centre 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!  I personally know two photographers (one a member here) who successfully used their M9's, an M8 and I think a film M or two for days of ship expeditions to the Antarctic, each shooting thousands of frames.  I would think preparation and management of the batteries would be very important in extreme conditions (beyond the cameras' design limits). Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  I personally know two photographers (one a member here) who successfully used their M9's, an M8 and I think a film M or two for days of ship expeditions to the Antarctic, each shooting thousands of frames.  I would think preparation and management of the batteries would be very important in extreme conditions (beyond the cameras' design limits). ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/171836-m9-dies-after-193-shots-in-antarctica/?do=findComment&comment=1917299'>More sharing options...
erl Posted February 4, 2012 Share #39 Â Posted February 4, 2012 M9, M8 & M7 all worked faultlessly for three weeks in Antarctica. This photogprapher auguably 'qualified' for the Guinness Book of Records as the only photographer to change film in a Leica while standing in "Neptunes Window" and wearing two pairs of gloves at the time! That was a remark from a seasoned traveller to those parts. Â I always carried spare batteries in my 'moon suit' pockets, for the M9 & M8, but never actually needed then in the field. I would repeat it all in a heartbeat. Â Critical was the 'defrosting' of the camera gear upon return to the ship. I left my entire camera bag in the 'mudroom' during daytime returns to the ship, only taking it to my cabin at night. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanhulsenbeek Posted February 5, 2012 Share #40 Â Posted February 5, 2012 Well.... day before yesterday it snowed here in Amsterda, first time this winter, and I ran out - no bag, just with the camera in my coat - to make these shots: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/221688-snow-amsterdam-netherlands.html#post1967062 Temperature was -10 Celcius. Â After about 40 exposures my M9 stopped working. I got back inside our house: it revived. I walked out again, 30 exposures: stop. Back in: revival! Later in the afternoon I went out again, proper bag, let the camera acclimatize, temperature even down some degrees: no problem at all. Â It seems the sudden temperature drop, and may some moisture from some thawed snow, did not do well with this digital marvel. Â Indeed Geoff: "I would think preparation and management of the batteries would be very important in extreme conditions (beyond the cameras' design limits)" : you may be very right there! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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