M11-P - Gray spots

[Neel]

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I bought a brand new M11-P in Nov 2024. My pictures have gray spots at the same area of my pictures, see sample. I see the spots on pictures shot on both my 35mm summicron as well as my 50 summilux. Since I have purchased the camera, I must have swapped the lenses less than 10 times and all of them in house. I don't see anything on the sensor. Any thoughts on how to get this fixed. 

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[lct]

Just dirts on the sensor apparently. You may wish to use a bulb blower like VisibleDust Zeeion to remove them w/o touching the sensor.

[JNK100]

24 minutes ago, Neel said:

I bought a brand new M11-P in Nov 2024. My pictures have gray spots at the same area of my pictures, see sample. I see the spots on pictures shot on both my 35mm summicron as well as my 50 summilux. Since I have purchased the camera, I must have swapped the lenses less than 10 times and all of them in house. I don't see anything on the sensor. Any thoughts on how to get this fixed. 

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These spots look like sensor dust. I had some on my M11 and I would suggest trying using a blower first whilst holding the camera with the sensor facing downwards.

In the UK, Leica offer two free sensor-cleans p.a. whilst under warranty. I am not sure what the position is in the US.

Out of warranty cleans by Leica cost £90 In the UK.

Good luck with it.

[pedaes]

1 hour ago, Neel said:

I don't see anything on the sensor. 

Without a powerful loupe you will not see anything.

I would strongly advice you to get a wet clean with correct fluid, as it is very common for new cameras to throw out tiny splats of oil. This is easy to smear (you will find a recent Thread covering this very issue ) which then looks worse!

You will be unlucky if you have more oil spots after first clean.

[Neel]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'm surprised, given the cost of the camera, and the reputation of Leica quality, something like this would slip their quality control! I will start with bulb blower, then Leica cleaning service. 

[costa43]

Dust spots/stains are unavoidable on any interchangeable lens digital camera. It’s annoying when you get them early on but as suggested I would try the blower first and then if they still bother you, a wet clean. Easy enough to do yourself. This forum and YouTube have a fair amount of resource if needed. The alternative is to take it to a pro for a clean. 

[marchyman]

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It only takes a single lens swap to get dust on the sensor.  Removing the protective cover and installing a lens when first getting the camera can do it.  Sometime I can go for a few years with a clean sensor. Other times I get dust immediately.  I don't know the reason for the differences.  Environment? Humidity?  Build up of static electricity because reasons?  Something else.

Most of the time a half a dozen blasts with a rocket blower cleans the sensor.  Sometimes I have to break out the sensor brush.  I haven't had to do a wet cleaning on my M11, yet.  I've got the kit, though.  Had to use in on my M 262 after many years of use.

[Derbyshire Man]

14 hours ago, Neel said:

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'm surprised, given the cost of the camera, and the reputation of Leica quality, something like this would slip their quality control! I will start with bulb blower, then Leica cleaning service. 

This is completely normal for changeable lens digital cameras, paying £££ does not remove dust from your personal world;-)

For me blower works 70% of the time and a charged sensor brush the rest. I usually end up cleaning them about 4 monthly.

i do wonder if an ultrasonic cleaning function would help a bit. 

Edited April 20 by Derbyshire Man

[Neel]

You guys are awesome! The bulb blower job did it, see attached. Thank you. 

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[JNK100]

13 minutes ago, Neel said:

You guys are awesome! The bulb blower job did it, see attached. Thank you. 

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Glad it's sorted!

[username]

Happy to hear it worked well 👍

That Picasso drawing is quite nice, by the way!

[jaapv]

On 4/19/2025 at 10:17 PM, marchyman said:

It only takes a single lens swap to get dust on the sensor.  Removing the protective cover and installing a lens when first getting the camera can do it.  Sometime I can go for a few years with a clean sensor. Other times I get dust immediately.  I don't know the reason for the differences.  Environment? Humidity?  Build up of static electricity because reasons?  Something else.

Most of the time a half a dozen blasts with a rocket blower cleans the sensor.  Sometimes I have to break out the sensor brush.  I haven't had to do a wet cleaning on my M11, yet.  I've got the kit, though.  Had to use in on my M 262 after many years of use.

 

Even if you don't see macro-dust spots over the years, it is wise to wet-clean a sensor once or twice a year. Micro-dust AKA haze from the ambient air will settle and reduce contrast and clarity over time, like on the windows of your home or even inside lenses. I live near the beach (salt and sand micro dust), The A15 is within 10 km (Rotterdam Harbour into Germany- an untold number of diesel trucks- and inland from where I live there is plenty of industry - I see results from a quick wet clean twice a year.