Leica Q viewfinder issue

[Stu]

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Hi folks,

I recently bought a second hand Leica Q which I love. I prefer to use the viewfinder and I’ve started seeing some semi-transparent brown ‘banding’ on the left hand side. It’s there in colour or black and white, not on the screen or in the finished picture.

Because of its nature, I’m unable to provide a screen shot, so I’ve done a recreation.

Anyone else encountered this?

Cheers

Stuart

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Edited July 30, 2024 by Stu
Clarity

[jaapv]

If it is such a straight slanted line it is most likely that something broke or shifted in the viewfinder optics.

[Stu]

Thank you. I was afraid of that!

[PATB]

My viewfinder has had the exact same issue as yours (same angle, on the same side, etc.) for about two years now.   Mine is only very evident in low light, but you can somewhat  see it all the time.  Since it still takes great pictures, I have learned to ignore it.

[Stu]

Many thanks for this - if I can’t get a replacement from MPB, I might need to do the same, thank you.

stuart

[stuny]

Nice to see somebody spelling their given name the right way 😁

[PATB]

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BTW, from my notes, the issue first appeared last year.

When I first got the Q sometime in 2016, I always carried a small, sturdy plastic box in my backpack in case I have to protect the Q from rain, etc. and to prevent it from getting crushed .  Fast forward to last year and I stopped caring about it!  I got caught in the rain and did not bother to put the Q in the plastic box; I just kept taking pictures.  I noticed the diagonal banding on the viewfinder as soon as I got back to the hotel.    

I have since carried the Q to other countries (just came back from Egypt!) and it still takes pictures as usual.  I am tempted to replace it with a Q3, M11-P (I already have lenses from my  film M), or a Hasselblad X2D, but I can't get myself to do it.  I can carry the Q everywhere, it does not get in the way of enjoying new places, and its image quality is already overkill for my purpose, which is to make medium-sized photobooks of family vacations.

Edited July 30, 2024 by PATB

[Stu]

Hi folks - an update on my Leica Q viewfinder problem - MPB insisted it was a fungus issue not covered by their warranty, Johnstones Camera Repairs, established in Glasgow for fifty years said it wasn’t, MPB insisted again it was fungus. Leica repaired it, no mention of fungus and gave me a goodwill discount of £100 off the repair price 😄📷

[Leicasoof2]

Hi Stuart,

What price did you pay for the repair of your viewfinder ?

Since last week my Q-P has the same issue ..

 

In advance thanks for you answer

[LeicaRoy]

I had the same issue with my Q-P. Leica Australia charged me around $500 (Australian) to replace the viewfinder panel and give the camera a service and refurbish. Came back like a brand new camera and took about 3 weeks.