Josh bear Posted August 1, 2021 Share #1 Posted August 1, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) HI, please can I ask a question. I went to use my MP today but noted the light meter wasn’t working. I changed the battery and all working again. I am only on my third film ever so still a very new user after coming from digital. My working theory is the shutter button was pressed continuously in the camera bag as I travelled for a 4 hours. I have been leaving the camera with the film wound on and ready to go. Am I right in thinking if I wind the film on ready for the next shot then then the meter will constantly run until the battery dies if the shutter is half pressed. And that if I don’t wind on then pressing the shutter button doesn’t activate meter thus saving the battery? In any case I have now reorganized my bag but want to avoid it happening again. Thanks Josh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 1, 2021 Posted August 1, 2021 Hi Josh bear, Take a look here New user asking for help with Leica MP. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
a.noctilux Posted August 1, 2021 Share #2 Posted August 1, 2021 Hello Josh, Leica MP user manual page 64 states that using the B/OFF position "exposure meter is turned off", so you may set your MP on this position before storing/carrying the MP. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danner Posted August 2, 2021 Share #3 Posted August 2, 2021 Doubtful that the shutter button being pressed drained the battery. It would have to be held at the half-pressed position for that to occur. Once the shutter fires (fully pressed), the meter would turn off. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh bear Posted August 2, 2021 Author Share #4 Posted August 2, 2021 7 hours ago, a.noctilux said: Hello Josh, Leica MP user manual page 64 states that using the B/OFF position "exposure meter is turned off", so you may set your MP on this position before storing/carrying the MP. Well. That will teach me to read the actual instructions! 😁. Thank you much appreciated. Josh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh bear Posted August 2, 2021 Author Share #5 Posted August 2, 2021 3 hours ago, Danner said: Doubtful that the shutter button being pressed drained the battery. It would have to be held at the half-pressed position for that to occur. Once the shutter fires (fully pressed), the meter would turn off. Thanks. That is a bit worrying then. Is there any other reason the light meter lights would not come on? regards Josh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted August 2, 2021 Share #6 Posted August 2, 2021 (edited) More than likely the battery drain was due to your shutter speed dial not being turned to B/OFF when you put the camera back in your bag. It's very easy for something like the strap to depress the shutter button to activate the meter either repeatedly or constantly inside the bag. This setting on the shutter speed dial is to prevent wasting frames and/or draining the battery. Edited August 2, 2021 by Ouroboros Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted August 2, 2021 Share #7 Posted August 2, 2021 Advertisement (gone after registration) 56 minutes ago, Josh bear said: Thanks. That is a bit worrying then. Is there any other reason the light meter lights would not come on? regards Josh No, it was your shutter being half pressed and the shutter cocked while the camera was in your bag. Leaning against the side of the bag can be enough and it's probably happened to many photographers who simply forgot to set the dial to 'B', it certainly happened to me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted August 2, 2021 Share #8 Posted August 2, 2021 Happened to me too. So I now have new batteries stored in various places just in case. With an extra roll of film in my pocket (I don’t often use a camera bag), in the car, etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh bear Posted August 2, 2021 Author Share #9 Posted August 2, 2021 Thanks all Appreciate the help and the lack of mocking 😉. I have now read the manual and heading out for a day in Dorset armed with Portra 400, Ilford HP5 and lady Grey film. thanks again josh 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted August 2, 2021 Share #10 Posted August 2, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Josh bear said: Thanks all Appreciate the help and the lack of mocking 😉. I have now read the manual and heading out for a day in Dorset armed with Portra 400, Ilford HP5 and lady Grey film. thanks again josh No reason to fear being mocked for asking a perfectly reasonable question such as yours, that's what forums are for, Those who try to pass off misinformation as fact can expect a different response. Which brings me around to correcting my earlier reply; The B/OFF setting won't prevent an accidental exposure if the shutter is cocked and the shutter is unintentionally tripped on this setting, but it will prevent your battery from being drained! Enjoy your camera, The MP is meant to be used! Edited August 2, 2021 by Ouroboros Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh bear Posted August 2, 2021 Author Share #11 Posted August 2, 2021 (edited) 9 hours ago, Ouroboros said: No reason to fear being mocked for asking a perfectly reasonable question such as yours, that's what forums are for, Those who try to pass off misinformation as fact can expect a different response. Which brings me around to correcting my earlier reply; The B/OFF setting won't prevent an accidental exposure if the shutter is cocked and the shutter is unintentionally tripped on this setting, but it will prevent your battery from being drained! Enjoy your camera, The MP is meant to be used! Thanks. enjoying the MP. It is making me slow down and think. I have a Leica Q2 (Since launch) and Leica Q2 M(For the last 2 weeks but never used) and both have been left at home in favour of the MP for this short family holiday. Josh Edited August 2, 2021 by Josh bear Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted August 2, 2021 Share #12 Posted August 2, 2021 Tip: Don’t leave it in the sun with the lens cap off! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew01 Posted August 3, 2021 Share #13 Posted August 3, 2021 An easy way to avoid battery drain is to not leave the camera in your camera bag with the shutter cocked. Besides the meter drain issue it is good practise in general to store mechanical cameras uncocked. Leaving the shutter springs tensioned during storage can cause innacuracies in the shutter timings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted August 3, 2021 Share #14 Posted August 3, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, andrew01 said: An easy way to avoid battery drain is to not leave the camera in your camera bag with the shutter cocked. Besides the meter drain issue it is good practise in general to store mechanical cameras uncocked. Leaving the shutter springs tensioned during storage can cause innacuracies in the shutter timings. Recent discussion cock/uncock here in my view not reliability or whatever mechanical, but in practice, I never see in one 'cocked' or 'not cocked': had done these for decades, when short storage (in a bag while carrying) I cocked the shutter, when for long storage (rarely ! ), I trip the shutter without recocking. ... Michael has the right answer, as usual post #2 of linked thread Edited August 3, 2021 by a.noctilux Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxfairclough Posted August 3, 2021 Share #15 Posted August 3, 2021 On 8/2/2021 at 7:46 AM, a.noctilux said: Hello Josh, Leica MP user manual page 64 states that using the B/OFF position "exposure meter is turned off", so you may set your MP on this position before storing/carrying the MP. Wow I learnt something new. Seriously never ever saw the 'off' haha. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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