Cleaning Leica X2 Sensor

[daigoro]

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Hi folks, first time poster (and occasional lurker) here. My beloved Leica X2 has picked up dust on the sensor after many years of use.

I sent it in to Leica (USA) but they refused to fix it saying they couldn’t replace the leatherette after repairs, and didn’t have spare parts either. Sadly, it seems Leica is not repairing X-series cameras any more! DAGCamera only does film Leicas unfortunately. Do you folks know of anyone else who can do a sensor cleaning on a Leica X2 in the NY/NJ area or the US in general?

I am open to DIYing it, but the fixed lens means that getting access to the sensor is tricky. I found one video showing X1 disassembly, but that doesn't show how the lens-sensor assembly can be disassembled. Could anyone point me to a service manual, or any other information on how I could get access to the sensor and clean it?

I've been pretty miffed since the X2 has been a reliable companion over many years of wandering New York's streets and been critical in improving my photography skills.

👋 Nice to see so many others that love and use this camera! Thanks in advance.

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[dkCambridgeshire]

Try contacting David Slater who has parts and offers servicing / repairs for Leica X series cameras 

Camera Focus (Camera Repairs)

121 Layhams Road

West Wickham, Kent BR4 9HE United Kingdom

*****@*****.tld

07789 546584

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/355695-leica-dmr-internal-battery-replacement-completed/?do=findComment&comment=4609137

 

[daigoro]

Thank you dkCambridgeshire! I was hoping to avoid sending my camera out internationally, but contacting David Slater seems like my best bet right now. 🙏

[Ko.Fe.]

I googled this issue. DIY is done by vacuuming it. I don't have X2, yet. I'll try it on Ricoh GRDIII, got one juicy spot on its sensor.  

[dkCambridgeshire]

5 hours ago, daigoro said:

Thank you dkCambridgeshire! I was hoping to avoid sending my camera out internationally, but contacting David Slater seems like my best bet right now. 🙏

If you decide to send the X2 to David there's no need to include the battery – and would be prudent to request that the camera's 'soldered-in internal battery' (which powers the date/ time function), is replaced at the same time the sensor is cleaned. 

[Artomy1970]

On 12.05.2023 at 21:21, Ko.Fe. said:

Я погуглил эту проблему. DIY делается путем пылесоса. У меня пока нет Х2. Попробую на Ricoh GRDIII, есть один пикантный момент на сенсоре.  

Tell me, did you manage to clean the matrix/sensor with a vacuum cleaner as you wanted? Thank you!

[daigoro]

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I did, the vacuuming helped a little. There's still dust on the sensor, but it's reduced. I continue to use the camera and edit out any spots with dust. It's not bad enough to be unusable, fortunately.

[Ko.Fe.]

6 hours ago, Artomy1970 said:

Tell me, did you manage to clean the matrix/sensor with a vacuum cleaner as you wanted? Thank you!

Nope. No issues with GRD anymore and I haven't used X2 long enough to collect dust.

Just in case, google is better than yandex for www search.

[dkCambridgeshire]

Only one solution for removing dust from a fixed lens digital compact camera's sensor and lens – a qualified technician's service. Forget about using a vacuum which unlikely to remedy the problem. 

Edited March 29, 2024 by dkCambridgeshire