Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/06/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]David Steadman wrote: <The first body had three identified problems, all observed during the first roll. 1) Exposure counter failure, reset to zero in the middle of the roll. 2) With a Metz40Z2 (w/3501) installed, and using a 28mm lens, (no ROM code), manually setting the Metz zoom to 28mm, the camera would automatically reset the Metz zoom to 85mm when the shutter release was depressed to the first step. 3) Very inconsistent exposure>>>>>> and then: <<<<The second body had one problem, and was obvious within the first three exposures, the winding mechanism clutch(s) were dragging so bad that it sounded like it was going to tear the film in half.>>>>> Jeeeeeeeeeesh Dave, That bad eh? Damn I have to be the luckiest Leica guy around whether M4's, Leicaflexes, R4's, M5's, M6's, SL2's, R7's, and now the R8. I just get them and they hum away like crazy just as happy as chipmunks chewing film. :) Well apart from a slight digretion on the R4's that was corrected at threat of severe TV and wire service exposure of smashing one to bits at the Leica office unless they gave me a brand new one that really worked.:) A story often told in here, so wont repeat in long form. Too bad on the R8, as I took mine out of the box and got right down to shooting our big howling blizzard of '96 and never lost a frame. Even at night with the camera on a ripod and shooting night street scenes of the completely closed streets of Victoria and only using the metering in the camera to set the exposures. Hell I never even checked them with a hand meter. Just pressed the shutter release and the camera went whiz-click and I have these great night scenes. And we just shot a series on water fountains at night and every exposure is selected by the in camera R8 meter system and there isn't a throw away due to exposure. My pictures aren't that great, :) but the exposures are perfect! :) Like I say I guess I'm the luckiest Leica guy around. :) Glad to read the 3rd one is running OK, I'm just waiting for two more when they can supply with motors and a third motor for the camera in hand. But it really is a hummer of a camera once you get using it. ted Victoria, Canada http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant