Dead M8: "Update/replace T2" means ???

[norm_snyder]

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Ok, so the M8 [3100xxx] died, with no frame counter, no shutter reponse, no menus, regardless of whether the batteries were changed, recharged, camera allowed to have the internal battery run down, etc. After shipping it back to Leica USA [who have been helpful, where they could, especially Robert Fisk, who actually answers the phone], I am still mystified. The work/repair order reads: "M8 UPDATE...REPLACE T2 ...CHECK AND ADJUST FOR GOOD WORKING ORDER"

 

And this means...what?

 

My camera has already been back to Solms, as it is an early body. Does this "T2" mean some major electronic component? Is this a weakness that besets a good number of apparently failed M8's?

 

For me, the issue is reliability, and the possible need to get another body to do backup service, whether, as I have been, to shoot HP5 for a while [Know it, and love it, but that's not why I got a digital M], or to get a small-chip camera [see MAlland posts on Digital Forum] like a GR-D as digital backup, or a used [and not necessarily reliable] RD-1.

 

Help, support, etc., welcome,

 

Norm

[Guest Walt]

Norm-

 

I have no idea what T2 is, but yes, these kinds of reliability problems with the M8 are concerning.

 

On the backup camera, I did buy another M8 for this reason, but I also bought a GR-D. The M8 is, of course, more versatile, particularly because the GR-D is limited to a 28mm equivalent FOV (21mm on the M8). The M8 RAW files are also more robust and show much less noise for a given ISO. All that said, the GR-D will match the M8 a good 80% of the time for BW printed at 13 x 19, up to an ISO of 400. It depends on what kind of work you do. For me, the GR-D is a great piece of equipment. With a CV 28mm (round, metal) finder it also offers a great viewing image with much better framing accuracy than the M8. I am using the GR-D with in-camera, BW-converted JPEGS and they are excellent. I think the tonal scale is better than the M8 BW JPEGS. I haven't used either camera for color work.

 

Walt

[norm_snyder]

Walt--

Thanks for your information. The GR-D seems like a good carry-around [i started with a model IIIa screw-mount years ago and got used to carrying a camera with me everywhere], and I already own the finder. Since I only shoot B&W about 95% of the time, it might be a great [infomral] back-up.

 

--Cheers,

Norm

[ho_co]

Norm--

You could ask Leica what a T2 is. I doubt that anyone else is aware of a camera with a bad one.

 

Sorry for the problem. Maybe you could ask Leica to rename the T2 after you...

 

By the way, Mitch Alland also posts some very nice work with the D-Lux 3 (or maybe its Panasonic sibling) on this forum. He does excellent work, as you said.

 

Good luck.

 

--HC

[finkaudio]

Hi,

 

guess T2 is the transisor no.2 .

 

If I remember correctly, there was a problem with a broken transisor in the beginning related to the SDS.

 

 

 

Best regards

 

Karl-Heinz

[norm_snyder]

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like they are considering replacing the body now, rather than fixing it. This seems to have had something to do with it being one of the first 1500 cameras, and already having been to Solms once before.

 

NS

[Shootist]

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Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like they are considering replacing the body now, rather than fixing it. This seems to have had something to do with it being one of the first 1500 cameras, and already having been to Solms once before.

 

NS

 

Norm are you saying you don't have your camera back yet or you got it back and there was still some type of fault. In any event it is probably easier and cheaper for Leica, and better for the users, to replace the camera then to send it off to be fixed.

[norm_snyder]

My camera was one of the original 1500 or so that were subjected to "refit" at Solms, back in early 2007. It has since failed, although I should mention it was returned to me from Solms in February only turning on once the shutter release was partially depressed after moving the switch from the "off" position, whereas it hadn't originally done this "out of the box." It continued to function wihtout fail, until it ceased operation completely. After it failed, earlier this month, I contacted New Jersey, in the person of Robert Fisk, who was pleasant, and definitely tried to be helpful. After shipping the camera to him, I received a slip indicating that they would "update/replace" T2. After some further conversation, they have indicated that the camera will be replaced. I am hopeful I'll see a camera body by week's end.

 

NS

[john_nyc]

I got my M8 back from Leica NJ last week after having them adjust the RF.

The repair ticket also said "Update T2".

 

I asked on this forum last week if anyone here knew what that meant. No one had an answer.

 

I can say that other than the usual firmware issues and the RF mal-alignment, my camera had no other issues (not powering up, etc). I only bought it in April, so it shouldn't have been one of the early ones that needed a refit.

 

All of the settings, including the frame count, were reset.

 

John