Déjà Vu All Over Again

[tritentrue]

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Yesterday afternoon while shooting outdoors in somewhat muggy weather (31C, app.  68% RH) the CL became noticeably hot around the hot shoe area. There was also an unnerving smell of burnt/singed electronics, which went away after the camera had been shut off for a while.

 

Today while shooting in bright sunlight with about the same level of humidity, I noticed the burning smell again.  In both instances the camera continued to work properly.

 

In checking the CL's instruction manual for operating environment limitations, the most specific information I could find was:

 

"Interval shooting done over an extended period of time in a cold location or in a place with high temperature and humidity may result in malfunctions."

 

After my frustrating experience with a similar issue on the TL2, I doubt I would have gotten a CL had I seen that first.

 

Much as I dearly love both the shooting experience and the image quality of the CL, but not wanting another fight with Leica Asia Pacific over whether a malfunction is or isn't covered by warranty, I'm now thinking of ditching the camera and replacing it with something a bit more robust before anything goes wrong.

 

Has anyone had a similar experience with the CL?

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[frame-it]

31C isn't really hot though..i don't have a CL, but have used my T-701 in 45C 70%RH, and also in -26C without any problems...the SL was also fine at 40++C, 60-80%RH but did become a bit warm on the left side for a short while

[tritentrue]

Same here . . . I've used T-701, SL, and M240 without any  issues in cold, heat, humidity and drizzle; conditions much more extreme than the ones in which I was shooting yesterday.

[frame-it]

i checked out the CL at the Leica Store in Bangkok last week...felt a bit flimsy compared to the T in my opinion.

[satijntje]

31C only ? 
That would mean that the CL is not allowed to use during summer time during our holidays?
This is a no go!

Get in contact with Leica and get it repaired or a new one, but stop using it before more damage occurs.

John
 

[danielfrimley]

31C only ? 

That would mean that the CL is not allowed to use during summer time during our holidays?

This is a no go!

Get in contact with Leica and get it repaired or a new one, but stop using it before more damage occurs.

John

 

  

Same here . . . I've used T-701, SL, and M240 without any  issues in cold, heat, humidity and drizzle; conditions much more extreme than the ones in which I was shooting yesterday.

I tend to agree - it's not normal. Saying that, I live in the UK so if the weather reaches either extreme we generally moan about it rather than take pictures.

[LocalHero1953]

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I think the warning from the manual that you quote refers to rather more extreme shooting/environmental conditions than you experienced. I can't tell how hot you mean, but a smell of burning shouldn't happen. I have never experienced anything like this - occasional warmth around the battery but rarely hot. Around the hot shoe could mean electronic shorting.

You're a grown up so you don't need my advice on this but here it is: take it back.

 

As for robustness of the CL, it has a different feel to the TL2 because the latter is made from a single alloy block. The only potential vulnerability I notice on the CL is the battery cover when open. Otherwise I suspect the case is as physically rugged as any other.

 

For those who think they can sense the robustness of a camera by feel in the shop: most failures arise from electronic glitches (perhaps as here), internal opto/mechanical faults (rangefinder calibration), or electromechanical failures (S lens AF failures). If you think you can judge these things by feel, you have better sensory powers in your hands than I have.

[lct]

[...] Get in contact with Leica and get it repaired or a new one, but stop using it before more damage occurs. [...]

 

+1. This is not normal at all.

[jaapv]

+1. This is not normal at all.

quite agree.

[tritentrue]

Many thanks for the responses, which so far indicate that no one else has had a similar experience with the CL.

 

N. B. By "robust," I refer to a camera's ability to function consistently normally in normal shooting conditions (in this case equatorial climate), not to its build quality or perception thereof. In the case of the CL's battery door, mine is always covered by the handgrip.

[bencychin]

Many thanks for the responses, which so far indicate that no one else has had a similar experience with the CL.

 

N. B. By "robust," I refer to a camera's ability to function consistently normally in normal shooting conditions (in this case equatorial climate), not to its build quality or perception thereof. In the case of the CL's battery door, mine is always covered by the handgrip.

 

 

I live in Singapore, well known for its high humidity (>90%) and daytime temperature usually at 32-34C range.

My CL have not given any burning smell nor have I felt any abnormally hot part on the CL body.

I usually shoot only in single mode.

 

So perhaps you should send your CL back to Leica AP.  I would.

At least put on record your experience, so that in the event of malfunction, they cannot deny they have not been able to diagnose it.

 

Cheers.

Benedict

[tritentrue]

Thanks, Benedict.  Valuable info, as I'm also in Singapore.  

 

Given my previous negative experiences with LCAP, and with some perspective from the responses, I will most likely continue to use the camera until or unless it ceases to function properly.  If that happens, at least LCAP will not be able to deny the existence of an issue, which is what their M.O. was on another piece of gear I sent to them for repair earlier this year.

[Louis]

Rob, first of all, I envy you for living in Singapore; one of my favorite places in the world.

 

I live in a south Florida and my camera is most of the time around my neck, like my wallet and IPhone in my pockets. At this time of the year, the temperature is in the 90s F every day with a very high amount of humidity. I never noticed what you are describing.

 

Of course, everything in this weather and under this hot sun gets warm and hot. Including my glasses that burn my face. But I never notice anything abnormal with my camera....

 

I hope I am right and everything would keep going smoothly and normally as it has till now!...

[Guest VVJ]

I recently shot 1,500+ images with the CL in 3hrs, probably 27-28C, single mode though and not so humid but no issues. 

 

Can't say I ever experienced it getting noticeably hot.  I hope it works out!

[Bill W]

Rob, first of all, I envy you for living in Singapore; one of my favorite places in the world.

 

I live in a south Florida and my camera is most of the time around my neck, like my wallet and IPhone in my pockets. At this time of the year, the temperature is in the 90s F every day with a very high amount of humidity. I never noticed what you are describing.

 

Of course, everything in this weather and under this hot sun gets warm and hot. Including my glasses that burn my face. But I never notice anything abnormal with my camera....

 

I hope I am right and everything would keep going smoothly and normally as it has till now!...

 

Louis, I was lurking over here in the CL forum so I must add that you also have the issue of hot women lurking around drawn by your CL....!!

[Louis]

Louis, I was lurking over here in the CL forum so I must add that you also have the issue of hot women lurking around drawn by your CL....!!

Bill, you sure are something, my friend.

 

Good to have you here.

[tritentrue]

After two more days of shooting, there's been no recurrence of the heating anomaly.  Hopefully it was no more than a one-time circumstance caused by midday sun and humidity.  Had there been a possibility of condensation inside the camera, it would have made more sense; but environmental changes that day were gradual and certainly not extreme.

 

@Louis:  And I envy you for living in south Florida.  If I were to decide to move back to the USA, that area would be my first choice.  Singapore has its good points, but population density is taking a toll on this aging country bumpkin!

[Bill W]

Bill, you sure are something, my friend.

 

Good to have you here.

 

Thank you sir. I keep lurking and thinking about the CL which I need like the proverbial hole in my head. My poor wife must put up with my goofiness on a daily basis and being that we are both retired....!

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