Leica Q stuck in EVF mode even if camera not close to the face. Proximity sensor issue?

[mrtnkrnk]

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I had my Leica Q sent for servicing, and now the proximity sensor for EVF does not work correctly.

I have the display settings EVF - LCD set to "Auto", which should switch to EVF mode when I put the camera closer to my face, and switch to LCD when I move it away. However, the camera gets permanently "stuck" in the EVF mode no matter the position. The only way to switch it to LCD is to set the display settings to "LCD".

I find it hard to believe that this wouldn't be noticed by the QA of Leica servicing (it was 560€ after all...)
I reached out to them for clarification but it might take a while before I get an answer.
What's worse is, that I had the camera serviced end of December, but then I went for traveling for 3 months (without the camera), and only noticed the issue now that I have an upcoming shoot this weekend, and I wanted to make sure everything is set up properly.

Anyone had a similar issue by any chance? I only found references to this happening if you have a protector screen on the EVF, which I don't. I do have a screen protector on the LCD.

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[jaapv]

If you are sure that it is not due to a menu setting, or dirt on the proximity sensor window, it is quite possible that the proximity sensor itself shifts when the camera is subjected to a shock which can happen during transport. It is known to have happened; my CL had the same issue. Leica can fix this in a relatively quick turnaround. Sometimes the sensor has to be replaced.
Aftrr a service you have a guarantee on the camera  Was there a reason that you had it serviced?  Normally there is no need  

If you want immediate contact with Leica  just pick up the phone but normally they are quite responsive to emails 

[Andy6527]

I have. a very similar issue.

Just purchased a used Q2 in excellent condition, and it has this very strange and intermittent issue with the EVF proximity sensor.

When I put my eye to the EVF or just put a finger in front of the sensor, it always switches to EVF, but when I remove my finger, or take the camera away from my eye, it doesn't switch back to LCD, but it's intermittent, sometimes it does and sometimes not. What is strange though is if I give the camera a slight shake, it flips back. This is quite repeatable. It always immediately switches to EVF but sometimes requires a slight movement of the camera and it flips back.

It's almost like the sensor has a loose connection or something, but it never has any issue switching to the EVF. I have cleaned the EFV glass, and I don't believe there is any kind of screen protector on it, does such a thing even exist? there is an LCD screen protector fitted before I purchased, but don't think there is an EVF one. Don't want to try poking around in the EVF just incase I break it completely.

 

 

 

[jaapv]

Clean the eye sensor.

[Andy6527]

I did clean it, used a glasses cleaning cloth and cleaning fluid, it’s spotless

Probably should really speak to the shop where I bought it, but it’s not local and I’m not comfortable putting it in the post, and what would they do, don’t really want to return it just because of this issue, apart from that it’s immaculate.

probably just need to take it in to Leica in London, but don’t know how much the repair would cost and how long it would be away for.

[mrtnkrnk]

Thanks everyone for the answers. I can share that after a full day of shooting, the sensor would occasionally work, which made me have hopes it would "fix" itself over time, but unfortunately, I now also noticed 2 thin lines of green / black / white colors, over the whole image, so I think the sensor is now also messed up. (image attached)

Cleaning the sensor did not help.

 

On 3/17/2023 at 7:54 AM, jaapv said:

Aftrr a service you have a guarantee on the camera  Was there a reason that you had it serviced?  Normally there is no need  

If you want immediate contact with Leica  just pick up the phone but normally they are quite responsive to emails 

I had it serviced due to the lense barrel being slightly loose. I lived with it for a couple of years, but over time I noticed the auto-focus is getting slower and slower, to a point where it wasn't reliable enough and I missed quite a few shots.
I also started noticing a few blown out / dead pixels (white, purple color) on a few photos. That was easily fixable in post, but still an annoyance.
Then the dust started creeping in, so all combined I figured I would send it for a check and maintenance, as I want to use this camera for years to come still and don't want things to get worse. I travel around frequently and was finally stationary in Europe for a while, so I visited my brother in Vienna and had it serviced there, as my home country does not have a Leica shop.

I would like to mention that the original quote for the maintenance was over 700€, which I refused, but the Sales rep lowered it almost immeidately to 560€ -> that already made me raise my eybrows what the hell is going on, as if Sales people of Leica are hustling their margins, but they replied it's a "friendly discount".
I reluctantly accepted, as I had a big travel year ahead of me with some of my dream destinations, so I wanted to have the camera in top shape.
The EVF was working perfectly fine though, but LCD / EVF was mentioned in the repair list for some reason, so I strongly believe it must have caused the issue.
I cannot rule out the transport option, but I literally only took it with me on a plane in a carry-on, protected in a neoprene cover and handling my bag carefully, so I doubt it was that.

HOWEVER, on top of the non-working sensor issue, just after one day of shooting, two thin lines manifested over the sensor (it's visible both in the LCD and EVF and on the photos taken), which now makes the the camera useless. So I will be going to a Leica Shop here in Taiwan tomorrow, hoping the next fix will be free of charge.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to take my camera on the trip, as I doubt they will fix it within 2 weeks.

I have to say that this whole experience made me feel extremely disappointed with Leica. I understand mistakes can happen, but paying 500€ for a 2 month long repair should guarantee a pristine QA on their end, and I just can't wrap my head around the fact I sent a still funcitoning camera, and received a faulty one back.
And now I'm having anxeity from the fact that they will try to wiggle out of the responsibility for this, so I appreciate that you mentioned the warranty on the servicing.

I will write a follow-up after my visit to the shop.

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Edited March 19, 2023 by mrtnkrnk

[jaapv]

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Well, maybe it helps that after the CLA you have a guarantee.

As it is a factory guarantee there is no wiggle room.  And we don’t know what happened in the QA. For one thing it went through transport, the lin s were only visible after a day and in the end even Leica is staffed by human beings who make human mistakes. I’m sure they see you right. 🙂

[Juanjoarj]

On 3/18/2023 at 3:42 PM, Andy6527 said:

I did clean it, used a glasses cleaning cloth and cleaning fluid, it’s spotless

Probably should really speak to the shop where I bought it, but it’s not local and I’m not comfortable putting it in the post, and what would they do, don’t really want to return it just because of this issue, apart from that it’s immaculate.

probably just need to take it in to Leica in London, but don’t know how much the repair would cost and how long it would be away for.

 

Hi! Did you solve this? I am having the same problem and the same intermittent way with different situations: direct sunlight or absolute darkness it works, but in a normal day of use or interiors the evf returning to the screen stops working. It is annoying. Sometimes I tilt the camera or shake it and it returns...