Power switch and shutter switch seem dead, is there any way to clean or revive?

[JeTexas]

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Hello everyone, I'm one day into a trip to Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota and my M-P typ 240 has died. It was acting strange yesterday wherein all the functions were working, but it wouldn't shoot when I pressed the shutter. I could still turn live view on and off, I could review photos, I could change setting, but the shutter wouldn't fire. I had to pop out the battery repeatedly to reset the camera, and then it would work again temporarily. I chalked the bad behavior up to using the EVF.

 

Later in the evening, it seemed ok for a few shots as we walked through Deadwood, but then suddenly -- nothing.

 

It won't turn on. I've tried swapping batteries. I've tried swapping memory cards. I've trying turning it on without the base, with the baseplate, just about anything I can think of to do different to maybe make it wake up.

 

I get the feeling that either something is broken/corroded in the shutter and power switch or that the main board is fried. It's totally bricked.

 

I'm here until Memorial Day. Anyone know of any troubleshooting tips or tricks I can attempt to revive it for another day or two or should I just leave it in the suitcase while I'm hiking?

 

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[Exodies]

Have you tried a factory reset in the menu?

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[JeTexas]

Have you tried a factory reset in the menu?

There is no menu. It doesn't power on at all.

[jaapv]

The only alternative I can think of is a dead battery charger-empty battery, but not very likely. I think you will have to get out your backup.

[dyavrom]

its pretty easy to remove the top plate. I did it on my M9 before and I understand the m240 is very similar. Why not open it and check it out?

 

There are tutorials available online to see how to open it. Could be as simple as a loose connector cable...or yes, a fried switch

 

edit: link to youtube video demonstrating the process:

https://www.google.com/#q=leica+m240+disassembly

Edited May 23, 2017 by dyavrom

[JeTexas]

its pretty easy to remove the top plate. I did it on my M9 before and I understand the m240 is very similar. Why not open it and check it out?

 

There are tutorials available online to see how to open it. Could be as simple as a loose connector cable...or yes, a fried switch

 

edit: link to youtube video demonstrating the process:

https://www.google.com/#q=leica+m240+disassembly

 

Thanks for this link. Unfortunately I have no tools with me, and I'm worried taking it apart would void my warranty, but great for future reference.

[JeTexas]

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Update on this. I tried flipping the camera on every morning before our hikes in hope of a miracle. It never worked.

 

We flew from South Dakota to Illinois for a wedding on Friday. Never took it out of the bag. Flew back to Houston Monday.

 

I flipped it on last night as I was removing the SD card and battery before packing it to ship to New Jersey -- it came right on and is now functioning normally.

 

Is humidity worse at higher elevations? Does electricity flow easier at sea level? 

 

I guess I'm still going to send it to Leica for a check-up because I don't want it to die the day I get to Scotland next month.

[jmahto]

Looks like faulty electric soldering or loose connector to me.

 

Edit: This is why I always carry a backup for important trips. It doesn't have to be exact same make/model. For me it is simply Nex-6 body with M adapter. At least I will not come empty handed. An insurance weighing extra 1lb.

Edited May 31, 2017 by jmahto

[JeTexas]

Looks like faulty electric soldering or loose connector to me.

 

Edit: This is why I always carry a backup for important trips. It doesn't have to be exact same make/model. For me it is simply Nex-6 body with M adapter. At least I will not come empty handed. An insurance weighing extra 1lb.

 

I carry the NEX-6 as well although I might finally upgrade that to an a9 this year. 

 

After working for a few days, the M-P died again yesterday morning. I'm in agreement that it's probably a bad ribbon connector or solder. It's headed to Wetzlar for diagnosis and repair.

[jmahto]

I carry the NEX-6 as well although I might finally upgrade that to an a9 this year. 

 

After working for a few days, the M-P died again yesterday morning. I'm in agreement that it's probably a bad ribbon connector or solder. It's headed to Wetzlar for diagnosis and repair.

The reason I am sticking with APS-C is because I can use my 28mm cron (my most used FF lens) as 40mm FOV lens without corner issues. With 40mm FOV on APS-C I can still shoot pictures that I want. If I went with A9 then my WA M lenses will be useless and I will have to carry dedicated Sony lenses. That is extra weight and bulk.

 

Even with FF 50mm lens I can shoot pic like below using Nex-6, therefore I won't really miss much if my M died.

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[artgodmyk]

I had exactly the same problem while photographing in the mountains in China last year.   Neither, Leica Germany or Leica UK could offer any advice beyond trying a different memory card nor did they show any real interest in my problem.

[JeTexas]

I shipped the camera with a copy of the warrantee card to Leica New Jersey. They recieved it Tuesday, June 6. On Wednesday, June 7 they emailed me confirmation documents for both the M-P and the Multifunction Hangrip with a form email saying they will let me know the diagnosis as soon as possible.

 

Thursday, June 15 I got an email from UPS saying a package was shipped from Leica and would require a signature on Monday, June 19. 

 

The camera and handgrip arrived yesterday functioning perfectly with an invoice for $0 saying "FLEX CABLE." The also put new leatherette on it as I'm assuming they had to remove the original for the repair.

 

While communication could have been better, service was good, and I was very pleased with the 7-day turnaround. I was only out $130 for the cost of shipping the unit to Leica for repair.

[ECohen]

With all the bad stories you hear ....I love hearing a nice one for a change.

I think more often that not we only hear the bad ones

 

Enjoy your camera

[jaapv]

I shipped the camera with a copy of the warrantee card to Leica New Jersey. They recieved it Tuesday, June 6. On Wednesday, June 7 they emailed me confirmation documents for both the M-P and the Multifunction Hangrip with a form email saying they will let me know the diagnosis as soon as possible.

 

Thursday, June 15 I got an email from UPS saying a package was shipped from Leica and would require a signature on Monday, June 19. 

 

The camera and handgrip arrived yesterday functioning perfectly with an invoice for $0 saying "FLEX CABLE." The also put new leatherette on it as I'm assuming they had to remove the original for the repair.

 

While communication could have been better, service was good, and I was very pleased with the 7-day turnaround. I was only out $130 for the cost of shipping the unit to Leica for repair.

Ummm... Why did you not ask Leica for a shipping label? Those are free.

However, glad to hear that it was sorted well by Leica.

[JeTexas]

Ummm... Why did you not ask Leica for a shipping label? Those are free.

However, glad to hear that it was sorted well by Leica.

 

Wish I'd known about the shipping label. I emailed them multiple times asking the process for shipping the camera, but after several days with no response, I finally just followed the directions on the web site but shipping to the New Jersey address listed on their answering machine instead of the German address on the web site. Like I said, they weren't much for communication. 

[JeTexas]

The reason I am sticking with APS-C is because I can use my 28mm cron (my most used FF lens) as 40mm FOV lens without corner issues. With 40mm FOV on APS-C I can still shoot pictures that I want. If I went with A9 then my WA M lenses will be useless and I will have to carry dedicated Sony lenses. That is extra weight and bulk.

 

Even with FF 50mm lens I can shoot pic like below using Nex-6, therefore I won't really miss much if my M died.

exp_sm_20131221DeathValleyPhotoTrip-0779.jpg

 

Why wouldn't you just shoot with the 28mm on the FF and then crop it back to a 40mm FOV in post if you're not happy with the corners? 

[jmahto]

Why wouldn't you just shoot with the 28mm on the FF and then crop it back to a 40mm FOV in post if you're not happy with the corners? 

Let's see if I understand what you are proposing. If you are suggesting that I use Sony FF to shoot 28mm and then crop to 40mm FOV.... compared to directly shooting 28mm on Nex-6 (APS-C) then here are my cons (there are no pros for me):

 

Cons for me (A7RII v Nex-6):

- There is no advantage in final output resolution. The pixel pitch of Nex-6 is 4.77µm and for A7RII is 4.51µm.

- A7RII is heavier (625g vs 469g)

 

As a M backup sharing only Leica M lenses, Nex-6 is just fine.

Edited June 23, 2017 by jmahto