Dead pixel on M8 CCD

[bono0272]

How many M8 users have found there are dead pixels on the CCD?

I just found 1 (it appears like a dot, I presume it is a pixel) on my M8 CCD in the recent trials. It was not there when I firstly got this camera. Need to send it back to Solms for repairing.

[Shootist]

I doubt Leica will replace the sensor for one dead pixel. They may write it out.
Can you notice this one dead pixel in a printed image?

[alex7075]

I had had one, then a second one a couple of weeks later, Leica told me to send in the M8 and replaced the sensor.

[andit]

This is probably the start of the vertical line problem. In your photo editing program (Photoshop, Aperture, Capture One etc), take the image that you found the pixel on, lift the shadow details to the maximum. You'll most probably find a line of pixels that have failed. What is even worse, you'll find this line in all images at the exact same spot. According to other forum users who have had the same problem, it is not a failure on the sensor, it is a problem THAT CAN HAPPEN on one of the circuit boards. This problem DOES NOT AFFECT ALL camera's but does show up on some models in the course of time.

If you do a search on Vertical Line here in the forum, you will find quite a bit of discussion about it. My M8 is in Solms at the moment to have this issue sorted out. Just got an email from them this morning that they have received it.

Hope this helps you a bit.
Andreas

[Eoin]

I had a some what similar problem, I noticed a vertical line at ISO 2500 one day recently. I rarely shoot this fast but on examination of images from ISO 2500 to ISO 640 I noticed the line was present in every image which had a dark background where the line would begin. It was not there if the background was bright. I also noticed but not always a stuck blue pixel along the line. Some raw processors tend to map stuck pixels but I noticed aperture when loading the file would display a rough Jpg in which it was visible and replace it with the raw in a matter of milliseconds where the stuck pixel was not visible but the line was there.

I sent the files to Solm for their comments and they requested the camera be returned. It arrived last Friday and I'm waiting for the service order confirmation to be sent back as to what remedial action their taking. Needless to say this is a Nov 06 camera fully upgraded and the line only started to appear in the last 2 months.

It seems to be becoming more frequent judging by the post I've been reading here. I'd not have really noticed it until I shot ISO 2500 but now I know where it is I see it in most of my dark ISO 640 images. Ignorance is bliss (sometimes)

[bono0272]

Originally Posted by Shootist

I doubt Leica will replace the sensor for one dead pixel. They may write it out.
Can you notice this one dead pixel in a printed image?

I didn't print the images out, but the same point (a light dot) appears on all DNG files (and JPG as well) while I opened them by Capture One.

This dot only appears recently, the images were fine when I just started using the M8.

Regarding the CCD line problem, I did have the same problem on my DMR 2 years ago and finally the local sole agent replaced another DMR for me. The vertical appears at ISO 800 and ISO 1600.

[johnbuckley]

Originally Posted by andit

This is probably the start of the vertical line problem. In your photo editing program (Photoshop, Aperture, Capture One etc), take the image that you found the pixel on, lift the shadow details to the maximum. You'll most probably find a line of pixels that have failed. What is even worse, you'll find this line in all images at the exact same spot. According to other forum users who have had the same problem, it is not a failure on the sensor, it is a problem THAT CAN HAPPEN on one of the circuit boards. This problem DOES NOT AFFECT ALL camera's but does show up on some models in the course of time.

If you do a search on Vertical Line here in the forum, you will find quite a bit of discussion about it. My M8 is in Solms at the moment to have this issue sorted out. Just got an email from them this morning that they have received it.

Hope this helps you a bit.
Andreas

Andreas has it exactly right. I had an M8 that worked fine for months and suddenly developed this problem. Sent it to New Jersey where they replaced the circuit board. It took a while to get the camera back, but it's working fine now. But it is a pain in the neck to have it happen, isn't it? JB

[bono0272]

I agree. Although it is difficult to realise that dot on the images, especially I seldom zoom the images to 100% size, it is a pain in the neck to have it happened.

But now I just find one dot, will Leica entertain me on repairing for just one dot failure?

[MitchoIankov]

I had that line (actually 2 lines) for a while (maybe from the beginning, visible pnly on 640+ ISO) but did not fix it until a quiet period. Just before that period arrived I had the power on problem (you need to press the shutter after power on) as well.

I did send the camera for warranty repair and now both are fixed.

The camera spent more in travel to and from Germany than in the factory for repair.

When the camera came back it was set to ISO 2500 which makes me think that is where it is easier to find the line.

[caparobertsan]

Actually , every CCD have some dead pixel. Leica will not replace CCD for dead pixel. But they will software adjust it. What actually happen is it will use pixel close to the deal one and clone it so it does not show up on image.
I wish user can do this from menu.

[norm_snyder]

I don't know if they would replace the sensor for a dead pixel, but if the "vertical line" is demonstrated, as was the case with my second [nearly new] body, they replaced the sensor in NJ, with no hassle.

Hope your problem resolves quickly.

N.

[norm_snyder]

Eoin--

I had been shooting at iso 640, -2 1/3 EV, when I noticed the vertical line. This really pushes the envelope, but on my other body...no problem.

N.

[Eoin]

Norm,
You're right, -2 1/3 really pushes the envelope, but sadly I didn't have to push anything, usual -1/3 EV dialed in and if the RHS of the frame was dark in the bottom 1/3 of the frame it would produce the vertical line. It didn't have to be as dark in higher ISO's for the line to appear.

[jaapv]

Originally Posted by bono0272

I agree. Although it is difficult to realise that dot on the images, especially I seldom zoom the images to 100% size, it is a pain in the neck to have it happened.

But now I just find one dot, will Leica entertain me on repairing for just one dot failure?

They will remap the sensor. It happens to all sensors over time, one or a few dead pixels will appear, normally depending on intensity of use. One pro on this forum, I think it was Jamie, described it as "routine maintenance".

[bono0272]

I brought the M8 to the sole agent today and showed them the dead pixel. The technician there checked it very carefully, at least I considered he was, and informed me they could not help sending my M8 back to Solms for just one dead pixel. However if the situation is getting worse, say, more dead pixels coming out or there is a vertical line problem, certainly they will send the machine to the factory.

[jaapv]

That seems to be nonsense to me. Contact Solms directly....

[bono0272]

Originally Posted by jaapv

That seems to be nonsense to me. Contact Solms directly....

Well, I am going to Germany next week and already arranged a factory tour at Solms. Will bring along my M8 and ask for consultancy.

[jaapv]

Good idea.

[FastFashnReloaded]

Originally Posted by bono0272

How many M8 users have found there are dead pixels on the CCD?

I just found 1 (it appears like a dot, I presume it is a pixel) on my M8 CCD in the recent trials. It was not there when I firstly got this camera. Need to send it back to Solms for repairing.

Welcome to the world of electronics. Stuff happens.

You send it overseas for that and you'll likely get back a camera with more problems than when it left. Deal with it. Wait till something else blows up and then get it fixed.

[bono0272]

Well, actually just one dead pixel should cause nothing but since the M8 is still under warranty so mentally I always think that to send it back to the factory.