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M7 problem with ASA readout


is250

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I have an M7 bought new last year. however I am getting the red "ASA" readout popping up in the viewfinder. I understand this can be caused by incorrect film speed setting on the back dial. this is definately not the problem. I have discovered I get this readout when I put pressure on the back of the camera whilst holding it. must be something to do with some contacts inside the camera. Has anyone experienced this?

very frustrating. any info most welcome.

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Guest Bernd Banken

Hi, welcome to the forum!

 

The first M7s had a contact-readout of the cannister DX codes which failed more or less.

The second version of DX code reading ist an optical version without a contact to the cannister.

The upgrade was done under warranty but now I have no idea whether it will be for free or not.

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Hi, thanks for that info. I presume my camera has the optical reader as it is nearly new. From what you say I take it that this is a known problem even with the later optical reader?

I will call the dealer who supplied the camera as it is still under guarantee.

many thanks for your interest and comments.

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I had exactly that problem with a brand new M7, literally within hour of buying it. I got it from a well known Leica dealer and actually that day the German Leica rep was hanging out there, so when I took it back they hummed and hahed a bit for a while to try to figure out what it was -- it seemed to be a problem with the dial at the back not recognizing that it was in the automatic position. But -- sorry -- there was no easy fix -- they just gave me a different M7 there on the spot and I have never had a problem with that one. So you may have to take it back to the dealer or -- again, sorry -- have it shipped out to be fixed.

 

-- Mark

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I have an M7 bought new last year. however I am getting the red "ASA" readout popping up in the viewfinder. I understand this can be caused by incorrect film speed setting on the back dial. this is definately not the problem. I have discovered I get this readout when I put pressure on the back of the camera whilst holding it. must be something to do with some contacts inside the camera. Has anyone experienced this?

very frustrating. any info most welcome.

 

Remember that there is also an 'upgrade' for the base-plate of M7 models fitted with the later 'optical' DX reader.

 

See: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/553397-post4.html

 

Regards,

 

crm.ecosse

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is250 --

 

It certainly sounds like a DX reader problem and as others have said Leica will replace this free of charge under warranty -- mine was done a couple of years back. However, the frustrating thing is that the DX reader problem seems to have a number of different symptoms, so it is difficult to say conclusively that in your case the DX reader is the root of the problem. For instance, my M7 nver exhibited what you are experiencing but there were a number of other quite different symptoms. It turned out in my case that in addition to the DX reader problem there was also a malfunctioning circuit board. When this too was replaced -- a second return to Solms because it wasn't picked up on the first visit -- everything was fine.

 

I would suggest asking leica Service specifically to check forany other circuitry problems that might exist in addtion to the DX reader problem -- it might save time!

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I purchased and continue to own one of the first M7's, #2778xxx. The DX reader became intermittent last year and was sent in for repair. The new optical reader was installed as was the baseplate washer. I wound up having to send it in for another 2 months at my expense because they forgot a firmware update required with the optical reader. Please request that update as well.

 

You do raise an interesting point. I wonder if the baseplate of the Leicavit or Motor M need to have the extra washer as well? Any experiences out there?

 

Eric

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is250 --

 

It certainly sounds like a DX reader problem and as others have said Leica will replace this free of charge under warranty -- mine was done a couple of years back. However, the frustrating thing is that the DX reader problem seems to have a number of different symptoms, so it is difficult to say conclusively that in your case the DX reader is the root of the problem. For instance, my M7 nver exhibited what you are experiencing but there were a number of other quite different symptoms. It turned out in my case that in addition to the DX reader problem there was also a malfunctioning circuit board. When this too was replaced -- a second return to Solms because it wasn't picked up on the first visit -- everything was fine.

 

I would suggest asking leica Service specifically to check forany other circuitry problems that might exist in addtion to the DX reader problem -- it might save time!

 

Thanks Alun for the feedback. Also had a look at your blog, great stuff, keep up the good work. Tim

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My M7 is on it's way back to base, for the DX reader swap, a fix for a "hunting meter" and a solution to a wind on problem that seems to have been inherited from it's M6 big brother. Get to 30 shots and everything tightens so much that sprockets start to rip

 

Hoping it will be back before a trip to Ireland in March, but not holding my breath.

 

The Leicavit and M7 baseplate are both washerless, btw.

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  • 7 months later...

Whenever I turn on my M7 it shows 1600 ISO whether it is DX or manually set. With 400 ISO film in DX it actually meters like a 1600 ISO. Not good. When I set ISO manually at 400 ISO it meters correctly, which is good, even though it says 1600 when I turn it on. Do I have a repair problem? What gives?

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I have an M7 bought new last year. however I am getting the red "ASA" readout popping up in the viewfinder. I understand this can be caused by incorrect film speed setting on the back dial. this is definately not the problem. I have discovered I get this readout when I put pressure on the back of the camera whilst holding it. must be something to do with some contacts inside the camera. Has anyone experienced this?

very frustrating. any info most welcome.

 

I seem to be in the same situation as you. The DX light blinks but the film is correctly exposed, so it is reading the dx correctly. Like you, if I press or jiggle the dial on the back it results in allsorts of messages in the vf. The dealer (Classic Camera in London) was also puzzled and has sent the camera for repair. I see your post is from early in the year; how did things turn out for you?

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Whenever I turn on my M7 it shows 1600 ISO whether it is DX or manually set. With 400 ISO film in DX it actually meters like a 1600 ISO. Not good. When I set ISO manually at 400 ISO it meters correctly, which is good, even though it says 1600 when I turn it on. Do I have a repair problem? What gives?

 

I have the same problem. I manually set ASA on 400, camera says its 100 but it meters correctly.

Should I be worried?

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I "Think" all these new problems people are seeing is because of the older style DX reader. Leica updated it on new cameras to a optical reader, on cameras produced around the time the MP came out. The old style has spring loaded pins along the inside of the cassette area.

Leica is updating old camera to the new optical reader for free.

I just had my M7 done and it should be in my hands today. That is after almost 3 months in Solms.

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The attached pic shows what the new (optical) reader looks like as well as the added washer on the baseplate lock that stops the film cannister from rattling around in the chamber. I had the old mechanical mechanism in my M7 and Leica Solms also replaced mine for free under warranty.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

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