Why is my M11 randomly, drastically overexposing?

[Kwesi]

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4 hours ago, cbgrey said:

I've noticed since I've had it that my M11 will seemingly randomly overexpose by a massive amount. The frequency has gone up and down but while out yesterday it happened so frequently that it's very worrisome. 

I've been chalking it up to it being a new camera and that future firmware updates will fix the metering but on closer analysis of what happened yesterday, I think it's not the metering and something else. 

The shots in the attachment were taking seconds apart from each other. 

All base iso 64. All with Multi-Field metering.

The correctly exposed first shot is 1/500 @ f/5.6 (?) according to the EXIF. 

The overexposed shots are at 1/200 @ f/8 (?) according to the EXIF. 

If my math is correct those should roughly be the same exposure. 

The last (correct) shot is 1/4000 @ f/2.0. 

Any thoughts on what's happening here? I'm shooting this the same way I shot an M240 and an M10 and didn't have these issues so I don't think it's the photographers fault but who knows. 

Really appreciate any thoughts and opinions. 

 

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Are you having the same issue when you shoot in full manual mode?

Edited May 23, 2022 by Kwesi
spelling

[hmzimelka]

12 minutes ago, lct said:

Doesn't work. Been there done that. Just set Auto Review to Shutter Button Pressed as suggested above and see what happens.

 

Its not causing any issues on my and anymore, touch wood... unless I want to fire off a string of shots, then I can press the shutter button continuously and the shutter only fires every other press sometimes. 

[lct]

5 minutes ago, hmzimelka said:

Its not causing any issues on my and anymore, touch wood... unless I want to fire off a string of shots, then I can press the shutter button continuously and the shutter only fires every other press sometimes. 

Specs say 15 continuous shots in DNG mode. True at 36mp but at 60mp i can't seem to get more than 12 shots continuously. Not sure i would call this a bug though.

[LBJ2]

4 hours ago, cbgrey said:

I've noticed since I've had it that my M11 will seemingly randomly overexpose by a massive amount. The frequency has gone up and down but while out yesterday it happened so frequently that it's very worrisome. 

I've been chalking it up to it being a new camera and that future firmware updates will fix the metering but on closer analysis of what happened yesterday, I think it's not the metering and something else. 

The shots in the attachment were taking seconds apart from each other. 

All base iso 64. All with Multi-Field metering.

The correctly exposed first shot is 1/500 @ f/5.6 (?) according to the EXIF. 

The overexposed shots are at 1/200 @ f/8 (?) according to the EXIF. 

If my math is correct those should roughly be the same exposure. 

The last (correct) shot is 1/4000 @ f/2.0. 

Any thoughts on what's happening here? I'm shooting this the same way I shot an M240 and an M10 and didn't have these issues so I don't think it's the photographers fault but who knows. 

Really appreciate any thoughts and opinions. 

 

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From what you describe and what I see, looks like the mechanical shutter might be failing. You should contact Leica technical support and send these details and samples.

email:  repair@leicacamerausa.com

 

[Kwesi]

1 minute ago, LBJ2 said:

From what you describe and what I see, looks like the mechanical shutter might be failing. You should contact Leica technical support and send these details and samples.

email:  repair@leicacamerausa.com

 

You may be right but I would suggest trying to replicate the issue in full manual mode first. If the exposures are still inconsistent then I would attribute it to mechanical failure

[ekindangen]

4 hours ago, cbgrey said:

I've noticed since I've had it that my M11 will seemingly randomly overexpose by a massive amount. The frequency has gone up and down but while out yesterday it happened so frequently that it's very worrisome. 

I've been chalking it up to it being a new camera and that future firmware updates will fix the metering but on closer analysis of what happened yesterday, I think it's not the metering and something else. 

The shots in the attachment were taking seconds apart from each other. 

All base iso 64. All with Multi-Field metering.

The correctly exposed first shot is 1/500 @ f/5.6 (?) according to the EXIF. 

The overexposed shots are at 1/200 @ f/8 (?) according to the EXIF. 

If my math is correct those should roughly be the same exposure. 

The last (correct) shot is 1/4000 @ f/2.0. 

Any thoughts on what's happening here? I'm shooting this the same way I shot an M240 and an M10 and didn't have these issues so I don't think it's the photographers fault but who knows. 

Really appreciate any thoughts and opinions. 

 

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

I had the same experience. I think i was on continuous low and using auto curtain setting, set to A and shutter speed to A.

[ELAN]

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I see the same over exposure on my M11.  It happens a few times a week.  Usually just one over exposed frame (2-3 stops over exposure), and usually when multiple frames are shot within a short time.  Been doing that since new (January).  My settings are multi-field, Image Review set to off, hybrid shutter, and button press (to circumvent yet another bug). Glad Leica is aware of this and hopefully a fix will arrive some day.

[fotografr]

I am increasingly gratified with my decision to hold off on getting the M11 until some of the inevitable early issues are resolved. Perhaps by the end of the year...

[elmars]

There are (too) many bugs in the firmware. No question. But I think this is no reason to wait. One can handle the bugs. M11 ist the best M ever. 

Edited May 24, 2022 by elmars

[lct]

4 hours ago, Summilux-asph said:

Since you’re in fully manual exposure, exposure compensation doesn’t work. 

If you leave the ISO on Auto, does it happen?

And auto-review? 😀 Turn that off!

There is a bug in the Auto Review function AFAIK. Setting it to off used to slow down consecutive shots for me so i set it to Shutter Button Pressed and this fixed the issue. As for exposure compensation it works in all modes AFAIK but i may be wrong.

[lct]

10 minutes ago, Summilux-asph said:

Exposure Compensation shouldn’t work if you’re manually exposing yourself. 

It does in auto iso + manual mode in my experience but i'm new to the M11 so i may be missing something.

[lct]

21 minutes ago, Summilux-asph said:

He said he was at ISO64 +  exposure compensation. I told him exposure compensation doesn’t work because he is manipulating the ISO.

Sorry but he can manipulate the iso while exp comp is still working. Easy to check in AE mode. 

[cbgrey]

3 hours ago, Summilux-asph said:

He said he was at ISO64 +  exposure compensation. I told him exposure compensation doesn’t work because he is manipulating the ISO

Sorry for my lack of precision in my explanation. 

My settings: 

• Auto ISO (that had selected ISO 64 on all shots)
• Aperture Priority
• Exp Comp was -1/3
• Continuous Low (though they weren't shot in a 'sequence'. Shutter release lifted after each shot)
• Review is OFF
• Live View was OFF (pretty sure)
• Multi-Field Metering

These are the same settings I've used every time I've experienced the issue but in fairness, I rarely change these settings other than metering type. 

Hope to have some time to do some controlled tests later in the week. 

Really appreciate everyone's feedback so far. I don't think we've solved anything but it does sound like others have hit the same or similar issue and Leica may be aware of it. 

Despite these rough edges, I still love this camera tremendously. 

Edited May 25, 2022 by cbgrey
Added info

[cbgrey]

On 5/23/2022 at 12:17 PM, Kwesi said:

You may be right but I would suggest trying to replicate the issue in full manual mode first. If the exposures are still inconsistent then I would attribute it to mechanical failure

I'll do some tests when I get some time but it's so inconsistent it's hard to nail down. 

[lct]

1 hour ago, Summilux-asph said:

If you’re fully manual, exposure compensation shouldn’t work. Because you’re taking control of the exposure.

Sure but the OP was not in full manual if i understand well.

[lct]

51 minutes ago, cbgrey said:

• Auto ISO (that had selected ISO 64 on all shots)
• Aperture Priority
• Exp Comp was -1/3
• Continuous Low (though they weren't shot in a 'sequence'. Shutter release lifted after each shot)
• Review is OFF
• Live View was OFF (pretty sure)
• Multi-Field Metering

You may wish to set Auto Review to Shutter Button Pressed as suggested above and see what happens.

[mrmalo]

On 5/23/2022 at 1:29 PM, cbgrey said:

I've noticed since I've had it that my M11 will seemingly randomly overexpose by a massive amount. The frequency has gone up and down but while out yesterday it happened so frequently that it's very worrisome. 

I've been chalking it up to it being a new camera and that future firmware updates will fix the metering but on closer analysis of what happened yesterday, I think it's not the metering and something else. 

The shots in the attachment were taking seconds apart from each other. 

All base iso 64. All with Multi-Field metering.

The correctly exposed first shot is 1/500 @ f/5.6 (?) according to the EXIF. 

The overexposed shots are at 1/200 @ f/8 (?) according to the EXIF. 

If my math is correct those should roughly be the same exposure. 

The last (correct) shot is 1/4000 @ f/2.0. 

Any thoughts on what's happening here? I'm shooting this the same way I shot an M240 and an M10 and didn't have these issues so I don't think it's the photographers fault but who knows. 

Really appreciate any thoughts and opinions. 

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Did you see this similar post?

Long story short, I had similar problems whilst testing continuous low mode some time ago.

Every 5 or so pictures would be over exposed.

Update to firmware v1.4.0.0 as this issue now looks fixed.

[hmzimelka]

Downloaded and installed.... highlight weighted metering still doesn't work as it should. At least in the way it's advertised or implemented on the SL2. 😣

At least it doesn't cause massive over exposure anymore, but its heavily centre biased and not highlight sensitive throughout the whole frame.  I can easily get clipped highlights in all channels. A solid NO in my books. Pity.

Edited May 25, 2022 by hmzimelka

[Harpomatic]

I’m not sure why this thread died: I have firmware 1.6 installed, shooting a wedding yesterday, firing several shots in a row when needed, using single shot mostly.

Auto Review was set on shutter press, A shutter, A ISO, Highlight Weighted metering, exposure compensation as needed.

I definitely had quite a few white frames, overexposed by 4-5 stops at lease.

No user error, they were in a series of shots within 2-3 seconds.

 

Anyone seeing this issue still?

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[Photoworks]

13 minutes ago, Harpomatic said:

I’m not sure why this thread died: I have firmware 1.6 installed, shooting a wedding yesterday, firing several shots in a row when needed, using single shot mostly.

Auto Review was set on shutter press, A shutter, A ISO, Highlight Weighted metering, exposure compensation as needed.

I definitely had quite a few white frames, overexposed by 4-5 stops at lease.

No user error, they were in a series of shots within 2-3 seconds.

 

Anyone seeing this issue still?

It is better but not fixed.

I was not able to reproduce while shooting on the internal memory.

and I was not able to reproduce in Default profile. Maybe the issue happens in DNG+JPG!?!