S006 Sudden death

[Slender]

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Dear All, hi! I took delivery of my first own S camera just a few days ago, after having another S006 to play with (tho it wasn't mine).

Camera comes from a reputable seller (excellent trust pilot reviews), came in a beautiful condition, with Leica Service paperwork from 2017 for an overhaul and sensor replacement.

I immediatly noticed the camera sounded different, and had a fair more amount of vibration felt through the grip (in my right hand). The shutter felt also a bit sticky or laggy, but not on all shots.

Less than 3 days later, while shooting this morning with a 50-60% battery charger, the camera went "brick" with no signs of life at all. I took the battery out of the camera for a while, re-inserted it. I got the rear bottom LED to flash red when flicking the switch to FPS (rapid flashes) and a different flash pattern. I took the CF card out, tried with an SD card instead.

Now I have the rear LCD and the menus working, with the battery still indicating a bit more than half charge. The Top OLED screen doesnt turn on, the viewfinder is also dark (no orande LED status at all) and the camera refuses to fire at all, card or no card.
 

The seller has agreed for me to take the camera to Leica London and have it sent to germany for an estimate to repair. However they said they have an undisclosed threshold for the bill where they would rather refund me rather than repair the camera.


Here is 2 video of the camera behaviour. Its the same with or without card, SD or CF. Rear screen and menu sometimes respond, sometimes not. TOP Screen and in EVF LEDs dont turn on. No further response

https://we.tl/t-asGT8L5nEC

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[davidmknoble]

I don’t think you have a choice.  Leica can determine whether they can even in fact repair it.  I might suggest allowing the seller to determine the cost, and if they tell you it is too high, ask them the difference they are unwilling to pay and see if it is worth it to you.

Because it has a new sensor, you may be able to get it repaired.

Your only other option is to send it to Germany yourself and pay for it.

[Slender]

Hi David, thanks for your insight.

I wonder if that could be caused by an out of age battery as well.... Nevertheless the shutter action feels odd anyway.
The good thing about Leica Uk is that, in my experience, they will send it to Germany for me at no charge, but I will report later on that. I hope to go today.

 

[BernardC]

You can also try re-seating the lens. I had a temporary lock-up that was fixed that way, and never came back after.

Leica Service will send you back a camera that is like-new, so @davidmknoble's suggestion is worth pursuing: you could offer to pay repair costs beyond the seller's "undisclosed threshold." After they've disclosed their threshold, of course.

[Stuart Richardson]

I think if there is no information in the viewfinder, no shutter actuation, no OLED information screen, but you do have a rear display and and menus, it is probably not the battery. I also don't think the lens would turn off the top OLED, as I am pretty sure that it stays on when the lenses are dismounted. I can't think of any circumstances when it is off, except where the camera is off. My fear is that it would be a motherboard or electronic glitch. I would have just thought shutter, but if the top display is out too, that does not bode well to me. As David said, you are at Leica's mercy now (or the seller's).

[Slender]

Thank you @BernardC and @Stuart Richardson. Someone to.d me the service for an S body hovers around the 1250GBP mark.

after charging the battery to 100% the camera seems working again but the bahavior is so odd and the shutter definitely different from the other camera I have. 
 

I have a pledge from the seller in writing that they agree for me to send it to Leica via their London shop. I am well within the 14 day inspection and cool off period and beyond this are 6 month of warranty. I was planning to drop it directly yesterday but I was told on the phone to first send an email about it and wait for their answer.

i will see over the weekend if I can get it to work. It’s in lovely condition otherwise and it came with the split screen finder which is awesome to look through and use. There are a only quite few of S006 used in the UK right now and this one stood out for me….

[Slender]

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Hey guys, just a quick update if anyone is curious.....

My S006 went to Germany and the bill was too big for the seller to swallow (1300£) so they instead offer me a full refund (1899£) 😅 of the camera to be issued when it comes back to them. I have clear video evidence of the fault, so I dont know what's their plan with the camera next.... its a shame as I did so much homework to find it and elect the 006 in general over other options.

I then instructed Leica Mayfair to not proceed with the repair and to have the camera shipped back to the country.

BUT, on the day Leica Classics had published a listing for an S007 in almost new condition, freshly serviced by Leica in June and with a whopping 2 years warranty from Leica! All that for 2750£ which is a screaming bargain I think given the current landscape for the competition (MPB, LCE etc...) ranges from 3000-3500£ with only 6 or 12 months warranty and no service history at hand.

So out with the s006 and in with the s007 it is. I think I will miss the full size RGB histogram in replay and the spirit level screen (without the need to turn the liveview in) implementation of the s006... but the haptics are stunningly different, everything feels snappier and tighter... we all know what the sensor differences are. I wish I could set the video record button do to something else...

Images soon  

[mdavidp]

Hi,

Had a lot of weird stuff happen because of battery having low/very low charge.

Put another fully charged battery in.

Mike P