M8 Service and Backup

[erl]

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As a counter-balance to the many detractors of Leica Service I feel compelled to offer my experience of yesterday.

 

Yesterday, it became clear to me that either my M8 or my Noctilux in particular was seriously backfocusing. I was getting what I considered a higher than acceptable number of "missed focus" shots. A lot of my shooting involved fast reflexes which goes hand in hand with missed focus, but I know I am not as bad as the results I was getting.

 

So, I set about carefully testing the body and all lenses (with tripod) with a metre rule and a well marked picket fence. The upshot was unsettling. Something was way out of wack. I called Dave at Camera Exchange who said I should interchange the components with his stock items to eliminate which was the problem unit. It transpired that the M8 was the fault item. Meanwhile, Dave had contacted Adeal (the Australian importer for Leica) and Carl Jones, their representive turned up and offered me a loaner camera, starting next week, when I have three very large asigmnents to fulfil. I was terrified of what might transpire if I pressed on with the present gear, even though I could compensate focus in known situations. That is just not good enough. It is vital that I can shoot with confidence without compensating for faulty gear.

 

To anticipate the comments that might come from those who would say, "I should have a back-up system", I reply that I have, but it is significantly inferior, for a multiplicity of reasons, that makes the only viable backup to be another M8. I struggled to pay for the first, but that was my decision. A not negotiable position.

 

The concluding point is that by establishing and maintaining a good relationship with your Leica Dealer, reasonable service is available. Just don't jump up and down demanding your new camera should be perfect etc. That will only upset the relationship and get you nowhere.

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[Guest guy_mancuso]

Erl as the old saying goes you get a hell of a lot more with sugar than throwing spice in some ones face. Okay i changed it around to fit the 21st century