jonogilmour Posted March 3, 2014 Share #1 Posted March 3, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, I recently put went to take some photos of my girlfriend with my M-E, and found I didn't have the SD card inside, and no backups in my camera bag. The only card she had was her 64GB SDXC Sandisk card, so I thought, seeing as it was the only option, I would just pop that in and hope for the best (I'm well aware that it was probably not going to work). Of course it didn't work, but then the camera went on the fritz. I removed the card and turned it back on, and the camera just sat there, no "No SD card inserted warning" or anything. I removed the battery and swapped it for another full one just in case it was dead and the same thing happened. I got home and popped in an SD card that I had used before with 100% success and it turned on, but wouldn't take a photo. It just sat there, the only response was half-pressing the shutter which made the card writing LED turn on for a couple of seconds. I removed the battery and replaced it, and it did the same thing. I then charged the dead battery and put that in instead, and after removing and reinserting that a few times it came to life and would take a shot. I formatted the card in-camera, turned it off, and stored it in the bag. Today I took it out, turned it on and the same issue happened. Removed and replaced the battery twice and it came back to life and took photos like nothing was wrong. I've just switched it to another SD card that I've used previously now, and I'll have to wait and see if it repeats the same cycle. Just asking for your opinion on a couple of things. 1. When I remove the bottom cover and the camera power switch is set to OFF, it still beeps and warns me that the bottom cover is off. Is this normal? I don't remember it doing this until recently. 2. If it is an SD card issue, wouldn't removing the SD card altogether at least make it revert to normal behaviour (ie giving me a warning that there is no SD card), because it didn't. 3. Is it possible that putting in the 64GB card has scared the little bugger and he is afraid to turn on and function normally even without that card inside? 4. Would reinstalling the firmware fix this, from anyone's experience? 5. Should I SDFormatter a card, then put it in to see if that helps, or is that not a well reputed method to fixing things? Other notes: - I have tried putting it on continuous and timed modes just in case there is an issue with the power switch, and it made no difference. - I have two batteries, and have tested both to make sure it is not a battery issue. - I think it could, perhaps, have something to do with the sleep mode of the camera, seeing as the LED would come on for a second with every half-press of the shutter, as if it is sleeping and then waking up instantly. - I'd prefer to exhaust my solutions before opting to send it to Solms, as I'd really rather not be without it for a month or more. Thanks everyone! EDIT: I just turned the camera off after successfully taking a few shots, turned it back on and the problem is back. Also removing the bottom cover or SD card whilst it is in this weird state does not prompt the beep and warning on screen. EDIT 2: I removed the SD card and battery, and replaced the battery only, and it acts weirdly. Every few flicks of the power switch it will display the SD missing warning, then another off-on switch it will allow me to take photos without the card inside. Then after switching it off and on a few more times it will revert back to its strange "off" state. Also it should be noted that the menu, play, info, etc. buttons DO NOT respond when it is in this mode. EDIT 3: I tried putting in the other battery, and it said the battery was low. I took out that battery, placed it in the charger, and the charger said it had over 80%. I also tried reinstalling firmware 1.196 and this didn't solve anything. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 Hi jonogilmour, Take a look here Possible serious problem with M-E. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted March 3, 2014 Share #2 Posted March 3, 2014 The ME does not support SDXC. Let's approach this systematically. Insert a freshly charged battery Put in a SDHC or SD card, format the card in the camera . If the card is not recognized, use a smallish shop-new card. Basically all should run normally again. Yes, all Leica digital Ms will warn when the bottom is removed or if a locked SD card is inserted or if there is no card. The flash of the LED is usually indicative of an empty battery. You cannot reinstall firmware if the camera does not turn on . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonogilmour Posted March 3, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted March 3, 2014 The ME does not support SDXC. Let's approach this systematically. Insert a freshly charged battery Put in a SDHC or SD card, format the card in the camera . If the card is not recognized, use a smallish shop-new card. Basically all should run normally again. Yes, all Leica digital Ms will warn when the bottom is removed or if a locked SD card is inserted or if there is no card. The flash of the LED is usually indicative of an empty battery. You cannot reinstall firmware if the camera does not turn on . Thanks for the reply Jaap. I'm starting to wonder if it is the battery. When I put it in and it works, the camera says it has around 98%, so it should be full. When I try to put it into the charger, however, the 80% and charging lights blink erratically for a period before both becoming illuminated. I wonder if it is the battery causing this, or the charger. I'm charging my second, empty battery in the charger now. If this one doesn't work, I'll take it to my local store and see if one of their batteries will work, and failing that I will send it in to Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted March 3, 2014 Share #4 Posted March 3, 2014 This is very strange behaviour. I presume the batteries are Leica branded ones? It is interesting that this is the first new thread on the Leica M-E for a long time. Many thought the camera had suffered because of other manufacturing priorities. Did you buy it very recently? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonogilmour Posted March 3, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted March 3, 2014 This is very strange behaviour. I presume the batteries are Leica branded ones? It is interesting that this is the first new thread on the Leica M-E for a long time. Many thought the camera had suffered because of other manufacturing priorities. Did you buy it very recently? Bought it last July brand new from Leica Mayfair. Both batteries are Leica brand. So they're all less than a year old. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted March 3, 2014 Share #6 Posted March 3, 2014 I think Jaap has given you the answer. At least eliminate the obvious things first, like use the correct SD card and format it in the camera, before discovering/inventing other faults. From your description of the battery charging behaviour I can't see anything particularly unusual about it. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonogilmour Posted March 3, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted March 3, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I think Jaap has given you the answer. At least eliminate the obvious things first, like use the correct SD card and format it in the camera, before discovering/inventing other faults. From your description of the battery charging behaviour I can't see anything particularly unusual about it. Steve So rapid and random blinking of the charging lights is not unusual? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonogilmour Posted March 3, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted March 3, 2014 OK I have confirmed it is faulty. The only way to get the camera to turn on and function as normal is to: Remove the battery Turn the power switch to S, C, or Timer mode Reinsert the battery And it works like nothing is wrong, takes photos, shows battery level at 100%, etc. If I ever switch it to the OFF position, turning it on will cause it to fall into the dormant state until I follow those steps again. I'll be taking it to my local dealer tomorrow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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