andohouston Posted October 5, 2018 Share #1 Posted October 5, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've had my Leica MP for a little over a year. Lately, the battery doesn't seem to be working to use the light meter. I first noticed it about a month ago when a light seemed to indicate I needed a new battery to use the light meter which seemed odd because i didn't think it was so long ago that I put a new one in. Nevertheless I replaced it with a new battery and about a week or so later, the light meter would not turn on when it was supposed to. I took the battery out, wiped it off and put it back in. It seemed to work for about a minute but then stopped again. Anyone know what the issue is? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 5, 2018 Posted October 5, 2018 Hi andohouston, Take a look here Leica MP and battery issues. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dsj Posted October 5, 2018 Share #2 Posted October 5, 2018 Do you store the camera in a bag, where the shutter might be lightly pressed while stored? If so that might cause the battery to empty quickly. Try turning the meter off or storing the camera differently. If that doesn't change anything there might be a real problem. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted October 5, 2018 Share #3 Posted October 5, 2018 If your battery is flat, it has discharged for some reason and that's more than likely down to you. Set the shutter speed dial to B/OFF before you put your camera away in your bag. If you don't do that, the meter is still switched on and will drain the battery if there is sufficient pressure on the release from something in your bag. If your battery is not flat there is a problem with your camera. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted October 6, 2018 Share #4 Posted October 6, 2018 Ditto what the other guys have said, the most likely cause is battery drain while in a bag, even more likely if it is a close fitting bag or if you use a soft release. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andohouston Posted October 6, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted October 6, 2018 I almost always leave the shutter speed dial to B/OFF so I don't think that is the issue. Anything else. If it is something wrong with the camera, what can I do? ah Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted October 6, 2018 Share #6 Posted October 6, 2018 If it is something wrong with the camera, what can I do? ah You could get it repaired? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute-on Posted October 6, 2018 Share #7 Posted October 6, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Clean the battery contacts with alcohol or contact cleaner. Install new silver oxide batteries. Buy two sets so you have a backup in case of premature failure. Batteries are cheap. Do not use alkaline batteries as these do not last as long, and do not hold constant voltage as they discharge. My MP seemed to run down its new (silver oxide) batteries in about a month. I purchased another set and installed them. Still good after 2 years. Even with in-date branded batteries, you can get a bad batch. Good luck. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted October 6, 2018 Share #8 Posted October 6, 2018 Yes, certainly try fresh batteries from a trusted source to rule out the possibility that you have been installing duff batteries. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstock Posted January 1, 2019 Share #9 Posted January 1, 2019 For battery selection I have been using a business called Batteries and Bulbs. Check on your computer for nearest to you, if Adorama in NYC. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
agiknee Posted January 4, 2019 Share #10 Posted January 4, 2019 Hello, one morning on a trip my battery was found out to be dead. I believe I left on in the bag. After finding the correct battery ( in Mexico City) proved to be a chore, I put the battery in and turned on the meter and nothing ... I shot the rest of the trip by guessing exposure or using that phone app. After getting home I ordered 3 batteries off amazon, and installed them and now nothing. At this point I knew it was my camera and dreaded having to send it back to Leica. On a whim, I installed the battery upside down and it worked. Turns out that Leica misprinted the sticker or labeling inside the terminal. Still on that battery, and I have 3 back ups, lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted January 4, 2019 Share #11 Posted January 4, 2019 (edited) 53 minutes ago, agiknee said: Hello, one morning on a trip my battery was found out to be dead. I believe I left on in the bag. After finding the correct battery ( in Mexico City) proved to be a chore, I put the battery in and turned on the meter and nothing ... I shot the rest of the trip by guessing exposure or using that phone app. After getting home I ordered 3 batteries off amazon, and installed them and now nothing. At this point I knew it was my camera and dreaded having to send it back to Leica. On a whim, I installed the battery upside down and it worked. Turns out that Leica misprinted the sticker or labeling inside the terminal. Still on that battery, and I have 3 back ups, lol. First time I hear this "misprinted label" 😵. Used some Leica Ms and Rs since long, hard to believe this could happen. Please share a picture of the battery holder with label. Never aware that there is a sticker or label on or inside the terminal (plain steel spring). Edited January 4, 2019 by a.noctilux Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
agiknee Posted January 9, 2019 Share #12 Posted January 9, 2019 On 1/4/2019 at 2:03 PM, a.noctilux said: First time I hear this "misprinted label" 😵. Used some Leica Ms and Rs since long, hard to believe this could happen. Please share a picture of the battery holder with label. Never aware that there is a sticker or label on or inside the terminal (plain steel spring). https://imgur.com/a/zQlAm2n Hope you can make sense of these horrible pics. I got olive oil on my cell while cooking and hadn't wiped it down. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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