M8: Getting a 'shutter fault' message on the LCD screen, and 'err' in the viewfinder

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Rangeman133

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I have done some research, and looks like I'm going to have to send it away to get it fixed. Was wondering if anybody knows if this is something DAG may be able to work on?

The way it happened, I was taking photos quite rapidly, I don't recall if I was on continuous shooting mode, or single mode...but either way, I was taking photos quite quickly one after the other. Probably 10 or so. Then, just stopped working with the 'shutter fault' message on the back.

I love this camera, and can never see myself 'upgrading' to any other rangefinder, and was on the verge of getting the 28mm asph elmarit for it.
 
See what Leica will charge you to fix it and compare that to the prices of used M9s and M-Es. Digital cameras are not like film cameras and eventually they all break down to the point where they must be replaced. It's just the way it is. You might even find out you like the M9 more.
 
have tried all of the above, but no luck. well, i was very pleased to have the camera while it was working, starting to know that feeling of you'll miss me when i'm gone lol, defintely took it for granted!

will not lose hope, will send it to sherry or DAG, since i have another separate issue with my m6 that needs work too.

i have done some research, and came across this interesting post: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/118571-m8-shutter-error-causefix/

have a gut feeling, that's what's causing it to fail. won't know until it's opened by an expert! thanks for the above suggestions though
 
Bump!

Can’t believe it’s been 4 years already! Well, the M8 has been gathering dust. I picked it up recently, and now I’m determined to get this issue fixed once and for all.

I did email DAG. I assumed that it’s an electronic failure? So DAG recommends I send it to Leica NJ, so they could run diagnostics if that’s the case.

Does anybody have any experience with their M8 at Leica NJ? Would they even be able to service/fix the M8? And if so, considering price, would it be worth it?

I’ve been away from rangefinders, but I am a little surprised to see used digital leica cameras haven’t really gone down that much in price!
 
Rangeman133 said:
...Does anybody have any experience with their M8 at Leica NJ? Would they even be able to service/fix the M8? And if so, considering price, would it be worth it? ...
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I've been prepping my black M8 for consignment and reviewed its history. I took it to a Leica Store for sensor cleaning. They sent it to New Jersey, who sent it to Germany. It got a rangefinder adjustment, sensor cleaning, sensor column fault fix, new covering. It came back 9 months later, including some slow shipping. $560 cost plus tax. Consignment shop suggested this one may be worth upwards of $1500. Great camera but I have not used it since it came back in Mar 2017. So, this may be only partially helpful to you...
 
Doug said:
I've been prepping my black M8 for consignment and reviewed its history. I took it to a Leica Store for sensor cleaning. They sent it to New Jersey, who sent it to Germany. It got a rangefinder adjustment, sensor cleaning, sensor column fault fix, new covering. It came back 9 months later, including some slow shipping. $560 cost plus tax. Consignment shop suggested this one may be worth upwards of $1500. Great camera but I have not used it since it came back in Mar 2017. So, this may be only partially helpful to you...
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Thank you. That does help, but 9 months, yikes! I’ve been searching on other threads and forums, and price seems to be around 400-600 USD for repairs. Does it also come with a new 1 year warranty? Thanks again!
 
Part of the long 9-months was "waiting for parts", unclear what parts were needed. As to warranty, I don't recall, but I'd expect 90 days on anything related to the repair work only.
 
I haven't had an M8 serviced, but Leica USA did a good job when I had my X2 serviced a few years back. Servicing an M8 is, of course, going to be dependent upon what is at fault and whether those parts are available; it's a pretty old model now, in the context of the digital M cameras, so some parts are no longer available.

Regards warranty of the service work, it is best to just ask them directly. They have service and repair submission forms and other info, including email and phone for contacting them, on their website at Leica Camera :: Repair and Maintenance.

G
 
Another update, the camera has returned, and it looks very brand new. I am full of praise for Leica, as they managed to send the camera back to me quite quickly, and everything from New Jersey was very professional done. However, unfortunately the camera has hiccuped again, but this time, it seems to be the rangefinder coupling mechanism? I'm not sure exactly. The camera was working fine initially. but then the rollerball/springy thing kept getting stuck in the IN position of the camera. after removing the lens, and putting it back in, it would work, but it kept getting worse, and happening more frequently.

I have only taken around 20 photos in the past 2 hours since recieving the camera back today. And now it's just remaining stuck in the IN position. it's not springy at all.


I was told there will be a 1 year warranty , I hope this is nothing major. I'll email leica again. I'll be honest, I am disappointed, but i'll try to stay positive!
 
That can't be anything major! I believe it is very minor, too minor to need a trip back to Germany. I imagine Leica new Jersey can handle it.
 
raid said:
Stay positive. Send it back to Leica. Good luck with it all.
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Thank you Raid! As happy as I was to receive the camera, I was just as disappointed when it stopped working properly. but it's a lesson, i think no matter what, we should try not to put too much emotions into physical things, but with these leica camera's, that is hard to do haha

Is it possible that while it was getting repaired, that things were perhaps tightened up too much? I feel that the more i used the camera today, the progressively more stiff it would get, until it stopped moving completely.
 
Rob-F said:
That can't be anything major! I believe it is very minor, too minor to need a trip back to Germany. I imagine Leica new Jersey can handle it.
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Sorry I missed your post, thanks for your reply! I do hope so :) I should mention that the springy mechanism feels 'beyond' stiff, pretty much like a 'grinding' feel to it. does this change anything?

I have sent an email to leica NJ, hope it's a quick trip there and back. thanks again!
 
Great! I didn't think it sounded like anything catastrophic. I had an anxious moment when my M9M kept shutting down. It turned out to be just the memory card. Glad you are back in business1
 
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