SL (601) Fails to Start - Blank screens - REBOOT?

[SonomaBear]

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I am very concerned that my perfectly functioning SL has become a brick after 1st try using a new lens adapter.

I've tried fresh battery, no lens, lens, etc. -- every conceivable combination -- without success.

No signs of life.  Removed battery for an hour, inserted it and turned the switch on ... nothing!

Is there any magic combination of pressing multiple buttons while restarting that might bring it back to life?

[lykaman]

I feel your pain, which Lens Adaptor did you purchase/Use? If not Leica, have you called the manufacturers or agents of the adaptor? Was it a third party lens & adaptor?  Have you tried another Battery & or SD Card?  -     L

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by lykaman

[SonomaBear]

5 minutes ago, lykaman said:

If not Leica, have you called the manufacturers or agents of the adaptor?

Thank you your concern... the manufacturer is responding extremely promptly and with great concern.  I'll hold off naming them right now since their engineers will have my complete setup for testing.  This might well be a one-off initial failure -- either way, I'll update this tread as soon as I have results.

[lykaman]

18 minutes ago, SonomaBear said:

Thank you your concern... the manufacturer is responding extremely promptly and with great concern.  I'll hold off naming them right now since their engineers will have my complete setup for testing.  This might well be a one-off initial failure -- either way, I'll update this tread as soon as I have results.

In all honesty, you should have refrained from your initial Post until the adaptor manufacturers have completed their investigations..  We now have SL(601) owners worried sick about using unknown Adaptor/Lens combo..  L

Edited April 8, 2020 by lykaman

[Leicaiste]

This one maybe ?

 

[SonomaBear]

2 hours ago, lykaman said:

In all honesty, you should have refrained from your initial Post until the adaptor manufacturers have completed their investigations..  We now have SL(601) owners worried sick about using unknown Adaptor/Lens combo..  L

I agree.  We have all heard of adapters causing malfunctions.  I'm just happy that this manufacturer has responded instantly with vigor -- I expect to write a full review, hopefully with a resolution update to the firmware.

[michali]

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On 4/9/2020 at 1:52 AM, SonomaBear said:

I agree.  We have all heard of adapters causing malfunctions.  I'm just happy that this manufacturer has responded instantly with vigor -- I expect to write a full review, hopefully with a resolution update to the firmware.

Hi SonomaBear -  interested to know what's been the outcome of this episode?

[Boojay]

And please note Fotodiox site now reads:

DO NOT USE ON CAMERA LEICA SL

• • Mounts Canon EOS (EF / EF-S) D/SLR Lenses to Leica L-Mount (T-Mount) Mirrorless Cameras; infinity focus or beyond guaranteed
• • Built-in FUSION technology enables electronic communication and control between lens and camera
• • Restores automated functions on most lenses such as auto-focus, aperture control, image stabilization and more with compatible lenses
• • Precise fit and solid all-metal construction with chrome plated brass mounts for secure and solid fit; lens has no play, gap or wiggling when mounted on adapter and no adjustments required

 

Would be good to know the outcome though not sure I would be happy to try one on my CL even though Fotodiox says they are compatible.

Edited April 20, 2020 by Boojay
Additional text

[dritz]

On 4/8/2020 at 1:24 PM, SonomaBear said:

I am very concerned that my perfectly functioning SL has become a brick after 1st try using a new lens adapter.

I've tried fresh battery, no lens, lens, etc. -- every conceivable combination -- without success.

No signs of life.  Removed battery for an hour, inserted it and turned the switch on ... nothing!

Is there any magic combination of pressing multiple buttons while restarting that might bring it back to life?

I bricked an SL with a Leica S adapter.  Thankfully, repaired under warranty.  Now, I only swap lenses with the camera powered off.

I recall your pain.

[ropo54]

On 4/8/2020 at 4:24 PM, SonomaBear said:

I am very concerned that my perfectly functioning SL has become a brick after 1st try using a new lens adapter.

I've tried fresh battery, no lens, lens, etc. -- every conceivable combination -- without success.

No signs of life.  Removed battery for an hour, inserted it and turned the switch on ... nothing!

Is there any magic combination of pressing multiple buttons while restarting that might bring it back to life?

My SL shorted out  (went completely dead as you describe) when connecting a Leica S adapter L at Leica's Miami store.  Leica sent me a certified pre-owned replacement SL 601and found for me another S adaptor L.  No problems since then with either the camera or the adapter.

Edited April 21, 2020 by ropo54

[marduk]

Hi, my SL 601 now went blank after attaching the Fotodiox Adapter. Removing the battery for the night and then I shall see.

Damn it.. I just wanted to compare EVF with another camera having a fixed lens with a similar FOV. I wonder if my SL now needs a repair.

Re note on Fotodiox website, I saw that and thought that incompatible means it won't focus with the camera, but they did not mention the risk of damaging the camera.

[marduk]

Any experiences similar to mine?

[Billy77som]

Any resolution for your case bro? My Leica SL also went dead after trying adapter viltrox EF-L. Oh no

[tomasis7]

6 hours ago, Billy77som said:

Any resolution for your case bro? My Leica SL also went dead after trying adapter viltrox EF-L. Oh no

likely shorted.. Still can be repaired. 

[marduk]

I had mine repaired by Leica in Wetzlar (mainboard replaced), today I probably wouldn't do it given the prices on the second hand market.

I think it is a tad bit below 800 EUR and I argued that the electronics are not expected to fail like this but all I could get was less than 10% discount. Woud you still pay roughly 1000 USD for fixing the camera today?

[tomasis7]

7 hours ago, marduk said:

I had mine repaired by Leica in Wetzlar (mainboard replaced), today I probably wouldn't do it given the prices on the second hand market.

I think it is a tad bit below 800 EUR and I argued that the electronics are not expected to fail like this but all I could get was less than 10% discount. Woud you still pay roughly 1000 USD for fixing the camera today?

indeed. it is better to sell as part-camera. There are a bunch of DIY guys who want to try their luck.

I've seen too many electronic videos. Usually, a capacitor SMD goes bust and it is easy to replace it. However, many repair guys don't know how to dissect camera bodies. 

[Billy77som]

 

17 hours ago, tomasis7 said:

likely shorted.. Still can be repaired. 

Thanks for your reply bro. What part that usually shorted in that case? And what i Need to do to repair it? I know that sending it to leica center is the answer. But its too expensive. Do you have any alternatives?

 

Thanks b4

[tomasis7]

7 hours ago, Billy77som said:

 

Thanks for your reply bro. What part that usually shorted in that case? And what i Need to do to repair it? I know that sending it to leica center is the answer. But its too expensive. Do you have any alternatives?

 

Thanks b4

difficult question. It depends on how good you are at electronics and assembly. For 99% of users, I'd recommend selling as parts or sending to Wetzlar so you save hundreds of bucks at least. 

Next alternative - check the video on how to take the motherboard out and send the motherboard to a master camera/electronics repair man. Or the whole body if he is willing to accept it. 

To do it yourself, you need experience in diagnosis and soldering. I'd not recommend it. 

Edited March 19, 2024 by tomasis7