Is my m8 dead?

[b.espahbod]

Not denial, balance. I have this objection to internet hysteria. Sure, there have been problems, especially in the beginning, but they touched just a limited number of users and have been sorted. Still there are some cameras going wrong, which is not nice for the owner, but the same thing goes for washing machines, cars and space shuttles. It is the price to pay for using more and more complicated machinery. You could go over to the forums of other brands and see the same kind of magnification. Leica has the added factor of "I have been let down by the brand" More likely the poster's own expectations. If you are going to wait for the machine that cannot go wrong I wish you a long, very long life. 😉
Would you please explain "design issue"? I thought everybody understood the issues of IR filtering on a rangefinder sensor by now. The only thing you can say to that is "communication failure at the introduction"

beautifully said, my assistant just returned a 1dsmkiii last week because the sensor was not aligned! should we say canon has failed us and i we should buy a nikon! I even had a Distagon 40/4 IF CFE with shutter problem out of the box! is prontor hasselblad and zeiss bad producers! these things happen try to let it go and live with it. M8's idea was wild enough from the beginning, complications added to this recipe and KABOOM! i think its a marvel M8 actually works 😀

 

[jaapv]

Funny thing is, M6 and M7 caught the same kind of flak when they came out. The main difference is the growth of the Internet forums since then.
Your post about the d700 is striking. We see just the opposite posts on a nearly daily basis in LUF. "I reluctantly bought an M8 because I was wary of of all the problems, and my D700 , 5D ,whatever, has been gathering dust since."

 

[jaapv]

beautifully said, my assistant just returned a 1dsmkiii last week because the sensor was not aligned! should we say canon has failed us and i we should buy a nikon! I even had a Distagon 40/4 IF CFE with shutter problem out of the box! is prontor hasselblad and zeiss bad producers! these things happen try to let it go and live with it. M8's idea was wild enough from the beginning, complications added to this recipe and KABOOM! i think its a marvel M8 actually works 😀

And works well too😉

 

[sevo]

I think there is a certain amount of denial here. So all the posts and complaints re the M8 are obviously insignificant are they?

They are even more insignificant than the many complaints and grumblings I heard in the press lounges back when the F3 or M6 were released, as any fool can post to the internet, while back then, only the more sentimental and drunk professionals would transfer their problems with the teething problems of a new camera to a "once upon a time, everything was better" sentiment...

 

[Rayt]

OK. The first M8 I bought had a misaligned sensor out of the box and that took months to repair. The problem is not whether Leica products are prone to defects compared to other brands. The problem is with the support once bad things happen. And again the explanation of which requires some understanding that Leica is a small company, yada yada yada and they can't expect to be this or that. Remember the battery leak problem with early M6TTL or circuitry problem with early R8 and so forth. My point is that if I had a problem say with a Canon or Nikon or my Zeiss 40 IF CLE I can be sure they will be talken care of within weeks or even days. The average turnaround time for Nikon here is 7 days. If my M8.2 goes kaput I have no clue when I'll get it back. And when I get it back will it be fixed.

 

[jaapv]

Again, I read complaints about two-month turnarounds on Nikon and Canon forums as well. Inexcusable in all cases, but not brand-specific.....

 

[f16sunshine]

Just got off the phone with Leica NJ. The rep there was very friendly as I explained the issue. There was no further diagnosis to do short of sending the camera in so...........to the post it goes.
As much as a hassle as this is I'm still quite enthusiastic about the M8 and Leica's digital future. This camera does deliver very nice files and is an excellent platform for the "legacy glass" both past and present. I'm rooting for Leica to "wow" me back with the way they handle the repair. Updates will come as progress is made. The M8 is still the best digital option for LTM and M lenses IMHO. I hope to have it back in action quickly for my Portrait work and also personal use.

 

[f16sunshine]

Actually I tried all three batteries I have (fully charged). The camera did fire up for 10 secs last night before fizzling out again at which point I changed the battery with no results. Interestingly, I asked Leica if they wanted the batteries and charger for inspection along with the camera. The rep I spoke with said no they did not need to inspect them. :?

 

[jaapv]

Did you try another charger?

 

[former member]

Have you measured the voltage on the battery after the camera fizzled?

I have had chargers go bad before.

 

[f16sunshine]

An update to this mini-saga.
Last week I returned home and sent the camera UPS too Leica NJ for repair. Before sending it I actually was able to get it to fire up again. I took a few shots and it worked as it should. As soon as I turned the camera off it would not turn back on again. The package arrived at Leica today according to UPS tracking. I have yet to hear from anyone in NJ regarding the arrival or the email I sent last week when the camera went out. Updates to come.

 

[Beemermark]

I sent two M7's to NJ late last year for a tune up and never heard anything from NJ until they came back about 6 weeks later. I had delivery confirmation so I didn't really worry about. Just mentioning this because if your looking for NJ to send and email or call you the odds are they won't.

PS I was extremely pleased with the service.

 

[f16sunshine]

Latest on this for any interested.
I received a call from Leica NJ last friday that the camera had arrived and was put into their system.
Today I phoned in to find that the camera had been diagnosed as needing a new Circuit board. The repair was to be covered by warranty. Return delivery by August 19th. So far how I would say Leica NJ has there bits in order when it comes to communication and organization. Let you know how it turns out.
(Sorry if this is boring to anyone. Surely, someone will find this report useful.)

 

[f16sunshine]

An end to this story and happy one at that. Today UPS delivered the repaired camera. 😀 Leica NJ was right on time, communicated well and, covered the repair under warranty even though I am the second owner. The invoice said simply ", circuit board replaced and camera brought to current standard". Hope that means it will go a few more years without a return trip for repair.
Thanks Leica NJ !

 

[former member]

Lesson learned here: get a camera still under warranty!

 

[kds315]

Great that it works again Andy!
(happy to see you active here Brian!!)

 

[Ming Rider]

I suppose it's rather like Ducati Motorcycles. They are famed for their crappy electrics, yet people cue in their thousands to buy them. When they work, they are better than sex (well, my sex anyway 😛).