Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/12/22

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: [Leica] Leica M8 -- too fragile for the real world - or don't sweat while using it...
From: mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner)
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:10:23 -0500

> All true enough Geoff.
> 
> However, many of us come from using M2's, 3's and 6's
> under the most adverse conditions with very little maintenance;
> beyond the occasional wiping down, and dusting off.
> So the mechanical M's have a reputation
> which the digital M's may not live up to
> without reevaluating the "sealing" issue.
> 
> Most of us who chose buy and now love our M8's
> knew we would walk this bleeding edge.
> Fine.
> 
> However, now in the third generation of digital M's
> I'm feeling that this particular issue requires immediate and serious
> attention
> (way beyond IR filters, magenta casts, corner issues - the camera has
> to WORK);
> unless Leica wants only dilettante users in air conditioned clean rooms;
> instead of hard working professionals who sweat,
> and regularly shoot near oceans, deserts, swimming pools,
> storms, factories, foundries, ball fields, etc.
> 
> Nathan did not abuse his camera.
> 5,000 - 10,000 exposures in a year
> with a little sweat and sea air
> (he didn't sail every weekend
> and I doubt he set the camera in the sand at the beach)
> should not require a $500 + repair.
> 
> Nor should he have to choose a different camera,
> other than the $4-5K Leica,
> for a daily hour bike ride.
> 
> I appreciate your dedicated love of Leica.
> I share it;
> until the third generation gear self destructs
> under normal advanced amateur
> or professional use.
> 
> Regards,
> George Lottermoser
> george at imagist.com
> http://www.imagist.com
> http://www.imagist.com/blog
> http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist
> 
> On Dec 22, 2009, at 3:57 PM, Geoff Hopkinson wrote:
> 
>> George it is not common but clearly it can happen. It has been
>> vigorously
>> discussed in the L Camera Forum when another person had an
>> expensive repair
>> quote after saying that their camera was only briefly exposed to a
>> rain
>> shower. Others including our Tina reported very different experiences.
>> There was a clamour there regarding the need for weather sealing. I
>> don't
>> remember it coming up before despite every previous M not having that
>> sealing either.
>> That's the nature of internet groups for you. The discussions are
>> by no
>> means limited to people with actual experiences to report.
>> 
>> Whatever the circumstance, of course we know that Nathan is honest
>> in his
>> recollection. I believe that Solms certainly have been truthful as
>> well. The
>> specific agent that has damaged Nathan's camera is NOT proven but
>> it does
>> seem most likely that it has been a product of the operating
>> environment.
>> Specifically humid salty air (sea breeze carrying fine blown sand/
>> salt too?)
>> and possibly sweat from handling and using the camera during honest
>> exercise
>> cycling around in that environment. Very important to acknowledge that
>> Nathan is NOT ranting nor complaining  of course.
>> By the way, from my technical maintenance back ground, YES
>> corrosion is very
>> bad news and can develop quickly. In this case it has apparently been
>> limited to a small switch area, luckily (and due to Nathan getting
>> it dealt
>> with promptly).
>> 2009/12/23 George Lottermoser <imagist3 at mac.com>
>> 
>>> So, then, aside from your frustration re: being without the camera,
>>> what DO you make of their analysis of the issue?
>>> 
>>> Do you think
>>> the weather conditions
>>> salt water proximity
>>> sweat
>>> what in the world
>>> could have caused corrosion
>>> in such a brief period of time?
>>> 
>>> Is it possible that something at the factory
>>> actually was not cleaned off during mfg?
>>> 
>>> It just seems such a weird break down.
>>> (and one I've not heard of previously)
>>> 
>>> Do you read the l-camera forum?
>>> Have you checked with that list about this fault?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> George Lottermoser
>>> george at imagist.com
>>> http://www.imagist.com
>>> http://www.imagist.com/blog
>>> http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist
>>> 
>>> On Dec 22, 2009, at 2:53 PM, Nathan Wajsman wrote:
>>> 
>>> No, I will not treat it any differently. I exercise reasonable
>>> care, do not
>>>> walk around with it in rainy weather etc., but at the end of the
>>>> day I have
>>>> it in order to take pictures.
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>  _______________________________________________
>>> Leica Users Group.
>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -- 
>> Cheers
>> Geoff
>> http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Leica Users Group.
>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information


Wow THIRD GENERATION of digital M's!
I don't thinks so!!
The M8 came out shakily 3 years ago.
What's the second generation the M8.2!??
I don't think so.
We may not still be on day one with digital M's we're on day two.

A built it rangefinder and interchangeable lenses are still a few years off.
I'm happy they're just beginning to get it figured out.



Mark William Rabiner





Replies: Reply from imagist3 at mac.com (George Lottermoser) ([Leica] Leica M8 -- too fragile for the real world - or don't sweat while using it...)
In reply to: Message from imagist3 at mac.com (George Lottermoser) ([Leica] Leica M8 -- too fragile for the real world - or don't sweat while using it...)