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Loose top plate


Einomauno

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Hi,

 

I bought my M8 16 months ago. During the winter I noticed that the top plate of my M8 feels loose at the end where the viewfinder is. It's barely noticeable, but if I hold the lower part of the camera and the top plate separately I can feel that the top plate is moving a very small amount and making faint clunking sounds. When I was shooting outside in below zero Celsius degrees and the camera was cold, the loosening disappeared. Now in summer when it's warm the top plate feels loose all the time.

 

I have not noticed this affecting focusing, I am able to focus perfectly with both of my lenses (Summicron 28 and Summilux 50). I have not rushed getting my camera fixed because it is working perfectly and I'm using it all the time. :)

 

Has anyone else noticed this kind of behavior and do you think it is a big enough reason for sending the camera to Leica for fixing?

 

Thanks.

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Looking at the title of this thread and seeing that Jaap had posted I was assuming this was about dentures:D

 

I think only a minor screw tightening should fix it - maybe Mark can comment on which one it is.

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Yes, I agree, the screw nearest the end of the camera, much easier than the other end of the camera which we're talking about on another thread.

 

Jaap's being unusually cautious, much less effort than pulling a rotting molar...

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Thanks, I got the screwdriver now and was able to tighten the screw in the battery compartment a bit but it did not help. :( I guess the screw on the other end should be tightened as well... I'm thinking of leaving that to experts and sending the camera in.

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Einomauno,

Check out this thread... they describe a different screw that must be tightened... And it pretty must looks as scary as pulling one's own teeth :eek:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/21331-anatomy-leica-m8.html

 

Iain

 

Assuming you have the correct tools...

 

1. Remove the base plate, battery and memory card

2. Using a P000 cross-head screwdriver, remove the 5 screws in the base and lift out the plastic plate.

3. Insert a 75mm P00 cross-head screwdriver into the hole highlighted on the right and feel for the captive cross-head screw at the top of the camera.

4. Tighten the screw, do not overtighten; you do not want to strip the thread of the lug in the top plate.

 

153298d1248193254-anatomy-leica-m8-shutter-20wind-20sensor-202.jpg

 

[ATTACH]153298[/ATTACH]

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I encountered exactly the same problem on one of my M8's in August last year.

Here's the whole thread:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/60477-m8-body-flex.html

 

My camera was out of warranty, and I was leaving on a safari within a couple of days. Anyway I thought I had nothing to lose by loosening a few screws on the base plate (or should that read "I have a few screws loose for even having attempted this").

 

I followed Mark's advice as you will see in the thread, and sorted the problem out by removing the base plate and tightening the 2 screws as described by Mark. It took under 5 minutes to sort out the problem. If your camera's still under warranty I wouldn't mess with it, send it in to Leica.

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  • 1 year later...

My M9 (dating from January) starts to present the same problem: slight losing of top plate on the viewfinder side. While the movement is minimal I can feel it and hear it.

 

On one side I wish to send it back for readjustment on the other side I do not wish to part from it for something that maybe is without consequences.

 

Any one else had this problem of slight loosening top plate ?

Will it stabilize or could it become a problem ?

Did it happen with film leicas also ?

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Just tighten the screws. Anything that is screwed down may get loose - the glass of your spectacles may fall out, the mount of your Summilux 75 may work itself loose (mine did), and the top plate of your M8 may get loose. Mark gave the right advice in post # 11 and # 13 of this thread: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/60477-m8-body-flex.html.

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Dank U Jaap, I will try with the screw on the battery room as it is ease to access and on the side of the view finder. If it does not work I will send my M to "repar" as I really do not wish to open the bottom part - even if it looks simple. Maybe I will take the opportunity to costumize it as you did :-)

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I had similar symptoms on my second hand bought M8.2 after a few months use.

The top plate had developed the slightest amount of play, that ended up, to result in a "loose feel" and strange loose sound, when pressing the menu button - "knack…"

 

I found Marks excellent anatomy, asked about the correct screw position, fixed one loose screw and my M8.2 feels as made from one piece as before.

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