Cleaning The Sensor - Leica M9 Instructions Manual

Cleaning the sensor

If any dust or dirt particles should adhere to the sen-
sor cover glass, depending on the size of the particles
this can be identified by dark spots or marks on the
pictures.
The LEICA M9 can be sent to Leica Camera AG's
Customer Service for the sensor to be cleaned
at a cost (address: see p. 177) – 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:
• Since the LEICA M9 should always be protected
against ingress of dust etc. into the interior of the
camera, always have a lens or a cover fitted to the
camera body.
• For the same reason, lenses should be changed
quickly and in an environment that is as dust-free
as possible.
• As plastic parts can have a slight static charge and
then attract more dust, individual lens and body
covers should only be kept in clothing pockets for
very short periods.
168 / Cleaning the sensor
Setting the function
1. In the main menu (see p. 102/119), select Sensor
cleaning (4.1.21).
• The respective 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 appears.
Note:
If the battery has insufficient capacity, the warning
message Attention Battery too low for sensor cleaning
appears instead, indicating 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. Always follow the instruc-
tions below:
Notes:
• As far as possible, both inspection and cleaning of
the sensor should be performed in a dust-free envi-
ronment 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 „Tete-
nal 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. 177).