jtact Posted March 11, 2009 Share #1 Posted March 11, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all Last time I posted in this forum was 2007, when I was new to the world of Leica and had just decided the Digilux 2 was the camera for me. I'm a student so I bought a used one, all the way from a shop in New York. And it's been a great two years. The Digilux is a remarkable camera. I was trying to think of a photo that sums up the camera for me - and I came up with the evening shot below. Walking along, it looked to me like an ordinary Sydney dusk. But what came through the lens was something of great beauty. I wouldn't part with it. About six months ago, it started capturing horizontal bands of sensor interference. These were visible on the display and in the photos themselves (see the green sculpture shot). I didn't worry too much, because it was quite occasional. Now something has gone really wrong. It still turns on, clicks, takes photos, but they're all wrong. See the lower two photographs. They are supposed to be the view of the ocean from my window, and me in the mirror. Does anybody have an idea of what the problem may be, and ... do you think it would be an expensive repair? Thanks for your help JT Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/79145-whats-happened-to-my-poor-digilux-2/?do=findComment&comment=837072'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 11, 2009 Posted March 11, 2009 Hi jtact, Take a look here What's happened to my poor Digilux 2? . I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
farnz Posted March 11, 2009 Share #2 Posted March 11, 2009 Hi, The bad news: you're sensor has failed. This is a known sensor fault caused by heat and humidity and has been widely discussed. The good news: Leica will replace your sensor free of charge. If you contact Solms, Leica Customer Services will advise you of the details. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted March 11, 2009 Share #3 Posted March 11, 2009 Definitely sensor error, and the type Leica will repair for free. So just contact them and sit tight for some weeks till you get it back with a new sensor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtact Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted March 11, 2009 Serious? That's great news! I hadn't heard about it... Solms -- did you mean I should contact Leica in Germany directly, or would I go through their Australian service affiliate? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajthornbury Posted March 11, 2009 Share #5 Posted March 11, 2009 This is the same pattern of events that occured with mine as the sensor started to fail. If you are in the UK, contact Leica Service in Milton Keynes, they will arrange for it to be returned to Solmes. Leica are changing the sensors free of charge, and often give the camera a refurb as well. Don't include battery or SD card when you send it back. Worth the wait as it is a cracking camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted March 11, 2009 Share #6 Posted March 11, 2009 Serious? That's great news! I hadn't heard about it... Solms -- did you mean I should contact Leica in Germany directly, or would I go through their Australian service affiliate? It's your choice really. If it was me, I'd contact Solms in Germany directly because if I was to send it through Leica UK in Milton Keynes it's likely to be delayed by having to wait for their next shipment to Solms before it started the journey to 'Leica General Hospital'. Your case is a little different because there'll be quite a difference in cost for postage and insurance sending it internally within Aus compared to sending it to Germany so you might prefer to send it to your nearest Leica Dealership. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLV Posted March 11, 2009 Share #7 Posted March 11, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi JT, You will find a lot of posts in the forum about defective D2 sensor . After it is replaced, your D2 will function as new for years. Even if not under guaranty, Leica should replace it for free. (maybe not shipping cost). All the best Jean-Luc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsolomon Posted March 11, 2009 Share #8 Posted March 11, 2009 had mine done recently - totally free of charge ! and it only took 2 weeks for return. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted March 12, 2009 Share #9 Posted March 12, 2009 I will piggyback on here. My almost-original D2 sensor failed in a different mode - total blackness. No viewfinder image (the viewfinder symbols show up - just against a black background) - no image to meter by, nada. The last pix I actually took (last Nov.) seem fine and play back fine. But the camera is totally blind. It is on its way to Leica now - I hope its failure mode is covered just as the melting green and purple failure is. (It's not the one in my avatar, which is also the one I used to write my photo.net review - I broke that one all on my own. This was the replacement from 10/04) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted March 12, 2009 Share #10 Posted March 12, 2009 Andy--my Digilux 2 sensor has done exactly the same thing. I haven't sent it in yet, so I'll be on the lookout for their response to your camera's problem. Judging from Leica's original acknowledgement of the problem (link no longer functional), we may be in luck: 12/13/2006Leica Camera AG is offering all owners of the LEICA DIGILUX 2 a customer service free of charge even beyond the stated warranty period. Specifically, this refers to exchanging the digital camera's sensor in the case of a rarely occurring malfunction. Leica Camera AG has opted for this extended warranty due to the fact that there have been a few reports of this malfunction caused by faulty manufacturing which also affects some other makes' cameras. Prolonged use of the camera in tropical climate conditions has occasionally led to effects such as black stripes in the image or even a totally black image. This malfunction can be the result of sensors whose specifications do not meet the respective Leica Camera AG production and testing standards. Even though the malfunction occurs only after prolonged use in extreme conditions, i.e. perhaps even after the warranty period has expired, thanks to the service described here, the LEICA DIGILUX 2 customers can rely on having their camera repaired free of charge over a longer period of time. Thus, supported by this measure, Leica Camera AG is ensuring that the LEICA DIGILUX 2 will retain its value after having been discontinued. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dugby Posted March 12, 2009 Share #11 Posted March 12, 2009 Jtact. Speaking as a west-coast Aussie...... I bought my D2 in Canada in 2005 and the sensor failed in 2006 with images like yours. Advice- a) email Leica Service in Solms to get verification of the repair. Go direct to Australia Post and pay the A$65 to have it sent as registered parcel post to Solms in Germany. don't bother with the middle-men who will add anxiety and time (and maybe $$) to the exercise. I was able to track the repair on the Leica service website, by the allocated job-number, and my D2 returned safely to Perth after about 10 weeks. PS i still use and enjoy my D2 along with my D3(L1) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumac Posted March 30, 2009 Share #12 Posted March 30, 2009 May be a bit late with this, just got back on, Adeal in Melbourne are doing sensor replacement in house, they did mine last May. Regards, Stuart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted March 30, 2009 Share #13 Posted March 30, 2009 So that implies that the sensor is changed, not the sensor and lens. Do you know? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumac Posted March 30, 2009 Share #14 Posted March 30, 2009 I am pretty sure it was only the sensor, there was a couple of weeks delay, they told me they were waiting for sensors from Leica Could not tell if lens was changed, mine was unmarked as new. Regards, Stuart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 30, 2009 Share #15 Posted March 30, 2009 In my case they simply sent a replacement camera (probably a refurb) I didn't complain. It was mint. Leica said they "changed the serial number" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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