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M8 gone . . . in mourning


jonoslack

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Yes indeed, beautiful shot. But holy cow - that dust! Is there something about the M8 sensor that attracts dust? I've seen lots of M8 shots in the forum with dust. I know it can be cleaned up in post but that adds a lot of computer time to photography.

 

With all of Leica's marketing blather about state-of-the-art production you'd think that dust on the sensor wouldn't be an issue.

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Dust- there it is :( A sensor shows more dust the larger it is. For instance, a Canon 5D a lot more than a 10D. And then the M8 is a rangefinder. No mirror catching at least a bit of the gunk, and of course far more shallow in the body. On top of that, a new shutter will always splatter miniscule amounts of grease - that even happens on film bodies. Add it all together and shots by (new) M8's will tend to show more dust than one would expect. So it is a question of learning new skills: blowing the Rocketblower, wielding the Arctic Butterfly, Sensor Swabbing (easier than a DSLR btw). And new discipline:Switch the camers off and hold the body face down when changing lenses, have the "open"time a short as possible. Think about changing lenses less often through more efficiency. Consider the dustiness of the place where you change lenses. Blow out the camera each evening in the bathroom (shower off ;)). Learn Cloning. And don't forget, it is far better than cleaning up a scanned shot on PS.

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Yes indeed, beautiful shot. But holy cow - that dust! Is there something about the M8 sensor that attracts dust? I've seen lots of M8 shots in the forum with dust. I know it can be cleaned up in post but that adds a lot of computer time to photography.

 

With all of Leica's marketing blather about state-of-the-art production you'd think that dust on the sensor wouldn't be an issue.

 

Hi there

I think they have a real disadvantage here - first of all the CCD cover is thinner and much closer to the CCD than in other cameras - and the dust will obviously show at a wider aperture on that basis.

Secondly - for many lenses dust on the exit pupil can also cause spots on the image (as I found to my cost).

 

On the plus side, the sensor is much easier to clean than most dSLR cameras - try cleaning a Kodak 14n in comparison.

 

A final thing worth mentioning is that I am a dirty bugger! I've modified my habits a bit, but in most cases I've found that a quick blow with a CO2 blower does the job.

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Hi there

but in most cases I've found that a quick blow with a CO2 blower does the job.

Yikes! You're a lucky guy. I did that once, had to send the camera in with an uncleanable sensor and had to donate 65 Euro's to my friendly Canon dealer.

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Guest Bernd Banken

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looking at the wonderful photograph these two songs dropped into my mind:

 

Chris de Burgh

 

Don`t pay the ferryman!

 

Don`t even fix a price!

Don`t pay the ferryman

Until he gets you to the other side.

 

In the rolling mist, then he gets on board, now there`ll be no turning back

Beware that hooded old man at the rudder.

And then the lightning flashed and the thunder roared,

and people calling out his name,

And dancing bones that jabbered-and-a-moaned on the water.

 

And then the ferryman said "There is trouble ahead,

So you must pay me now."

(Don`t do it!)

"You must pay me now."

(Don`t do it!)

And still that voice came from beyond, whatever you do;

 

Don`t pay the ferryman!

Don`t even fix a price!

Don`t pay the ferryman

Until he gets you to the other side.

 

No. 2

 

Queen:

 

Another one bites the dust:D

 

Regards

Bernd

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Yikes! You're a lucky guy. I did that once, had to send the camera in with an uncleanable sensor and had to donate 65 Euro's to my friendly Canon dealer.

Really? You know the thing, a holder which takes special high pressure bulbs (the sort your grandparents used to make soda water) - the idea is that there is no propellent at all - compressed air - now there's something different. I wouldn't acknowledge 'uncleanable', but it meant a lot of stress a lot of eclips solution and a lot of swabs!

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Tell me about it...I also gave them the Noctilux and a 90 for coding...I am left with the 28, the bag and a Sony T9...Ugh!

 

Giulio

 

I really sympathise - I've got an R-D1, a V-Lux1, and an Olympus E1 with a selection of Zuiko's. About 10 minutes after it disappeared I finally cracked and ordered a pre-asph 21mm (I hope it's good!).

 

It's still hurting though!

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Hi Bernard

Thanks for the kind words

 

looking at the wonderful photograph these two songs dropped into my mind:

 

Chris de Burgh

 

Don`t pay the ferryman!

 

 

Don`t pay the ferryman!

Don`t even fix a price!

Don`t pay the ferryman

Until he gets you to the other side.

 

 

Not too keen on Chris de Burgh, but this is Peter Grimes coastline, so the spirit of the song is certainly about right!

 

No. 2

 

Queen:

 

Another one bites the dust:D

 

Regards

Bernd

 

LOL - well, yes, exactly - I'm tempted to remove it, but if I do that it rather spoils the thread!

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No- it was of those""Dustkiller"or whatever type of propellant-driven air cans from Dixons. You won't believe how tenacious the resultant smear is.

Really? You know the thing, a holder which takes special high pressure bulbs (the sort your grandparents used to make soda water) - the idea is that there is no propellent at all - compressed air - now there's something different. I wouldn't acknowledge 'uncleanable', but it meant a lot of stress a lot of eclips solution and a lot of swabs!
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Yes indeed, beautiful shot. But holy cow - that dust! Is there something about the M8 sensor that attracts dust? I've seen lots of M8 shots in the forum with dust. I know it can be cleaned up in post but that adds a lot of computer time to photography.

 

With all of Leica's marketing blather about state-of-the-art production you'd think that dust on the sensor wouldn't be an issue.

 

With a digital SLR, there is a significant chamber space (mirror housing) that seperates the lens from the sensor when the shutter opens. On the M8, however, the back element is very close to the sensor when the curtain opens. Since the sensor has a positive charge when the camera is on, any dust on the back of the lens will be attracted to the sensor surface the instant the shutter opens. It is imperative to keep lenses clean (on both ends) when using them on the M8.

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With a digital SLR, there is a significant chamber space (mirror housing) that seperates the lens from the sensor when the shutter opens. On the M8, however, the back element is very close to the sensor when the curtain opens. Since the sensor has a positive charge when the camera is on, any dust on the back of the lens will be attracted to the sensor surface the instant the shutter opens. It is imperative to keep lenses clean (on both ends) when using them on the M8.

 

Hi Brent

thanks for this - and for starting the other thread. We Live and Learn!

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I'm in mourning as well as I decided to let my M8 go in for modifications when I realised the latest banding problem has a potential firmware fix. Fortunately, though, mourning doesn't last long hereabouts and my dealer called to say my second M8 will go out tomorrow, should be here on Saturday.

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I'm in mourning as well as I decided to let my M8 go in for modifications when I realised the latest banding problem has a potential firmware fix. Fortunately, though, mourning doesn't last long hereabouts and my dealer called to say my second M8 will go out tomorrow, should be here on Saturday.

 

Good news Mark. welcome to the "Twin M8 Club"!:). I received a confirmation mail from Solms today that my first one is on the operating table just now.

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I'm in mourning as well as I decided to let my M8 go in for modifications when I realised the latest banding problem has a potential firmware fix. Fortunately, though, mourning doesn't last long hereabouts and my dealer called to say my second M8 will go out tomorrow, should be here on Saturday.

HI Mark

Diplomacy might be the watchword around here! I'd forgotten that I had a black one on order from another dealer - I rang them, and they said they thought it would only be a week or so . . . . . I'm not sure that it'll be that easy to clear with the management however! I've already sold all my grandmothers!

 

Still, I thought I'd get back to dSLR's for a couple of weeks, but the R-D1 seems to have been brought out of mothballs.

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Good news Mark. welcome to the "Twin M8 Club"!:). I received a confirmation mail from Solms today that my first one is on the operating table just now.

Just don't talk to me about two M8's -

I don't need two

I can't afford two

I don't need two

I can't afford two

 

get the picture!

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I would have thought your excellent images are all the justification you need. I think a second body with the T-E on one and something wider or longer on the other will have all bases covered. If not, hopefully, the repair will be done quickly - mine eventually went on Monday as well, I've had the acknowledgement and I'm watching the repair status. "In Repair" as of this morning.

 

How are you finding the R-D1 after the M8?

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