Q3 EVF flashes at smaller apertures

[SLamb]

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There was another thread about flashes on either the LCD screen or the EVF, but this is something that only happens on the EVF on my Q3. The LCD doesn't exhibit this behaviour. It only occurs when using smaller apertures (around f5.6 and smaller) and I see it when I half press the shutter button, so when the camera is focusing and metering the scene. 

It happens with matrix and highlight-weighted metering (probably the other metering settings too but I must admit I haven't tried them), spot or field AF and regardless of whether any of the assistants such as histogram, highlight clipping warning etc. are on or off. 

Has anyone else seen this? If it is just my Q3 then I'll take it to the Leica store in London to see it and let them assess if it's a fault. 

Just wanted to see what people here say first before trekking into London. 

Thanks. 

Edited May 10, 2024 by SLamb

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[SLamb]

I guess nobody here has seen this behaviour. 

If anyone can confirm that using the EVF only on a bright scene at f5.6, f/8 or smaller apertures on their Q3 doesn't cause a quick bright flash in the EVF then I'll assume my Q3 is faulty and take it into Leica. 

I must say I'm a bit disappointed if it is just my one as I'd expect more from a £5K camera in the first six weeks of ownership as it will probably go for repair and I'll be without it for many weeks, especially as I purchased it for a lot of trips this year. 

[SLamb]

Some more information after testing some things. 

This bright flash in the EVF dies not occur when it is set to 60Hz, it only occurs when it is set to 120Hz. 

Would someone be so kind as to test and see if it occurs on their Q3 when the EVF is set to 120Hz rather than 60Hz. I may still have a faulty EVF if it does not happen on other people's Q3s. 

Thank you in advance. 

[SrMi]

4 minutes ago, SLamb said:

Some more information after testing some things. 

This bright flash in the EVF dies not occur when it is set to 60Hz, it only occurs when it is set to 120Hz. 

Would someone be so kind as to test and see if it occurs on their Q3 when the EVF is set to 120Hz rather than 60Hz. I may still have a faulty EVF if it does not happen on other people's Q3s. 

Thank you in advance. 

I can confirm that it occurs in 120Hz mode with AF on, even if the scene is not too bright and even with f/4. It looks like a bug. It does not occur with MF or when using 60Hz.

Could you please report it to Leica?

[SLamb]

Thank you very much for checking, much appreciated.

I have sent an email to Leica with the sample video that I posted and a full description of the problem. .

 

[SrMi]

 

1 minute ago, SLamb said:

Thank you very much for checking, much appreciated.

I have sent an email to Leica with the sample video that I posted and a full description of the problem. .

 

Thank you for investigating it and sending the report to Leica.

[SLamb]

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Earlier today I received this email from Leica:

Thank you very much for your e-mail.

I have created a ticket for our developers to look into this. (ticket #h7501)

Looks promising for a fix in a future firmware 🤞

[pmorelli]

Confirm seeing this as well. Odd thing was, didn’t really see it until recently, and I had upgraded to the latest firmware as soon as it came out. Also intermittent. Odd. 

Edited July 3, 2024 by pmorelli

[SLamb]

Hopefully we'll see this fixed in the next firmware update 🤞

[Bryan Goh]

I have the same issue with random flashing when focusing. Sometimes whole screen sometimes 2/3 on the bottom half. 

Another thing is that the EVF does not seem to be as sharp as before, hope they fix this. 

[Edward de Bock]

If you put the cam in the mode that it tries to take 2 exposures it is gone! Just dont press too long and it will take 1 exposure without flashing

[SLamb]

Thanks Edward. Your suggestion is also the workaround for getting rid of the viewfinder blackout after pressing the shutter release. 

Whilst workarounds help it is up to Leica to fix the underlying issues. Let's hope they do that soon. 

[Michiel Vos]

I have the same issue with 120hz. The flashing appears in the EVF. Also when I stop down the aperture, lines seem to appear (only in EVF on 120hz). I added a photo. It’s only visible when i point the camera to bright scenes like a sky. 

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[SLamb]

Please could any Q3 43 owner confirm if this issue has been resolved in that camera?

[SLamb]

On 5/11/2024 at 6:41 PM, SLamb said:

Some more information after testing some things. 

This bright flash in the EVF dies not occur when it is set to 60Hz, it only occurs when it is set to 120Hz. 

Would someone be so kind as to test and see if it occurs on their Q3 when the EVF is set to 120Hz rather than 60Hz. I may still have a faulty EVF if it does not happen on other people's Q3s. 

Thank you in advance. 

To clarify, this is the scenario in which it occurs.