68
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 S can be sent to Leica Camera AG’s Customer Care department
for the sensor to be cleaned at a cost (address: see p. 74) – this cleaning is
not included in the warranty.
You can also perform the cleaning yourself, using the
Sensor Cleaning func-
tion in the menu. This allows access to the sensor by keeping the shutter
open.
Notes:
• Generally: To protect the Leica S against ingress of dust etc. into the inte-
rior of the camera, it is important always to have a lens or a cover attached
to the camera body.
• For the same reason, change lenses 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 caps and covers should only be stored for short peri-
ods in pockets in clothing.
Setting the function
1. In the
SETUP menu (see p. 17/26) select Sensor Cleaning (5.23).
• The relevant submenu appears.
2. Confirm the function in the submenu, if there is sufficient battery capacity,
i.e. at a minimum of 60%.
• The message
Please switch off camera after inspection. appears.
Note:
However, 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 (1.1). The shutter opens and remains
open.
4. Perform the cleaning. Make sure you follow the instructions under
"Notes".
5. After cleaning, the shutter is closed by turning off the camera.
• The message
Attention - Please stop sensor cleaning immediately
appears.
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 o 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. 74).
• If the battery capacity falls to less than 40% while the shutter is open, a
warning message "
Attention Please stop sensor cleaning immediately.”
" appears on the monitor. At the same time a sustained beep tone will sound,
which continues until the camera is switched off. Turning off also closes the
shutter.
Be absolutely sure in this case that the shutter widow is clear, i.e. that no
object can obstruct the closing movement of the shutter, otherwise damage
may occur!
Important:
• Leica Camera AG accepts no liability for damage caused by the user when
cleaning the sensor.
• Do not attempt to blow dust particles o the sensor cover glass using your
mouth; even tiny droplets of saliva can cause marks that are difficult to
remove.
• Compressed air cleaners with high gas pressure may not be used as they
can also cause damage.
• Take care to avoid touching the sensor surface with any hard objects
during inspection and cleaning.
