A Leica Serviced Motor M 14408

作者 Rolleica^® 禄徕客

Copyright        Rolleica™

Serviced by    Leica Camera AG

1^st Version       

Updated       

How Leica describes 14408

1. Small & Handy. This extremely small and handy drive mechanism makes a crucial contribution to the readiness of your Leica M to take pictures and to its comfortable use.

2. Compatibility. MP, M7, M6 TTL, M6, M4-P, M4-2.

3. Speed. 1.5 frames/sec. 3 frames/sec.

Special Features

By writing the following, Leica seems to imply that, 14408 could equip M7 etc. with a ‘Silent Mode’. This is mentioned twice in its Instructions / Anleitung (Note 1).

1. At the lower exposure frequency (1.5 frames/sec. Position I), it operates particularly quietly thanks to the motor’s special drive.

2. Lower motor frequency with particular low noise due to special electronically-controlled speed reduction.

Incompatible Lenses

1. Lens with fixed viewfinder adapter (glasses). The glasses collide with the motor grip.

2. DR lens CAN be used with 14408, as the close-up unit is attached after the lens is mounted.

Comments by ROLLEICA^®:

1. I entirely agrees with Leica’s emphasis on its compactness and cruciality to M’s ‘readiness’.

2. 3 frames/sec. is faster than any photographer could do with an analogue M body.

3. I was among the first batch of 14408 users, so my memory about its particular low noise or particular quietness at 1.5 frames/sec. needs to be refreshed. So, I’ll update with a film test.

4. A potential design bug -

14408 with battery weights 263g (225g without batteries), which is a hefty weight to the camera bottom. It hangs entirely with the help of a latch (right) and a locking toggle with folding clip (left).

However, the folding flip on quite some 14408 is far too loose.

The folding flip, instead of staying folded after being installed to camera bottom, flips freely (see pic above)!

Alternatively speaking, after being folded, the folding flip, instead of being horizontal to the ground, falls vertical and flips freely! When ‘rightly’ tangled, the flip may be rotated enough so the entire 14408 may fall from the camera bottom!!!

In my view, this is a design bug on 14408.

This Leica serviced 14408 doesn’t have this issue.

Note:

1. 93003 WIII/02/LW/L.