Leica R8 Mode Selection Problem

[j0hnbarker]

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Newbie here with a recently acquired R8 that I'm having problems with...

 

I picked the camera up last week from a local independent shop so it's still covered under their 12 month warranty, but last night I couldn't get it to go into 'P' or 'T' modes at all. When I select 'P' the LED display in the viewfinder shows 'A' and when I select 'T' it shows 'F'.

 

It was all working fine for the first couple of days. I haven't put a film in it yet but was playing about with it to get a feel before I loaded one up. Before I take it back is there anything obvious I should try to do? I'm aware that these cameras had their electrical issues and mine is an early serial number, but I would surely be unlucky to have it fail a few days into my ownership, wouldn't I?!

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[k_g_wolf ✝]

Yes!

You better return it, a repair would be too costly. I had a similar problem

with my R7 a year ago, it was a EUR 450,-- affair ...

 

Q:

 

- Did you use fresh batteries ?

 

- Did you put in a film and does it behave the same ?

 

and a suggestion:

 

Exercise all cameradials a dozen times. Perhaps just a tiny bit of corrosion

or dust is messing things up. Good luck with your camera. In case you have to return it,

choose a later R8 next time.

 

Or better, decide for the R9.

 

 

Best

GEORG

 

_____________________________

 

And:

welcome to this forum !

Edited June 10, 2012 by k_g_wolf

[dave.gt]

Yes!

You better return it, a repair would be too costly. I had a similar problem

with my R7 a year ago, it was a EUR 450,-- affair ...

 

Q:

 

- Did you use fresh batteries ?

 

- Did you put in a film and does it behave the same ?

 

and a suggestion:

 

Exercise all cameradials a dozen times. Perhaps just a tiny bit of corrosion

or dust is messing things up. Good luck with your camera. In case you have to return it,

choose a later R8 next time.

 

Or better, decide for the R9.

 

 

Best

GEORG

 

_____________________________

 

And:

welcome to this forum !

 

Yes, check all functions, etc. and take it back if it can't be cleared up. You could ask for them to fix it, but then, a trouble-free camera would make life much better with such a sweet camera as the R8 or R9!

 

Good luck and let us know what happens.

[topoxforddoc]

Take it back. Ask them to send it to solms for repair. You will get six months leica warranty.

[j0hnbarker]

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

I tried rotating the mode selection and shutter speed dials but to no avail really. A couple of times I've been able to get the modes to select as they should, but this is obviously an intermittent fault and needs correction.

 

Batteries are new and I tried loading a film but that makes no difference

 

Off back tomorrow - I just hope they can fix it.

 

John

[wildlightphoto]

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

I tried rotating the mode selection and shutter speed dials but to no avail really. A couple of times I've been able to get the modes to select as they should, but this is obviously an intermittent fault and needs correction.

 

Batteries are new and I tried loading a film but that makes no difference

 

Off back tomorrow - I just hope they can fix it.

 

John

 

When in P or T mode, is the lens at the minimum aperture?

[j0hnbarker]

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When in P or T mode, is the lens at the minimum aperture?

 

Hi - yes I stepped the aperture down to 22, but if the camera is working correctly I think the 'P' should flash if you haven't already done this...

 

I took the camera back today and to be fair the shop didn't want to send it back to Leica given the cost of repair, so fully refunded my purchase price + the now defunct roll of film in the camera. I would have preferred to have it repaired, but that didn't seem to be an option.

 

Back on the lookout for a nice R8

 

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

John

[Dukeviolin]

Had precisely the same issue with my new to me R8, set it to f/22 and it's perfect now ! 
Thanks for the tips Doug ! 

Edited April 26, 2018 by Dukeviolin

[jip]

I have an R8 that I bought new (new old stock) for 5 years now. The only reason I see to upgrade to an R9 would be the mode selector lock, and the less weight. 

 

I will never sell my R8 though, but it's good to look for one in pristine condition with warranty from a Leica Dealer, so you have peace of mind. 

[masjah]

I have an R8 that I bought new (new old stock) for 5 years now. The only reason I see to upgrade to an R9 would be the mode selector lock, and the less weight. 

 

I will never sell my R8 though, but it's good to look for one in pristine condition with warranty from a Leica Dealer, so you have peace of mind. 

 

There are several other little tweaks on the R9 that I find quite useful. For example I like the fact that you can illuminate the rear panel display (useful in dark churches). Also both the metering and the the flash control are a little bit more flexible, and there is an HSS facility. Also, if you are pairing with a DMR (not that I am) the R9 is slightly more convenient with regard to switching on and off. Funnily enough I think I would prefer the R9 without the mode selector lock button; on balance I find it a bit of a nuisance.

 

I take the point about whether to upgrade if one already has an R8, but if buying from scratch, I would get an R9 every time, if only because of the longer term issue with failing meter cells on the R8, which writes it off in terms of economic repair.