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Fixing the On/Off Switch


newcityphoto

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Has anyone figured out a way to prevent the on/off switch from inadvertently being moved to the continuous or timer setting? Just came back from an assignment in Asia and on numerous occasions I went to shoot an image with no response from the camera. Looking at the top of the M8 to discover I'd moved the switch to the timer mode when I grabbed the camera to shoot.

 

Tried putting a very small piece of velcro in position to prevent the switch from moving over. Worked for a while, but I need a better fix.

 

This camera is my third body (after problems with the first two) and seems to be working as it should......so far.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Michael

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I have frequently had this problem. Also, the shutter speed dial inadvertently moving from 'Auto' to '8000'.:eek: Over the years of Leica use, I have observed that a lot of their 'adjustments' are too light. OTOH, it could be argued that I am too heavy handed.:D The fact that others experience similar trouble would suggest otherwise though.

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I have had the problem of acciently moving the switch to the timer position. I have tried tape, which is unsightly and has to be removed when you want to ust the timer setting. Has anyone tried anything else? This happens to me especially when I hurry or am in a situation that demands quickness. Very frustrating. DR

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I personally have never had this happen to any of the 3 M8's I've had. I have had it go to C mode (Continuous) when switching it on but never inadvertently switched it to timer mode at any time from the off position or while in the on position.

One fix is to put in place a clear cabinet door rubber bumper so the switch can't go to timer mode. Yes that would mean you would lose timer mode or have to take the bumper off to use timer mode.

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Is that sometime Leica will fix under warranty or something I need to have done myself?

Michael

 

I had it fixed during a repair under warranty. There was a lot more to repair at that time (focussing, lens detection), so Leica had to lift the hood anyway, I assume. Now it is better and moves unexpectedly only once in a while.

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Someone spilled tea down it, and that apparently fixed it :)

 

Leica can adjust the stiffness.

"

Not so sure about that - My M8 is in Solms for other issues and I asked them to "tighten" the On/Off switch.

 

Here is there verbatim reply

 

"We will try to adjust the on/off switch but I am not sure we can tighten it"

 

I will wait and see when my camera comes back if there is any improvement.

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Leica may be correct there is no "official" way of changing the detent strength. I changed mine by putting a small copper cylindrical "slug" into the hole where the spring locates, let's say 1mm diameter by 1mm long. That puts the spring under greater compression when the ball-bearing locates in the slot which in turn crispens the switch action.

 

Here you can see the 4 slots, corresponding to the 4 switch positions.

 

[ATTACH]54245[/ATTACH]

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Another vote for the soft release. But remember to shut the camera off before storing it in the bag, lest you end up shooting blank frames and filling up your SD card. Been there, done that, and lost a really nice eye-to-eye shot of a buffalo (bison) walking right past my car window at Yellowstone National Park last week.

 

It was the first photo of the day. I had Mr. Buffalo's eye in focus, I pressed the shutter, nothing happened. Looked at my "frames left" indicator. It read zero. Odd, it showed 14 pictures left last night. Muttered a few choice phrases of Anglo-Saxon origin, changed card, When I got home, I discovered 14 black frames at the end of the card's file list.

 

"The one that got away." Some people have fish stories. I have a buffalo story. :D

 

--Peter

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