glacierparkmagazine Posted October 17, 2012 Share #1 Posted October 17, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Watched the debates about shutter life, durability with the M9. Well, I turned 50,000 clicks in a snowstorm the other day and the camera shutter release button quit working. Prior to that, no real problems. This camera has seen it all — wind, rain, snow, falls, bangs, scratches. It was serviced once before because I fell on it and damaged the rear wheel. So all in all, I'd say it's just as rugged as my Nikons. That shutter release probably wouldn't have failed if not for the copious amounts of wet snow... 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 17, 2012 Posted October 17, 2012 Hi glacierparkmagazine, Take a look here 50,000 clicks. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
CalArts 99 Posted October 17, 2012 Share #2 Posted October 17, 2012 So all in all, I'd say it's just as rugged as my Nikons. That shutter release probably wouldn't have failed if not for the copious amounts of wet snow... Which Nikon? The D3s is tested for 300,000 shutter firings before a shutter overhaul is needed. And copious amounts of snow won't faze it at all. It's a real tank and is relatively indestructible (and of course it weighs almost as much as a tank ) 50,000 shutter actuations on a D3s is nothing. I'll risk playing devil's advocate here, but I don't understand why we should feel it's anything special that an expensive camera is still working for 50,000 shutter firings and under some adverse conditions. I think it only serves to reflect that there are certain issues and doubts about reliability. I really feel the M9 could have been built to be a lot more robust. Although I do realize the main priority was getting it built as a FF rangefinder being able to use both new and legacy M lenses. But ownership in the field is somewhat of a 'keeping your fingers crossed' sort of relationship. And to be sure, any camera can fail. But I can't seem to bring myself to really believing that the M9 is in any way more robust compared to run-of-the-mill much lesser priced cameras. When I read about a camera failing because a small amount of beer was splashed onto the shutter release, or the body pulled apart from mounting onto a tripod, or strap eyelets breaking off (let alone SD cards not working and sensor cover glass cracking), it just doesn't impart that kind of security to me, personally. Over time I do believe (and hope) we'll see a lot more durability with successive models. Leica has apparently recognized all of this too, with the new M and its weather sealing. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikP Posted October 17, 2012 Share #3 Posted October 17, 2012 Which Nikon? The D3s is tested for 300' date='000 shutter firings before a shutter overhaul is needed. And copious amounts of snow won't faze it at all. It's a real tank and is relatively indestructible (and of course it weighs almost as much as a tank ) 50,000 shutter actuations on a D3s is nothing. I'll risk playing devil's advocate here, but I don't understand why we should feel it's anything special that an expensive camera is still working for 50,000 shutter firings and under some adverse conditions. I think it only serves to reflect that there are certain issues and doubts about reliability. I really feel the M9 could have been built to be a lot more robust. Although I do realize the main priority was getting it built as a FF rangefinder being able to use both new and legacy M lenses. But ownership in the field is somewhat of a 'keeping your fingers crossed' sort of relationship. And to be sure, any camera can fail. But I can't seem to bring myself to really believing that the M9 is in any way more robust compared to run-of-the-mill much lesser priced cameras. When I read about a camera failing because a small amount of beer was splashed onto the shutter release, or the body pulled apart from mounting onto a tripod, or strap eyelets breaking off (let alone SD cards not working and sensor cover glass cracking), it just doesn't impart that kind of security to me, personally. Over time I do believe (and hope) we'll see a lot more durability with successive models. Leica has apparently recognized all of this too, with the new M and its weather sealing.[/quote'] Well in line with my thoughts. My Nikon D70 passet 30.000 still working and that was a 1000 Euro camera when it was introduced early 2004. There is actually à tread about the life of M8 shutter life that is quite objektive - members are asked to add there shutter count to à database. Cheers Erik Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikP Posted October 17, 2012 Share #4 Posted October 17, 2012 Look in the M8 section and you will now se the thread. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted October 18, 2012 Share #5 Posted October 18, 2012 amazing how many M9s are droping on the market now with a few K of clicks, presumably as their owners get ready for the new M I always wonder "whats the point!" but then I think about the mint M9 I picked up and don't complain 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalpowershot Posted October 18, 2012 Share #6 Posted October 18, 2012 50.000 is a shame for a Leica 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glacierparkmagazine Posted October 19, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted October 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've managed to kill every camera I ever owned. Admittedly, not a D3, because I don't want to lug one around, but D300(s), D7000(s), D2H, the old D1 and an F4 to the point that the screws fell out of the F Mount. My point was only that the Leica seems to be holding its own. The shutter is fine, it's the button that went kaput and yes, it irritated me, but Leica said it's a fairly minor problem and easy to fix... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glacierparkmagazine Posted October 20, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted October 20, 2012 Well I guess I'll eat some crow. Just heard back from Leica and they're replacing the shutter. A little over $500 for the complete repair. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted October 20, 2012 Share #9 Posted October 20, 2012 Well I guess I'll eat some crow. Just heard back from Leica and they're replacing the shutter. A little over $500 for the complete repair. Good for you! In my experience with Leica, they have been very fair...glad you're getting it fixed..it's nice when it goes home and comes back fresh! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveO Posted October 22, 2012 Share #10 Posted October 22, 2012 My Nikon D80 is still going strong after 2500 shots! I'm waiting for it to fail so I can buy a D 400 when they come out! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hhanebeck Posted October 23, 2012 Share #11 Posted October 23, 2012 Good for you! In my experience with Leica, they have been very fair...glad you're getting it fixed..it's nice when it goes home and comes back fresh! Had the same experience with an out-of-warranty M8 where the shutter broke after just 8,000 clicks. Leica was extremely fair and covered the parts. It came back as good as new. Cheers, Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glacierparkmagazine Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted October 26, 2012 So I got the final invoice back today and they DID NOT replace the shutter. They fixed the release mechanism and did a bunch of other stuff, but the shutter was fine. There was, however, water damage. Moral of the story: An M9 can only take so much heavy snow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messsucherkamera Posted October 26, 2012 Share #13 Posted October 26, 2012 (edited) JMHO but I am not impressed with an $8000USD camera that breaks down after a mere 50,000 cycles. Leica should be embarrassed by a failure such as this. Edited October 26, 2012 by Messsucherkamera 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted October 26, 2012 Share #14 Posted October 26, 2012 ... I am not impressed with an $8000USD camera that breaks down after a mere 50,000 cycles. .... The release failed on account of moisture. There was mention of snow. Nothing to do with the number of shutter actuations at all. The new M is said to be weather proof. The M9 is not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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