A recent M9 scare!

[raid]

Genoa, Italy:

Yesterday, and as I was using my M9, suddenly, the shutter went off sevral times, even though it was set to single exposure. Then, a warning showed on the screen "shutter problem". Then, the battery was empty.

I was worried that my Leica repaired M9 (it failed last summer in Germany) has again failed. I replaced the non-Leica battery with a Leica battery, and the M9 was fine again.

I was using a non-original battery because the Leica one was being recharged.

We stayed only 1.5 days in Nice, so I did not contact Marek there.

Tomorrow it is off to Padova and Venice.

The E-PL1 functions beautifully, and so does the Iphone 6 camera. I use the latter only for panorama images.

In a few days, we will meet up with Robert (RFF) and his wife in Cinque Terre.


Ciao.

 

[lynnb]

Interesting that a third party battery could do that. Not a pleasant experience!

Enjoy your travels Raid. Looking forward to seeing the pictures.

cheers,

 

[bonatto]

I had a similarly weird experience/lock up with a drained 2nd party battery on my old M8. Can't recall a shutter failure message but it made weird sounds and locked up. Fresh charged original battery fixed it.

 

[raid]

I just took 3 shots with the M9, as test. The first image had on one side a black margin (maybe 10% wide). It was the Cv 25/4, and maybe that was part of the hotel wall! The following two shots came out fine. I will monitor the situation.If it happens again, then the M9 will go back to NJ Leica.

 

[raid]

The trip has been going well so far (knock on wood). I am driving a compact diesel car. Driving can be challenging at times in Italy and in France.

Nice was "nice" 🙂 I had to say it.
However, living in Pensacola and having Pensacola Beach makes any other beach appear as second class to me. There were many people at the Nice beach, and there were many street activities.

Lina is very much enjoying the France/Italy trip, and even though she is only 10 years old, she shares with us her views on life here and that it is what she expected. We want our children to experience other cultures, and they are having a great time doing so.

We will use Padova/Padua as our docking station for then visiting Venice by bus/train. We have done this before, and this visit is for our two daughters to experience.

The Zeiss 45/2 for the G1/G2 in M mount works out very well on the E-PL1. It gives me a 90mm view with superb optics. I can switch it to the M9 for a 45mm view.

 

[maitani]

living in Pensacola and having Pensacola Beach makes any other beach appear as second class to me

if you want nice beaches, check the greek islands.. ;-)

have fun in italy, venice, padova , cinque terre, sound like a nice plan.. enjoy Raid.

 

[robert blu]

Hi Raid, just placed new batteries in the M7 to shoot when we'll meet in a few days (we estimate to arrive in the middle afternoon). I'll try CineStill 50 for outdoor shooting (weather forecast are good, tomorrow I'll buy some sun creme ) and CineStill 800 in the second camera for interior (not yet sure if Bessa R or Nikon FM2). Never used both of these films...
robert

 

[Range-rover]

Have a great trip, hope to see some great shots when you get back,
Thanks for the update on the battery's

Range

 

[raid]

I had a similarly weird experience/lock up with a drained 2nd party battery on my old M8. Can't recall a shutter failure message but it made weird sounds and locked up. Fresh charged original battery fixed it.

I better not use a second party battery except for situations when suddenly the Leica battery is out of juice.

 

[raid]

The weather is turning tomorrow to warmer by about 10F. We will have 88F-91F in Padova/Venice. The A/C is turned off at the hotels.Only these crazy Americans want A/C!

 

[raid]

View from our hotel room (Genoa)

 

[pepeguitarra]

I had the same problem with no-OEM batteries on my M8 and M9. They shoot several times (like a short circuit) and then empty. No wonder they are so cheap. I also stopped buying used original Leica batteries. Some people sell them with practically no life left. 🙁

 

[raid]

I will buy new ones very
soon.

 

[raid]

My wife suggested to me today to "fix the M9 and sell it."
I told her that there is no camera of its equal.

 

[f16sunshine]

I agree with your wife.
It seems like the uncertainty is a distraction.
Try a Sony a7 for your m lenses.

 

[f16sunshine]

..... And use the M8 🙂

 

[ktmrider]

How do You Feel About Reliability?

How do You Feel About Reliability?

So, I like you own an M9. I purchased it used about 18 months ago and then spent 90 days traveling through Europe with it living in my backpack. I did not treat it gently and it worked fine. Upon returning to the US, I sent it to Leica, NJ, for a CLA and they changed the sensor. So, I now have an as new M9.

Now, I am looking at six months to a year for a RTW trip. I am torn between taking the M9 with an M2 backup, just the M9 or M2, two M2's, or the M9 alone and if it quits, then buying another digital p&s. Personally, I am leaning toward the M9 and M2 although I hate mixing film and digital bodies but the technology and flexibility of digital is hard to beat.

Am looking for an opinion and I know we all have very different experiences and backgrounds. Do not want to upgrade to M240.

 

[raid]

I favor using the M9 and have an M 4/3 camera also with me. The M 4/3 is my tele camera. I alternate each hour on day between the two cameras.

 

[raid]

..... And use the M8 🙂

I nearly took with me the M8. Selling the M9 is a loss.

 

[robert blu]

Raid, think of an M 240 🙂

robert