Sausalito Posted April 28, 2011 Share #1 Posted April 28, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) How in the world can this be? I have about 5 dust bunnies on my sensor. It makes f/16 unusable and I can't see any sane way for me to clean it myself. Is this something others experience? I haven't had the camera much out of the house, so it isn't as if it was in some dusty desert environment. any thoughts or suggestions appreciated. cheers, tom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 Hi Sausalito, Take a look here X1 sensor dust ???. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
lykaman Posted April 29, 2011 Share #2 Posted April 29, 2011 It’s back to Leica..I assume it’s under warranty..if it’s really new, get the seller to exchange// Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sausalito Posted April 29, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted April 29, 2011 Thanks... I posted that while still in the shock of seeing the dust spots. My heart rate has gone done now and I guess it's not the end of the world to send it back to Leica for cleaning... and rather than be upset, I should be happy I noticed it today as I am leaving for a two week trip and was taking the little bugger with me... would have really been upset when I got home with ruined images....:-) cheers, tom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted April 29, 2011 Share #4 Posted April 29, 2011 Had the same, noticeable only at smaller apertures. Sent back to Solms, took a few months, but good as new now. Dust seems to be a perennial problem with all digital cameras, and very noticeable with interchangeable lens ones. In our very windy climate it's a bugbear, but something we've gotta live with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sausalito Posted April 29, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted April 29, 2011 Had the same, noticeable only at smaller apertures. Sent back to Solms, took a few months, but good as new now. Dust seems to be a perennial problem with all digital cameras, and very noticeable with interchangeable lens ones. In our very windy climate it's a bugbear, but something we've gotta live with. Yeah, but with interchangeable lens cameras, you can clean them yourself... not all that hard. I've only used a few point and shoot cameras, but they never really had any dust whatsoever. I had a repair done to it last year and that may be when the dust got in... I just noticed it today. In the past I was shooting pretty much on auto or with wide open apertures... today I tried a technique someone in this forum mentioned (and I like a lot) of shooting manual focus at f/16 for everything... was very cool and fast focus (of course)... but the damn dirt spots are a killer. I've already emailed the USA Leica center and will be phoning in the morning to get any special instructions before sending off... a lot worse is going on in the world than my sensor troubles so I'll just grin and bear it :-) thanks tom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted April 29, 2011 Share #6 Posted April 29, 2011 Yeah, but with interchangeable lens cameras, you can clean them yourself... not all that hard... Absolutely! A plus for M9 and others. I'm not sure about f/16 all the time. I guess for street photography maybe. Me, I often keep it wide open -- and get annoyed if the focus isn't bang on! Good luck with your sensor! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sausalito Posted April 29, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted April 29, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Absolutely! A plus for M9 and others. I'm not sure about f/16 all the time. I guess for street photography maybe. Me, I often keep it wide open -- and get annoyed if the focus isn't bang on! Good luck with your sensor! Thanks, David. The M9 is tempting but the primary attraction for me to the X1 is that it goes everywhere... in a pocket :-) And, yes, I would only use the prefocus at f/16 for street work with the dial edged back to give a DOF of 4" to ~ I spoke with some great service people at Leica Service USA just a few minutes ago and I'm Fedexing the camera within the hour... I was very impressed with the service call. tom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 1, 2011 Share #8 Posted May 1, 2011 When the X1 came out I posted here that the zoomy lens design was a bad choice, it sucks dust inside the camera. My Clux is useless now for the same reason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhluxton Posted May 2, 2011 Share #9 Posted May 2, 2011 Oh no - I think mine has the dust bug too! It appeared in the last couple of days. Things were fine last weekend. Just downloaded pictures taken this weekend and there is a noticeable patch on images with plain or sky background. Its a fuzzy blotch at f2.8 but like a pin head at F16. It is visible on the viewing screen - but I didn't spot it when out and about I have had a Digilux 1 which ad a similar collapsing lens andhave a C-Lux2 - but no dust. I don't even take the camera anywhere knowingly dusty. No Dust in my Vlux1 either. Rather disappointing. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhluxton Posted May 2, 2011 Share #10 Posted May 2, 2011 Just a thought I have one of those large rubber bulb blowers - would I be asking for trouble blowing it wound the lens to see if I could disloge it or could I make matters worse? Anyone tried? In the UK info section I see it is claimed that the new Mayfair Store has a lab for cleaning sensors - can they clean X1s or do X1s have to go back to Germany? Presumably this problem will be covered by my Passport or will they blame me for letting dust get in it? John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solar B Posted May 2, 2011 Share #11 Posted May 2, 2011 John i suspect that this is a Solms only job and i doubt they will blame you for having dust on your sensor Foot-note ... i never leave mine exposed overnight and keep it in a full leather case , just curious how others store theirs. Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhluxton Posted May 2, 2011 Share #12 Posted May 2, 2011 John i suspect that this is a Solms only job and i doubt they will blame you for having dust on your sensor Foot-note ... i never leave mine exposed overnight and keep it in a full leather case , just curious how others store theirs. Brian I ordered the leather case when I ordered the camera online from a uk dealer. Case was put on back order after it didn't appear after two weeks so I changed the order to the x1 system bag where the camera lives when not in use. My dust mark appears to have shown up between using camera last Sunday and on Friday. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
phancj Posted May 3, 2011 Share #13 Posted May 3, 2011 I think my X1 is pretty used for a year and a half and I just did a test at f/16 and nothing, no dust at all. I have it in my waist bag when not shooting. CJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 3, 2011 Share #14 Posted May 3, 2011 I have had a Digilux 1 which ad a similar collapsing lens andhave a C-Lux2 - but no dust. I don't even take the camera anywhere knowingly dusty. No Dust in my Vlux1 either. Rather disappointing. John I also have a Clux and Digilux 1. The Clux has several dust spots and a hair ! and is pretty much useless. There's a very small dust spot on the Digilux although I've not used it in a while now and will probably sell it. Seems that there's no timescale or storage issue involved, but dust can work its way into the sensor on these type of cameras and when it does you either have to fork out for it to be dismantled and cleaned or bin it, depending on the value of the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhluxton Posted May 3, 2011 Share #15 Posted May 3, 2011 I sent an email to Leica late last night on the UK customer care email address which goes to Solms explaining problem. I thought I might have had a response - notice on web site says that the technical department is available between 07:00 and 16:00 UK time - but nothing. Starting to ge a bit disappointed. I am being charitable at the moment and just thing its a post Easter / May Day holiday back-log and I may have a response tomorrow. I read my e-mails everyday - one would think a company would do the same! John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted May 3, 2011 Share #16 Posted May 3, 2011 A few months !!!!That's really unacceptable My main cameras are nikons and as a member of NPS I am guaranteed 48 hr service or a loan camera That is good service Leica service is a joke Just checked my original post, "Out Damned Spot". I sent the X1 in early November, and it came back nice and clean in mid January. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-x1-forum/148817-out-damned-spot.html The camera had to go from Christchurch to Auckland to Germany and back again, but yes, we do have DHL or UPS these days and don't rely on Captain Cook (he took six months in 1769; in the '50s steamers took six weeks). Leica did clean it properly, though, so that's the main thing. Dust in the sensor is probably a design flaw associated with all fixed-lens cameras. Changing lenses exposes the sensor to more dust, but at least you can get at it to clean it. One good reason to have a backup! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhluxton Posted May 3, 2011 Share #17 Posted May 3, 2011 Dust in the sensor is probably a design flaw associated with all fixed-lens cameras. Changing lenses exposes the sensor to more dust, but at least you can get at it to clean it. One good reason to have a backup! Apart from my Digilux 3 SLR - one which I don't change the lens as I don't have any others apart from the zoom all my other Leica Digitals have or are fixed lenses. D1, D2, V-Lux 1, C-Lux 2 and I even had one of those Leica badged Fujis and have never experienced dust. I have not done anything with this camera I have not done with the others. Hopefully mine won't take as long as yours it only has to go from Liverpool UK to Germany. But I hope someone replies tomorrow. If not I'll either take it to a local dealer and see if I can get it fixed. What bothers me is what happens when the passport runs out. How much might dust removal cost then? Or might this just be an unlucky one off? John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted May 3, 2011 Share #18 Posted May 3, 2011 Good question! I don't think it's a one-off, it seems to have occurred a few times now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest badbob Posted May 4, 2011 Share #19 Posted May 4, 2011 I also have a Clux and Digilux 1. The Clux has several dust spots and a hair ! and is pretty much useless. There's a very small dust spot on the Digilux although I've not used it in a while now and will probably sell it. Seems that there's no timescale or storage issue involved, but dust can work its way into the sensor on these type of cameras and when it does you either have to fork out for it to be dismantled and cleaned or bin it, depending on the value of the camera. I have a feeling these dust problems are mostly related to static charge. Don't rub the camera with anything, and carefully clean the lens with microfiber. In any situations known to generate static, like walking on carpets in some rooms in cold weather and low humidity, have the camera in a bag and don't open it or touch it until you're sure that all static buildup is discharged around you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted May 4, 2011 Share #20 Posted May 4, 2011 Better still, don't use it at all -- just keep it on the shelf in a display case in a nicely regulated air-conditioned environment. But yes, electrostatic discharge happens! My wife used to work at the airport and whatever surface she walked on meant she built up a static charge and would zap everyone and everything she touched! Birkenstock (some of my favorite footwear) makes sandals with soles specially designed to resist electrostatic charges. The X1 sandal? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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