Help! M8 repair for the Banding problem

[ark8012]

Hello,

I recently got a Leica M8, which is my first digital M.

It has very early serical number, and about 15000 actuations.

I was so excited to get the body,,,, but when I check some test shots..

I found the Bandings on my pics. All of pics with ISO 640.. and a few with ISO 320 with under exposure.


What would be the best choice for repair in the US?? and whoever recently repair it, could you please tell me how and how much you paid.

I have checked dead pixels with PixelFixer, it did not solve the banding problem. so I guess it is not a dead pixel problem.

I am trying to solve the problem rather than refund... Please advise..

[ark8012]

at ISO320 crop


at ISO 640 original


at ISO 640 cropped

[jaapv]

These shots are pretty underexposed - any M8 will show banding at higher ISO with underexposure. (actually many digital cameras
will)
In the second shot you were probably at "A" as the specular highlights have fooled the camera into underexposure. Manual only in that sort of light!

[crispy12]

I find exposure quite tricky with M8. Under exposed and banding, over and blown highlights. Less forgiving than film 35mm. I use the histogram a lot to check exposure, try to get it to fill most of the histogram.

[ark8012]

Here is a shot at ISO 2500 to show the banding clearly.


at ISO 2500 arrow

[jippiejee]

I'd just try to stick to <640 iso on an M8. Never a problem then.

[Doug]

I see the vertical line in only your last sample, of the garage door. I had the same with a "demo" M8, most visible in dark/shadowed areas of a photo, and at 100% scale... even at ISO 320. The dealer arranged free service from Leica in New Jersey.

[mabelsound]

The line is obvious in a couple of the shots, to me. It is not banding, it's the usual M8 sensor failure. Leica NJ will fix it!

[ark8012]

Originally Posted by mabelsound

The line is obvious in a couple of the shots, to me. It is not banding, it's the usual M8 sensor failure. Leica NJ will fix it!

So if it is not a banding, could you please tell me what the banding is?

I am a new for the digital M, so I might not know exactly what the banding is.

Thank you for your help.

Noah

[Doug]

This is the "vertical line" issue, Noah... it comes only vertically in landscape format, and only one pixel column (or partial column), whereas I believe banding is horizontal and a lot wider.

It seems that Leica is fixing this even out of warranty as a defect condition, so best to give them a call. They will want you to send it in, and won't diagnose the problem over the phone, but you should get their ok before sending it.

[Jubb Jubb]

My M8 does this too, only noticeable if shooting ISO 640 or above, or if you edit it in Camera Raw and pump up the exposure or fill light.

So Leica offers this as a free repair? I may have to find out. Does anyone know where to send in Australia?

[dcsang]

Noah,

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=58242

Mabelsound is correct - it's a fault with the sensor... it's common on the M8 in my experience.

Cheers,
Dave

[ark8012]

Thank you all who gave answers for what it is.

It turned out the M8 needs a remapping.

I think it is fixable problem rather than replacement of the whole sensor.

[mabelsound]

They'll let you know if it has to be replaced...great news if a remap will do. They replaced my entire sensor...this was under warranty though. Good luck!