R8 Battery Pack

[TomM]

In Jonathan Eastland's book, Leica R8 (Hove), page 155, he states that "The four penlight batteries (AA type) used to power this accessory (the Motor Drive) also power the camera when the motor drive is attached."
I have not been able to find such an accessory. Does anyone know whether a battery holder of this nature is available for the MD R8/R9 and, if so, how one can get one?

 

[TomM]

I am surprised that Eastland has not commented on this question. Leica tell me that the statement in his book is simply incorrect.
Tom

 

[Ajax]

Hi Tom,

The Leica R8 book was published by Hove (now defunct) in July 1997. The manuscript was supplied to the publisher late in 1996 and based on research using a pre-production camera. I visited the factory the same year and was given the info reference the MD which appears in the book as at the time, Leica Camera Gmbh were still working on a prototype of the R8 drive unit. I think they were hoping it would be smaller and lighter than it is (currently using an 8 NiMH battery pack.) using the four AA cells.

By the time the factory supplied the updated spec the book was already at the printers. No revised edition has been published since.

Hope this solves the issue
regards
Eastland

 

[TomM]

Jonathan,

Thank you for the explanation. It is a bit disappointing that the battery pack is so complex and hence expensive to maintain once it is past its best.

Regards,

Tom