Specialist Leica compact camera repairs & servicing
Although compact digital cameras require sensor cleaning less often, it is still an important part of the cameras long term
maintenance.
Even with a sealed unit there is still a good chance that dust will eventually work its way into any camera over time via the card slot or through the lens. Cameras with zoom lenses are more prone to dust simply due to the movement of air when the lens is extending. In the case of compact digital cameras dust can dramatically affect the cameras results. The older and smaller sensors will greatly magnify any dust making it more obvious.
Checking for dust on your sensor is reasonably simple. If your camera has a control-able aperture, it is best to set the camera to a smaller apature i.e f16 and point the camera to a strong light source. any dust on the sensor should show as a grey mark or marks across the image.
There are also other faults that can be seen using this method. A line across the sensor could also be a cracked sensor or if there are grey spots with a halo effect it could be that the Sensor has a coating problem or liquid on the sensor. In some liquid cases this cam be cleaned but with coating problems its far more serious.
Testing the camera at a small aperture setting against a strong & even light source is a good test to carry out whenever you are looking at purchasing a used digital camera or when your testing own equipment before an important event or trip.
If you have ever found your camera lens is struggling to move, is slow or is making strange noises it could be that your lens requires a service. One of the most common cause of lens problems on compact cameras is sand or dirt working its way into the lenses gears or into the lens followers guides. Many lens errors can be solved by servicing a lens. This is not however a simple job and must be handled with care. Modern lenses especially on Compact digital cameras contain a wide
range of specialist components. Take a Leica D-Lux lens system for example. inside the very small body of the lens unit there is the Zoom & focus motors you may expect but it also houses the shutter system, optical stabilisation and on the D-Lux 6 the ND filter system. The same is true of the C-Lux series but they also add a built in lens cap or lens shutters.
I have been working on these lens units for a long time and have the expert knowledge to carry out servicing and repairs to these small but vital components.
If you are asked by the camera to set the date and time every time the main battery has been removed, it could be that the internal memory battery needs replacing.
The Internal memory battery charges itself from the main battery pack when it is inserted. This memory battery will allow the cameras internal computer system to save basic settings such as date and time and some user settings.
The Internal battery is not a user
changeable component and is normally part of the cameras mainboard PCB or power circuit PCB. The camera would need to be dismantled to access and replace this part.
Over time it is possible that the cameras controls can become stiff or jammed. in most cases this is caused by a build up of dirt around the controls i.e. Shutter dial, Power switch, mode dial etc.
We will strip down the control board and clean all components to free up the controls and restore the functions of all the dials
This can be a common issue on well used cameras but can also happen if a sticky substance has been spilled on the camera. Some cleaning products can damage the cameras finish so it is vital that this work is carried out with care.
