[Leica] Leica M8 -- too fragile for the real world - or don't sweat while using it...

[mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner)]

> Hi Nathan,
> 
> I have had similar experience with Leica USA supplied equipment - you would
> be surprised Leica AG is, on the whole, pretty ignorant when it comes to
> various 'Passport Warranty' schemes offered by its distributors.  In my
> case, I sent a lens to Solms for repair and they sent me an estimate in the
> region of a thousand Euro.  I got Leica USA involved and the repair fee was
> waived eventually.
> 
> We consumers tend to think 'Leica is Leica', but in reality Leica AG and
> most of their distributors are very independent of each other.  Even within
> Leica AG, the sales and service departments are quite independent of each
> other too.
> 
> I am sure your M8 will eventually be repaired free of charge, but it may
> take a while for Leica AG and Leica UK to settle a few issues.  You may 
> like
> to get in touch with Leica UK in the meantime.
> 
> Make no mistake, German consumer electronics are relatively flaky.  I have
> had my fair share of electronic-related problems with Leica, Grundig,
> Blaupunkt, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW.....  Problems not usually or
> commonly associated with Nikon/Canon, Lexus/Toyota/Honda etc.  Most of 
> these
> problems are climate related, as my territory is rather humid.  I keep all
> my photo equipment in humidity-controlled rooms and this seems to help.
> Ideally I would like my M9 to be as robust and weather-proof as my D3/1Ds 
> Mk
> III, but the reality is that it is not, and I have learned to be more
> careful with it.  It goes straight into an electronic dry box after each
> shoot.
> 
> Let's hope your M8 will be fixed soon.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Joseph

Hearing from Joseph like this is like hearing from the source.
He's the Erwin P. of the Leica camera business; instead of optical science.
 A voice of reason in a confused world.
And a good reason to be on the LUG.



Mark William Rabiner