Monochrome and SF 24 flash: Shutter jammed, flash stuck (Advice wanted)

[keithm8]

I am shooting in Tokyo this week.

And I am using an SF 24D flash on a (newish) Leica M Monochrom.

I don't usually shoot with a flash, so this is all foreign territory to me.

1) I had some trouble mounting the flash to the camera. It was tight and it took some gentle rocking to get it into the hot shoe. But I did get it on. And the flash worked. My challenge now is that the flash cannot be removed, I cannot get it out of the hot shoe. Any advice? It doesn't seem jammed nor anything on the hot shoe out of the ordinary. Advice welcome….

2) Bigger problem. Last night, I was shooting. And I got a "shutter fault" error. I was shooting on the S setting (I think), and not the C setting. And I was using flash. Now, I cannot get the Monochrom to shoot a picture. It's just giving me an error message. Any advice?

3) Are these two things related? Or two random breakdowns that happened at once?

Gratefully,

Keith

 

[maddoc]

If you are in Tokyo visit Leica Ginza and ask the staff for help. they are very helpful and English is no problem. 🙂

 

[kbg32]

Keith, they shouldn't be related. If you are still in Tokyo, there should be an authorized repair service. I got the dreaded "Shutter Fault" error on my then new M9. I had to send it to Leitz in New Jersey. It was still under warranty. It took about 2 weeks. Call them when you return if not fixed there.

 

[segedi]

Keith,
Did you try removing the battery and then reinserting to see if the camera will work again. I had the Monochrom stop functioning after using discreet mode, but a firmware update seems to have solved the issue. But I've been hesitant to use that mode since. Also try removing the SD card and using another.

The accessories, I've used a CV 21mm finder, seem to all be a tight fit for the Leica hotshoe. I have to firmly pull and then get to a point that I can wiggle the finder out. You have to make sure to apply even pressure in the precise, flat angle to get things to budge.

Good luck - and post photos!

 

[Richard G]

Good suggestions from segedi. The worry is that specific fault message. A new digital Leica hot shoe is tight.