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Update on Thin Dead Line


biglouis

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I reported in the forum a couple of weeks back that when reviewing pictures from some months ago at 100% I picked up a thin line of what looked like dead or incorrectly working pixels. This appears to be a common issue. I contacted Leica UK and have arranged to hand deliver the camera next week.

 

However, a couple of weekends ago I decided to go shoot with the camera regardless of the consequences. I thought I'd check out where the pixels were not working just so I could describe the problem in a letter to Leica accompanying the camera.

 

The problem is, that the line, which was previously prominent at approximately pixel 810 (vertical) had disappeared. I shot with the camera again last weekend and still no line of dead pixels. I sent an email to Leica UK asking if they could explain this behaviour and this is the response below from Solms:

 

"Yes, the camera (or the sensor) can produce lines which are gone on later pictures. This happens, when the camera is beeing used with high ISO settings for a longer time period. Then the sensor gets warm. Once the sensor cools off, the lines are gone. Though to confirm if this is the case with this particular camera it would be best if we check the camera before the warranty runs out."

As it happens, I first noticed this problem in exactly these conditions. I was doing a project which was working at high iso (640) for prolonged periods. In fact for about 5 weeks I probably rarely shot at anything but iso640. Might explain the behaviour.

Anyway I post this in case others find this information useful

LouisB

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Louis- Thank you I've just experienced this phenomenon tonight and posted this thread tonight as well.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/103148-vertical-line-m8-2-images.html

 

I've just done some test shots an hour after I posted this and the line seems to have gone.

 

It does all make sense now based on the response you received from Leica. Even though I haven't been doing too much high ISO work lately. Anyway camera will have to go in to Solms there are 3 weeks left on the warranty.

 

Thanks Louis your input has been very helpful in solving this mysterious line.

Once again this Forum never ceases to amaze me with the exchange of information.

 

Does the line you've seen look similar to the one in my photos on the other thread?

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Does the line you've seen look similar to the one in my photos on the other thread?

 

Mike

 

My problem looks identical and in my case the explanation makes sense in some ways.

 

However, if Solms want to give it a checkover then although I'll probably lose the camera for months, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

LouisB

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Mike

My problem looks identical and in my case the explanation makes sense in some ways.

 

However, if Solms want to give it a checkover then although I'll probably lose the camera for months, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

LouisB

 

Louis- Thanks for the feedback, it appears that it's definitely the dreaded line problem on mine as well.

 

I'm packing my M8.2 off to Germany this morning. I'm heading to Africa next week for a few months. I need a back up to the M9, and with the M8.2 going back to Solms, I'm now trying to retrieve / buy back my original M8 from my dealer who had it for sale when I got the M9.

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"Yes, the camera (or the sensor) can produce lines which are gone on later pictures. This happens, when the camera is beeing used with high ISO settings for a longer time period. Then the sensor gets warm. Once the sensor cools off, the lines are gone. Though to confirm if this is the case with this particular camera it would be best if we check the camera before the warranty runs out."

 

This is a very interesting update concerning the darn line.

 

One of my M8 is at Leica's Hospital (Solms) for sensor replacement (shipping back home tomorrow). The line I got starts at a dead pixel (clearly visible), so I don't think it has nothing to do with sensor heat (it's probably what Leica is pointing out when they said "Though to confirm if this is the case with this particular camera it would be best if we check the camera before the warranty runs out.")

 

However, this update means clearly (and I don't want to be the party spoiler) we better don't take pictures at high ISO for a long time because we can get darn lines in our images. This is not very good for professional photographers, like wedding photographers, who need high ISO on long shootings, is it? :eek:

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It is scarry concerning 640 is my standard ISO setting, and after 2 years of using it, now is heated sooner than it used to be.

 

And as I mention in my previous posting in different topic some experience this with M9, if it happends to my M8, I am afraid the M9 will have vertical line heated problem also in a long time used of high ISO.

 

Is this Kodak only problem?

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Update: 22 Oct 09

 

I spoke with the Leica technical department in Solms this afternoon, who were extremely helpful. When I mentioned the vertical line problem I was immediately told that it has been known to happen as a result of prolonged high ISO shooting, as was also told to Louis. The strange thing is that I seldom stray above 160 to 320, having been brought up on Kodachrome 25 for most of my life.

 

In any event they asked me to send the camera in. BYTW I was also told that the warranty period on the M8.2 is 2 years (nothing to do with extended Passport Warranty), something I was not aware of. I obviously wasn't paying attention when I bought the camera.

 

I must also add that it's wonderful to dial Leica's tel. number and to have a human being pick up the phone after 2 rings. This without having to go through a list of menu options, and to deal with someone who knows what they're talking about. Very rare to find this with any corporation in today's world!

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I must also add that it's wonderful to dial Leica's tel. number and to have a human being pick up the phone after 2 rings...Very rare to find this with any corporation in today's world!

yes, I have found the Leica cusomer service amazing...emailed NJ for the free filters and got them from Germany TWO days later. Tech support has been similarly first-rate.
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  • 2 weeks later...

I was just reviewing some photos that I took at ISO320 last year and noticed a vertical (horizontal in the portrait format) fine line in one of them at 100% crop... I never noticed this issue or paid attention to the issue. I guess that I am not a pixel peeper then.

 

Anyways, I emailed Leica NJ about the issue and will send my M8c out shortly. I believe that I got a 3 year warranty so it should be still under warranty....

 

cheers

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