(Help Requested) - Leica M11 shutter mechanical issue

[Umakant]

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2 days ago suddenly my Leica M11 Shutter stopped working. It won’t open anymore for the light metering or live view. It takes shots when I set the ISO and Shutter Speed anything except “Auto”. It won’t even open for sensor cleaning mode. 

I'm on a trip and only got my Leica M11 for shoot. Any help to resolve this is highly appreciated. 
 

Fixes I have tried:

1. Reset the camera multiple times

2. Tried removing battery and installed multiple times 

3. Running latest firmware

 

 Best,

Umakant

Edited June 27, 2024 by Umakant
Fixing autocorrect “fixed” to “fixes”

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[Ecar]

I'd try: clean 6-bit sensor, try another SD card (shouldn't make a difference in this case, but you never know), remove battery and leave the camera alone for a while so that the electronics are fully drained, reinstall battery and firmware.

Next step would be to send it to the mother ship in Wetzlar, I'm afraid.

[lct]

You may wish to try my tip 6 if you're using an uncoded lens.

[Umakant]

5 hours ago, Ecar said:

I'd try: clean 6-bit sensor, try another SD card (shouldn't make a difference in this case, but you never know), remove battery and leave the camera alone for a while so that the electronics are fully drained, reinstall battery and firmware.

Next step would be to send it to the mother ship in Wetzlar, I'm afraid.

I tried cleaning the 6-bit sensor/reader with a new card, but unfortunately, it didn’t help. It seems like connecting to the mothership is the only way to resolve this issue. I stopped by the Leica Store in San Francisco during my trip. They mentioned this is the first time they've encountered this issue and are curious about the resolution. I guess I’m a guinea pig for this problem.

[Umakant]

4 hours ago, lct said:

You may wish to try my tip 6 if you're using an uncoded lens.

I tried using the only uncoded lens (135/4) I have, but unfortunately, it didn’t work either. However, using the uncoded lens gave me the option to switch to manual lens selection, which was grayed out with 6-bit coded lenses. This makes me believe that the 6-bit sensor/reader is at least part of the problem. This is my hypothesis, as I can see tiny cracks on both sides of the 6-bit sensor. I’m not sure how it cracked; I can’t feel the cracks, but I can see two crack marks on either side of the sensor.

I will mention this to Leica Wetzlar (the Mothership) when I send it in for repairs. For now, I’m working in full manual mode. Unfortunately, there seems to be some censor dust that I can’t clean without resolving this issue.

[Maarten]

The 6-bit reader on your camera works as it should: with coded lenses the menu item for manual selection is not available (greyed out). Unfortunately I can’t help you with your shutter problem.

[Umakant]

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On 6/27/2024 at 2:28 PM, Maarten said:

The 6-bit reader on your camera works as it should: with coded lenses the menu item for manual selection is not available (greyed out). Unfortunately I can’t help you with your shutter problem.

Yeah, seems like at least I am able to photograph until I get back to base (Manhattan, NY). And then I will send it to Leica to take a look at it. I must say forcing myself to take only full manual shots is not bad at all. 

[Chewera]

On 6/27/2024 at 5:40 PM, Umakant said:

I tried cleaning the 6-bit sensor/reader with a new card, but unfortunately, it didn’t help. It seems like connecting to the mothership is the only way to resolve this issue. I stopped by the Leica Store in San Francisco during my trip. They mentioned this is the first time they've encountered this issue and are curious about the resolution. I guess I’m a guinea pig for this problem.

The same thing just happened to me with M11 monochrom while on a trip in Africa. I tried all the above recommendations as well. I also contacted Leica repair center in Germany  and they said it is likely a shutter issue that would require having it opened and fixed in Wetzlar. I would be curious if you had any luck fixing the shutter by yourself or if you also ended up sending it to Germany too. I am travelling by plane to nearest store for me (Dubai)  this weekend to have them take care of the process. They do mention it can take up to 5 months to get it back. Sadly…

[Photoworks]

You Can still take photos if you set  ISO and Shutter time to correct exposure.  Based on the test picture, works in a pinch.

A mode for Iso and shutter should not work.

 

This is a repair, I hade my shutter replaced in the US, and Leica USA took less than 4 weeks. They didn't have to send it to Germany.

[Umakant]

1 minute ago, Photoworks said:

You Can still take photos if you set  ISO and Shutter time to correct exposure.  Based on the test picture, works in a pinch.

A mode for Iso and shutter should not work.

 

This is a repair, I hade my shutter replaced in the US, and Leica USA took less than 4 weeks. They didn't have to send it to Germany.

Yes I did get chance to send it to Leica 2 days ago. Hope I get it back soon. 

[Derbyshire Man]

8 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

You Can still take photos if you set  ISO and Shutter time to correct exposure.  Based on the test picture, works in a pinch.

A mode for Iso and shutter should not work.

 

This is a repair, I hade my shutter replaced in the US, and Leica USA took less than 4 weeks. They didn't have to send it to Germany.

That's just about acceptable. A 4 month repair would not be! My Canon and Fuji returns have always been within a week!