Please Help Me With My M9

[Zhiliang2929]

Hi,

I encountered this in my pictures taken on my M9 today. It was fine just last week when i took it out. Anybody has seen this before, and could advise me? They appear in all my pictures today whether i am using my Zeiss lens or my Leica lens.

 

[Zhiliang2929]

And when i opened up to check the sensor, i realized a slightly foggy layer of thing on it that seems to be circular around the sensor.

 

[Teuthida]

condensation?

 

[Zhiliang2929]

condensation?

hmmm... would condensation last past a few days? because i went through my pictures...

Last Fri, everything was ok
Last Sat, was the pic above (didnt zoom in to preview it as just doing test shot)
and today, the pictures i shot are exactly having the same thing.

 

[I Love Film]

Try cleaning the sensor. Maybe oil spatter?

You don't have to be afraid of cleaning the sensor, I use lens tissue wrapped around a Q-tip and 92% Ethyl alcohol.

Obviously, if you see something on the sensor that's what is causing the problem.

 

[Nigel Meaby]

Is the camera new or one you've had for some time? Did you change lenses at any time just before this started? Have you cleaned the sensor either before or since the problem arose? Only you can tell whether it's condensation as we can't see it. However is it possible you got condensation on it and it's dried leaving the foggy layer? Are you able to take a close-up of the sensor and post it?

Edit: Yes I was going to suggest the oil from the inner workings also.

 

[Zhiliang2929]

Try cleaning the sensor. Maybe oil spatter?

You don't have to be afraid of cleaning the sensor, I use lens tissue wrapped around a Q-tip and 92% Ethyl alcohol.

Obviously, if you see something on the sensor that's what is causing the problem.

I am not too sure too, and my m9 is coming to the last month of the warranty and i was wondering should i send it in since i could still do so. Really appreciate your advice, and i might try doing it too.

 

[Zhiliang2929]

Is the camera new or one you've had for some time? Did you change lenses at any time just before this started? Have you cleaned the sensor either before or since the problem arose? Only you can tell whether it's condensation as we can't see it. However is it possible you got condensation on it and it's dried leaving the foggy layer? Are you able to take a close-up of the sensor and post it?

Edit: Yes I was going to suggest the oil from the inner workings also.

Had my camera for quite a while. Coming to the end of my two year warranty period. I have never cleaned the sensor before except to use a blower on it only once when there was a dust spot. Last friday i brought it out to shoot and every picture was fine. Later on, i went to a camera shop to try on a few Zeiss and Voigtlander lenses that were new. Ended up getting one of the Zeiss. Fixed it on, and it was there till today. My test shot was last sat and i didnt preview close enough, thus do not know about it till today when i brought it out to shoot. Later on fixed on a 50 Cron and the same thing happened on the same side of all the pictures. Used a flashlight to shine through both the lenses and could not spot any haze or fungus on them. I tried taking a pic of the sensor but didnt turn out well. The slight fog could not be seen clearly till close inspection under light.

 

[theno23]

If it's gunk of some kind on the sensor it will get less distinct with wider apertures (in my experience), so try taking a stop of a ceiling stopped down as far as it will go, and wide open.

 

[kbg32]

"I have never cleaned the sensor before except to use a blower on it only once when there was a dust spot."

Can't believe you never cleaned your sensor before. Do you ever change lenses??

This issue is not lens specific. I would have your sensor cleaned with a "wet" cleaner. Could be oil or you touched your sensor with your finger.. Have a shop do it if you are wary. If it doesn't clean off, it could be a sensor issue and send it in to Leitz.

 

[corefunk]

Do you live in Singapore? Could this be mold forming on the sensor due to high humidity or in contact with moisture?

 

[250swb]

Cleaning the sensor is as important as cleaning your lens. I suspect this may be something like condensation that has dried and left a stain, or mould forming. Try a wet clean and see what happens.

Steve