M10 Stuck On ISO 400

[UliWer]

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Question to others who have the "stuck Iso - issue:

 

Did you use the camera with Auto-Iso, lens dependant, but with lens detection turned off?

 

I did, since I used an uncoded screw-mount lens with adapter, so I turned the lens detection off (you cannot manually choose a lens detection using certain adapters - this is another minor bug). But I also staid in Auto-Iso, which I set lens dependant. So Auto-Iso could not work, properly. Perhaps the electronics could not cope with those contradicting pre-sets, which might have contributed to the fault of "stucking ISO".

 

It would be interesting to know if there is a certain pattern of ISO-settings which might lead to the problem - though I still think that the mechanical contacts of the ISO-dial are the main cause.

[Nordvik]

Panasonic? I thought they were all made at the same factory in Portugal?

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[Nordvik]

M

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[Nordvik]

M10

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[UliWer]

Interesting documents about the Leica factory in portugal, Nordvik - though I think this thread is not really a good place for it. Perhaps a special thread would be more appropriate.

[Nordvik]

Could be, but I wanted to document that the SL were made at the same factory. (The SL lenses, maybe not)

[Nordvik]

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And I want to say that I have had digital M since 2011 without any problems. I send my M8 for rangefinder calibration when it was five years old, and I got it back for free. A couple of weeks ago I send in my M9 for check of corrosion, and there was none.

Not everyone have problems.

[roger_1987]

I started having the same issue yesterday. I did not change user profile or lens when the problem happened. I was just changing the ISO with the dial while on Auto shutter speed. It just stuck on ISO 800 on the info screen. 

 

After a few hours I rebooted my M10, and this time the ISO dial worked for a few seconds. I set it to M, and changed my ISO in the menu instead of turning the physical dial. It initially worked, so I thought I could change my ISO in the menu. But after an hour, without changing anything —— the dial is still set to M and I did not change it in the menu either —— the ISO number reverted to 800. This time it even will not change in the menu! 

 

I think it is not just a mechanical problem with the dial, but the electronics are also having problems!

[Jacob]

Hi all,

 

Same problem with my black M10 #5152722. ISO setting is stuck, for me at ISO100, after using the camera for two months. Very disappointed by this. Will visit the dealer first thing Monday, hopefully for a speedy solution as I'm off abroad and I need my camera. Hopefully he can replace it on the spot, or lend me a demo until it's fixed at a service center.

 

I've frequently used the dial as I think it is a great feature. 

 

Hopefully Leica will quickly come up with a solution, it's serious if this happens on assignment etc. and suddenly you're stuck with one ISO setting...

[Jared]

Wow, sounds like the problem is a bit more widespread than I would like. If I were headed out on assignment or vacation I might consider switching it to M mode and setting ISO in software. I hope it's just a bad batch of glue or something on a Hall effect magnet.

[riswanc]

Hi all,

 

Same problem with my black M10 #5152722. ISO setting is stuck, for me at ISO100, after using the camera for two months. Very disappointed by this. Will visit the dealer first thing Monday, hopefully for a speedy solution as I'm off abroad and I need my camera. Hopefully he can replace it on the spot, or lend me a demo until it's fixed at a service center.

 

I've frequently used the dial as I think it is a great feature.

 

Hopefully Leica will quickly come up with a solution, it's serious if this happens on assignment etc. and suddenly you're stuck with one ISO setting...

I have read some problems encountered even when the knob was barely used, and suddenly the iso stuck

 

 

Instagram @jakontil

[-ph-]

 

I started having the same issue yesterday. I did not change user profile or lens when the problem happened. I was just changing the ISO with the dial while on Auto shutter speed. It just stuck on ISO 800 on the info screen. 

 

After a few hours I rebooted my M10, and this time the ISO dial worked for a few seconds. I set it to M, and changed my ISO in the menu instead of turning the physical dial. It initially worked, so I thought I could change my ISO in the menu. But after an hour, without changing anything —— the dial is still set to M and I did not change it in the menu either —— the ISO number reverted to 800. This time it even will not change in the menu! 

 

I think it is not just a mechanical problem with the dial, but the electronics are also having problems!

 

 

Dials like the ISO-dial, which can be operated when the camera is off, need to have an absolute position detection. The exposure time dial works exactly the same. To achive that, the positions of the dial trigger a pattern of electrical contacts which give a bit readout for the camera electronics. Your observation hints towards the fact, that the dial doesn't just get "stuck", but rather the failure mode is, that the electrical output freezes on the 800 ISO pattern. Could be either a short in the switch or some important bit(s) getting disconnected. It is strange that it happens with ISO but not the exposure, but perhaps they have a different supplier or a new internal design for the new switch. 

 

Would be interesting to know the purchase date for each camera with a failed ISO dial, whether it is tied to a certain production time frame.

 

Fortunately, I have not been affected yet (late April camera). In general, I like the ISO dial, as it allows me to check the setting with the camera being switched off. I mainly use it in auto ISO mode, so it is extra nice to check, whether I might have deviated from that.

 

Peter

[roger_1987]

Someone on the forum told me that SN 513xxx to 518xxx seem to have been affected by this problem more frequently. Mine is 518xxx, assembled in April. It's on its way to Wetzlar. A local rep told me it may take 3 to 6 months for the camera to return. (2 year warranty seems rather short!)

[Steve Ricoh]

It's a pitty manufacturers choose to remain silent when there appears to be a systematic failure mode, unless it affects health and safety. If it was anything to do with aviation, for example, the entire fleet would be inspected and rectified.

It would restore confidence if Leica were to make an announcement saying there's a known failure mode and provide details of the intended solution, perhaps halting sales until the problem has been rectified proactively and retrospectively.

[Bill W]

Someone on the forum told me that SN 513xxx to 518xxx seem to have been affected by this problem more frequently. Mine is 518xxx, assembled in April. It's on its way to Wetzlar. A local rep told me it may take 3 to 6 months for the camera to return. (2 year warranty seems rather short!)

 

Mine is SN 519xxx so hopefully I am ok. I cannot believe it would take 3 to 6 months to replace a part that is known to fail unless they do not have the parts in stock.

[roger_1987]

It's a pitty manufacturers choose to remain silent when there appears to be a systematic failure mode, unless it affects health and safety. If it was anything to do with aviation, for example, the entire fleet would be inspected and rectified.

It would restore confidence if Leica were to make an announcement saying there's a known failure mode and provide details of the intended solution, perhaps halting sales until the problem has been rectified proactively and retrospectively.

 

 

Yes, it is a systematic failure mode. I bought mine in France. I heard cases are also reported in Japan and China. But hardly a surprise since all camera bodies are assembled in Wetzlar. And yes it is a pity that Leica have yet to come forward and give an honest statement on the issue. (Someone who got his M10 fixed got no explanations at all from neither his local Leica store (I think in NJ?) nor Wetzlar…) I hope someone working for Leica stumble upon this thread.

[UliWer]

Mine is SN 519xxx so hopefully I am ok. I cannot believe it would take 3 to 6 months to replace a part that is known to fail unless they do not have the parts in stock.

 

Mine - suddenly stuck on ISO 800 or ISO 1600 - is a 518...., so it fits the "critical" series mentioned above.

 

For the thread starter it took approx 1 month to get it back repaired after it was sent in from US, so I hope 3 to 6 months is a stark exaggeration. 

[jmahto]

At least in the forum, this starts to look like a common failure. Reminds me of strap lug failure in early M240 cycle.

[stephan54]

I inquired about my serial number being affected and if I had to take any precautions and received this answer from Leica:

 

In some cases it can come to a defect at the ISO dial wheel.
This does not affect any particular batch.

You do not have to take any precautions.

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Hallo,

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[Tailwagger]

Regardless of whether I'm affected or not, at 5192xxx, mines staying on M.  Iso is in the quick menu; its just as easy to change it via the menu anyway, AFAIC.