Question about M10R ISO dial repair process

[JRWhite]

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Purchased new to me (used) Leica M-10R last August through KEH. Shoot it nearly every day and love it. A few days ago the ISO dial stopped indicating properly. It seems to have skipped a few clicks such that the ISO number on the dial is different than the ISO indication on the view screen. The good news is that the dial still works as I can dial in any desired ISO. However, I have to turn on the screen to know what ISO I have dialed in. For now I've set ISO (via the view screen) to Auto ISO (BTW that is an ISO dial reading of 800) and can keep shooting. However, I use the ISO dial quite a lot as I rarely use the view screen and I'd like the ISO dial to read properly.

The Leica repair process is new to me. I sent Leica USA (NJ) a note through their online customer service system. Is that action the way for me to proceed?

Thanks

[JRWhite]

Leica USA contacted me this morning with the steps necessary to send them the camera. Hopefully a quick turnaround. No word regarding them fixing the issue or them sending it to Wetzlar. The clock is ticking...

Regarding use of the ISO dial, I may need to rethink how I use it. I prefer the dial for its quick access. My gut tells me this won't be a routine repair item but I've seen other Leica Forum entries about failures of M10 family ISO dials. Will worry about it when the camera is returned.

 

[JayBird]

I ever had to deal withLeica repairs. But from what others have said, they tend to be on the slow side. 

[JRWhite]

My M10R is back and working very well! Not sure the specific issue with the ISO dial but Leica NJ fixed it. 

Timeline:

April 29 - the ISO dial setting and the ISO setting indication on the LCD panel did not match. Emailed Leica NJ repair folks.
May 1 - response from Leica NJ regarding where to send the M10R. They included a repair form to fill out and include with the shipment.
May 2 - M10R Fed Ex'd to NJ. Arrival scheduled for May 5.
May 9 - Email from NJ stating receipt of the camera body. Included was a link to a site which confirmed receipt and entry into the repair process. The email stated I could visit the site at any time to track status of the repair.
June 5 - email from NJ stating the camera was in repair and that it should be completed within the week. Also informed the repair was being performed under warrantee (more on that later).
June 13 - email from NJ stating the repair was complete and that the camera was being shipped back to me via UPS. A tracking number was provided.
June 15 - My newly repaired M10R arrived!

All told it was 48 days from when the issue occurred at my home until when the repaired camera was back at my home. Seems like a fast timeline considering shipping to and from is included in that number. The folks in NJ, and especially Kathy Carbone, were very communicative. Quite pleased. 

Regarding the work being accomplished under warrantee, I am at the least the third owner of the camera. And I was clear about that in the writeup I provided with the camera when I shipped it to them. Per Kathy Carbone, my serial number was born in February 2021 and purchased by a dealer in May 2021. Not sure how many hands it went through before it ended up with KEH from whom I purchased it in August 2022. Seems to me the camera would have been beyond its original warrantee period and I certainly wasn't the original owner. I received a six-month warrantee from KEH, which wouldn't have mattered to Leica NJ anyway, but was even beyond that period. Not complaining, I'm very pleased not to have been charged for repair. Just a head scratcher for me. 

Many thanks to Leica NJ for the great communications during the period and for the fast turnaround on repair.

But the experience got me wondering...do I need a second M10R as backup? Hmmm....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 27, 2023 by JRWhite

[darylgo]

Good write-up and glad it worked out well for you.  My experience with Leica N.J. spans the full spectrum from  great experience to awful experience over many years.  If I'm dissatisfied with the repair I ask them to send it to Germany and they oblige.  Concerning the iso dial, I keep it in the raised position full time with a tiny piece of plastic wedged below.  My use is not as great as yours but so far no issues.  That the dial is so accessible and convenient makes it more Leica-ish, I can live with buttons and menus but the dial is convenient.  

[JRWhite]

I've wondered about leaving the ISO dial in the up position. Worried about how robust that operation would be. Your approach with a plastic wedge is ingenious and perhaps afford a bit of protection to the shaft of the dial.

Since the camera's return I've been operating in "M" and changing ISO on the LCD screen. My issue with that approach is that I forget where ISO is set. It flashes briefly when the camera is turned on but following that the LCD screen needs to be activated.

First world problem for sure.

[darylgo]

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No issues so far and it feels very sturdy, I shoot every other day however the M10-R may sit unused if another camera is better suited, I don't have long-term hard use to report.   When I have questions about repair frequency I call Michael at the Leica Store in LA and he tells me what he's seen or has been reported, also Leica N.J. will answer these questions.   

[JRWhite]

22 minutes ago, darylgo said:

When I have questions about repair frequency I call Michael at the Leica Store in LA and he tells me what he's seen or has been reported, also Leica N.J. will answer these questions.   

Good to know, thanks for the intel!

[jakontil]

During a shoot i usually left the iso dial in up position, ready to turn and change, only after finish then i push it down

i have a second body for backup