Leica Q2 Focus Error in Cold Weather

[jcgallagher]

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I've been enjoying my Leica Q2 for a few months with great pleasure and no issues. However, now that temperatures in Canada have reached a subfreezing level, I've noticed a strange issue with the camera.

In the first few minutes I spend outside in these temperatures (today it's around -10 C), the camera will stop focusing correctly (both with the autofocus and the manual focus) after a few shots. If I turn off the camera and on again, the focus will start working for a few more shots, and the problem will reoccur. Sometimes, the problem is followed by a message on camera "Please turn off the camera and then turn on again". Every time I do it, it starts working again.

The problem goes away after a few minutes outside and the camera will function perfectly for hours. 

My best guess is the lens elements stop moving properly during the abrupt temperature change (and with different thermal contraction rates of the materials) and start working fine at steady state temperature. I do realize Leica specifies 0 to 40 deg C as an operating range in the manual, but having used many cameras outside in the cold before, I've never encountered such issues.

As anyone seen this before on the Leica Q2?

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[jaapv]

The operating temperature range of the camera is 0-40 ºC. ( as you mention, see the manual) You are well below that. All digital cameras have a similar limitation, although some users strike it lucky. Keep it under your coat when not in use and a spare battery in a warm pocket.

It seems that you found the way to counter the problem.

Consider that Leicas are constructed as compact as possible and using more metal than average, thus they are more susceptible to cold.

[Bill G.]

Hello. Mine did the exact same thing. Have you had this problem again ? I called Leica and they had not heard of any wide spread problems. Has it happened any more to you or was it a one time problem. ? 

[jcgallagher]

Hi! It happens every time I go outside in sub-zero temperatures, but the issue is only present in the first 10 minutes. Beyond that, the camera functions perfectly.

[PhotoCruiser]

As jaapv already wrote, the all metal housing of the Q cameras will transmit the temperture much faster than a rubber coated houseing.
To avoid problems with the metal "shrinking/expanding" Leica probably put a temp sensor who avoid to use the camera if temp difference is high.
Or there is really a problem that autofocus get "stuck" because of the thermal shock.

My compact Panasonic LX100 and the previous Canon G models made a similar error when i switched the camera on and something touched the lens while expanding.
Then i got the same error message to switch the camera off and on.

You may leave it in a cold place before you go out

Here is a basic article how to use cameras in very cold weather, much more are tinf asking as search engine.

Chris

[Cheesehead]

On 1/10/2020 at 6:27 AM, PhotoCruiser said:

As jaapv already wrote, the all metal housing of the Q cameras will transmit the temperture much faster than a rubber coated houseing.
To avoid problems with the metal "shrinking/expanding" Leica probably put a temp sensor who avoid to use the camera if temp difference is high.
Or there is really a problem that autofocus get "stuck" because of the thermal shock.

My compact Panasonic LX100 and the previous Canon G models made a similar error when i switched the camera on and something touched the lens while expanding.
Then i got the same error message to switch the camera off and on.

You may leave it in a cold place before you go out

Here is a basic article how to use cameras in very cold weather, much more are tinf asking as search engine.

Chris

Thanks for the useful link.  I have been shooting in cold weather for years and never thought of the ziplock back to prevent condensation.

Is there some sort of equivalent article concerning shooting in the opposite extreme.  Hot humid weather.  Specially on the transition from temperature controlled air-conditioning to tropical heat and humidity?

[marknorton]

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The issue with taking a camera out of a cool air conditioned building out into a hot and humid outside world is simply that the cold camera surfaces are below the dew point and you get condensation; alcohol wipes may help but if the lens is still cold, you will get fresh condensation. The solution is to acclimatise the camera to the outside conditions before you need to use it. If it's safe (from a theft/accident point of view) I leave the camera out overnight so it never cools down. Otherwise, you can play a hair dryer on it for a couple of minutes to gently warm it through and if all else fails, switch off or turn down the air conditioning.

 

[jaapv]

1 hour ago, marknorton said:

The issue with taking a camera out of a cool air conditioned building out into a hot and humid outside world is simply that the cold camera surfaces are below the dew point and you get condensation; alcohol wipes may help but if the lens is still cold, you will get fresh condensation. The solution is to acclimatise the camera to the outside conditions before you need to use it. If it's safe (from a theft/accident point of view) I leave the camera out overnight so it never cools down. Otherwise, you can play a hair dryer on it for a couple of minutes to gently warm it through and if all else fails, switch off or turn down the air conditioning.

 

That is a good diagnosis, Mark, the condensation may even occur on an internal element or the sensor.

[PhotoCruiser]

vor 2 Stunden schrieb jaapv:

That is a good diagnosis, Mark, the condensation may even occur on an internal element or the sensor.

Yes correct,
the same will happen going from 65°F inside hous/flat/hotelroom to outside where its 85 and very humid.
A well known and hated effect on underwater housings - especially aluminum ones -  as especially the front glass "window fogs up and render the camer unusable.
For this reason we use mostly the solution to load camera and housing in the cold, dry A/C's hotelroom and keep the housing far from sunlight.
 

The same applies to cameras, particularly to cameras made of aluminum, they should always be precooled/prewarmed before going to a new location with high temp difference

Chris

 

[marknorton]

Lenses with large elements are most prone to fogging because of their thermal inertia. I've had the situation when I've been travelling when friends with iPhones are soon good to go while all my "fancy camera with its huge lens" is seeing is a grey fog.

Edited January 13, 2020 by marknorton

[Cheesehead]

My concern with the fogging is what is going on inside the lens.  On the outside I can wipe down the lens.  I have a fear that I will have internal fogging.  In itself internal fogging will take much longer to evaporate.  Is there also a worry that there will be some residue left internally after the condensation has evaporated.  On a fixed lens camera I am not sure that could be removed without the help of a repair shop.

[PhotoCruiser]

vor 6 Stunden schrieb Cheesehead:

I have a fear that I will have internal fogging.

Yes, exactly this is the problem with fixed lens cameras.
Internal focusing cameras "breath" much less than cameras where the whole lens expand - particularly zoom lenses - and retract so with the Q/Q2 the problem will be minor.
Just acclimatize the camera befor you either go in the cold and fogging will not occur.
Have a look here about the Dew Point that is the point where fogging occurs and eliminating/reducing either humidity or themp difference no fogging will happen.
A dry cabinet will help with eliminating humidity and this can reduce internal damage and lens fungus problems.

Chris