Sticky lens release button

[sdw]

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I've got a stupid issue with my lens release button on the M10. If I press it, it stays depressed, as if something in there has gunked it up and making it sticky. Clicking the lens into the bayonet repeatedly does not 'unstick' it or pop it out, so it basically makes the lens fall off all the time. Not great.

I'd take it to Leica but they'd probably send it off to get fixed which could take months to a year (it has every single time), so does anyone have ideas on how I could go about this? I was debating perhaps putting a drip of 99.9% alcohol in there, but I fear damaging stuff that I really want to keep intact. I have to leave on a 4-month motorcycle trip to South America soon, so a practical solution would be appreciated. 

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[roverover]

I was just inspecting mine after reading your post. With the lens removed, you can see it is a mechanical release button that uses a small spring to pop the button out after it is depressed. If the camera wasn't dropped or the mechanism damaged, i'd wager you got something sticky on your finger that worked its way into the button and it's causing friction.
I think your idea to work some alcohol into the button to free it might work. I am not a technician though so I can't speak from experience, but if it was mine that had that same issue, i'd try that before sending it off for repair.

I'd work on it with the lens removed so you can work the button up and down without fear of the lens falling off. Good luck.

 

[M11 for me]

Why not try with a drop of water instead?

[david strachan]

I wouldn't use alcohol or water.

 

To clean gummies in electronics use CO Contact Cleaner, made by CRC. A good product to have in every shed.

 

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[250swb]

I think roverover is probably right with the diagnosis and Alex U. right with the initial solution, water will dissolve sugar and it's not like the release button wouldn't get wet if you used the camera on a rainy day so I imagine it's safe enough. If that doesn't work it may be a man made sticky substance so then try a drop of alcohol.  

Edited October 17, 2018 by 250swb

[roverover]

7 hours ago, david strachan said:

I wouldn't use alcohol or water.

 

To clean gummies in electronics use CO Contact Cleaner, made by CRC. A good product to have in every shed.

 

...

Contact cleaner in my opinion would be a mistake. Those cleaner chemicals are under high pressure in a can, i wouldn't want have that spray getting on other parts of the camera that I couldn't reach or do not want to touch to clean later. The release button sits right above the sensor too. Even with the sensor hood down, the contact cleaner chemicals would likely get onto a lot sensitive internals, i say that is a big NO NO. I feel it would likely cause a more serious issue later. I agree it is handy to have around, generally speaking, but i do not think it would be recommended for an application like this.
Many people say not to use pressurized Air in a can and I agree with that. Aerosol products contain other chemicals that camera's and sensors probably do not need sprayed into them.

The button is "mechanical," surrounded by electronics. Water and Alcohol will quickly evaporate and we are talking about using a drop or 2 so that seems a more prudent approach.

[david strachan]

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That's right don't spray it around indiscriminately.

 

Spray some into a receptacle, and apply with a toothpick, making sure it goes into the mechanism.

 

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[sdw]

Really appreciate the helpful responses. In the end, nothing would make it budge, so I just brought it into Leica SF and had them make an email to Customer Service that I'm really using the thing and need it for a 4-month motorcycle trip to the ends of Earth and it'd be really fantastic if they could get it done quick. 

Extremely long shot, but worth trying I guess. It's that or the A7R3. 

Edited October 25, 2018 by sdw