No info in viewfinder

[_blainebutler]

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Hi all,

Just picked up an M8 and updated the firmware to 2.024. I’m using a Minolta M-Rokkor 28mm f/2.8. Everything seems to work fine except there’s no info showing in the viewfinder — no shutter speed in A mode, and no arrows when manually selecting speeds.

 

Has anyone experienced this? Any advice or easy fixes before I consider sending it back?

 

Thanks in advance!

—Blaine

[jaapv]

That means that  the display is dead. Return it.  It is not a cheap repair, if at all possible. 

[_blainebutler]

Gotcha. I figured something thing was up.  I bought it from MPB so going to exchange it and pray this doesn’t happen again 

[tommonego@gmail.com]

If you are way off with the settings on the camera, the arows won't show. Do a sunny 16 test on a bright sunny day, set the camera for 160 ISO and the speed to one notch under 1/250, and the f stop to f16. If you don't see the arrows or the dot, then you have problems. Good Luck! 

[Graham (G4FUJ)]

On 8/4/2025 at 1:30 AM, tommonego@gmail.com said:

If you are way off with the settings on the camera, the arows won't show. Do a sunny 16 test on a bright sunny day, set the camera for 160 ISO and the speed to one notch under 1/250, and the f stop to f16. If you don't see the arrows or the dot, then you have problems. Good Luck! 

On an M8 Tom?  The display should show actual shutter speed in use.  The arrows and dot are on M6 &c. i.e. film cameras with built in meters.

[tommonego@gmail.com]

vor 7 Stunden schrieb Graham (G4FUJ):

On an M8 Tom?  The display should show actual shutter speed in use.  The arrows and dot are on M6 &c. i.e. film cameras with built in meters.

My M8 only shows the arrows and the dot in the view finder, if I'm way off it shows nothing. This is how it has been since I got the camera 6 years ago, so i don't know anything different. I am used to a film M and it hasn'r bothered me. In teresting if I am missing the shutter speed read out. 

[Graham (G4FUJ)]

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48 minutes ago, tommonego@gmail.com said:

My M8 only shows the arrows and the dot in the view finder, if I'm way off it shows nothing. This is how it has been since I got the camera 6 years ago, so i don't know anything different. I am used to a film M and it hasn't bothered me. Interesting if I am missing the shutter speed read out. 

Ah yes - I use mine in aperture priority almost all the time, hence I get the shutter speed setting in the viewfinder.  

[tommonego@gmail.com]

vor 22 Stunden schrieb Graham (G4FUJ):

Ah yes - I use mine in aperture priority almost all the time, hence I get the shutter speed setting in the viewfinder.  

I'm on manual, never have used aperure priority on the M8, sometimes on my CL but not often.

[_blainebutler]

Is it possible this has to do with a non 6-bit encoded lens? 

[Graham (G4FUJ)]

Doubt it, I use non 6-bit  coded lenses on my M8 and M6 on occasions with no detriment to the display. 

[_blainebutler]

Just wondering because mpb said the viewfinder works fine when they received the return. Idk i took the refund since it felt off 

[tommonego@gmail.com]

As I said before, if your settings are way off from the correct exposure, say photographing inside then going outside without adjusting the exposure, nothing will show in the viewfinder. Adjust to within a few stops and you get the arrows and dot when you are right on, and as Graham said if you are on aperture priority then you get the shutter speed. So there are times when nothing shows in the viewfinder. None of my lenses are 6 bit coded and work well with the M8. The list of 6 bit coded lenses are short for the M8 as it is an older camera.