M8 - "Red Line" - How to address this in 2013?

[ninjin]

I just got my used M8 last Friday and I can't say much else than that I am in love. Having just gotten back from a small weekend trip I have several shots that I can't imagine that I would have pulled off with my SLR gear (too intimidating) and film would have taken months to get around to the scanning. I will try to share a few of them over at the M8 thread when I get around to developing them.

Something that chocked me though was the amount of dirt on either my back elements or the sensor (no biggie, I'll do that myself or hand it over to the local shop), but even worse, there was a big red row of pixels showing up. Being even worse when I converted to black and white (I didn't use my IR-filter over the weekend, it was in the mail when I got back, a thousands thanks to Ron for it, I will put it to good use). After some time searching the web I am fairly sure that I am looking at a "red line" problem and that the pixels needs to be remapped (software solution for hardware issue then). Sorry to post a message about what I assume is an already fairly discussed and old issue, but I found plenty of answers and many were quite old (do point out if a missed a relevant new one). I am in Tokyo, so I suppose I better send my new darling back home to Solms for this one, but I heard that Leica will fix this one for free even though the warranty is out (really!?!) and also others claiming I am looking at 900 USD (she won't get that fix for at least another six months then...). Any advice is welcome to help out this new digital M user.

I attached an image that shows the problem, but badly so. I should have exported for native resolution from Lightroom but I managed to scale it down since I was in a hurry. I will try to upload a better one tomorrow so that the line can be seen more clearly (it is a solid line of pixels both in Lightroom and on the M8 LCD). Look at the pine tree and the line goes straight through the tree, top to bottom.

 

[ark8012]

You can try "PixelFixer" software. If the problem comes from a hot pixel, the sofeware could solve the problem.

Best way would be to send your M8 to Leica, and fix it. The problem is the price could be very expensive depending on the actual problem on your sensor. If the problem could be fixed by simple sensor mapping, the cost should not be high. If the problem cannot be solved by mapping and requires the sensor change, the cost would be super high. Some Leica service centers do not charge for mapping while others do. You should email to a couple of Leica service centers to get the cost.

About a year ago, I emailed to Leica Korea with a sample picture, and they offered a free mapping service for the first time. They knew the problem could be solved by mapping after they checked my sample picture.

I did the same thing to Leica Solm, but they did not say how to solve the problem. I was only told that I need to send my M8 to Solm to get a service quote.

For Leica USA, they told the cost starts from $495. Basically, they charge a cost for CLA first, then increase the cost depending on the camera condition.

So try Leica Japan with your sample picture, they might be able to tell you possible solution with price.

 

[ninjin]

Thanks a bundle ark8012, I will try out the software on any pictures I have taken, will take, over the next few days or weeks that needs fixing. Then contact Leica Japan and hope they will be kind to be. Hopefully I can save a bit on the fix and spend the money on getting a well-deserved CLA for my Summitar instead.

 

[William Temple]

This happened to me a month or so back, I contacted Leica and they fixed the sensor for free (the accompanying invoice stated: based on good will) and shipped it back to me in a couple of days. I'd advise you to do the same as you may also receive a good will repair.

 

[jaapv]

I would return the camera to the shop and demand a flawless one.