M9 Shutter Died Today. Any Diy Fixes?

[Duane Pandorf]

Thanks for your info Bob. I still think the OP needs to buy a new battery and at least try turning on the camera with a fully charged battery. In the OP's original entry mentioned the battery only had a 25% charge and then went to zero. It wouldn't surprise me that the shutter was in operation when the battery failed.

On my M-E with the latest firmware when my battery level reaches around 25% I get a warning. From all the different issues others have had in the past with the M9 dealing with electronics, I put a fresh battery in before continuing.

The OP will need a new battery anyway if he were to send it off for repairs.

 

[35mmdelux]

On balance, electronic cameras have a greater propensity to malfunction than mechanical cameras.

My M9 had 4000 clicks when I purchased it. I don't think I shot 100 clicks when the shutter seized. I didn't know what to think. Next day swapped out the batteries and no problems since. The M9 has functioned superbly in hot desert condition and, recently, trekking on a glacier in Alaska.

I will say the battery I replaced was not dead. Whatever the case, changing it out brought the M9 back online and that is all that mattered to me.

 

[Dante_Stella]

On balance, electronic cameras have a greater propensity to malfunction than mechanical cameras.

In terms of what? Electronic cameras are used 10 to 100 times as much in terms of exposures per unit of time. I'd posit that in terms of mean use between maintenance, the digital ones are far more reliable.

Dante

 

[willie_901]

The sampling we see on photography forums about camera problems is a statistically biased sample. People rarely start a thread saying. "My two D200s, D300, two D700s, Panasonic G1, X100, X-Pro 1 and two XT-1s along with over a dozen new lenses have never failed." This happens to be true in my case.

I did have to send my Zeiss Ikon M back to Zeiss to have the RF calibrated. Neither of my Nikon F3 bodies failed. My Canonet QL17 and Yashica GN failed. The Mamiya-Sekor 500 TL body I've owned since 1970 won't rewind film reliably below 0 deg C. Otherwise it still works.

 

[RFH]

Yes, the internet lens tends to exaggerate people's problems. That wasn't my intention in starting the thread.

I did try a fresh battery, but that didn't work. The local Leica office had no ideas for a quick fix.

Looking at the shutter blades, I saw nothing that could be safely touched with a finger or anything else – as I understood Bob's suggestion to mean, so I decided to leave it to Leica.

I spoke to Leica who said the shutter fault is not a very common occurence with the M9. They sent me a UPS label and promised me a swift return and repair free of charge. I hope they can explain in detail what went wrong. I also sent in the battery so they can see if it's faulty.
And if it's an error on my part, I'd like not to repeat it.

 

[Duane Pandorf]

Yes, the internet lens tends to exaggerate people's problems. That wasn't my intention in starting the thread.

I did try a fresh battery, but that didn't work. The local Leica office had no ideas for a quick fix.

Looking at the shutter blades, I saw nothing that could be safely touched with a finger or anything else – as I understood Bob's suggestion to mean, so I decided to leave it to Leica.

I spoke to Leica who said the shutter fault is not a very common occurence with the M9. They sent me a UPS label and promised me a swift return and repair free of charge. I hope they can explain in detail what went wrong. I also sent in the battery so they can see if it's faulty.
And if it's an error on my part, I'd like not to repeat it.

Thanks for updating us on the repair status. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the results once the camera is returned.

 

[john neal]

I heard from Leica Park about my shutter repair within 48 hours of the body arriving with them. Apparently it only needed "adjusting", but they didn't say how big the hammer should be 😉

I'm just waiting to hear if I will have it back in time for my trip to London this weekend......

 

[RFH]

Got the camera back today. According to Leica, a screw had come loose and blocked the winding mechanism. Oops.

Luckily it was just a random mishap that shouldn't be of concern to other M9 users.

They fixed it, and everything seems fine now. They even managed to get my battery working again. Yes.

 

[Duane Pandorf]

Got the camera back today. According to Leica, a screw had come loose and blocked the winding mechanism. Oops.

Luckily it was just a random mishap that shouldn't be of concern to other M9 users.

They fixed it, and everything seems fine now. They even managed to get my battery working again. Yes.

That's awesome news and a pretty quick turn around!

 

[john neal]

My MM is back in the country, and has been temporarily "mislaid" by DHL - they tried (not very hard) to deliver it yesterday. My wife didn't even hear them knock on the door. According to their system, it was delivered to a neighbour, but no house details, and the name shown does not exist in the vicinity.

I'm hoping its just a snafu and it went back to the depot.

 

[apostasiometritis]

My MM is back in the country, and has been temporarily "mislaid" by DHL - they tried (not very hard) to deliver it yesterday. My wife didn't even hear them knock on the door. According to their system, it was delivered to a neighbour, but no house details, and the name shown does not exist in the vicinity.

I'm hoping its just a snafu and it went back to the depot.

Oh, dear.

That is why I always ask for things to be delivered at work. Even if I'm not there, someone is.

 

[john neal]

Oh, dear.

That is why I always ask for things to be delivered at work. Even if I'm not there, someone is.

I work as a contractor for a government department that does not allow personal deliveries, so not an option, unfortunately.

DHL have found the parcel and it is on its way back to my house. I have warned my wife, so we will see what happens..........

 

[Michael Markey]

No ... not an option if you work for the government.
Lets hope that they take more care this time.