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Yikes! Is my Digilux 2 sensor failing?


mark_a_h

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Hullo,

 

I bought my DL2 end of March 2004, and the sensor broke down in June 2007. It also started with magenta-like distortions, in particular in areas with more light.

 

Well, the customer service in Solms fixed it pretty quick. :)

 

Best regards, Peter.

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Hi I am just a lurker on this forum and as usual I got up this morning poured myself a coffee and started reading my favorite forum. Upon finding this one I felt sorry for Mark knowing that mine was fully functional tucked away beside my desk. Just at the same time the sun was rising over the river and I reached for my beloved D2 to grab a few shots. Turned on the power and the LCD screen is dark aside from all the info screens. Tried the viewfinder and the same thing. Tried a new battery and card nothing. Even tried firing a few shots which turned out black. After switching it on and off a few times the screen finally showed a vertical rows of pixels and that was it. How sad another D2 falls in the line of duty.

 

I guess I can assume this is a sensor. I bought the camera used and just love the manual controls and what a lens.

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My S/N is 2988*******, one of the earlier English sales and I share your concerns. I am just going to stop worrying about it and use it normally. No tropical exposures are likely to get in the way!

 

David

 

I spoke too soon. Yesterday I was set to use it to take pictures at a friend's wedding (not official photographer fortunately). Final check minutes before departure and a total purple screen with no detail. No prior warning. I feel I was lucky not to have suffered an abortive shoot. Now must contact Milton Keynes.

 

David

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I sympathise - mine hasn't failed............yet! I'm teetering on the brink of a decision to sell it with a great deal of regret, but since I got the L1 it hasn't had enough use to warrant keeping it, and I don't expect the situation will change much. My only quandry is do I sell it in the immediate future as is, or wait while regularly taking a few shots in the expectation of failure and sell after the fix. Decisions, decisions!

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Guest tvleeskr

Mike, my Panny LC1 was fixed at no cost in The Netherlands. It took a bit of convincing - I even included Japanese site info ;). And I got it back within just one week.

 

I keep the camera next to my M8 because it is so easy for the HTK (Home Garden Kitchen) work. It even has a nice built-in flash unit!

And the lens is just great.

In the same way I keep my FZ50 (V-Lux-1) for tele work.Mainly birds;).

 

My two cents: Just have it fixed, enjoy your great camera and... start saving for a M8 :D

 

Ciao

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Guest flatfour

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As I understand it, and from my experience with my Digilux 2 which also had sensor failure, Sony ? are paying all the costs for supplying defective sensors.

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........After switching it on and off a few times the screen finally showed a vertical rows of pixels and that was it.

 

That's how my LC1 (s/n B4SYxxxx) looked last month (though review of previous images on the card was OK.) Sent it to Panasonic/Elk Grove Village, IL. Came back in about two weeks with invoice stating part VEK0F72, CCD PC Board. NC for the part but $150 labor. I wonder if the "CCD PC Board" includes the sensor.

 

Stan Yoder

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........After switching it on and off a few times the screen finally showed a vertical rows of pixels and that was it.

 

That's how my LC1 (s/n B4SYxxxx) looked last month (though review of previous images on the card was OK.) Sent it to Panasonic/Elk Grove Village, IL. Came back in about two weeks with invoice stating part VEK0F72, CCD PC Board. NC for the part but $150 labor. I wonder if the "CCD PC Board" includes the sensor.

 

Stan Yoder

 

Hi Stan I think we can assume that CCD PC Board includes the sensor. Today mine left for the New Jersey service dept. It sounds like it will be covered under warranty which makes me happy. Will let you know how things turn out.

 

Cheers

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I spoke too soon. Yesterday I was set to use it to take pictures at a friend's wedding (not official photographer fortunately). Final check minutes before departure and a total purple screen with no detail. No prior warning. I feel I was lucky not to have suffered an abortive shoot. Now must contact Milton Keynes.

 

David

 

MK acknowledged receipt and will send it to Solms unless I opt for their trade-in offer for a new D3. Having a read of discount offers for a new D3 in some quarters, the offer is less tempting than it appears. My heart is set on keeping my D2 once it has a new sensor. For all the reasons stated on this forum the D2 remains a greatly loved camera with unique signature to its images. It may be the last Digilux to wear that superb Vario-Summicron lens. I feel it will remain a classic.

 

David

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Followup:

 

I've been away for two weeks and am now looking through my mail. Leica (New Jersey) sent me a repair estimate stating work to be done: "replace CCD / check and adjust for good working order / parts on back order / estimate 4-5 weeks / cost $0.00.

 

I should have it back by the end of September.

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  • 3 months later...
  • 8 months later...
I've come back from a little trip and looked over my photos. I think I'm in serious trouble. Some seemed OK, but far too many of them have a purplish tint. They are all outdoor shots with the white balance set to sunlight or auto. They should be coming out correct like in the past. I've just shot some more test shots this morning and they ALL are crap. That also appear the same way on the camera's LCD screen and viewfinder.

 

Here's an OK one from the trip.

shot1fc6.gif

 

Here's one of the worst from the trip. (The sunset wouldn't be causing the colour.) As I said, other photos have the purple haze, but this is the first time I've seen banding out of the Digilux 2.

shot2er4.gif

 

Test shot done a little while ago. Should look like a bright sunny morning.

shot3sf5.gif

 

Some questions for those who may know:

 

I'm aware of the repair policy on the D2's faulty sensor. I'm in Toronto, Canada. Where would I send the camera for repair? To Solms or New Jersey.

 

Will they accept it for free repair even though the sensor is not yet fully corrupted?

 

I bought the camera used from an individual. (I have a receipt from him). The camera warranty is registered under the former owner's name. Will Leica repair the camera for me anyway?

 

Anyone know if Leica is doing the "trade-in your D2 and upgrade to a D3" offer for photographers in Canada?

 

Thanks for any answers,

Mark

 

Hi I've looked for examples of the failure and wonder if I have just had one. took my D2 out today after a rest of a few weeks and with everything on Auto ie focus and aperture I only get a blurred/fuzzy image in the view finder and on the back. The auto focus light goes steady but the image is anything but ! Is this sensor failure or some other problem.

 

ThomasR

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