For All Of Those Complaining About M9/M8 Digital Faults . . .

[dcsang]

Here's a little story that may allow you Leica M9/M8 owners to feel a bit of Schadenfreude.

Recently, one of my Nikon D700s began experiencing strange behaviour whenever an SB-900 flash was attached to the hot shoe. I would get sudden and unexpected flickering and have the LCD on top of the camera go blank - the LED display in the viewfinder? It would do the same. All this behaviour was sporadic and, to be honest, quite annoying as there were times when the SB-900 modeling flash would go off for no reason at all while attached to the D700 thereby running down my batteries and lengthening my recycle time on the flash.

Luckily I know of a local wedding photographer whom I've shot with/for in the past and he experienced the same issue. It's a well documented one:
Link To Google Search Of Said D700 Hot Shoe issue

Of course, since I figured it's a "known" issue (known that is to those who have had it happen to them and others who are aware of it) that I would take my camera in to Nikon Canada to get it fixed. My camera is, of course, out of warranty having been purchased back in April of 2009. I dropped my camera off and today I received a quote for the repair work:
$423.74

Of course, this doesn't mean that if I continue to use my SB-900 with the D700 as an on camera flash that the issue will not re-occur.

Such I guess is life when you're having to deal with digital - and a company that does not or may not readily admit that there is a known issue with a particular camera they produce.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[back alley]

damn leica!


😉

 

[monocles]

Here in Sweden, we have something called "reklamationsrätt" (right to complaint), which in this case would have rendered a cost of nothing at all.

It's regulated by law and is applicable for three years after purchase, and covers faults from factory. If this is a known error, then it's a clear case - obviously covered by the right to complaint.

Too bad you didn't buy it in Sweden (but... if you had bought it here, you would surely have paid like 2-300 dollars more that in USA).

 

[Viktor Sebastian]

It least it still has good hi-iso performance 😀

 

[Nikon Bob]

There is always Small Claims Court and/or the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services - Consumer Protection to shake them up with if you can't work some thing sensible out with them. Seems it is now normal for companies to deny, deny and deny until if you persevere long enough they may relent. There have been quite a few complaints on the net about people being denied warranty work because the problem was deemed to be caused by impact damage when it was supposedly not so. Anyway, sadly par for the course. I hope you can work something reasonable out with them with not too much hassle. If you need practice in dealing with this type of thing try putting in a claim to an insurance company. That can curl your hair.

Bob

 

[sevres_babylone]

It least it still has good hi-iso performance 😀

Yeah, so why are you using flash anyway; it's not a known defect, but a feature to encourage you to take advantage of high-ISO🙂

 

[andredossantos]

I always chuckle when people complain about digital cameras having problems. They're electronic devices! Of course they have more instances of trouble than an old fully mechanical camera! Isn't this a small price we pay for all the substantial benefits of digital?

Let me say that I didnt perceive the OP to be complaining. I just find the more hysterical reactions one reads on the Internet funny. I am also not defending companies from making shoddy products. I think the majority of digital cameras work absolutely fine since most people who have no problems never affirm it in a post. I've rarely seen a "My XXX Camera Has Never Failed"! post. Anyway...

 

[Roger Hicks]

I always chuckle when people complain about digital cameras having problems. They're electronic devices! Of course they have more instances of trouble than an old fully mechanical camera! Isn't this a small price we pay for all the substantial benefits of digital?

Let me say that I didnt perceive the OP to be complaining. I just find the more hysterical reactions one reads on the Internet funny. I am also not defending companies from making shoddy products. I think the majority of digital cameras work absolutely fine since most people who have no problems never affirm it in a post. I've rarely seen a "My XXX Camera Has Never Failed"! post. Anyway...

Usually a small price.

Sometimes a high price.

Cheers,

R.

 

[former member]

I've rarely seen a "My XXX Camera Has Never Failed"! post. Anyway...

My Kodak DCS200ir has never required a trip for factory service.

It failed once about 5 years ago. I found the bad connection, cleaned it, re-assembled, and it has worked fine.

I have a spare SCSI 2.5" 80MByte hard drive if the original ever fails. Kodak stopped servicing these cameras over 10 years ago.

 

[dcsang]

Thanks guys.. I wasn't complaining - To be honest, I've worked this camera pretty hard in the past 2 years as it was my "main" body for weddings/portraits and some events. I half expect some issue at some point in time with the amount of shots I put on it and through it - If this were an M2, M3 or M4, then it may be time for a CLA. Or maybe not. Regardless, at some point in time I expect the camera to have to go in.

What I don't expect is for this issue to re-occur and yet, I know, because I am not changing how I use flash, that this issue CAN re-occur. I think this is the part that irks me a bit. Not to the point that I'm going to bash the brand or the camera but I believe it should be addressed by the manufacturer.

So.. I'll give them a call today and (as per Mike's suggestion and others) start going up the food chain to see what type of resolution (if any) I can get.

As an FYI - the last CLA I had done on my M7 at Kindermann by Gerry Smith cost me $350+ and there was really only a "sticky" shutter button to contend with on that one.

I guess it's all relative 🙂

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Nikon Bob]

Yea, going up the food chain in a slow and patient manner is the best initial course of action. There are other remedies that can be used later. Best of luck.

Bob

 

[rover]

My Kodak DCS200ir has never required a trip for factory service.

That is because the factory would just pack it up and send it back to you to be repaired. :angel:

 

[dcsang]

Ahhhh... thanks a ton guys 😀 😀 😀

I called Nikon Canada and explained the situation to someone in service - they checked with their upper echelon folks and the issue will be taken care of gratis 🙂

So no charge to little ole me 😀

Thanks again!
Cheers,
Dave

 

[Mrbessar4a]

1. The M9 is still $4500 dollars more expensive than the D700.

2. Nikon will repair your camera faster than Leica would/could.

3. If you were a pro and in their pro services group they would overnight you a loaner while yours is being repaired.

4. For the price of an M9P body you could have 3 D700 bodies.

Conclusion: This is why kvetching about the M9's reliablity is justified. People can't afford it, and if they could, they could barely afford to keep it working.

 

[former member]

When I worked in a camera store, the Olympus OM-1 had a 15% return rate for problems within the first few weeks of use.

I'm used to the most expensive pieces of electronic test equipment requiring more service that the low-end stuff.

When my N8008 had to go to Nikon for service in the early 90s, it took 8 weeks to get back. I waited, used the f2 in the meantime. The little Nikon Litetouch zoom took just as long.

I have an m8 and an M9, never a problem. I've known a number of people that have never had a problem. The M8 and M9 are relatively low-production cameras that pack quite a bit into a compact body. It is no surprise that they require more maintenance than DSLR's. Leica cameras have traditionally required more service than SLR's.

If you want a D700, buy one. They are not perfect, but will not require service by Leica. So if you are not happy with Leica service, don't buy a Leica. Buy something else. If you do not like the service from that manufacturer, now you know where to post your experience.

 

[aad]

My Pentax ME-F would underexpose for no reason, at any time, at 4 years old. You could fiddle around, but that wasn't the point.

Things break, eventually.

 

[Roger Hicks]

When I worked in a camera store, the Olympus OM-1 had a 15% return rate for problems within the first few weeks of use.

I'm used to the most expensive pieces of electronic test equipment requiring more service that the low-end stuff.

When my N8008 had to go to Nikon for service in the early 90s, it took 8 weeks to get back. I waited, used the f2 in the meantime. The little Nikon Litetouch zoom took just as long.

I have an m8 and an M9, never a problem. I've known a number of people that have never had a problem. The M8 and M9 are relatively low-production cameras that pack quite a bit into a compact body. It is no surprise that they require more maintenance than DSLR's. Leica cameras have traditionally required more service than SLR's.

If you want a D700, buy one. They are not perfect, but will not require service by Leica. So if you are not happy with Leica service, don't buy a Leica. Buy something else. If you do not like the service from that manufacturer, now you know where to post your experience.

Dear Brian,

You, and I, and everyone else who was around when the OM-1 came out, must be mis-remembering. Just ask any current OM owner.

In all fairness, once the complete failures were weeded out, the remainder seem to have been pretty good. QC or what?

Cheers,

R.

 

[Roger Hicks]

1. The M9 is still $4500 dollars more expensive than the D700.

2. Nikon will repair your camera faster than Leica would/could.

3. If you were a pro and in their pro services group they would overnight you a loaner while yours is being repaired.

4. For the price of an M9P body you could have 3 D700 bodies.

Conclusion: This is why kvetching about the M9's reliablity is justified. People can't afford it, and if they could, they could barely afford to keep it working.

'People'?...

Sure, those who can't afford it, or who prefer to spend their money on new cars, fitted kitchens, and iPhones, can't afford it.

Otherwise it's a matter of priorities.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Keith]

When I worked in a camera store, the Olympus OM-1 had a 15% return rate for problems within the first few weeks of use.

OMG ... shame on Maitani! 😀

 

[Nikon Bob]

'People'?...

Sure, those who can't afford it, or who prefer to spend their money on new cars, fitted kitchens, and iPhones, can't afford it.

Otherwise it's a matter of priorities.

Cheers,

R.

Yea, it is a matter of priorities. For some who can afford it and don't buy, it is a matter of getting perceived value for their money as a priority in their spending of discretionary income. Just because some don't perceive things the way others do makes neither party right or wrong.

Bob