Leica M10 not working after rain

[junichi94]

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My leica m10 got wet after a sudden rain last night and I found the shutter speed dial is not working, the shutter speed is stuck in 1/4000 no matter how I spin the dial, the iso dial cannot be set properly, for example, I turn it to ISO100 and it shows iso6400 in my camera, and turn to iso200, it shows iso3200 in mycamera. Also the frame in the rangerfinder doen't change the brightness. However, other parts work fine. 

 

Will it be helpful if I take off the up plate and clean it up or I really need to send it to a dealer to solve it? 

[frame-it]

8 minutes ago, junichi94 said:

Will it be helpful if I take off the up plate and clean it up

probably not

8 minutes ago, junichi94 said:

I really need to send it to a dealer to solve it? 

send it to your dealer or to Leica Germany

[Steve Ash]

I would put it in a rice bag for drying purposes first.

 

[junichi94]

2 hours ago, frame-it said:

probably not

send it to your dealer or to Leica Germany

Thanks for your help and advise. Since I need to use it this Thursday for a trip to UK, I will try to dry and fix it myself and see it works or not.

[LeicaR10]

Junichi94,  I most highly recommend you try the sage advice in Post #3 first.  I would definitely NOT take the top cover off.  There are weather seals inside, tightly and delicate circuit tapes etc., and you will cause far more issues for yourself and cost.  The later model digital M cameras are not weatherproof; weather resistent is a better term.  I have used all the digital M cameras in harsh environments and I still take great care to keep them dry or most certainly wipe them off nearly immediately if wet.  Most likely, you will need to send the camera to Leica for service.   r/ Mark

[Mute-on]

1 hour ago, Steve Ash said:

I would put it in a rice bag for drying purposes first.

 

Do this. Remove base plate, battery and memory card, then place in a small Tupperware or other sealable plastic container with two cups of rice (next to or under the camera, not on top of it). Leave sealed overnight. The rice should absorb any residual moisture that is causing the malfunction.

Do not continue to operate the camera and do not attempt to remove the shutter speed dial or top plate. 

Edited July 22, 2024 by Mute-on

[Ecar]

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50 minutes ago, Mute-on said:

Do this. Remove base plate, battery and memory card, then place in a small Tupperware or other sealable plastic container with two cups of rice (next to or under the camera, not on top of it). Leave sealed overnight. The rice should absorb any residual moisture that is causing the malfunction.

Do not continue to operate the camera and do not attempt to remove the shutter speed dial or top plate. 

+1. And a few silica gel bags in the tupperware for good measure.

[junichi94]

22 hours ago, Mute-on said:

Do this. Remove base plate, battery and memory card, then place in a small Tupperware or other sealable plastic container with two cups of rice (next to or under the camera, not on top of it). Leave sealed overnight. The rice should absorb any residual moisture that is causing the malfunction.

Do not continue to operate the camera and do not attempt to remove the shutter speed dial or top plate. 

Really appreciate your help. I tried it but working, I will send it to the dealer

[junichi94]

22 hours ago, LeicaR10 said:

Junichi94,  I most highly recommend you try the sage advice in Post #3 first.  I would definitely NOT take the top cover off.  There are weather seals inside, tightly and delicate circuit tapes etc., and you will cause far more issues for yourself and cost.  The later model digital M cameras are not weatherproof; weather resistent is a better term.  I have used all the digital M cameras in harsh environments and I still take great care to keep them dry or most certainly wipe them off nearly immediately if wet.  Most likely, you will need to send the camera to Leica for service.   r/ Mark

Really appreciate your help. I tried it but working, I will send it to the dealer

 

[LocalHero1953]

This thread is a useful reminder that up to the M10 at least the M series is not reliably water resistant. There are many reports from people who have used their cameras in light rain, usually protected partly under a coat (I have done so myself in heavy mist), but it is not risk-free (whereas a SL2/2-S/3, made to IP54, should be). Even with the M11, said to be more water resistant, I would be cautious. If nothing else the M-mount design dates from the early 50s, and the 6-bit coding cut-out adds another point of weakness. 

[mujk]

On 7/22/2024 at 7:51 AM, junichi94 said:

My leica m10 got wet after a sudden rain last night and I found the shutter speed dial is not working, the shutter speed is stuck in 1/4000 no matter how I spin the dial, the iso dial cannot be set properly, for example, I turn it to ISO100 and it shows iso6400 in my camera, and turn to iso200, it shows iso3200 in mycamera. Also the frame in the rangerfinder doen't change the brightness. However, other parts work fine. 

 

Will it be helpful if I take off the up plate and clean it up or I really need to send it to a dealer to solve it? 

The symptoms you list are all related to components mounted inside the top plate, so the it is likely that the source of the fault is there as well. It could be as simple as a droplet of water in one of the ribbon cable connectors. However, the water should have already dried away, probably leaving corrosion in electronic parts.

Taking off the top plate is not a very complex procedure, if you know what you are doing. But I doubt that there is much you can do to fix the problem yourself.

[wizard]

Am 23.7.2024 um 09:25 schrieb LocalHero1953:

and the 6-bit coding cut-out adds another point of weakness.

Why is that? The 6-bit coding pits in the lens flange do not extend to the outer circumference of the lens flange, but are contained within the region covered and therefore should (hopefully) be sealed by the contact between the lens flanges on the lens and camera side, respectively.

[LocalHero1953]

1 minute ago, wizard said:

Why is that? The 6-bit coding pits in the lens flange do not extend to the outer circumference of the lens flange, but are contained within the region covered and therefore should (hopefully) be sealed by the contact between the lens flanges on the lens and camera side, respectively.

I was going on the various discussions in the forum about light leaks through the mount during long exposures. It has been reported that the light leaks occur around the 6-bit coding. I guessed from that that area might be similarly a high risk for water leaks. But I have no personal experience of either - and I have no digital M to examine! 

[wizard]

vor 33 Minuten schrieb LocalHero1953:

It has been reported that the light leaks occur around the 6-bit coding.

I could see a certain such risk evolving if and when a screw mount lens is attached to a digital M using an LTM to M adapter having a cut-out portion to accomodate the infinity lock present on some older screw mount lenses.