MP meter NG under -3 C.

[Roger Pellegrini]

My MP meter doesn't work under -3 degrees C. (26+/- degrees F). The indicator light and the arrows in the viewfinder just disappear. Once I bring it inside and it warms up, it works again. Is this normal?

Roger Pellegrini

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

If it dies over a period of a few minutes then the most likely cause is the battery is getting old doesn't like cold weather anymore.

Try a fresh battery.

 

[Jon Butler]

Have you tried new batteries?
JON.

 

[Roger Pellegrini]

Okay. I'll try a new battery. But the one in there now I just purchased three weeks ago. I guess it could have been on the shelf for too long. The only thing is, the battery icon doesn't come on. There are just no meters lights. And when I bring it back in and it warms up, everything works well.

 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, Roger;

A less likely possiblility is a contact that pulls away when it is cold. With older equipment, this can be an uncommon problem. I have used an electrical multimeter in conductivity or "ohms" mode and sprayed some "Freeze-Mist" low temperature cooling spray on parts and pieces to try locating this kind of a thermal intermittent.

Try the new or different battery first. Taking something apart and hunting for an intermittent is never fun. There is a reason why we referred to these kind of jobs as "dogs."

 

[epatsellis]

by any chance, does this have an LCD display? I have a Luna Pro for cold weather, as LCD's response times slow down and eventually stop working altogether in cold weather.

 

[benjiboy]

The problem is due to the laws of physics battery's at very cold temperatures will not give out any power, it would be a good idea to see if Leica make a remote battery holder you can keep in your pocket as many camera manufacturers do.

 

[Roger Pellegrini]

Hope its just the battery

Good morning, Roger;

A less likely possiblility is a contact that pulls away when it is cold. With older equipment, this can be an uncommon problem. I have used an electrical multimeter in conductivity or "ohms" mode and sprayed some "Freeze-Mist" low temperature cooling spray on parts and pieces to try locating this kind of a thermal intermittent.

Try the new or different battery first. Taking something apart and hunting for an intermittent is never fun. There is a reason why we referred to these kind of jobs as "dogs."

Thanks. I will try the new battery first and hope that is the problem.

 

[PhotoJim]

-3 C is not that cold. I don't have any cameras that work at 20 C but won't work at -3 C. They will even work at -30 C (although not for long).

LCD displays work down to very cold temperatures, although the update speed slows down significantly. Still, at -3 C such a display should work normally enough that it would be useful.

 

[Roger Pellegrini]

-3 C is not that cold. I don't have any cameras that work at 20 C but won't work at -3 C. They will even work at -30 C (although not for long).

LCD displays work down to very cold temperatures, although the update speed slows down significantly. Still, at -3 C such a display should work normally enough that it would be useful.

That's what I was thinking. I am hoping it is just the battery (although I just put a new one in 3 weeks ago) and not something more serious.

 

[MattKing]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think if the battery contacts are corroded or dirty, they add resistance, and will make the entire circuit less efficient. The problem may be a combination of cold and less than optimum contacts.

I think it is worth checking.

Matt

 

[budrichard]

I never walk into a B&M store and purchase camera batteries anymore but do so through one of the on-line services. I have had batteries from B&M stores be degraded right out of the box. The large on-line suppliers seem to have a good turnover.-Dick

 

[sbelyaev]

You have to turn MP OFF when you don't use is, otherwise it drains the battery very quickly.
Another way to go is not to re-cock the shutter after shooting if you don't plan to use the camera for some time.

 

[Roger Pellegrini]

I never walk into a B&M store and purchase camera batteries anymore but do so through one of the on-line services. I have had batteries from B&M stores be degraded right out of the box. The large on-line suppliers seem to have a good turnover.-Dick

That's good to know. I will purchase a new one online.

 

[Roger Pellegrini]

You have to turn MP OFF when you don't use is, otherwise it drains the battery very quickly.
Another way to go is not to re-cock the shutter after shooting if you don't plan to use the camera for some time.

The battery shows no signs of being drained once the camera is inside and warm.

 

[Roger Pellegrini]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think if the battery contacts are corroded or dirty, they add resistance, and will make the entire circuit less efficient. The problem may be a combination of cold and less than optimum contacts.

I think it is worth checking.

Matt

It must be the contacts. I have tried three different batteries and the problem persists.

 

[Tim Gray]

Yeah I would say it's not normal. My M7 and M6 have been in colder temperatures and never had a problem with power.

 

[budrichard]

High temps have been 10F here lately and I've been out with both my M7's, one with Motor M and one with Leicavit and both function perfectly.
Batteries, corroded contacts adding resistance or a contact contracting due to cold, as stated, are all possible causes.-Dick

 

[Roger Pellegrini]

I just got off the phone with Leica Techhical Services in NJ. They are telling me that the MP meter does not work at -3 degrees C because the battery gets too cold. Unbelievable!