M8, Heat Stroke

[gary_ferguson1]

I was in India and Pakistan last week on business, it was blisteringly hot and

humid but I got a few hours free to walk around Karachi with my M8. The camera

was very hot to touch and I was relieved I didn't have to worry about

overheating film...when the M8 suddenly died! I also had a mobile phone and a

Blackberry with me, neither of which failed despite the 100 degree plus

temperatures.

 

After a few hours in an air-conditioned room and a change of battery the M8

started up again, but in the meantime I'd lost some great opportunities.

 

I travel a lot with my job and always take a camera. The M8 and a tri-Elmar

should be the perfect digital choice, lighter than my Canon 5D with a 24-

105mm, and better quality than my Canon Digital Ixus. I'll be in hot and

steamy China in a couple of weeks time and if the M8 dies again, then despite

thirty happy years with Leica, there'll be a nearly new M8 on Ebay.

[john_brewton]

Gary, others have shot M8 in similar conditions and reported no problems. Sounds like the battery was low. Sometimes the battery indicator on mine acts up which usually means I need to put in a fully charged unit. Good luck.

[howard_cummer1]

Hi Gary,

Sorry to hear of the trouble with your M8 in the heat. I have also used mine in India,

(Pondicherry) and in Bali (twice) and Hong Kong (where I live) and not had any problem

with heat and humidity. Granted it is not as hot as Delhi or Karachi - but here in Hong

Kong the temperature runs in the low 30's centigrade and very high humidity. No

problems in four months with my M8 so far. Hope yours was just a passing phase -

perhaps atributed to low battery. I also use the Tri Elmar with the M8 as my carry round

kit. It is a great combo for fast street shots.

Cheers

Howard (in Hong Kong)

[don_e]

"The camera was very hot to touch and I was relieved I didn't have to worry about overheating film..."

 

I live in a hot arid climate, and have no experience with the effects of humidity, and have not had a digital fail to function (but I don't own an M8) unless the battery failed. Carry a charged-up spare and don't keep the camera exposed to direct sunlight for long periods. When not on my shoulder the camera is kept in an insulated case. I've considered making or finding an insulated holster as an alternative to carrying on the shoulder in high summer.

 

A hot sensor might affect image quality.

[michaelging]

I do not have a M8 so I can not be specific, but many rechargable camera batteries have a thermal switch that trips when the battery gets to hot. This is to protect the battery, and or camera, if the battery is shorted out. I have had my DSLR batteries thermal switch trip when my cameras are in my car and the interior is a 140 degrees.The battery resets when it cools down, this might be what happened to your camera.

[jerry_kirkwood]

I've been reading where some M8's were getting hot before going toes up, so maybe the outdoor tempature was just a coincident.

[paul hart]

<<there'll be a nearly new M8 on Ebay>>

 

What's the serial number of your M8..........

[steven_moseley1]

...don't you just love the digital wunderkameras...