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Took about 600 pics this past week in Florida with my D-Lux 5. Still has the hot pixels, which Leica said they will fix, but developed a new issue that I was wondering if anyone else notices.

 

Whenever a bright white object comes into the scene, a bright magenta bar appears in the LCD monitor, running from top to bottom of the image. Makes it rather difficult to compose and check focus with the LCD. I have tried to simulate the effect in the images below.

 

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Has anyone else seen this with the D-Lux 5?

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Hi Tim,

 

My D-Lux 5 does the same thing in very bright light, especially when coming directly from the front (here the reflection from the white structures). I guess there is a ceiling to the light intensity the sensor/screen setup can handle.

I have not really found a solution, but try to either: shade the (anyway quite flare-prone) lens with one hand; use an optical viewfinder; forget the screen for detailed framing altogether. Under certain conditions the screen seems to serve best to determine the image outlines only and approximately where to lock AF and meter (or use MF, given the typically huge depth of field). Then one captures what can be seen directly in the field of view indicated by the screen.

 

Best,

 

Alexander

Edited by xalo
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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...

Got the camera back from Leica NJ. They replaced the CCD sensor again and a number of circuit boards inside the camera. They fixed the Hot Pixel problem (YEAH!!) but the Magenta issue is still there.

 

Took some pics with my iPhone to try to show what it is doing. Anyone else see this?

 

Here is the scene I was pointing the camera towards:

 

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Here is what happens to the rear LCD when I first push the shutter button (to the first detent, where the camera focuses):

 

 

Kind of totally wipes out your view of the scene. Tried the EVF and the same thing happens, goes all Magenta, so it's not an issue with the rear LCD.

 

Just wondering if anyone else sees this when they are shooting a bright scene?

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I had the magenta stripes shooting into full bright light on my previous D-Lux 5, and also have it now on my current D-Lux 5.

It does not affect the photographs taken, and for that matter, does not bother me at all as it only happens shooting aggressively into the sun (hence on very rare occasions).

I don't believe (my opinion only) it is a "fault" with the sensor, but rather that particular sensor having an inherent difficulty dealing with that much light.

Which firmware are you running on your DL5? Original Version 1.0 or updated 2.0?

 

rog.

Edited by roger anthony
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Hi Roger, thanks for the response.

 

I'm running the updated firmware, 2.0.

 

It happens with this D-Lux 5 whenever I shoot the sky on a sunny day. Have never pointed the camera into the sun.

 

In the picture above, the sun was behind me to my right.

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ok Tim

Sorry, I did not realize.

I only get it (stripes only) with bright sun pointing towards the lens, much the same as Alexander (xalo) has found with his camera. Other than that, I never get it on nice sunny days with just a sunlit blue sky.

 

I can understand both the problem, and the time lost having the camera in for repairs, must be frustrating for you.

 

Given the repair history for your particular camera I would ask them, in good faith, to replace it with a new DL5. Even though they are long discontinued/replaced with the DL6, there are still some new ones around. I just bought my 4th DL5 (brand new from AD) 3 weeks ago here in Sydney. If they really want to find you a new DL5 I'm sure they can somewhere.

You have the iphone evidence now Tim.

 

rog

 

EDIT: Just noticed from your iphone photos that you have a titanium version. That might be difficult to find a brand new one.

Edited by roger anthony
noticed it's a titanium
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Thanks Rog,

 

I couldn't care less about the Titanium, I wanted the camera for the CCD sensor. A buddy has one and they work great for shooting B&W as I feel the CCD sensor gives a truer B&W conversion than anything I have gotten from a CMOS sensor.

 

Leica NJ has told me there are absolutely no DL5's left anywhere. I know I bought this one in late February from Adorama in New York, and they still had at least one more after I bought this. I would be happy if they could replace it with a regular black DL5, as I said, I don't care about the Titanium finish, the only reason I bought the Titanium one is that they were the only new ones left anywhere in the U.S.

 

They mentioned replacing it with a DL6, but I don't want that as it has a CMOS sensor.

 

Sent it back to Leica NJ again, we'll see what they have to say.

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I agree with your decision not to take the D-Lux 6, Tim.

Whilst I found my DL6 a really nice camera, I have always maintained here and elsewhere that the DL5 shoots better photos be it in B&W or colour.

Whether it is because of the CCD vs CMOS sensor, the Summicron vs Summilux lens or the 24% larger sensor size... I cannot say, but it was enough for me to return from the DL6 back to a new DL5.

If I were you I would make some phone calls and see if you can track down a new one regardless of what they have told you. It amazing how old stock can be left lying around for quite a while sometimes. I was told the same thing here, but tracked down a batch a 5 new old stock. I would think that if you found one in any AD, Leica would sort out you getting it, regardless of where in the states it happened to be. I believe it's worth the effort.

Good luck.

 

Rog.

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