This is a follow-up to my minilux EO2 message which you probably ignored if you don't have one, but I just wonder about electronic reliability and quality control. The EO2, apparently, is "a known issue", AKA a design/manufacturing fault which requires the whole shutter replacing. Cost: about $US150 - basically not worth it. Now I'm pleased I have got some good results from the minilux and take the point that P/Ss do not live forever. But I still think it is disappointing and other minilux owners need to be aware of this problem. I am pleased I still have my M3 and IIIa! Viva mechanical cameras!

-- David Killick (Dalex@inet.net.nz), December 05, 2001

Answers

What? $150 repair not worth it on a $700+ camera? You live in a different space of disposable income than I do!

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), December 05, 2001.

Maybe it is worth repairing, it's just that I HAVEN'T got the disposable income to spend money on something that I hoped would last a bit longer than it has....

-- David Killick (Dalex@inet.net.nz), December 05, 2001.

I got my Minilux used for $425 and I'd certainly pay $150 for a complete shutter replacement. My local dealer sent one in to Leica USA and got back an estimate of around $350...which since it cost the owner $700 to buy, and would cost him $700 to replace, seemed reasonable in a perverted sort of way. Like the $550 I spent earlier this year getting my dead R6 repaired. What you need to hope now is that the shutter in your Minilux will go EO2 every eleven months...that way it will be replaced in-warranty forever.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), December 05, 2001.

David, I have owned Minilux for many years and luckily not have this problem yet. The most complaint I heard about are either E02 or shutter retraction mechanism which seems to related to a cable connecting the cable and body being pulled over and over again. One reason that make the matter worse is, I am guessing, most people would take a shot, turn off Minilux, and turn on the Minilux to take next shot, and turn off Minilux again. If you do this thing for every shot, I think that put a lot of stress to the shutter retraction mechanism and also wasting battery power.

Anyway, I recently make a lens cap for Minilux and I don't ever turn it off unless I put it away. After a few minutes of no-action, the Minilux goes into power save and turn itself off but does not retract the shutter. Another bonus is that it is more ready for next shot, press on the shutter button will wake up the Minilux instead of waiting for the whole shutter to come out with a lot of motor sound.

Whether this will help or not, time will tell. But I thought I throw in my two cents.

Chi

-- Chi H (chihuang@yahoo.com), December 05, 2001.

Is Leica aware of this problem? I would hope that after you spent $700 bucks on a P/S camera, they don't expect you to spend another $150 to get it working reliably. Was this a problem with early versions of the camera?

cheers, feli

-- Feli di Giorgio (feli@d2.com), December 05, 2001.

Actually, with a trade-in I spent only about $500. The camera is about four years old and has had about 100 films through it. Following up my earlier posting and reading discussions on the LUG site, I see this has happened to others as well - one sudden camera failure struck a guy on holiday in Switzerland. Luckily, I have got good value out of my minilux, but I'd have expected it to last longer. Yes, I have emailed Leica.

-- David Killick (Dalex@inet.net.nz), December 06, 2001.

Interesting to hear all this about the minilux shutter. I just bought a minilux and have taken only one roll so far. The reason that I bought a minilux is because I was almost certain that a leica would last 2,3 or 4 times that of a normal P/Shoot! 650. usd is expensive enough. I live in the German Alps and I ordered it from New York as their even more here in Germany.

-- dave basarich (dbasarich@yahoo.com), February 16, 2002.