Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/06/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Tony wrote: >Let's try this again. I know its an R question BUT... Hi Tony, Don't be concerned whether it's an R question or not, we are all Leica lovers and attempt to assist where we can, R or M. >Any R8 owners have any problems with their camera? Lately on mine the shutter >has been sticking (appears to me that way since on the back of the camera the >display just keeps blinking and I can't COCK the shutter with the winder on >the body or OFF. >>>>>>> How are the batteries in the winder and in the camera? One thing to try immediately, take all the batteries out of winder and body, clean contacts and replace. Before you do that take a Q tip (cotten swab) and clean the contacts on the body of the back cover and where they make contact to the body. Before you close everythng up, gently with the Q-tip swab, push on all the "spring loaded gold contacts" on the winder and body and in the body where the back closes. Sometimes a spring inside doen't quite push the contact solidly against the connecting point and that can cause a connection trouble. All of this may do nothing, but I installed a new winder and it didn't work so I did what I always do with things electronic....cleaned every contact and away it went like crazy and has never stopped since. However, that doesn' always answer the situation. Under the circumstance of this being a new body I would return it and enquire of a replacement, rather than them fiddling "to fix" a new camera. Your description of stoppage would lead one to believe it's an electric connection, batteries, contacts or whatever other electronic attachements within the camera. And that isn't something I'd want anyone fooling with to "fix!" Just give me a new camera would be the safest bet. <<<<BTW this is a demo model (all papers and in the box, 1 year Leica warranty) that I got from Stan Tamarkin (reputedly a reliable dealer who doesn't deal in gray market items) and I "saved" $400 off the standard $2,395 price. Now I'm beginning to wonder. When returning this to him should I ask for ANOTHER body instead of having them fix this one? This really ticks me off since I just got the camera a week ago.>>>>>> Tamarkin's is a very fine dealer and with the camera under warranty there isn't any doubt they'll look after it immediately. The glitch you are referring to maybe the result of it being a "demo" model and at sometime a tad heavy handed "player" unknowingly did something that no one was aware of. If they replace it with a new body, you might find you'll have to cough up the "$400" you saved by getting a demo. I'd try the battery contact cleaning routine first and if no effect, off to Tamarkin "very quickly!" Ted Grant This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler. http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant