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Leica M strap lugs unscrewing (merged)


Salander

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I've heard he is to be taken outside and flogged with an à la carte camera strap. Will that be sufficient?

 

Ian,

 

I was thinking of something far more painful involving an 800mm Telyt :D

 

Wilson

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Just had the email and mine has to go back - what a bummer.

 

Wilson

 

So I guess they're going to identify the affected cameras by serial number? Mine is also from the shipment period in question (before April 5) but I haven't received the email so far...

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So I guess they're going to identify the affected cameras by serial number? Mine is also from the shipment period in question (before April 5) but I haven't received the email so far...

 

My serial is 4445137. Is your's after that? The email with a PDF form to complete and digitally sign, only arrived late this afternoon.

 

Wilson

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So I guess they're going to identify the affected cameras by serial number? Mine is also from the shipment period in question (before April 5) but I haven't received the email so far...

 

Have you registered it on the Leica website? If not, they won't know you have one.

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So a serious question, though unfortunately I can anticipate the response: I only have put pressure on one of the defective lugs, using a Gordy wrist strap. I'm right handed, and this has worked well, given the notch grip on the right side. But until I get the email and send the M back, I would like to use it. The lug that has been attached to the strap is, I now realize, like a child's tooth about to fall out, but the other one is quite firmly in place. Do others think I am nuts if I carefully use the Gordy strap on the steadier lug? As I'm right handed, I would still likely not let it dangle from the left wrist, but would mostly carry it, with the strap as a fail-safe.

 

I think I'm answering my own question... Camera + lens = not worth the risk...

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The types of screws commonly used in this task have a small amount of thread locking compound on the end. Tightening the screw spreads the compound around the thread and locks the screw. I've seen this when I replaced the lens mount on a Nikon D3x where there is a similar imperative for the screws not to come loose.

 

The fact it has to go back to Germany suggests a big job which NJ are not yet equipped to do. Leica will be checking urgently that this is an isolated example. A recall to replace the strap lug retaining screws doesn't bear thinking about.

 

Oh dear........ nostradamus norton strikes again....:rolleyes:

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I think there is ambiguity in the announcement. It says: "We are aware of the fact that a few of the Leica M (Typ 240) cameras shipped before April 5th 2013 experienced loose carrying strap eyelets". [emphasis added] "A few" is not all. At the same time it is not clear that Leica can specifically identify those that are affected. If yes, only those cameras would be recalled. If no, then obviously they would have to do them all. Or is it that the manufacturing defect affected all, but only a few have shown signs of looseness? It would be good to get a clarification.

 

Selfishly, I would also like to know whether the recall will affect the production and delivery of new cameras since I am next on my dealer's list but there have been no new deliveries for quite some time (US). Or will Leica devote the fuill resources of the factory to fixing the pre April 5 production?

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But ALL M240s shipped before 5/4 are being recalled.

 

No M240s that shipped after 5/4 need to be recalled.

 

Is that what Leica told you ..... or your interpretation of the announcement ??

 

My interpretation was that some but not all were affected, presumably because some eejit on the line wasn't following the correct assembly procedure....... and that Leica know which cameras passed through this unfortunate (possibly ex) employees hands .....

....but as Alan says, if Leica's QC can't trace the path of each camera then all will have to be dismantled and looked at .... :(

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It is my interpretation of the announcement.

 

If Leica know EXACTLY which cameras are affected, by serial number, then they will recall ONLY those (suggesting a single operative on the assembly line was "at fault")

 

If they don't know EXACTLY, then they should/will recall ALL Of them.

 

If they know, from cradle to grave on the production line, the identity of EVERY single operative who has worked on an individual camera, then this will make their lives a lot easier.

 

No one knows how many M240s shipped before 5/4 - except Leica - so no one knows how big a task this is likely to be.

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I agree. Tthe official statement, assuming it is written correctly (& not a bad translation, for example), does not support a global recall.

 

The operative sentences (emphasis added) are:

 

"We are aware of the fact that a
few of the Leica M
(Typ 240) cameras shipped before April 5th 2013 experienced loose carrying strap eyelets."

 

"If you have already registered your Leica M (Typ 240) in the “
”, you will be contacted via E-Mail in the coming days and informed
whether your camera
needs to be checked or not."

If all pre April 5 cameras were being recalled, it would have been easier & more logical to simply publicize a schedule for returns based on delivery date or serial number, etc. Since I bought/received my M on March 28, I don't need an email from Leica to tell me that it was shipped before April 5th.

 

Is that what Leica told you ..... or your interpretation of the announcement ??

 

My interpretation was that some but not all were affected, presumably because some eejit on the line wasn't following the correct assembly procedure....... and that Leica know which cameras passed through this unfortunate (possibly ex) employees hands .....

 

If it's a global pre 05/04 recall then I will be waiting a while until the rush dies down ..... as I cannot see how they can achieve a 48hr turnaround with that volume of work......

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It is my interpretation of the announcement.

 

If Leica know EXACTLY which cameras are affected, by serial number, then they will recall ONLY those (suggesting a single operative on the assembly line was "at fault")

 

If they don't know EXACTLY, then they should/will recall ALL Of them.

 

If they know, from cradle to grave on the production line, the identity of EVERY single operative who has worked on an individual camera, then this will make their lives a lot easier.

 

No one knows how many M240s shipped before 5/4 - except Leica - so no one knows how big a task this is likely to be.

 

The more I think about this the more pessimistic I become..... the fact that the work will be scheduled implies they are expecting a lot...... :(:o

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My serial is 4445137. Is your's after that? The email with a PDF form to complete and digitally sign, only arrived late this afternoon.

 

Wilson

 

Mine is 4699XXX, so much higher than yours. Not sure if it matters at all - do the numbers have any relation to the order in which the cameras were produced or are they assigned in a random fashion?

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Who knows the basis of sending out the emails, alphabetical, numerical or astrological sign?

 

I would guess Andy is correct and ALL M's shipped prior to 5/4 are going to have to be returned for checking or refixing the screws. I cannot think of any way for Leica to be certain, other than to disassemble every camera, remove the lugs and refix. Since it appears that the threadlocker was missed out as an oversight on a small number of cameras, the dork that did this, is hardly likely to recall on which cameras he missed out this process. What is more of a concern to me, is the reassembly of these cameras. I want to be as near 100% certain as I can be, that it is fully up to what the original assembly, adjustment, alignment and QC was (or should have been).

 

Wilson

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My interpretation of the announcement is that whilst only a few cameras are actually likely to have the lug fall off, all M cameras that shipped before April 5th will need to go back to have the lugs refitted using the current (post April 5th) production technique.

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