D2 sensor failure, another one ?

[herker]

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My faulty Digilux 2 has just been collected by GLS (some kind of UPS) in order to reach Solms. Well, I think I'm not gonna see my camera for a while...

Is there a way to follow the repair process ?

Any idea if I will be contacted if the repair must be charged ?

Thanks to share your experience.

[herker]

Mail from Leica : my Digilux is on repair today. They plan to change the sensor, to clean some light traces of use, to fix the black rubber around the body (sorry, I don't know how to call this !) and to make a global control.

The good news is that it is free of charge.

Now, the question is : how long will it take fo the repair and when will I get my camera back ?

[ajthornbury]

Just had confirmation from Leica UK, my D2 has just been returned to them, for forwarding on to Solms. They seem to be out of stock on " spare parts ", hopefully in stock again by July. They estimate an 8 week turn around at present. They are also offering an upgrade to a D3 for half price. Ive already got an Olympus E410, so will have to pass on that one.

[wilfredo]

I have a D2 with original sensor, no problems. Do I wait for a problem before sending it to Leica? Will they still replace it free?

[John Thawley]

I have a D2 with original sensor, no problems. Do I wait for a problem before sending it to Leica? Will they still replace it free?

 

They will not repair a camera that isn't broken. - They will replace a FAILED sensor. And, yes... replacement continues to be at no charge.

[mobeyone]

Same thing happened with mine. You may even find a purple/magenta tint beginning to creep in on some shots so maybe worth having a closer look at the files but I would carry on using it until it does happen.

 

Whats your serial number? or the first 4 digits?

[Digitom]

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They will not repair a camera that isn't broken. - They will replace a FAILED sensor. And, yes... replacement continues to be at no charge.

 

I disagree.

My sensor was changed without being broken! I wrote same thing in another thread, so sorry if someone has read that before, but I will repeat here:

 

I bought my D2 and I was concerned about the sensor problem. I told the CS in Solms that I planned 2 monh from that time to go to Korea on a vacation trip, with my D2. They told me to send in the camera for completely check. I brought the camera (it was working fine) myself to Solms and when I get the message that it is checked (about 2 weeks later) I also recognized the sensor was also replaced! And I think that is sure logic, because when I go for travelling, I need a camera with full function, not a camera which "may fail" during high humidity or higher temperature.

 

The sensor problem is a problem (Leica CS told me) which is not to be fixed by a serial number. It can happen or not, depends on the individual sensor 1st installed. So the product itself has a kind of fault itself! It is like a service callback (e.g. cars). I may happen, but must n ot happen. So Solms decided to extend the warranty and the replacement for free. The new installed sensors are working fine I heard, without any problem. So I can only recommend to anyone who has a D2 camera with 1st sensor to send it to Solms for replace the sensor - broken or not! If you do not know if the sensor is now or not - lets check it in Solms! Even if the sensor is new, and some things have to be checked, and then there maybe is something to pay, this camera is worth the price!

[John Thawley]

I disagree.

My sensor was changed without being broken! I wrote same thing in another thread, so sorry if someone has read that before, but I will repeat here:

 

I bought my D2 and I was concerned about the sensor problem. I told the CS in Solms that I planned 2 monh from that time to go to Korea on a vacation trip, with my D2. They told me to send in the camera for completely check. I brought the camera (it was working fine) myself to Solms and when I get the message that it is checked (about 2 weeks later) I also recognized the sensor was also replaced! And I think that is sure logic, because when I go for travelling, I need a camera with full function, not a camera which "may fail" during high humidity or higher temperature.

 

The sensor problem is a problem (Leica CS told me) which is not to be fixed by a serial number. It can happen or not, depends on the individual sensor 1st installed. So the product itself has a kind of fault itself! It is like a service callback (e.g. cars). I may happen, but must n ot happen. So Solms decided to extend the warranty and the replacement for free. The new installed sensors are working fine I heard, without any problem. So I can only recommend to anyone who has a D2 camera with 1st sensor to send it to Solms for replace the sensor - broken or not! If you do not know if the sensor is now or not - lets check it in Solms! Even if the sensor is new, and some things have to be checked, and then there maybe is something to pay, this camera is worth the price!

 

 

I assure you they will not do that in New Jersey.

 

A friend recently sent cameras to Solms and they came back with so much additional service preformed on then, he sent them is other camera too.

 

Lastly, you don't know for sure... but perhaps they noticed your sensor show signs of failure. And, the statement that it there is no correlation is absolutely false. That would state that they continued building cameras with faulty Sony Sensors AFTER the problem was discovered. That makes no sense at all.

 

John

[Digitom]

I assure you they will not do that in New Jersey.

 

A friend recently sent cameras to Solms and they came back with so much additional service preformed on then, he sent them is other camera too.

 

That is bad, because that is not the official line given from the headquarter, and one should complain that. I think New Jersey Service from Leica need some training?

Because a Digilux 2 user need a full functional camera, not a "maybe one day my sensor will fail"-camera....fact is, that it is a severe product-mistake which is not reproducible and can not assigned to a series of sensors. So the problem has to be solved if a sensor fails or not.

 

Lastly, you don't know for sure... but perhaps they noticed your sensor show signs of failure. And, the statement that it there is no correlation is absolutely false. That would state that they continued building cameras with faulty Sony Sensors AFTER the problem was discovered. That makes no sense at all.

John

 

 

My sensor had definitely no signs of failure. The replacement was precautionary (maybe due to ma planned travel) I was told.

 

And John, maybe there was a misunderstanding:

Sure I think not that Leica was continuing using faulty sensors! But they told me that there is NO correlation between camera serial number and the built in sensors who MAY fail one time. I meant that one can not be sure to get a failure free sensor if he has a special serial number of the camera. There is no "failure sensor number list" whch could be very helpful for Leica - and the user. From the informations I got through the years from several sources I know that some sensors inside the production series fail, others not. As I wrote above, the effect is not assigned to a special count of sensors. Of course the first cameras in the production line (2004) are more affected then the later ones (2006).

After it was known and SONY fixed the problem, the new sensors (and these of the later produced cameras are free of failure.

 

Finally, the best solution is after buying a used Digilux 2 and one is not sure if the sensor is new or not, to send it to Leica for complete check. The probability is high, that the sensor is replaced (because - if the camera is there, it is no big act to change it) and one get back a completely renewed camera. I like the CS!

[crucible]

Hm, I just bought a used one 2 days ago and (unfortunately) I read today of some sensor failures. Also unfortunately that the local camera dealer didn't have the original invoice.

Does anyone know if Leica will nevertheless replace the sensor without having the original invoice?

 

Actually I like this camera very very much. What impressive photos!!!

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[Digitom]

Hm, I just bought a used one 2 days ago and (unfortunately) I read today of some sensor failures. Also unfortunately that the local camera dealer didn't have the original invoice.

Does anyone know if Leica will nevertheless replace the sensor without having the original invoice?

 

Actually I like this camera very very much. What impressive photos!!!

 

 

No sorrow, DEFINITELY they still do. You are the owner of the camera, that is enough. The cam was stopped in production about 2006, so there is of course no regular guarantee on a 2nd hand camera (and I don´t think that a dealer has a brandnew in stock). If your local Leica representation is not willing to replace the sensor, you should complain it to them and also to Solms. And then, send your camera to Solms, Germany. They do the replacement for free.

 

http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/content/Leica-Offers-Extended-Service-for-Malfunctioned-Digilux-2.htm

[crucible]

Hi Digitom,

 

thanks a lot for your reply.

I think I will call Leica tomorrow and ask if the sensor has already been replaced or ask them if I may send the camera to them to have the sensor replaced (for free)

 

Greetings from Germany

 

Thomas

[Digitom]

Hi Digitom,

 

thanks a lot for your reply.

I think I will call Leica tomorrow and ask if the sensor has already been replaced or ask them if I may send the camera to them to have the sensor replaced (for free)

 

Greetings from Germany

 

Thomas

 

Please give me information about what they told you, because I did not find the guarantee statement on the website yet.

 

Greetings

Thomas

[John Thawley]

Actually I like this camera very very much. What impressive photos!!!

 

So, you're going to send it in to get it fixed? Even though there is nothing wrong with it?

 

LOL

 

C'mon people.... get a grip. Take pictures for goodness sake. I mean just look at the photo that came out of your camera..... and you want to have them take it apart?

 

Wow...

 

Sorry... but just WOW.

 

I don't get it.

 

JT

[AlbertoDeRoma]

So, you're going to send it in to get it fixed? Even though there is nothing wrong with it?

 

LOL

 

C'mon people.... get a grip. Take pictures for goodness sake. I mean just look at the photo that came out of your camera..... and you want to have them take it apart?

 

Wow...

 

Sorry... but just WOW.

 

I don't get it.

 

JT

 

While I am siding with John here (i.e. don't sent the camera in as long as it's working.) I can understand the concern about the sensor going bad at some later time when Leica finally decides that enough is enough - or runs out of parts. I had the same concerns myself.

 

The argument for not sending it back now is that, even with Leica, the risk in shipping, opening, mucking around the camera, etc. is non-zero. Stuff happens. And, besides, you'd be without your D2 for at least several weeks.

 

If you REALLY come to love what this camera can do - and you probably will. Plan to buy a spare - possibly with a replaced sensor. This way you will not be too worried about it. Even at $800-1,000, these cameras are a bargain IMO.

 

Alberto

[crucible]

@Digitom: I will tell you. Promised!

---------

Of course it would be a hard time being without the camera for weeks.

But on the other hand ... what will be if Leica really stops this for-free-exchange?

Actually I can't afford to buy another one. I saved money to be able to buy it.

(Unfortunately I haven't read about the sensor-problems before I bought it..... don't ask me why...)

And I really do not like it being in a situation when I will always have to fear that that the sensor says: "Goodbye". For example in hollidays etc.....

 

Perhaps it is because of my German nature? Means: Everything has to be perfect!

[crucible]

I have just called Leica in Germany here.

They told me according to the serial number that my camera had been there in 2008 and the sensor had been replaced. Great news for me!

They also told me that in case of having problems with the sensor again it would be no problem to replace again.

 

Greetz to all

 

Thomas

[nigelb]

Good to hear your sensor has been replaced. Puts your mind at rest - now get out there and use your great camera

 

I have a D2 and an LC1 both of which had the sensors replaced by the previous owners. The D2 was done under warranty but the LC1 (may be of interest to LC1 owners) was not. The previous owner of my LC1 was charged £302 in Jan 09 to have his faulty sensor replaced. Looks like Panasonic customer care is not up to the level of the care Leica provide.

 

Nigel

[Digitom]

 

...The previous owner of my LC1 was charged £302 in Jan 09 to have his faulty sensor replaced. Looks like Panasonic customer care is not up to the level of the care Leica provide.

 

Nigel

 

That is the difference beteween the good service from Panasonic and the marvellous one from Leica!

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[Digitom]

So, you're going to send it in to get it fixed? Even though there is nothing wrong with it?

LOL

 

 

John, if you only can laugh at someone and his sorrow, who has only one digilux 2 in stock, taking this camera on trips and holiday vacation for keeping his valuable memories into photos, I cannot help you . I think if one buy this camera he has the right 1) to know if the sensor has been replaced so that the camera is ok, and 2) if not, that the camera has to be taken to a condition which is "normal". Even the original sensor may work, there is the danger that it will fail, and that possibility can be fixed with a change of sensor. Sure, a camera in normal condition can fail anyway and anytime during useage, but thats fate. The sensor problem is a foreseen problem - a product fault(!) from the factory. That is different.

 

Alberto wrote in his posting that he understand the sorrow. And sure there is a risk to send in the cam and so on. Accepted. That has to be well balanced. I for myself would everytime decide to take that lower risk then the trouble that during a trip the sensor may fail - something that could be avoided before.

 

Good is the fact, that the sensor is still replaced free by Leica (thanks for that!), and that everyone can check if his camera has a new sensor - to decide.