M8 Hot Pixel Repair (Do I really need other recommended work?)

[lm_user]

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I sent my M8 to NJ for repair of a hot pixel Camera was in good working order and focus was perfect (as far as I could tell) with the exception of a vertical line on my photos. I recieved an estimate yesterday for $450. The itemized bill is as follows:

 

 

Perform Pixel / Column restoration

Clean CCD

Adjust CCD position / tilt

Check complete meter system

replace or clean all switches

check and adjust for good working order

replace body leather covering

 

Do I really need all of this work? I really can't believe that the CCD position and tilt have changed since it was last calibrated. I assume this is a shim under the sensor. The meter system seems fine. Opinions please?

 

The only benefit I can see from all of this is a warranty that may not be valid if I only approve a portion of this work. I am inclined to take my chances and ask for another quote to only repair what is broken. Just interested in others opinions if I am making a strategic mistake.

 

Thanks

[lm_user]

I have been thinking about this quote. The only rational reason I can think of for such a long list is that the CCD must be removed from the camera to perform the 1st repair (Perform Pixel / Column restoration). I suppose removal of the CCD seems more rational than adjusting the CCD position because it just happened to move by itself inside the camera. Anyone have a repair sheet from a similar repair?

[tobey bilek]

Leica has never done partial repairs , ie "just fix what is wrong with it."

 

I suspect it is because most customers do not know everything that may be wrong. It prevents people from saying I sent it I sent it to have x repaired and it came back with y broken. Any regular maintenance items are best taken care of while camera is apart or at repair station already like lube for certain items.

 

Decades ago I sent a M4-2 in for a broken sync socket under warrantee. The camera got that fixed, plus there was full CLA, you can smell fresh lube.

 

Nikon does the same, repair item plus check this, adjust that, etc, there is a whole list.

[jippiejee]

I once sent my M4-P to Solms when the rewind lever broke off. I then received a full page list with suggested repairs and cla maintenance actions, totalling €800 euro. I think Leica just uses a standard list to guarantee it goes back like new after repair. I asked them to just perform to one thing I sent it in for, and my camera worked fine again for €40. I think you can just ask for the pixel/line mapping and leave it that. On the other hand, a full maintenance could be useful of course in the long run.

[DES]

Leica has never done partial repairs , ie "just fix what is wrong with it."

 

I suspect it is because most customers do not know everything that may be wrong. It prevents people from saying I sent it I sent it to have x repaired and it came back with y broken. Any regular maintenance items are best taken care of while camera is apart or at repair station already like lube for certain items.

 

Decades ago I sent a M4-2 in for a broken sync socket under warrantee. The camera got that fixed, plus there was full CLA, you can smell fresh lube.

 

Nikon does the same, repair item plus check this, adjust that, etc, there is a whole list.

 

 

 

Yes many watch companies are the same, i.e. not just performing a button and stem repair, but insisting that the the watch needs to be serviced as well.

[hedge]

Funnily enough I just logged on to the forum to ask the same question of my M8.2 - this is the email I just sent after being told firstly that it needed a full service and the rangefinder was out of alignment, and subsequently that the sensor is misaligned after I questioned that. It went to Germany (without my permission) from Leica in Mayfair, London, and I have a $800 quote to 'fix' it now:

 

"Hi Tania,

 

Thanks for your message. What would a misaligned sensor mean in terms of pictures taken? I am amazed that there seems to be a misaligned rangefinder and misaligned sensor when I have not noticed any issues with the camera. These are some pictures taken with the camera just before I brought it in for a sensor clean, which other than the hot pixel was the only issue I was aware of. Flickr: marchartog's Photostream

 

As I say, focussing is spot on and the images were framing perfectly. Is it possible that the camera has been knocked in transit? I have to say this is very frustrating given I brought in the camera for a 24hr sensor clean, and the local lab were going to look at the hot pixel with an indication that this could probably be fixed remotely and at no cost. I was also explicitly told that if that was not the case and the camera needed to go to Germany that I would be contacted, which was not the case.

 

Look forward to some feedback,

 

 

Marc"

 

So the key question for me is that if I have a misaligned sensor and a misaligned rangefinder, surely I would notice this in my pictures? And if I can't notice it, does it matter??

 

Thanks.

[lm_user]

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After some thought (see post #2) - I came to the conclusion that the sensor must be removed from the camera for re-mapping. Accordingly - alignment is necesssry for proper installation. I authorized the repair.

[jaapv]

Well, if you look carefully, there appears to be a minor tendency to backfocus in those images, though admittedly so little that it does not spoil them.

Funnily enough I just logged on to the forum to ask the same question of my M8.2 - this is the email I just sent after being told firstly that it needed a full service and the rangefinder was out of alignment, and subsequently that the sensor is misaligned after I questioned that. It went to Germany (without my permission) from Leica in Mayfair, London, and I have a $800 quote to 'fix' it now:

 

"Hi Tania,

 

Thanks for your message. What would a misaligned sensor mean in terms of pictures taken? I am amazed that there seems to be a misaligned rangefinder and misaligned sensor when I have not noticed any issues with the camera. These are some pictures taken with the camera just before I brought it in for a sensor clean, which other than the hot pixel was the only issue I was aware of. Flickr: marchartog's Photostream

 

As I say, focussing is spot on and the images were framing perfectly. Is it possible that the camera has been knocked in transit? I have to say this is very frustrating given I brought in the camera for a 24hr sensor clean, and the local lab were going to look at the hot pixel with an indication that this could probably be fixed remotely and at no cost. I was also explicitly told that if that was not the case and the camera needed to go to Germany that I would be contacted, which was not the case.

 

Look forward to some feedback,

 

 

Marc"

 

So the key question for me is that if I have a misaligned sensor and a misaligned rangefinder, surely I would notice this in my pictures? And if I can't notice it, does it matter??

 

Thanks.