M8 sensor looks as if it's easy to clean.

[gravastar]

I notice that the cover "glass" on the sensor is significantly larger than the active area of the chip. Access looks good and any dirt which gets pushed into the corners during cleaning should not be visible in the image.

This review has a picture of the sensor: Leica M8 First Impressions Review - Leica Digital Cameras

Bob.

[grober]

BTW: how does Leica suggest the sensor shold be cleaned?

Also: wasn't one of Leica's necessary innovations the removal of the sensor's protective glass so it would be useful to the max in the M8?

[guy_mancuso]

Nothing will be as good as the DMR but the M8 the sensor is closer to the lens flange so you won't be digging deep down like a Nikon or Canon so it will be a lot easier to deal with. On the DMR I use sensor swaps and Eclipse cleaner, I have used that also on all my Canons. This should be no different I would assume

[adan]

Grober: No, Leica did not remove the protective glass - instead, they "removed" everything else. No AA filter, and the infrared filtering is incorporated INTO the protective glass. Then they multicoated both sides to reduce reflections.

The funny thing is, I just have not noticed much dust problem with the interchangeable-lens digitals I've actually used. The R-D1 had two specks during the 8 months I worked with it, and the beta M8 I've had a chance to play with intermittently over the past week (going back today for another 'fix'!) is not showing any, even though it's been passed from hand to hand all over the US with thousands of exposures and lens changes made.

The R-D1 was easy to clean even without a dedicated "cleaning" mode.

[jonoslack]

Originally Posted by adan

Grober: the beta M8 I've had a chance to play with intermittently over the past week (going back today for another 'fix'!) is not showing any, even though it's been passed from hand to hand all over the US with thousands of exposures and lens changes made.
.

Something has certainly been happening here - having had a succession on Nikon dSLR's, they seem to have almost removed the problem - the D1x was appalling, but the D200 doesn't seem to gather dust at all. Hopefully you're right and the M8 will be the same.

kind regards
jono slack

[gravastar]

Originally Posted by gravastar

I notice that the cover "glass" on the sensor is significantly larger than the active area of the chip. Access looks good and any dirt which gets pushed into the corners during cleaning should not be visible in the image.

This review has a picture of the sensor: Leica M8 First Impressions Review - Leica Digital Cameras

Bob.

The site has since removed all photographs of the camera

Bob.

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by gravastar

The site has since removed all photographs of the camera

Bob.

There's also a picture of it in my review. My R-D1 doesn't seem to gather much dust on the sensor but the Canon FF cameras *do* seem to draw it.

Cheers,

Sean

[grober]

[quote=adan]Grober: No, Leica did not remove the protective glass - instead, they "removed" everything else. No AA filter, and the infrared filtering is incorporated INTO the protective glass. Then they multicoated both sides to reduce reflections.QUOTE]

Thanks for the clarification!

-g