158
CLEANING THE SENSOR
If any dust or dirt particles should adhere to the sensor
cover glass, depending on the size of the particles
this can be identified by dark spots or marks on the
pictures.
The Leica M Monochrom can be sent to Leica Camera
AG’s Customer Service for the sensor to be cleaned
at a cost (address: see p. 167) – this cleaning is not
included in the warranty.
You can also perform the cleaning yourself, using the
Sensor cleaning function in the menu. This allows
access to the sensor by keeping the shutter open.
Notes:
• Generally: To protect the Leica M Monochrom against
ingress of dust etc. into the interior of the camera, it
is important always to have a lens or a cover fitted to
the camera body.
• For the same reason, when changing lenses work
quickly and in an environment that is as dust-free as
possible.
• As plastic parts can easily pick up a static charge and
then attract more dust, individual lens and camera
body caps should only be stored for short periods in
pockets in clothing.
Setting the function
1. In the main menu (see p. 97/110), select
Sensor
cleaning
(4.1.19).
• The relevant sub-menu appears.
2. Providing the battery has sufficient capacity, i.e. at
least 60%, confirm the function in the sub-menu.
• A further sub-menu will appear.
Note:
If the battery capacity is lower, the warning message
Attention Battery too low for sensor cleaning
appears instead to indicate that the function is not
available, i.e. Yes cannot be selected.
3. Press the shutter release button (1.19). The shutter
opens and remains open.
4. Perform the cleaning. Comply with the following
instructions:
Notes:
• As far as possible, both inspection and cleaning
of the sensor should be performed in a dust-free
environment to prevent further soiling.
• An 8x or 10x magnifying glass is very useful for the
inspection and after cleaning.
• Lightly adhering dust can be blown off the sensor
cover glass using clean and, if necessary ionized
gases such as air or nitrogen. It makes sense to use
a (rubber) bellows with no brush for this purpose.
Special, low pressure cleaning sprays such as "Tetenal
Antidust Professional" can also be used in line with
their specified usage.
• If the particles cannot be removed from the sensor
in this way, please refer the matter to your Leica
Information Service (address: see p. 167).
• If the battery capacity falls to less than 40% while
the shutter is open, the warning message
Attention
Battery low Switch off camera
appears in the
monitor. At the same time a sustained beep tone will
sound, which continues until the camera is switched
off. Turning the camera off will cause the shutter
to be closed again. Be absolutely sure in this case
that the shutter window is clear, i.e. that no object
can obstruct the closing movement of the shutter,
otherwise damage may occur.
