edinsiam Posted August 19, 2011 Share #1 Posted August 19, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hey guys, I hope that you will be able to help me with this issue. Earlier this year, I sent my M8, still in warranty, to Solms because green/black lines appeared in many photos (see images below), always originating from sources of light. Solms sent the camera back to me some months afterwards, saying that the camera was checked and that it resulted 'perfect'. I was quite upset by the diagnosis, especially given that lately the lines were appearing in almost every photo I took, but I soon felt alright as the problem seemed gone. I explained this recovery to the CCD 'recalibration' that was listed as done in the note they gave me. Just a few weeks later, however, the problem re-appeared in a shot. I immediately contacted my camera shop (in Italy), and they agreed that, although the warranty had by then expired, Leica would have taken responsibility for it as it obviously was the same issue I had just sent it in for. The camera was therefore sent to the Italian respresentative of Leica again, and came back to me a few weeks later with a note saying once more that it was perfect and the problem was caused by a well-known issue of M8's that can be solved by applying IR filters to the lens. I was a bit shocked by this, not only because I thought that the only IR-related issue of M8 was the magenta problem, but also because I did have my filter on when all the shots with the lines were taken. It appears that this time the camera was not even sent to Solms. I now am therefore finding myself in a tricky situation. Last week, another very thick, black line appeared in yet another photo (under the telescope, below); the warranty has expired; and I quite frankly do not know who I should contact, given the little support that I seem to have received so far. I remember having had an electronics-ralated problem with the same M8 a couple of years ago and having sent it THREE times back and forth between Thailand (where I was based back then) and Solms, before they actually managed to get it fixed. Emails that I had sent to various email addresses in Solms for trying to solve the issue back then were never responded. Now, my questions are: does anybody know what can cause these lines? and, most importantly, what do you suggest me to do to solve this matter in a definitive way? Thanks very much for your help! Ed Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/159715-greenblack-lines-in-m8-photo/?do=findComment&comment=1769724'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 19, 2011 Posted August 19, 2011 Hi edinsiam, Take a look here Green/black lines in M8 photo. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted August 19, 2011 Share #2 Posted August 19, 2011 It's caused by a very bright light source _just_ outside the edge of the frame. There is no solution other than to reframe. If has nothing to do with the use, or otherwise, of IR filters. I realise it depends on how the photographer shoots, but I've had it happen on two frames in four and a half years of M8 use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinsiam Posted August 19, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted August 19, 2011 Thank you for your reply, Steve. However, in my case it has also appeared with light sources being clearly within the frame (see it on the two vendors' faces on the right). Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/159715-greenblack-lines-in-m8-photo/?do=findComment&comment=1769740'>More sharing options...
edinsiam Posted August 19, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted August 19, 2011 Here's another one. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/159715-greenblack-lines-in-m8-photo/?do=findComment&comment=1769741'>More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted August 19, 2011 Share #5 Posted August 19, 2011 In the second one I'd put the blame on the fluorescent light extending outside of the frame. In the first, not knowing the situation I can only think that there was something very bright (overexposed background?) just outside the frame. As I said earlier this is a known issue, one symptom of which is that the banding extends to exactly half way across the frame. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted August 19, 2011 Share #6 Posted August 19, 2011 Ed, Steve is right. Check the M8 FAQ, last item on the page at Leica Camera AG - Downloads. However, you may also have a sensor problem, judging from the broad green swaths at the left of center on the image in post #4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramosa Posted August 19, 2011 Share #7 Posted August 19, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'd sent it to Solms with a letter that explains the camera's repair history. Leica should replace the sensor ... as whatever they have previously done, it hasn't worked ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted August 19, 2011 Share #8 Posted August 19, 2011 I'd sent it to Solms with a letter that explains the camera's repair history. Leica should replace the sensor ... as whatever they have previously done, it hasn't worked ... There is no solution to the green line issue. Replacing the sensor will achieve nothing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBatemanJ Posted August 19, 2011 Share #9 Posted August 19, 2011 Unfortunately this is the problem of M8. There is not much solution for it except changing framing. As I remember correctly, M9 does not have this problem. SATOKI Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinsiam Posted August 19, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted August 19, 2011 Thanks for all the kind replies, guys. I found Leica's mention to the problem in its Q&A section of the M8 web-page - thanks for pointing this out - and it does mention that the problem can appear if a strong light source is framed in proximity of a picture's frame. I therefore went back through all my photos where the line appears, and in all instances (except one where this is unclear), the light source was indeed placed on the frame of the picture. The only picture that buffles me is still the one posted in #3 above. Sure, Steve is right to point out that the area the line originates from is over-exposed, but, still, what is the difference between this area and a strong light source, like, say, a lamp? Are they not both, to the camera at least, over-exposed areas? Why did in this case happen to a light source that was in the middle of the image, then? Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted August 20, 2011 Share #11 Posted August 20, 2011 Ed, when the "dreaded green stripe" was discovered, a lot of people tried to make it happen and couldn't. It seems to occur when a couple of pixels just outside the frame area are overexposed. People tried again and again to rotate the camera just the right amount to get the green stripe, and came up wanting. Apparently there's an overhang in the light fixture you mention, so that it extends beyond the frame edge just enough to create the problem. I haven't tried to generate it, but it has surprised me several times. Just one of the quirks the M8 has that was quickly identified and finally eliminated in the M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinsiam Posted August 21, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted August 21, 2011 Thanks for all the comments so far. I feel relieved knowing that there shouldn't be anything wrong with my camera. Cheers, Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buj Posted August 21, 2011 Share #13 Posted August 21, 2011 M9s could have this problem too, that is NOT correct that it is only a M8 issue!! http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/forum-zur-leica-m9/195048-m9-gruene-linie-3.html#post1807518 MY M9 is right now in Solms.... Lets see what they will tell me.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinsiam Posted August 21, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted August 21, 2011 Oh dear... Keep us updated re what they say in this (or other) thread in English as well please! Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted August 25, 2011 Share #15 Posted August 25, 2011 buj posted at http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/forum-zur-leica-m9/195048-m9-gruene-linie-3.html#post1811529 the reply he got from Solms: His problem was not the "banding outside active area" familiar from the M8, but a defective sensor, which Leica is replacing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinsiam Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share #16 Posted August 25, 2011 Thanks very much for the update! Any idea why/how his problem differs from the regular banding? Cheers, Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted August 25, 2011 Share #17 Posted August 25, 2011 From buj's post, quoting Solms: Anhand der Originaldateien haben wir festgestellt, dass des sich nichtum ein "banding outside active area" handeln kann, da der Fehler bei allen Bildern an der gleichen Stelle auftritt. Es handelt sich um einen Sensorfehler, der Sensor wird ausgetauscht. "From the original files we have determined that this cannot be a 'banding outside active area,' because the error always appears at the same place. It arises from a sensor error; the sensor will be replaced." IOW, not very specific. Although the problem looks similar, the cause is different from that of the M8's green stripe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinsiam Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share #18 Posted August 26, 2011 Right, so the criteria of telling a sensor problem from the usual banding seems that in the first instance the line repeats itself in the same area of the photograph; in the latter, lines can happen anywhere. Does this make sense? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buj Posted August 26, 2011 Share #19 Posted August 26, 2011 ho_co you have been faster then me.... now I`m waiting for the m9. to be on the save side, I have sent off all my lenses to solms for adjusting on the new sensor. greetings. jb Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinsiam Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share #20 Posted August 26, 2011 Jb, can you further comment on how your problem differs from the usual bending? Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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