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Just got M8 - have questions


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My M8 arrived today and I already have some questions. Sometimes the center focus rectangle is not lit up like it should be. It is almost like what ever is lighting it up is turned off. I know the camera is not in sleep mode and the camera is turned on :) What could be causing this? Also at times when I turn the camera over, I hear something rattling inside. Is this normal?

 

Thanks :)

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x

Keep your finger off the little window that illuminates the rangefinder - it's the one closest to the shutter release!:) Rattles aren't normal, so check with your dealer if it persists.

 

Chris

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My M8 arrived today and I already have some questions. Sometimes the center focus rectangle is not lit up like it should be. It is almost like what ever is lighting it up is turned off. I know the camera is not in sleep mode and the camera is turned on :) What could be causing this? Also at times when I turn the camera over, I hear something rattling inside. Is this normal?

 

Thanks :)

 

the foregoing comment probably is the issue, but I just wanted to confirm-the focus rectangle does not "light up" at all if you mean like in a dslr. sometimes it will seem to be brighter because some stray light is hitting in at an angle, but there is nothing electronic about the focusing in the finder. The only part of the finder that actually lights up are the exposure diodes and the shutter display/flash symbol.

 

I hope that wasn't obvious, but I know that so many people I give the camera to have really unusual ideas about how to focus it because it is so different.

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The best way I have found to hold the camera is with the right hand at the right (duh), and the finger on the trigger, and the left hand cupping the lens from underneath. The large clear window on the front is the viewfinder, the small clear window is the focus patch which moves in the middle of the viewfinder, and the large, vertically-lined window in the middle is the light for the rangefinder framelines. Don't cover any of the three windows with fingers or anything else.

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Assuming both battery and SD card are properly secured and there are no annoying rings attached to the outside lugs on either side, you should NOT hear anything rattling when you gently agitate the camera. (Every historical instinct in me rebels at the mere thought of using the verb SHAKE.)

 

The central rangfinder patch is only powered by amibent light entering the opitcal viewfinder chamber through the smaller of the two rectangular patches on the face of the camera. (No electrical power needed here.) Yes, the photographer can let the occasional digit (usually the right index finger) drift and cover this small but necessary window.

 

Sounds like you need to walk this camera back to the dealer for a little heart-to-heart chat. They should never have shipped one to you in such questionable condition.

 

Once properly sorted out and learned, the M8 is a wonderful camera to use.

 

-g

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The rattle is the orientation sensor. I assume it just a ball bearing moving around to tell whether you are shooting vertical or not.

 

Everybody else, take your camera, put it to your ear and move it from vertical to horizontal. You should here this noise.

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The rattle is the orientation sensor. I assume it just a ball bearing moving around to tell whether you are shooting vertical or not.

 

Everybody else, take your camera, put it to your ear and move it from vertical to horizontal. You should here this noise.

 

I'm not sure that the M8 has such a sensor....

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Watch where your finger lays when shooting. It can block the square that lets the light in and you will see no patch to focus. Also, every M8 makes a noise when you turn it - its faint but there. It is the orientation sensor (this is what i was told) - If you take your M8 in a quiet area, put it by your ear and turn it to its side you will hear the rattle. Very faint, but normal.

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Guest guy_mancuso

Jennifer apparently no one told you the M8 advanced school of shooting.In this advanced class the right middle finger we snip off just the end on the middle finger to allow full usage of focusing without getting that damn finger in the way. It happens to all the newbies (me Too) so now I sport s snipped right middle finger and to make it attractive instead of just a stub I glued a Leica red dot there to conceal this advanced technique in M8 shooting. Any time your ready for this we have advanced plastic surgeon on board to perform said operation. LOL

 

 

I'm kidding of course but it does happen all the time, maybe the grip would be of a benefit to you

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The rattle is the orientation sensor. I assume it just a ball bearing moving around to tell whether you are shooting vertical or not.

 

Everybody else, take your camera, put it to your ear and move it from vertical to horizontal. You should here this noise.

Yes, and sometimes with the odd angle EXIF defaults to horizontal even if mostly vertical... but then film always "lays them straight" ;)

 

rgds,

Dave

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That is true. I don't hear any movement in my camera though.

 

from the m8 manual page 101:

 

The LEICA M8 is fitted with an integral sensor which

detects the position of the camera – horizontal or

vertical (both directions) – for each picture. This

information allows the pictures always to be presented

upright automatically when subsequently

displayed on a computer running the appropriate

programs (not on the camera monitor!).

 

i though there was also a note about that rattle sound, which can be heard sometimes, but cant find it right now.

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Jennifer, to summarise you have a perfectly normal camera. The disappearing patch is caused by your fingers blocking the window and the rattle is the orientation sensor.

 

Enjoy using the camera and post some images to the photo forum if you have any you'd like to share.

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