Monochrom Issue...

[Vince Lupo]

I've noticed this on a few photos I've done recently. Usually in brighter light. Anyone ever had this problem? Any idea what it is?
It always occurs in the same spot. Can't be flare from the sun, as it's at my back.


Schmidt19 by Vince.Lupo, on Flickr

 

[MCTuomey]

have not seen anything like that, on the MM or other digital M's I used. light leak maybe, since it's in brighter light, and it's not a straight line?

 

[rhl-oregon]

Is it with one lens, or more than one lens? (How can you eliminate variables, in other words?) In any case, it doesn't look like an external phenomenon. Good luck detecting the cause.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Just tried the camera with my 35/1.7 Ultron, my 50/0.95 Noctilux and my 75/2.5 Summarit. It shows up on all three lenses. Same spot.

BTW I just sent that photo to the service manager at Leica NJ. Hopefully he might know.

 

[f16sunshine]

Uh oh! Sorry to read that.
Please report as you consider how to tackle it.
I'm quite curious as I'm sure others are.
Cheers!

 

[Vince Lupo]

Just spoke with Leica NJ, and they looked at the photo.

Shutter Blade!

 

[MCTuomey]

good to know, vince - thanks very much for sharing. hopefully, it's warranted work.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Yes, luckily it is.

 

[icebear]

How many exposure do you have on this shutter, Vince ?
Does it not close properly between some of the blades during exposure?

 

[Richard G]

Just spoke with Leica NJ, and they looked at the photo.

Shutter Blade!

Worrying that they recognize it so quickly. Still, the M9s and MMs have had a fair outing with this the first we've seen of it.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Offhand I don't know how many actuations I have on it. As far as the blades not closing properly goes, they look totally fine to me, so I can't really say.

What I can tell you is that if it is indeed a shutter problem, I'm not too happy about it. I just got my 0.95 Noctilux back for a second time from Leica, and now this with the Monochrom.

I use Nikons professionally and not one item has ever had a problem so soon out of the gate (D200 and D700 in the past, D4 and D800 currently, plus a host of lenses). Makes me wonder.....

 

[bennyng]

Did you have filters on the 3 lenses? Could they be reflections off your filters?

Cheers,

 

[Vince Lupo]

I only have a filter on the Noctilux. At first I did think it was some kind of reflection, but in the shot I posted above I'm not facing the sun (it's behind me), and the mark occurs in the same spot, no matter which lens I have on the camera.

The camera is on its way to Leica at the moment, so hopefully they'll be able to resolve it.

 

[Keith]

That's a bummer ... but we don't seem to be getting too many reported issues with latest digital Ms thankfully.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Just got a copy of the work order in the mail. They are going to replace the shutter. Warranty-covered, thankfully.

BTW I tried to figure out my shutter count with my last DNG photo that I took with the camera, but can't find the info. It's not under 'file info' in PhotoShop CS5, and a few of the online 'find my shutter count' websites can't read the file. Is there a way to figure it out that I'm missing?

 

[Doug]

Just got a copy of the work order in the mail. They are going to replace the shutter. Warranty-covered, thankfully.

BTW I tried to figure out my shutter count with my last DNG photo that I took with the camera, but can't find the info. It's not under 'file info' in PhotoShop CS5, and a few of the online 'find my shutter count' websites can't read the file. Is there a way to figure it out that I'm missing?

Leica is pretty good about covering stuff like this, even beyond the warranty period. Sorry to see you have the bother, though...

Shutter count can be estimated by counting how many photo files it's generated. Obvious, but more or less troublesome depending on your own procedures. If you have not reset the file numbering, or changed filenames, that makes it real easy, just subtract the MM's earliest file number from the latest.

That doesn't work for me, as I do renumber all my files according to a date code, and reset file numbering each time before formatting the card. OTOH I do record how many photos in each "batch" along with other info as if it were a roll of film. So I can sum up the "batch" counts to reach a total.

You could have your computer find all DNG files and then sort out which are from the MM. Maybe you'll find a relatively easy way within your system of organizing MM output.

Doug

 

[jaapv]

Look in EXIF for the "Unique image number" of your last photograph. It is a hex number. Convert it and you have the number of actuations.
Works for all digital Ms except the Typ240.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Look in EXIF for the "Unique image number" of your last photograph. It is a hex number. Convert it and you have the number of actuations.
Works for all digital Ms except the Typ240.

Unique Image Number is: 0000000000000000000000000000298E

Converted (using an online converter) it works out to 10638.

 

[john neal]

Vince,

Glad you are getting your problem sorted on warranty.

I'm now wondering about my MM - using it yesterday in single shot mode, it strted making a shutter sound like a DSLR in motor mode - kept on for nearly a minute with the writing light flashing (no, not in subtle mode). Now it has a horrible metal on metal slap sound every time I make an exposure. Results look OK, but it's a bit worrying.

I guess I will have to carry on until something fails. I'm going to London next month, so may see if I can get a slot booked at the Leica store to talk to one of the guru guys there about it.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Sorry to hear about your issues with the Monochrom -- I hope this camera isn't becoming like those exotic cars I read about, in which a total engine rebuild is necessary after only 12,000 miles etc.

Hope these troubles are the rare exceptions and not the rules. I was hoping to rely on this camera for some years to come.

Hmm...lots of 'hope' in these few sentences!