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Wondered if anyone else has had issues with the date / time function on their M / camera? I take out the battery to charge; I then replace it and the date has been reset to 2008. Happens every single time.

 

After initially thinking it maybe a firmware issue, my local Leica dealer has concluded that it is a hardware issue..... so back to the factory we go.

 

Does anyone have any experience of how long (simple?) factory visits take as a round trip (I am going from the UK)?

 

Also, have you had any experience of dealers lending loan equipment whilst the new kit is being looked at?

 

Thanks in advance....

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Sorry to hear of your problem,

to me it seems like your ineternal backup battery is defective. That is the one that keeps the camera memory going (all your settings) while the main battery is being charged. Have you checked if it is only the time and date, or does also your customised settings disappear and all is reset to default values?

Don't know how long it will take, though. I suggest you enquire directly with Leica customer service in Solms. Maybe it is a quick fix and they will give you priority. I doubt if you will get a loaner though..

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While it's possible that your camera suffers from a hardware malfunction, there's still this quote from the user's manual to consider:

 

The replaceable battery provides power to a back-up battery which is permanently installed in the camera. This back-up battery saves data entered, such as the date, for up to 3 months. If this back-up battery becomes discharged it must be recharged by inserting the replaceable main battery. once the replaceable battery has been inserted, the full capacity of the back-up battery is recovered after about 60 hours. This process does not require the camera to be switched on.

 

(emphasis is mine)

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It has the same words in the M9 manual, in other words if the main battery is constantly being taken out of the camera for charging it won't be in the camera long enough to charge the secondary battery fully. I think when the M9 was newly released this also cropped up.

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This is what the M (Typ 240) manual says on this topic:

 

The replaceable battery provides power to a back-up battery which

is permanently fitted in the camera. This back-up battery retains

the set date and time for up to 2 months. If this back-up battery

becomes discharged it must be recharged by inserting the

replaceable main battery. Once the replaceable battery has been

inserted, the full capacity of the back-up battery is recovered after

about a few days. This process does not require the camera to be

turned on.

 

So a fully charged backup battery is good for up to 2 rather than 3 months, and recharging a discharged backup battery takes “a few days” rather than “about 60 hours”. There isn’t anything essentially different between the M and the M9.

Edited by mjh
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But it appears logical to me that the same would apply to the M.

 

Unfortunately, being "logical" or - rather - plausible is not always the same as "true". In this case, the statement applies to the M as well, as Michael kindly pointed out.

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Ah, consensus, wonderful.

 

Steve ;)

 

Consensus - yes - but does it solve JRS74's problem.

I wonder whether it would be worth asking the dealer to lend them a battery for 3 days so that you could keep a charged battery in the camera all the time?

 

all the best

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Only the TO can tell whether it's useful or not. In order to find out, he inserts a fully charged battery into his camera, sets the time and date, waits for 24 hours, takes the battery out, re-inserts it after a few hours and checks the time and date.

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Consensus - yes - but does it solve JRS74's problem.

I wonder whether it would be worth asking the dealer to lend them a battery for 3 days so that you could keep a charged battery in the camera all the time?

 

all the best

 

I know, patience is a declining virtue we all need to be frequently reminded of. But if he's worried about losing the camera while it is (potentially) repaired what does 60 hours matter? Just take fewer pictures and don't run the battery down all the way would be a simpler solution, it doesn't mean it can't be used.

 

Steve

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This is what the M (Typ 240) manual says on this topic:

 

 

 

So a fully charged backup battery is good for up to 2 rather than 3 months, and recharging a discharged backup battery takes “a few days” rather than “about 60 hours”. There isn’t anything essentially different between the M and the M9.

 

I had the same problem with the date changing and the time zone too. I thought it a software problem. Now after a week it is not happening. Thank you for reminding me to look at the manual. I am sure the internal battery needed more than five days to recharge because it was at least a week before the problem went away. Of course the overnight charging of the battery lengthened the time needed to charge the internal battery.

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I think the so-called 'internal battery' actually is a capacitor.

 

I think they usually are, but as the capacitor is used for the sole function of providing power to part of the circuit, the point is moot, IMO.

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