[Leica] R8 problem

["Gib Robinson" <robinson@sfsu.edu>]

Yesterday my R8 body with winder developed a film advance problem. At
irregular intervals it is advancing the film and giving me blank frames.
Apparently it is not triggering the shutter because on the three rolls I've
developed, about 1/3 of the frames are blank. It is just advancing the film
one or more frames either after I've shot a single frame or after I have
barely touched the release button.

Altough I suspect this is not a problem I can solve without a trip to the
repair shop, I've tried a few simple "fixes" like replacing the battery,
cleaning the contacts, moving the single/multiple frame switch and mirror
lock-up. No change in behavior. I've been running a test roll through the
camera repeatedly and the results are consistent. Winder adds extra frames
at unpredictable intervals.

Anyone had this problem? Anyone have a suggestion for a simple fix?

- --Gib