leicavirgin2 Posted September 5, 2007 Share #1 Posted September 5, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Greetings! new to forum, hence the forum nick-name. I have always admired the Leica, "M" system, but until now have settled for Nikon, & Canon. I just recieved a NEW M7 "Starter-Kit" with 50mm f2.0 "Summicron" Lens. Did as instruction manual said... loaded batteries, loaded tri-x, attached taking lens set the dial to AUTO & then looked through the RF but no meter info. just frame-lines. Loaded them again; same-thing. Then tested them on a SUNPACK tester. one battery read 80%, the other 10%. So, i just bought new batteries. Before putting them in the camera; I tested them first. BOTH at 100%. I installed them and still to NO AVAIL on the meter NOT working. I turned on and off the power switch, checked film loading in a dark-bag still to NO AVAIL. Am "I" doing something wrong? Or, is this something you all have heard from other users. I am really down, really DOWN. I waited over 30 years to get a LEICA, NEW, UNTOUCHED & now THIS! Any advise would be most appreciated. Respectfully, Don Michael Brown Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 5, 2007 Posted September 5, 2007 Hi leicavirgin2, Take a look here Leica M7 "POSSIBLE"-Exposure Meter Problems?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
MrEd Posted September 5, 2007 Share #2 Posted September 5, 2007 I'm not sure about the M7, does it have thru-the-lens metering? if so, did you take the lens cap off? . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamey Posted September 5, 2007 Share #3 Posted September 5, 2007 Hello Don. Welcome to the Forum. Make sure your M7 is cocked, otherwise Meter wont work. Good luck. Ken. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicavirgin2 Posted September 5, 2007 Author Share #4 Posted September 5, 2007 Thank you both for responding. I did make sure the lens cap was off & that the camera was FULLY cocked. I went ahead & put in fresh SANYO 100% batteries & yet still no readings in R.F. viewing window. Yes, the camera is on. The lens is on correctly. I just don't understand. It must be me. I mean a German Camera with a lens that cost nearly 4500.00 US is not that much compared to an MP, but when you go from Nikon & Canon, (never had a problem with those makes even though, I felt I was MISSING something), to something this HIGHLY regarded by the late HCB, (III Series & Early M3/M2), & with us... Ralph Gibson, (M-Series/MP), you'd expect the quality to be above the other makes. It must be something "I" am doing WRONG??? What next??? Any advise after this??? Don Michael Brown Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joechan Posted September 5, 2007 Share #5 Posted September 5, 2007 Does the shutter fire on the electronically controlled speeds (i.e. not B 1/60 or 1/125)? If it does, then the power is OK and there may be a problem with the meter circuit. If the shutter doesn't fire, then there may be a problem with the battery contacts or power circuit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christer Posted September 5, 2007 Share #6 Posted September 5, 2007 Is the thin plastic film still in the battery compartment; the one-cent size piece of plastic that usually comes with batttery operated devices to ensure the battery does not discharge while the device in is warehose/transit/dealer's, etc.? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 5, 2007 Share #7 Posted September 5, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Are the batteries in the correct way round? It's probably some simple error. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted September 5, 2007 Share #8 Posted September 5, 2007 Stupid question, but are you half pressing the shutter button to switch on the metering? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted September 5, 2007 Share #9 Posted September 5, 2007 Stupid question, but are you half pressing the shutter button to switch on the metering? Exactly my thoughts as well Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
echorec Posted September 5, 2007 Share #10 Posted September 5, 2007 My thoughts too... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnkuo Posted September 6, 2007 Share #11 Posted September 6, 2007 Another stupid question - did you move the lever around the shutter button to turn the camera on? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted September 6, 2007 Share #12 Posted September 6, 2007 John, Don mentioned turning the power switch on and off, so I think that's probably not the reason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 6, 2007 Share #13 Posted September 6, 2007 Has he solved the problem................ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted September 6, 2007 Share #14 Posted September 6, 2007 Dunno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicavirgin2 Posted September 6, 2007 Author Share #15 Posted September 6, 2007 Hey Gang! Sorry it took so long to respond, but I have been in therapy because of this, <laughs>. I spoke with the techs. at B&H, NYC & they said sounds like a rare problem & that I should just get another one. Another one??? I have waited over 30 years to get a NEW Leica! I spoke to a VERY well respected LEICA tech. who informed me that they would NEVER invest in a M7, period. I asked why? Their response was rather harsh, but the point was made & taken. I decided to return it to B&H for a refund & just settle for my near new CLA'd M3 single stroke with 1960's 50mm "Summilux". I just wanted something new, virgin, you know what I mean? I did not want to get an MP because I could just as easily get a near new, or new M6 which is all mechanical in case the small batts. take a dump. Something I will think about since I love the 35mm focal-length, & my M3, of course, does not have a marking for the 35mm focal-length, unless I get the goggles??? Here is a funny thing... The same day I took the shipment for the M7 I also took a shipment for my used Nikon, "F", (original-black), with 50mm f2.0 lens. It worked fine, everytime & I paid a fraction of what I paid for the M7!!! Still, it is NOT the same feeling as the LEICAS! In closing, thank you all for all your advise & help & I look forward to sharing some of my LEICA images & stories with you all. Best, Don Michael Brown Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjr Posted September 6, 2007 Share #16 Posted September 6, 2007 ???????????????????????an amazing story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!about what ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Austerby Posted September 7, 2007 Share #17 Posted September 7, 2007 Completely the opposite to my own experience - my M7 has been faultless. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 7, 2007 Share #18 Posted September 7, 2007 Get an M2 I suspect the Leica tech you mention prefers the fully mechanical cameras because he can work on them and repair them - they will last pretty much indefinately, whereas most 'electronic' cameras become obsolete at some point when the necessary circuits are no longer available. But that said most of them last a very long time. You were just unlucky to receive a dud. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyshooter Posted September 9, 2007 Share #19 Posted September 9, 2007 A year ago, I bought my M7 and had been using it constantly. Nothing irregular happens. Feel so sorry for your rare experience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicavirgin2 Posted September 16, 2007 Author Share #20 Posted September 16, 2007 thanks too all. I will proably get an M4. The tech. told me that was the last great LEICA was the M4, & maybe the M6 "Classic"? B&H is giving a FULL refund. Thanks for all your help & advise. I'll be back. DM Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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