M7 problem

[hlockwood]

Suddenly, my M7 is showing signs of distress.

I get no LED read out. The shutter cocking and speed appear to be working at all speeds. But nothing shows in the VF window. Batteries are freshly purchased Vartas, expire March 2016.

Any thoughts before I send it off to Leica NJ?

Harry

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Suddenly, my M7 is showing signs of distress.

I get no LED read out. The shutter cocking and speed appear to be working at all speeds. But nothing shows in the VF window. Batteries are freshly purchased Vartas, expire March 2016.

Any thoughts before I send it off to Leica NJ?

Harry

More M7´s suffered from that desease: bad print contacts. In case of an out of warranty camera it is a costly repair

 

[bananasplit]

I had a similar issue with my two M7.
Sent them to NJ for service.
They took several months and several hundred $.

I wish you will not have to face the same situation.
Try other batteries, change the film...do whatever you can to make sure that its not the electronic that has gone bad.

Good luck.

 

[boomguy57]

I wish you all the best...this is why I haven't ever gone for the M7!

 

[Jobin]

I would be very peeved if my "modern" and expensive Leica was having issues already, not acceptable in my opinion.

 

[kdemas]

That's pretty odd. I've owned two and have never seen a problem like that. At the risk of being annoying I'd try another set of batteries even though those apparently should be fine.

 

[Robert Lai]

Contact Leica NJ. If it is the mechanical DX reader, Leica NJ was FOR FREE still changing them over to the optical reader as of the summer of 2011, when I had my M7 serviced.

It is the MP finder modification that costs $600.

Otherwise, try reloading the film cassette. If the can does not seat fully into the camera, the contacts may be reading between the squares and getting confused.

 

[hlockwood]

Contact Leica NJ. If it is the mechanical DX reader, Leica NJ was FOR FREE still changing them over to the optical reader as of the summer of 2011, when I had my M7 serviced.

It is the MP finder modification that costs $600.

Otherwise, try reloading the film cassette. If the can does not seat fully into the camera, the contacts may be reading between the squares and getting confused.

Actually, none of the above. I had the optical reader installed when new, along with the MP finder. I've reloaded the film several times, but there should be a VF signal without film in the camera. And I tried 3 sets of batteries, the last (Varta, as usual,) purchased today.

I'm now sorry I didn't take the 2-year extension on the Passport warranty. Need to look into that for my new M9.

Harry

 

[RichardB]

Usually if the M7 voltage is not enough to supply the meter and viewfinder, the shutter will only work at two speeds, 1/60 and 1/125 if I remember correctly.
But and this is this is the electronic but, if the batteries come exhausted, then its not the camera. I have found that batteries purchased over the counter are many times exhausted and I have gone to purchasing from an on line supplier of batteries that has high turn over and fresh stock.
BTW except for the original mechanical ASA readers, since replaced, my two M7's are problem free.
Just because ONE M7 camera has problems its interesting to see how many stomp on this Thread telling of why they won't purchase or use an M7. I suppose no one has EVER had a problem with an MP?-Dick

 

[_goodtimez]

Are you installing the batteries in the correct direction? I have seen one brand new M6 in the past with the sticker indicating the wrong direction for the batteries...
Also, measure the new batteries with a voltmeter. Below 1.5 V would be no good to go.

 

[hlockwood]

Are you installing the batteries in the correct direction? I have seen one brand new M6 in the past with the sticker indicating the wrong direction for the batteries...
Also, measure the new batteries with a voltmeter. Below 1.5 V would be no good to go.

No, that's not the problem. Anyway, I sending it to someone who will take it apart and report back here on what the problem was.

Harry

Edit: Yikes! This response by me was to another post on a completely different subject: battery failure of the battery for the M9. Getting careless in my dotage.

Harry

 

[Penzes]

I'm very sorry to hear about this trouble. Please keep us informed.

 

[BzBrian]

Wow, I was seriously considering getting a M7. I guess I'll just lean to the M6...

 

[hlockwood]

Wow, I was seriously considering getting a M7. I guess I'll just lean to the M6...

While I'm very disappointed in this failure, one does have to look at the statistics. There are many M7s out there that have had no problems, and this is the first problem I've encountered in the 5 years I've owned the camera. Have all M6s been trouble free? I doubt it.

Anyway, I've been very happy with the performance of this camera and do not regret the purchase. I'd do it again.

Harry

Edit: The M7 is now in the hands of Leica NJ.

 

[kshapero]

Loved my M7, but too many long visits to Leica NJ made me sell it. Oh I miss it.

 

[nksyoon]

I have a less than three year old MP which had the left arrow (underexposure) and center spot LEDs fail, the right arrow (overexposure) still works. Sent the camera back to Solms, yet to hear anything back.