M240 Accessory Port Cover

[Johann Espiritu]

Hi all,

Just wondering if M240 owners need to keep the plastic hot shoe/accessory port cover on the camera when nothing is using the port. i.e., How tough and weatherproof is the port?

On my film M's and my former M9, I never used to cover up the hotshoe, but the accessory port, being more electronic, seems more fragile to me. Is this part of the "weatherproofing" of the M240, or it it only weather proof with the plastic cap on?

Thanks!

Johann

 

[V-12]

There is a rubber seal on the removable cover, so some sealing is obviously necessary, but if you wanted to use an accessory viewfinder or flash gun in the rain Gaffer tape would be just as good for port sealing.

V

 

[Johann Espiritu]

Thanks, V.

That's what I was thinking too, but it just seems odd for Leica to call the body weather-sealed, but require an external piece of plastic to make it happen, plus, of course, leaving it exposed when you use an external (analog) VF.

 

[jaapv]

Just don't lose the thing, it is bloddy expensive.

As for the interface not being watertight, I don't quite see how Leica could have designed it differently, given that the interface must comply with the norm.

 

[Johann Espiritu]

So I guess that means the annoying plastic cover needs to stay on...

 

[jaapv]

Well, you can take it off, but the weatherproofing will be slightly impaired and you risk losing it.

 

[Ben Z]

I'm not sure why Leica (or someone else) couldn't make a molded silicone plug with a male insert into the port and a flat part (slightly bigger than the port dimensions) facing against the body. In other words an updated version of the old PC socket plugs used on film M bodies. That way the EVF port could remain sealed when a flash or optical finder is attached. (Yes it would, like those plugs, be prone to getting lost, but it would not cost that much to keep a few spares in the bag).

 

[jaapv]

Just make your own, Ben. 😉

 

[Johann Espiritu]

Maybe someone can design one and we can all 3D print it!

 

[mfunnell]

Just wondering if M240 owners need to keep the plastic hot shoe/accessory port cover on the camera when nothing is using the port. i.e., How tough and weatherproof is the port?

I've never really thought about it. Mine is completely plugged and covered by my Thumbs Up, which has only left the camera once, to test my EVF-2 (which hasn't been used except to test it).

...Mike

 

[Ben Z]

Just make your own, Ben. 😉

Need to take an impression of the male connector on the EVF, then pour a die, fill it with GC resin or epoxy, leaving about 2mm extension (thickness and peripherally) outside to be able to grasp it with fingernails to remove it. I think if the port is plugged with a male, there wouldn't need to be a rubber gasket...the close fit would disallow water intrusion.

 

[Johann Espiritu]

I just order a Thumbs Up, so I guess this seals it for me (yes, pun intended). That plastic cover was annoying.

 

[dcsang]

I just order a Thumbs Up, so I guess this seals it for me (yes, pun intended). That plastic cover was annoying.

I like the idea of "making my own" - the camera shop has a 3 D printer.. this would be a perfect attempt at creating something useful as suggested by Ben (and Jaap)

Mind you, could always spend more money and just get the Thumbs Up.

I was wondering the same thing though - so I'm glad Johann had a thread on this.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[V-12]

Mind you, could always spend more money and just get the Thumbs Up.

You may spend more, but what does a Thumbs Up take away? The ability to us a flash gun and it changes the handling of the camera if you want to swap it for an EVF, and let's face it, when you need an EVF it's with long lenses when you need the extra grip, so the Thumbs Up fails completely. So yes, a simple port plug is a great idea.

V