p.9 #3 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
pmeheut wrote:
You mean like when I went from a Canon A1 to a T90?
A Leica R5 to R8? Or added a winder to the R8?
Were those batteries specifically made for those models, or could they be used in other cameas?
The batteries in my R5 (and R7 and R-E) could also be used in countless other cameras from compacts to 35mm slrs.
The batteries in my R8 and R9 could be used in my Nikon F6, Samsung AF Slim, Fuji Work Record, Xpan etc
p.9 #4 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Desmolicious wrote:
Were those batteries specifically made for those models, or could they be used in other cameas?
/quote]
You may have noticed that the world changed since then?
For instance, I was using standard batteries in a flashlight when I needed one. Nowadays, I'm using my phone with an internal battery I cannot change easily.
And this is true for so many tools I use.
Maybe there is a reason for that? But if this is a problem for you, you can still use those old cameras.
P.S: btw, what photographers said in the past is not always true. For instance, they were reluctant to move to the F2 because some small parts where plastic unlike the F.
Same with the F3: needed a battery and A-priority.
Same for the first digital displays like the Canon A1: called it a pinball machine.
And yet, we managed to produce pictures even with a OVF, AI in the camera to find the subject and focus on it, etc. ...Show more →
p.9 #5 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
You are intentionally avoiding me pointing out that the batteries in the cameras you listed are not unique to them! Your R5, R8 etc.
The batteries they use are used in many other cameras too.
And in the modern digital era, Mfgs like Nikon, Fuji, Sony etc use the same batteries in lots of different models, across a variety of years. Sure now they are specific for each mfg, but mostly not within each mfg's range.
Whereas Leica for some reason introduces a new battery type specific for a single model.
p.9 #6 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Desmolicious wrote:
Whereas Leica for some reason introduces a new battery type specific for a single model.
Too many silos in the organization apparently.
There are only a limited number of INR type cells around and not in shortage, so the issue is the BMS and/or case moldings.
I suspect that the gerniatics did not bother due to the low volumnes, but by now they wish they had if they had only known there would be such a drought.
p.9 #7 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Desmolicious wrote:
You are intentionally avoiding me pointing out that the batteries in the cameras you listed are not unique to them! Your R5, R8 etc.
The batteries they use are used in many other cameras too.
As I said, we live in a different world.
P.S: you avoided around 70% of my points at least. My guess is that you are not aware of it but I will not continue this discussion. I have a lot of respect for you as a photographer and a human being, you are entitled to your opinion so I want to avoid something that may end up in bickering.
p.9 #8 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Aside from availability, is there any lifespan expectation ranges for the SCL2? I know chemistry is different for the smaller batteries but I still use the old Sony camera with the original memory stick and the original battery works well.
I'm not too worried about batteries as if the Chinese wanted to they could easily replicate the BMS. There's so many enthusiasts with deep connections on the manufacturing space there that it's bound to happen sooner or later.
p.9 #9 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
I use the 2CR5 lithium battery in my EOS-1N, and even though it is not common in newer electronics, I'm not too worried since a lot of older equipment, including film cameras from multiple brands, still relies on it, so it's likely to stay in production for quite a while...worst case, I can always use the grip and run four AA batteries instead.
Honestly, battery anxiety or price gouging shouldn't even be a thing when we already have bigger concerns like electronic or mechanical failure. I hope workable alternatives show up, whether that is manufacturers continuing to support legacy products, third-party solutions, or dummy batteries connected to an external power source..
The thing that gives me the most peace of mind is my Leica M‑A!
p.9 #10 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
ftllens wrote:
Aside from availability, is there any lifespan expectation ranges for the SCL2? I know chemistry is different for the smaller batteries but I still use the old Sony camera with the original memory stick and the original battery works well.
I'm not too worried about batteries as if the Chinese wanted to they could easily replicate the BMS. There's so many enthusiasts with deep connections on the manufacturing space there that it's bound to happen sooner or later.
The key to making any lithium battery last as long as possible is to charge it only up to 80% and never let it drop below 20%, only going outside that range occasionally to get more accurate charge reporting.
p.9 #11 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
pmeheut wrote:
As I said, we live in a different world.
P.S: you avoided around 70% of my points at least. My guess is that you are not aware of it but I will not continue this discussion. I have a lot of respect for you as a photographer and a human being, you are entitled to your opinion so I want to avoid something that may end up in bickering.
p.9 #13 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Desmolicious wrote:
It’s Wednesday and I haven’t used up my weekly allocation yet. Clears throat….
I’d be more worried about film scratching than finding batteries.
I have tried one MP and one M-A and neither were scratchers, so maybe there was a bad batch at some point that somehow turned into an internet myth, perhaps you are the main instigator!
Maybe I'm an outlier, but I definitely prefer shooting with the M-A. The framelines are much cleaner, especially for 35mm and 50mm, the shutter release is a single smooth step, and there are no distracting flashing red numbers at the bottom while composing. I also love never having to turn it off or think about batteries, and even the back dial, simple as it is, feels elegant and looks great on the silver model.
p.9 #14 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Fred Miranda wrote: I have tried one MP and one M-A and neither were scratchers, so maybe there was a bad batch at some point that somehow turned into an internet myth, perhaps you are the main instigator!
Maybe I'm an outlier, but I definitely prefer shooting with the M-A. The framelines are much cleaner, especially for 35mm and 50mm, the shutter release is a single smooth step, and there are no distracting flashing red numbers at the bottom while composing. I also love never having to turn it off or think about batteries, and even the back dial, simple as it is, feels elegant and looks great on the silver model....Show more →
Out of the dozens of film Ms - ok 10 - that I have owned, only the new M6 was a scratcher. But reading other users’ comments, it has happened to the MP and M-A models on occasion. Those were pretty rare though, it was w the new M6 that it became very common.
It now seems to have been fixed, but knowing what I know now, I would check any recent M purchase w a sacrificial roll of film to make sure it is not a scratcher.
I agree about the M-A - the frame lines are fantastic and I had DAG mask off the 75mm frames to make the 50 even better. I would never use a 75mm lens - too close to 50 IMO - but would use a 90 if I wanted longer.
p.9 #17 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Measured IR of 3 SCL2s
0213 [Inca Korea]
4216,0118 [Varta Indo]
They are all sitting around 100mΩ at 90-100% charge.
Which of the 17/18 failed and did you happen to take measurements at all?
After discharge I will do some cold measurements to see IR, but these seem to be working fine still with no sudden energy tranche drops.
I'm going to bring my battery analyzer along next time I go hunting for new SCL2s, though the newest batches should be fine. rscheffler wrote:
Based on the LUF thread and my own supply of M240 batteries, when the camera was first released the battery stated on it "Leica Camera Korea Ltd." The assumption being it was made in Korea. At some point battery labeling was updated to Varta Indonesia.
On the first batch "Korea" batteries, there is an apparent date code on the bottom right of the label. For example in my photo below, it's 1313VB, which indicates 13th week of 2013. The Varta version has an apparent date code stamped into the battery housing. The two newer ones I have are dated 3117VB and 4118VB. I acquired these in January 2019. Both failed within a few months but one self-recovered. The second was replaced by Leica later in 2019, but it took many months for them to do so because Leica USA was waiting for delivery from Germany, who presumably was waiting for delivery from Varta.
First image below, the battery on the left is the 'Korea' type. The one on the right is the 'Indonesia' type.
For those with M240 series batteries, what are the date codes? It might be informative and give us an idea of how regularly these have been produced over the years. Especially those who have acquired new ones recently....Show more →
p.9 #18 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Fred Miranda wrote:
I use the 2CR5 lithium battery in my EOS-1N, and even though it is not common in newer electronics, I'm not too worried since a lot of older equipment, including film cameras from multiple brands, still relies on it, so it's likely to stay in production for quite a while...worst case, I can always use the grip and run four AA batteries instead.
The 2CR5 now uses two 123 cells inside a simple/cheap package so it should be around as long as there is a demand. It's not like some weird cell types and sizes that don't have a general demand.
p.9 #19 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
Fred Miranda wrote:
OEM batteries are made by Leica, which is what I’m talking about. If you're referring to third-party replacements, they don't exist for Leica M cameras.
Fred,
I recently decided to see if M9 batteries were available on Amazon and found that M9 copies are being sold new for around $20. They are slightly down from the 1860 mAh and are 1700 mAh, but that is better than no batteries at all.
p.9 #20 · Leica's Battery Shortage Is Hurting the Brand!
stgrove wrote:
Fred,
I recently decided to see if M9 batteries were available on Amazon and found that M9 copies are being sold new for around $20. They are slightly down from the 1860 mAh and are 1700 mAh, but that is better than no batteries at all.
Yes, there are third party batteries available for the M9 and M10. Hopefully someone will eventually produce decent third party options for the M240 as well. That said, OEM batteries are generally better. I tried a third party battery for the M9 and it was honestly pretty bad, it stopped holding a charge properly after just a few cycles. To a lesser degree, similar story with the third party one for the M10. It works, but unfortunately, it is not on the same level as the original Leica battery.
