Q3: The Last Leica Product I Will Ever Buy (**Jump ahead to post #141 by the OP**)

[fotografr]

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As the OP, I'd like to make one final comment to wrap this up. I got quite bent out of shape when the dust spots were first discovered. My attitude now is that it shouldn't have happened, but shit happens. There is a remedy available and I'll use the camera as is until I feel the need to send it off for a cleaning. 

There are a lot of things I really do like about the Q3. The IQ is fantastic and the lens is amazing. The camera feels good in the hand, has well thought out controls and a logical menu. I'm quite certain the more I use it the more I'll like it. 

[Lelmer]

38 minutes ago, fotografr said:

As the OP, I'd like to make one final comment to wrap this up. I got quite bent out of shape when the dust spots were first discovered. My attitude now is that it shouldn't have happened, but shit happens. There is a remedy available and I'll use the camera as is until I feel the need to send it off for a cleaning. 

There are a lot of things I really do like about the Q3. The IQ is fantastic and the lens is amazing. The camera feels good in the hand, has well thought out controls and a logical menu. I'm quite certain the more I use it the more I'll like it. 

Great, enjoy it...and in case dust spots are visible from time to time, they are very easily removed in post 🙂

[JaeR]

Brent, glad to see the change in tone. I would certainly feel the same way if that were to happen to my camera. All things considered the most important thing is that you have a solution and option. Hopefully Leica can tighten up their QC as I am now also seeing some minor issue with my newly purchased Leica Q3. While it is more cosmetic, just disappointed to see this on a $6k camera.

[LUF Admin]

Just hidden a lot of off topic posts by two gentlemen having a private discussion…

[jaapv]

On 5/22/2024 at 8:09 PM, LocalHero1953 said:

One further speculative thought: I am aware that the cover glass for some sensors is not immediately on top of the sensor, but has an intervening gap. If that is the case with the Q3, and if the rear element of the lens is close to the cover glass (so light rays approach the sensor surface at a relatively acute angle, as is common in compact retrofocus wide angle lenses), a dust speck could show up as a larger than expected and as a more blurred blemish. The doesn't improve matters, but might explain the technician's opinion.

That would be an AA filter -which the Q does not have AFAIK. 

[fotografr]

32 minutes ago, jaapv said:

That would be an AA filter -which the Q does not have AFAIK. 

The Q3 does not have an AA filter, however, I believe there would be some kind of clear glass cover adhered to the sensor ( Schott glass?).

[jaapv]

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That is the IR filter. 

[frame-it]

On 5/23/2024 at 3:09 AM, LocalHero1953 said:

One further speculative thought: I am aware that the cover glass for some sensors is not immediately on top of the sensor, but has an intervening gap. If that is the case with the Q3, and if the rear element of the lens is close to the cover glass (so light rays approach the sensor surface at a relatively acute angle, as is common in compact retrofocus wide angle lenses), a dust speck could show up as a larger than expected and as a more blurred blemish. The doesn't improve matters, but might explain the technician's opinion.

there is usually zero gap space, and in some sensors which do have a minuscule space, the 4 edges are sealed off anyways.

example:

or

X1d with a tonne of sealing on the sides

 

 

 

 

Edited May 23, 2024 by frame-it

[jdlaing]

3 hours ago, fotografr said:

The Q3 does not have an AA filter, however, I believe there would be some kind of clear glass cover adhered to the sensor ( Schott glass?).

Gorilla glass.

[huwm]

I've just had my Q3 back from Leica Mayfair, it needed a replacement EVF (thin shimmering red line vertical close to centre, intermittently visible and irritating)

Posted from Cymru to Lahndn and returned in just 6 days so the turnarounds quoted are I think worst case scenarios as mine was 2-3weeks

Edited May 24, 2024 by huwm
typo

[oliviersm]

On 5/20/2024 at 4:53 PM, fotografr said:

I am seriously considering just sucking it up and keeping the camera as is. 🙃

If it was a Fuji.... sure, but Leica mate. They should sort it. At least set you up with a Q2-monochrome or other novelty camera you'd not necessarily buy but so that you've got something in exchange for the 4 month wait.

[fotografr]

20 hours ago, jaapv said:

That is the IR filter. 

If there's a IR filter over the sensor, why would we need another one on the front of the lens? Did I just waste $150?

[fotografr]

23 minutes ago, oliviersm said:

If it was a Fuji.... sure, but Leica mate. They should sort it. At least set you up with a Q2-monochrome or other novelty camera you'd not necessarily buy but so that you've got something in exchange for the 4 month wait.

I posted more info since that comment. At some future point I'll send the camera to Leica USA Service for a sensor cleaning under warranty. They have already sent me the pre-paid shipping label good for 30 days. They told me it would take 4 weeks, not 4 months, so that isn't too bad. I still have my M10M and several lenses so I'll get along fine when the Q3 is gone for cleaning. Leica USA Service was very responsive when I emailed them. 

[jaapv]

2 hours ago, fotografr said:

If there's a IR filter over the sensor, why would we need another one on the front of the lens? Did I just waste $150?

Because it is only partly effective. Maybe 70%. This is an M issue, not on other cameras. . A thicker and more effective one would have negative effect on image quality. This has been discussed ad nauseam in the M8/M9 days. Use the search function.  However the Q cameras should not need an IR filter except in rare extreme cases. In fact Leica advises against the use. Due to the more modern design of lens and sensor the IR filtering should be quite effective, 

[fotografr]

30 minutes ago, jaapv said:

Use the search function. 

Virtually every single time I've used the search function on this forum the result has been , "found 0 results." I've pretty much given up on trying to use it.

If you were referring to the discussions about using the UV/IR Cut filters on the M8, I recall the issue quite clearly, having owned three of them. I don't recall it being an issue with the M9.

Edited May 24, 2024 by fotografr

[jaapv]

The M9 was better but I still had some trouble in the tropics at noon. The M240 was worse again. I suspect that the M10 and M11 use the improved IR filter glass of the second M9 sensor version, which should be quite effective.

[ianforber]

On 5/24/2024 at 5:25 PM, fotografr said:

If there's a IR filter over the sensor, why would we need another one on the front of the lens? Did I just waste $150?

Two styles of filter! The one on the sensor is an IR cut filter, designed to block IR light, letting through only visible light. If it’s designed to fit on the front of the lens it’s probably one an IR pass filter to block visible light, letting through only IR light (the amount of visible light let through depends on the strength of the filter). Fortunately, the sensor filter doesn’t block all IR light so you can still take IR pictures (ie those using mainly IR light). I don’t have a Q3 but the lens filters work well on my Q2 and M11, especially the 780nm and 830nm ones. 

[Likaleica]

On 5/23/2024 at 10:34 AM, fotografr said:

I've just received an email from Leica USA Service (in quotes below) about sensor cleaning for the Q3 while under warranty. Considering this policy, I will not be returning my camera for exchange. I'll use it as is and if the problem becomes too much I'll send it off for a cleaning. 

"Thank you for your email.  Yes, we do offer 2 free sensor cleanings per year as long as the camera is under warranty.  The only difference between us and the UK is we don’t require a booking.  Your camera simply goes into our repair queue.  The turnaround time is 4 weeks."

 

Brent, I've just read this entire thread.  I empathize with your early frustration and admire your subsequent acquiescence.  What struck me is that Leica USA, who have been great with my issues, are offering 2 free sensor cleanings per year on a sealed camera under warranty.  Implies that they anticipate this.  Not surprising, since that sensor must suck in electrostatically charged particles every time it is turned on.  Yours must have had a lot of hidden dust even though the sensor may have been cleaned well at the factory.  Maybe a good blow-out and cleaning will solve the problem.  In the meantime, I look forward to enjoying your magnificent posts over on the Monochrome side.  

[bobtodrick]

What can I say.  Have owned an M4, CL, IIIg, two R3 mots, CM, CM zoom, D-Lux 7 and Q.

No problems with any of them...and I take a lot of photos...the film cameras especially were used in working pro situations.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[Mark II]

On 9/5/2024 at 2:38 AM, Likaleica said:

What struck me is that Leica USA, who have been great with my issues, are offering 2 free sensor cleanings per year on a sealed camera under warranty.

Is this actually the case, or something only done in extreme cases? Cleaning the sensor on the Q3 means disassembling the camera, which in turn means stripping off and replacing the fabric from the camera and removing a bunch of circuitry. Nothing like cleaning the sensor on an ILC.

Leica themselves do occasionally seem confused by the Q. The manual, for example, warns the user not to put the rear-lens cap or camera body cap in to a pocket, lest it attract dust that will then be let in to the camera.