[Leica] Report of M8 Base Failure

[grduprey at mchsi.com (grduprey@mchsi.com)]

Jerry,

the m8 has a metal tab which does the same job as the stud.  Also, how can 
you come to the conclusion that the design is bad without an actual analysis 
of the failure?  Seems like a shooting from the hip conclusion.  Certainly 
an analysis is needed, but you cannot call it a bad design from this one 
incident, or even two such incidents.  I work with metallurgists in my work, 
and have never had one make such a conclusion without a detailed analysis 
the the failure.

Gene

-------------- Original message from Jerry Lehrer <glehrer@san.rr.com>: 
-------------- 


> Jim und Bob, 
> 
> I see that the M8 does not have a stud on the opposite end of the body 
> which would be engaged 
> by a lug on the base plate. ALL my M Leicas have that stud-lug that 
> hooks the base to the body 
> before the latch is turned, 
> 
> Speaking as an aerospace stress analyst with over 50 years of 
> experience, plus a degree in metallurgy, 
> I assert that the M8 has a totally inadequate base locking design. To 
> use the term we use, it is NFG. 
> 
> I agree that this puts me in the "complainer" category, and I don't even 
> own an M8! 
> 
> Jerry 
> 
> 
> Jim Nichols wrote: 
> > Bob, 
> > 
> > A close look at the photos convinced me that it was not the base plate 
> > that failed. It was the edge of the main body casting. This will 
> > probably require a remanufacture of the camera itself to fix the 
> > problem. 
> > 
> > Jim Nichols 
> > Tullahoma, TN USA 
> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert D. Baron" 
> > 
> > To: 
> > Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 7:00 PM 
> > Subject: [Leica] Report of M8 Base Failure 
> > 
> > 
> >> This report on the LUF regarding failure of the base of an M8 is 
> >> perhaps of some concern: 
> >> 
> >> 
> http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/25121-base-plate-failur
>  
> e.html 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> or 
> >> 
> >> http://tinyurl.com/2m9kdx 
> >> 
> >> I am not a metallurgist nor do I play one on tv. I have no idea if 
> >> this is a rare event or something to fret over. 
> >> 
> >> I looked at my own base and it looks fine (solid, it appears) but 
> >> what do I know? 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> --Bob 
> 
> 
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