M8 loops in cold weather

[borrel]

Leica Service

Leica Service

I'm definitely going to send mine in as soon as the dealer here in Norway opens after the new year. It's one thing that the camera doesn't work in subzero temperatures, but mine was giving shutter error messages in the 0 to +15°C range as well. There's film in my CL again!
- Børre

PS Have a look at the discussion at: http://tinyurl.com/ybwlvxa

 

[virgi]

For my part I did never encounter this problem before, while I was in Italy outside close to +40°C... so I guess my M8.2 prefer the sunny places, but I shall decide where to use it...

 

[Ronald M]

Cannon rep says theirs are good to 32 F after which the LCD may freeze up. I must add she also said people violate this all the time without incident. But LCD do freeze so be careful. This is not a user repair.

 

[Makten]

I used my M8 for 3-4 hours today, at -10 Celsius. The only problem I encountered was that the battery had to be warmed up in my pocket for a while, after 2 hours. I had the camera out of the bag all of the time, hanging around my neck.

 

[johnalex141r]

Possible solution?

Possible solution?

Børre;

Ok - I wrote:

No, my M8 does this, too; last time it was about +3; beautiful day, but camera was in my bicycle bag, so was at ambient temperature and I ...

I now no longer carry my m8 when it is cold out; I have better luck with film cameras. I have 3 batteries, they are all 2007/2008 vintage; maybe they are too old?...

Contacting my dealer in Montreal, he mentioned that this problem seemed to always happen with older batteries and seemed be cured using newer batteries (my wording). I have 3 older batteries; newest from early 2008.

So, I have a new battery being shipped out; from my experience he really knows his Leica stuff; I have every reason to believe that he is right.

In that case, the lcd battery indicator display might not be totally accurate - maybe one has to keep in mind the battery age as well.

Anyway, I'm waiting in anticipation for the battery to be shipped, and to getting my M8 up and running well in winter.

(doing a happy dance)

JohnS
Ottawa.

 

[Bobfrance]

Never had the looping problem on mine but a few hours spent on Westminster bridge on new year's eve sure killed the battery. Next time I'll take two and cycle them, keeping one warm and one in the camera.

 

[yanidel]

Only fix to that problem is to send your M8 to Solms unluckily. I had the same issue and mine is currently being repaired.
It seems that the piece that prevents the M8 to recock gets loose and it worsen in cold weather as it also contracts.

 

[bidnez]

No looping, but battery dies fast in -22C. I´m getting another. Until then I take it out and keep it in my mitten or in a warm pocket when not shooting. Practical? Not very, but the pics are nice.

 

[johnalex141r]

Cold parts

Cold parts

Hi Yanidel;

Only fix to that problem is to send your M8 to Solms unluckily. I had the same issue and mine is currently being repaired.
It seems that the piece that prevents the M8 to recock gets loose and it worsen in cold weather as it also contracts.

This makes sense in two ways; the cold weather performance, and, I thought over the last few months that the recocking sound had a bit of a "ring" to it, but I did not know if that was my imagination or not.

With the new battery, and a refrigerator with thermometer, I can do the test of how/when my M8 fails, assuming that a brand new battery does not fix the problem.

Anyway, I'll report back when battery is received; can you please remember to tell me how your M8 is when you get yours back?

Thanks;
JohnS.

 

[borrel]

My M8 went off to the dealer today, who will presumably send it to Leica. BTW I tried with both the original battery that came with the camera and a new one bought last year. It didn't help.
- Børre