Leica M8: What the hell is that?

[bugmenot]

Hi,

today I found something were strange on some pictures from my M8.

Its a line in the middle and one at the bottom. Whats that? A sensor problem? The camera is 20 months old.
I can only see it above ISO 640. Is that normal or a crazy sensor?

 

[former member]

Many RFF members have stated that ISO 640 is the highest "usable" setting for the M8, so these artifacts at high-gain have been noted. Try the camera at various ISO settings of the same subject, see how it does.

 

[jaapv]

Dead-pixel line. The sensor needs to be remapped/ exchanged. A guarantee thing. might happen to any digital camera, but the M8 seems quite prone. It may have to do with the fact that an AA filterless sensor shows up these defects more clearly.

 

[eleskin]

I used to have this problem, but it went away when I upgraded the firmware.

 

[dcsang]

Jaap is correct.

I had that with a brand new M8 back in April 2008.
Send the camera in to Leica Germany and they'll fix it (but you're likely looking at approx $900 USD based on my experience). I hope you have an extended warranty.

Cheers,
dave

 

[jaapv]

I've never heard of Leica charging for this, Dave - is your experience otherwise?

 

[Olsen]

This is a typical example of The Red Line Problem. Absolutely all - all - M8s I know of have had this problem. It is nothing less than a quality scandal. That said, Leica wil fix this free of charge. I have heard that they even fix it on cameras that have gone on to the second user and is outside the warranty period.

Soothing: All the M8 cameras I know that have been sent to Solms for fixing of this problem have functioned flawlessly afterwards. Those buying a 2.hand M8 that has been to Solms for The Red Line Fix can feel assured that this problem will not reappear.

 

[jaapv]

This is a typical example of The Red Line Problem. Absolutely all - all - M8s I know of have had this problem. It is nothing less than a quality scandal.

I have two that haven't and they are three years old...

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I haven't seen a good quality scandal in a while.

 

[darkspark]

This is a typical example of The Red Line Problem. Absolutely all - all - M8s I know of have had this problem. It is nothing less than a quality scandal. That said, Leica wil fix this free of charge. I have heard that they even fix it on cameras that have gone on to the second user and is outside the warranty period.

Soothing: All the M8 cameras I know that have been sent to Solms for fixing of this problem have functioned flawlessly afterwards. Those buying a 2.hand M8 that has been to Solms for The Red Line Fix can feel assured that this problem will not reappear.

Any chance this would be the same for Leica USA (NJ)? I tried email and got transferred to a few "managers" at Leica USA and they all seem to be baffled by my image samples I sent--like they have never seen such a thing before...

Anyone has a contact person (email address) of whom who knows about this issue for sure at Leica (either at Solms or New Jersey)? I've been waiting for Leica USA for more than 3 months now and I want to contact someone who really can help me... I'd rather not send my M8 as far as Solms but I'm really sick of waiting for Leica USA to have this issue of my M8 fixed. I know it's a very common issue from hearing about it from all the M8 users, and it's really disappointing to find that Leica USA doesn't recognize the issue and/or can provide any information about a fix to me.

 

[jaapv]

cs@leica-camera.com

 

[pkreyenhop]

All M8s are faulty - Plato has the proof!

All M8s are faulty - Plato has the proof!

This is a typical example of The Red Line Problem. Absolutely all - all - M8s I know of have had this problem. It is nothing less than a quality scandal. That said, Leica wil fix this free of charge. I have heard that they even fix it on cameras that have gone on to the second user and is outside the warranty period.

Soothing: All the M8 cameras I know that have been sent to Solms for fixing of this problem have functioned flawlessly afterwards. Those buying a 2.hand M8 that has been to Solms for The Red Line Fix can feel assured that this problem will not reappear.

My M8 is faulty and I have seen another faulty one - therefore all M8s are faulty. Proof by induction ;-)

 

[darkspark]

cs@leica-camera.com

does "cs" = customer service? or is it someone's name?

any particular name of the person I should address to in my email?

 

[jaapv]

cs is customer service and it will end up on the computer of a group of -I think- three people, all of whom are equally competent.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Dammit. Now I just realized that my M8 has the same damned problem. I'm very frustrated about this because 1) I got this camera from Tamarkin, who bought it with a group of other demo M8s FROM LEICA, whom you would think had checked this before shipping them out, and 2) I checked in detail when I got the camera and didn't see any evidence of it at the time. 3) I also changed the covering to griptac.

So what should I do here? I pretty much never use the camera above 640, so, to be honest, I will rarely encounter the problem. at 640 there is no line--just the single hot pixel that is causing it. I have a 1-year Leica warranty, so should I wait until the warranty is nearly up, THEN send it to leica for repair? If I'm not mistaken, this will add another year to my warranty, right? And finally, changing the covering, if I remember right, does NOT void a Leica warranty, correct?

I don't especially miss my R-D1, but I certainly miss its hot pixel correction function now. I don't understand why Leica doesn't put this into the firmware. Perhaps it will, in the next version.

 

[helen.HH]

mabelsound:

I would call & personally speak to Stan
He is FANTASTIC to deal with
and is Quite Supportive to his Clientele

some of the M8's came with 1 year guarantee
otherwise
I think tamarkin gives a 6 month warranty in general

Best of Luck- H

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

mabelsound:

I would call & personally speak to Stan
He is FANTASTIC to deal with
and is Quite Supportive to his Clientele

was it under any guarantee?? some of the M8's came with 1 year guarantee
otherwise
I think tamarkin gives a 6 month warranty in general

Best of Luck- H

I am leery of calling Stan because of the griptac. Do you think he'd give a crap?

 

[helen.HH]

I am leery of calling Stan because of the griptac. Do you think he'd give a crap?

well YOU are not asking for your money back/return
just a Properly working camera
If I remember you recently got this...non
in the last 2 months maybe

I believe Stan would be of ASSISTANCE....🙂

 

[dcsang]

My experience, I believe, is documented somewhere on this site - that said, the abridged version is as follows: Brand new M8, shot less than 100 images and was reviewing high and low ISO shots and I noted the line of dead pixels. Called my dealer, explained the situation, he told me to return it to him. I did. He sent it off to Leica Germany. A few weeks later I get a letter from Leica Germany explaining the cost for the sensor replacement, general CLA etc. etc. - I talk to my dealer about it, he says to "pay it" and that he will stand behind his sale and once he gets the camera back, he will reimburse me. That took place and I got reimbursed as stated. I actually had to call Leica and have them record my mastercard in order for them to get their cash for this fix.

Anyway, after it was fixed, it was awesome.

Cheers,
Dave

ETA: For reference sake: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58242 &
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59068

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

well YOU are not asking for your money back/return
just a Properly working camera
If I remember you recently got this...non
in the last 2 months maybe

I believe Stan would be of ASSISTANCE....🙂

Yeah, you're right...I'll call him on Monday. Thanks to you, too, dave...between Stan and Leica I am sure I can work something out.