Really worried about sensor

[bormov]

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So most of the photos from my last batch came up looking really weird. Here's a picture agains the sky where you can see what I mean:

 

 

I don't think it is the lens, since I don't see the same problem with my m8.2. I live in Mexico City, so taking it to a Leica store to the US would be really expensive. I also don't really trust general camera stores here, the reviews I've looked at seem pretty bad. 

 

Has anyone had this problem as well?

Should I try cleaning the sensor myself?

Suggestions? Help!

[adan]

Whoosh! That's nasty! Never seen anything like it before.

 

1. Is that a crop from a small part of the sensor, or a full-picture image?

2. Monochrom CCD or Monochrom 246 (CMOS)?

 

It doesn't look like the "corrosion" problem that might affect the CCD Monochrom - or else it is unbelievably extreme corrosion, which would not suddenly appear between one batch of pictures and the next batch (the corrosion develops over months).

 

It looks somewhat like paint "crazing" - did you clean your sensor before the texture appeared, and if so, what did you use? https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2243/2227292671_46fc7a2483_z.jpg?zz=1

 

Acetone or some really strong solvent might "craze" the sensor coating. Other cleaning liquids might leave an unwanted residue that cracks as it drys (like drying clay: http://image.sciencesource.com/preview/FE4104-Dry-clay-pan-Sossusvlei.jpg )

 

It might be physical cracking of the CCD cover glass (happened to some M9s with the CCD sensor), but again far more extreme - previous cracks were usually one single crack across the sensor.

 

https://leicarumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Leica-M9-cracked-sensor.jpg

 

What does the sensor itself look like, if you open the shutter with the "Inspect Sensor" menu item? Can you see the same pattern on the surface?

 

My guess is you should, and eventually will need to, email a copy of that sample picture to Leica's Service Department. I expect they will ask you to send the camera itself in after that. To either Germany, or the Leica office in Mexico (if there is one) or Leica USA, at least.

 

http://us.leica-camera.com/Service-Support/Repair-Maintenance

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[bormov]

Thank you Adan.

 

It's the earlier Monochrom. I opened the sensor like you suggested and this is what I found:

 

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The camera gave it a lot more contrast and it definitely looks cracked. With the naked eye I'm not too sure, but I'll trust the picture that it is very cracked. 

 

So probably the next step is to send the e-mail to Leica and see what they suggest (I'll be sure to ask if they have an office here in Mexico). 

 

I wonder how much this will all cost. 

 

What a bummer. 

 

Anyway, thank you again Adan, you really helped. 

[jaapv]

Did you do anything that might have caused this? Like Andy said, cleaning with an aggressive fluid, for instance. If not, I would be surprised if you were charged for it. Ps. Send it to Wetzlar before August 15th.

[IkarusJohn]

Did you do anything that might have caused this? Like Andy said, cleaning with an aggressive fluid, for instance. If not, I would be surprised if you were charged for it. Ps. Send it to Wetzlar before August 15th.

 

 

What he said!  

 

There's no point dealing locally - email the photos of the sensor and the image taken from the sensor to Wetzlar and ask them what to do.  If you don't get a reply, post again here and someone will give you a direct email address.  Then download the repair form and pro forma invoice and courier it to Wetzlar.  It may take time, but you will get your camera back.

 

The only potential downside is that Leica suggests that the damage (which is odd) was caused by you or the previous owner, rather than any defect in the camera.  Like Andy says above, I've never seen a crazed sensor like that before, but Leica will know, I'm sure.  It may cost you the price of a new sensor, but compared to the alternative, it's cheaper than a new camera, and the version 1 Monochrom is a very good camera.

 

Good luck.

[bormov]

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Well, no, I had never inspected the sensor. I have no idea what it could have caused it. Camera never fell or anything like that. 

 

Thanks everyone. 

 

And Jaap, why before August 15th?

[bormov]

Never mind Jaap, found it online. Thanks : )

[Chuck Albertson]

If it was film, I would say it was reticulation, like when you pour out the developer and the use ice water for a stop bath.

 

Doesn't look like there was an impact to the sensor, more like the cover glass simply cracked up.

[bozu_shutterbugger]

Did you do anything that might have caused this? Like Andy said, cleaning with an aggressive fluid, for instance. If not, I would be surprised if you were charged for it. Ps. Send it to Wetzlar before August 15th.

I second that. My M240 had sensor problems and the NJ Leica lady said the same. Send it before 15th aug

 

Jaap - dumb questions that's for models that were purchased used or are out of warranty right ?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[adan]

Your M240 may well have a sensor problem that Leica will fix free - but the Aug. 15 deadline doesn't apply to the 240. It has a CMOS sensor - the special M9/MM/M-E corrosion problem, and deadline, relates only to their CCD sensors.

[mhicks]

While not definitive it looks like breakage due to thermal shock.

 

Can you remember a time when the camera was exposed to a very sudden change in temperature?

[bormov]

Hi mhicks, I've been thinking but cannot remember such a time. 

[kuad82001]

What ever happened to your sensor?

[kuad82001]

?