M7 LED display issue

[melancholyandsex]

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Hello! I was recently gifted an M7 and had it refurbished. When I first got it back, the display would only flash ASA. Before freaking out, I got new batteries. They are now in, except NOTHING shows on the display anymore. It will still take a photo, but I'd like to use the light meter as well as just basically having the camera operate properly. I have cleaned the battery contacts and made sure they are installed correctly, but they were also fresh out of the packaging. Does anyone know what to do?

[jaapv]

Complain to the person who refurbished it? 

[melancholyandsex]

6 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Complain to the person who refurbished it? 

I do plan to ask the reputable repair shop if they have any ideas, but doesn't mean I can't get info from as many folks as possible. If I can fix this without having to send it back, that would be ideal. 

[andybarton]

You can’t fix this yourself. 

[jaapv]

If you could fix this yourself, you wouldn't need to ask.

[melancholyandsex]

4 minutes ago, andybarton said:

You can’t fix this yourself. 

Thank you for the input. What I don't understand is how it at least displayed SOMETHING until I changed the batteries. So, I know the display CAN work! 🙃

[jaapv]

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Well, the only thing I can think of is that you inserted the batteries the wrong way around and switched plus and minus.  That can destroy an electronic circuit.

[melancholyandsex]

9 minutes ago, jaapv said:

If you could fix this yourself, you wouldn't need to ask.

Is there a reason you are being this way? I'm pretty sure I've seen all kind of "how do I fix this?" questions in this forum. If you don't have anything productive to say, there's really no reason to respond. Thanks!

[jaapv]

Trying to fix precision instruments without the expertise is always a bad idea. As I said, the best thing to do is contact the person who refurbished the camera. This sounds like a guarantee issue.

[Indeepthought]

44 minutes ago, melancholyandsex said:

Hello! I was recently gifted an M7 and had it refurbished. When I first got it back, the display would only flash ASA. Before freaking out, I got new batteries. They are now in, except NOTHING shows on the display anymore. It will still take a photo, but I'd like to use the light meter as well as just basically having the camera operate properly. I have cleaned the battery contacts and made sure they are installed correctly, but they were also fresh out of the packaging. Does anyone know what to do?

That's a real shame, first if possible I would ask the gifter if the camera had/has any issues. 2nd, contact the company that serviced the camera, ask questions. It could be the Display failed whilst in your hands.. 3rd, welcome to the world of Leica... 

[melancholyandsex]

12 minutes ago, Indeepthought said:

welcome to the world of Leica

I'm not sure if you mean this genuinely or tongue in cheek due to Leicas having regular issues. 😁 I really AM new to the world! I appreciate your response. Unfortunately the original owner has died, and the gifter was his partner who knows nothing about the gear. 

[Indeepthought]

17 minutes ago, melancholyandsex said:

I'm not sure if you mean this genuinely or tongue in cheek due to Leicas having regular issues. 😁 I really AM new to the world! I appreciate your response. Unfortunately the original owner has died, and the gifter was his partner who knows nothing about the gear. 

Sometimes using Leicas is like running a very early MG. Always fun, sometimes frustrating, always an adrenaline pump.. Re:- your M7, return it to the company that serviced it, be prepared for a further charge.. Good Luck..

Edited July 3, 2024 by Indeepthought

[spydrxx]

Leicas don't have issues on a regular basis. Those owners who do, complain on various forums, the silent majority just keep on using their well-made gear, much of it 40-70 years old with no issues. As a Leica repairman who was conducting a workshop years ago told me: "Instead of just watching TV in the evening, eating munchies, take out your Leica and dry fire it through all of its ranges to keep it lubricated and properly adjusted". Good advice which I've tried to follow each month for many years, with pretty good success. Electrical issues, well, electronics are prone to failure over time, much moreso than mechanical issues. In your case I'd definitely reconnect with your repairperson, because something isn't right and should probably be covered under a warranty of work performed.

[wizard]

vor 17 Stunden schrieb melancholyandsex:

but they were also fresh out of the packaging.

Depending on where you found the batteries, they may still have reached the end of their shelf life years ago. I'd try another set of truly fresh batteries to make sure the problem is not battery related.

[Danner]

Some miscellaneous thoughts...

Test the batteries with a voltmeter to see if they are making approximately 3 volts.

Clean the battery and film canister contacts.

Make sure the camera is cocked before testing operation of the display, etc.

"Refurbished" makes me think whomever did the work wasn't a skilled Leica technician.  In Leica-land, it's called a "CLA" (clean, lubricate, and adjust) The three known US technicians are Don Goldberg, Youxon Ye (sp?), and Sheri Krauter.  If some other shop did the work, they were certainly unskilled at working on an M7.

If you want to get the camera in top working order, go to one of those three technicians and request a full CLA.

Good luck, and know that the M7 is a magnificent camera, once you get it squared away.

[Anbaric]

Just curious why you sent it in for servicing and who did it - was there some existing electronic issue, or some mechanical issue, or was this a pre-emptive service? A less skilled technician may have damaged some electronic component even if they were attempting to fix something else. Does the shutter still fire at all speeds or only at 1/60 and 1/125?

Edited July 7, 2024 by Anbaric

[melancholyandsex]

On 7/7/2024 at 3:39 PM, Anbaric said:

Just curious why you sent it in for servicing and who did it - was there some existing electronic issue, or some mechanical issue, or was this a pre-emptive service? A less skilled technician may have damaged some electronic component even if they were attempting to fix something else. Does the shutter still fire at all speeds or only at 1/60 and 1/125?

I took it to Glazer's Camera in Seattle, Wash. I was informed by them that they have a dedicated Leica technician. It had been stored for several years in a damp location, so I brought it in to see what kind of working order it was in. @Danner's comment rings true with the CLA acronym. That sounds familiar to me. The shutter fires at all speeds. Everything seems to be in working order aside from the display not showing up. I'm going to finish up the roll that it's there now and see if putting new film in it might be the solution. If not, I'll take it back to Glazer's. Thanks so much for responding! 

[Smudgerer]

On 7/3/2024 at 8:56 PM, jaapv said:

If you could fix this yourself, you wouldn't need to ask.

This tone of response is very unlike you jaapv, the poster is a "newbie" Leica owner and confused as to what to do with a M7 that's just come into his hands and is misbehaving, it behooves all of us to "play nice" with new members doesn't it? At least initially anyway.

[Danner]

On 7/3/2024 at 2:37 PM, melancholyandsex said:

I'm not sure if you mean this genuinely or tongue in cheek due to Leicas having regular issues. 😁 I really AM new to the world! I appreciate your response. Unfortunately the original owner has died, and the gifter was his partner who knows nothing about the gear. 

I've shot M6 since about 2001, and currently shoot two M6 (1985 & 1987) and about five Leica lenses.  I'v never had an issue with any of them.  IME, Leica are very reliable.

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