eronald Posted March 11, 2007 Share #1 Â Posted March 11, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I *paid* someone to model in front of a local monument. We got there, the M8 didn't start up. In the end I persuaded it to take images, though the screen wouldn't display them, and I couldn't set ISO etc. Â This camera will have to go back to Solms for the second time in 3 months. Between the hardware issues and the color issues, I've had enough. My SLRs may be heavier but they've been round the world a couple of times each, and kept working. For me a camera is a reliable instrument, not a temperamental prima donna. Â I got the M8 because Leica has a rep for reliability. This camera is a lemon. Leica has taken our money, but they haven't delivered. I need a camera in my bag that works. Enough. I'm getting out. Â When they have the bugs out, and a pro-level after sales service, I'll be delighted to use a Leica. In the mean time I want to take some images, and this object is a paperweight. Â Edmund Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBerens Posted March 11, 2007 Share #2 Â Posted March 11, 2007 Yeah, that's a shame. I have a friend who's a Marine over in Iraq who got his M8 after a six month wait only to have it break down ten day later. However, he said he loved using it and can't wait to get it back... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eronald Posted March 11, 2007 Author Share #3 Â Posted March 11, 2007 Yeah, that's a shame. I have a friend who's a Marine over in Iraq who got his M8 after a six month wait only to have it break down ten day later. However, he said he loved using it and can't wait to get it back... Â If it were a Canon they'd do a ONE DAY fix for CPS, in every capital. Hre it's a whole process to get the thing fixed. But worse, I DO NOT TRUST IT ANYMORE. I seriously wonder if the whole first batch isn't lemon. Â Edmund. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
atufte Posted March 11, 2007 Share #4 Â Posted March 11, 2007 Sorry to hear that :-( Â Was this with firmware 1.92...? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
footnoteblog Posted March 11, 2007 Share #5 Â Posted March 11, 2007 Edmund, Â Sorry to hear of that. Certainly you had a backup on a money-related shoot? Anyway, that is a shame. Â So far, though, my newer unit (delivered February) is fine, misty rain, etc. (cross fingers) Â 1.092. Will report any issues while traveling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tashley Posted March 11, 2007 Share #6 Â Posted March 11, 2007 No one can say you haven't been patient. I am very sorry to hear this but as you say, you need it to be reliable and when it does breakdown you need quick service. Whatever the image quality when the wind is in the right direction, it's clearly not the camera for you. We'll miss you! Â Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 11, 2007 Share #7 Â Posted March 11, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Sory to hear it Edmund. This affliction seems to strike without rhyme or reason. I have an early body that is as reliable as my newer one.(fingers crossed.) And then, I don't have to depend on them for a living. I hope Leica will sort this out, it can't help their reputation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
35mmSummicron Posted March 11, 2007 Share #8 Â Posted March 11, 2007 that is unfortunate to hear you are having problem with your M8--i guess you will be giving up the system now? Â .....at least you won't have to complain about people not donating when you offer free profiles anymore...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eronald Posted March 11, 2007 Author Share #9 Â Posted March 11, 2007 Sory to hear it Edmund. This affliction seems to strike without rhyme or reason. I have an early body that is as reliable as my newer one.(fingers crossed.) And then, I don't have to depend on them for a living. I hope Leica will sort this out, it can't help their reputation. Â Â How can they sort it out ? Their camera is a lemon. Instead of sorting out reliability issues, they have to add "new" firmware features like lens-coding, IR filter profiles etc. And of course, a new Leicaflex, and new lenses and and and and. Â Make the existing stuff work ? How can they, when their A team is on new product development ? Â Edmund Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry Posted March 11, 2007 Share #10  Posted March 11, 2007 Edmund,  Do you think the image degradation you reported in this thread might have something to do with your camera dying? http://www.leica-camera-user.com/digital-forum/18683-has-someone-done-quality-regression-test.html  I checked my M8 and couldn't see a change between the old and new firmware. Sorry about your camera.   Larry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted March 11, 2007 Share #11 Â Posted March 11, 2007 Edmund, I'm sorry to hear of your problems. Let's face it, the filters are late, the firmware is late and there's no doubt Leica have work to do. Job 1 is probably to bring all software and electronics development in-house. Â They can't go on sub-contracting this out to people who, in the final analysis, bear no responsibility for what they deliver. Sure the contract may say differently but how do you hold them to it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
atufte Posted March 11, 2007 Share #12 Â Posted March 11, 2007 This must be the first 1.092 camera to get the "sudden death" syndrome, or is it...? Â I finally got a rest from worrying when they released the 1.092, but maybe they did'nt fix the "sudden death" syndrome after all...? Â I feel sorry for you, but i really hope this problem is caused by something else than just pure a simple lemon electronics... Â This thing should really make Leica shiver in their pants, because i think this reliability issue is getting out of hand.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest licht Posted March 11, 2007 Share #13 Â Posted March 11, 2007 I am really sorry, but I must tell you the truth: Â The M8 is no tool for professionell use. Maybe the M8.2 or M9 will be (if it ever comes) but I have a very bad feeling that they will add another bug we are not dreaming of yet... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted March 11, 2007 Share #14 Â Posted March 11, 2007 I am sorry to hear about this breakdown as well. Obviously M8 reliability is becoming an issue. It seems Leica is overwhelmed, and doesn't really have the stamina to keep up with the current challenges. Unfortunately it will be a while before all the bugs are worked out. I truly enjoy the M8 but serious realibility issues seem to pop up on a weekly basis, and this concerns me. Good luck Edmund, maybe its time for a replacement? Â Wilfredo+ Benitez-Rivera Photography Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravastar Posted March 11, 2007 Share #15 Â Posted March 11, 2007 .....................................This thing should really make Leica shiver in their pants, because i think this reliability issue is getting out of hand.... Â I'm now getting really concerned over this. I need a backup but don't want to be landed with two unreliable lemons. It's the variability of the problems that's a concern. If it was an unreliable component or a design oversight then causes should be identifiable. So far this doesn't appear to be so. Â The variability and strange operational failures makes me think the problem could well be static induced/damage, especially after reading about the poor electrical connectivity between the case components (Mark's measurements I think). If this is the situation and unless it's rectified we could all expect problems in the future. Â I'd be a lot happier if there was a factual statement from Leica concerning these problems. Â Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 11, 2007 Share #16  Posted March 11, 2007 How can they sort it out ? Their camera is a lemon. Instead of sorting out reliability issues, they have to add "new" firmware features like lens-coding, IR filter profiles etc. And of course, a new Leicaflex, and new lenses and and and and.  Make the existing stuff work ? How can they, when their A team is on new product development ?  Edmund  Whether they can is sort of irrelevant. They must, there is no choice.I have a gut feeling that the problem is in the camera/battery interface.and that their supplier is letting them down. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry Posted March 11, 2007 Share #17 Â Posted March 11, 2007 As troubling as these failures are, we should remember to be careful not to make sweeping generalizations concerning the M8's reliability. I hope Leica can identify the offending components and/or software and resolve the problems soon. In the meantime, keeping a backup camera handy is always a good idea, and it beats hand-wringing induced stress. Â Larry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosuna Posted March 11, 2007 Share #18 Â Posted March 11, 2007 Job 1 is probably to bring all software and electronics development in-house. Â I agree with you Mark. Â Leica tried to buy Sinar for this purpose (I think), but the operation failed. Â For instance, Phase One is a very small company. I suppose it would be feasible to develop a similar division inside Leica for software and electronics development/testing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eronald Posted March 11, 2007 Author Share #19  Posted March 11, 2007 As troubling as these failures are, we should remember to be careful not to make sweeping generalizations concerning the M8's reliability. I hope Leica can identify the offending components and/or software and resolve the problems soon. In the meantime, keeping a backup camera handy is always a good idea, and it beats hand-wringing induced stress. Larry  You mean TWO backup cameras, surely, as this one will be away again for a month  Edmund Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted March 11, 2007 Share #20  Posted March 11, 2007 If it were a Canon they'd do a ONE DAY fix for CPS, in every capital. Hre it's a whole process to get the thing fixed. But worse, I DO NOT TRUST IT ANYMORE. I seriously wonder if the whole first batch isn't lemon. Edmund.  Unless of course they (Canon) think that they can get away with not fixing it at all, and blaming it on you instead. I have a 5D with a scratch on the sensor which was there on day 1, with evidence from day 3, months before I even tried to clean it, and Canon keeps telling me I scratched it myself. I have begged, pleaded, explained, sent a CD with several raw images, and on and on, and they just spit back the same thing every time: I scratched it myself. I am so fed up with this company, I am never buying another Canon in my life. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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