Dirt on the Inside of Sensor Protective Glass

[gebseng]

Dear Forum Members,

I own a Leaf Credo 40 DB, bought in early 2014. Since mid 2017, a dirt pattern started appearing in one corner (see screenshot and 100% crop). It is clearly on the inside of the protective glass covering the sensor (I can see that when looking at it from an angle with a loupe). My Phase One Dealer said it could not be removed and cleaned locally, and they would have to send it to P1 in Denmark, which would take 2-3 weeks and cost € 1.000,-.

What do you think this is, and how did it get in there? Fungus maybe? I compared shots from 2017 and now, and although the shape stayed exactly the same, it seems to get more visible in time.

best,

Gebhard

[BAB]

Question how is the glass bonded to the sensor?...

[borzamircea]

Hi! I have the same issue, dirt under the IR filter which is covering the sensor. Tried cleaning the surface with eclipse, but the dust seems to be under it. I then opened a ticket at Phase One. Cleaning would be 500 € and replacing the filter itself would be 900 €, at least that's what my dealer told me. I am waiting for an RMA number to ship the back out to Denmark (IQ140, forgot to mention), so if it helps, I will keep you updated.

Cheers,

Mircea

[vjbelle]

I had the same issue with my 3100 and it had to go back to phase for repair. 

Victor

[gebseng]

I had the same issue with my 3100 and it had to go back to phase for repair. 

Victor

Hi Victor, did they charge you?

Best,

Geb

[gebseng]

Hi! I have the same issue, dirt under the IR filter which is covering the sensor. Tried cleaning the surface with eclipse, but the dust seems to be under it. I then opened a ticket at Phase One. Cleaning would be 500 € and replacing the filter itself would be 900 €, at least that's what my dealer told me. I am waiting for an RMA number to ship the back out to Denmark (IQ140, forgot to mention), so if it helps, I will keep you updated.

Cheers,

Mircea

Hi Mircea, thanks for the info! Yes, it would be great if you could update me on how Phase One reacts, best geb

[gebseng]

Question how is the glass bonded to the sensor?...

I don't think it's bonded, there is a gap of several millimeters between sensor and glass

[borzamircea]

This was the initial state. Most of the dust was gone after cleaning with eclipse and a pad, but some particles were still underneath the glass, after cleaning. I will update this thread as soon as the back is out to Phase.

Cheers,

Mircea

[gebseng]

This was the initial state. Most of the dust was gone after cleaning with eclipse and a pad, but some particles were still underneath the glass, after cleaning. I will update this thread as soon as the back is out to Phase.

Cheers,

Mircea

weird, I wonder how the dust could get under the glass

[borzamircea]

Good question... Unfortunately, that's how I got it off ebay.

[vjbelle]

Hi Victor, did they charge you?

Best,

Geb

No.... the camera was under warranty ( 5 years ) and I was given a loaner for the time my camera was sent back to Phase for repair. 

Victor

[vjbelle]

weird, I wonder how the dust could get under the glass

I believe the dirt was there from the manufacturing process but was off to the side and not visible.  Somehow it dislodged and settled on the sensor.  That's the only explanation that makes any sense to me. 

Victor

[pemihan]

To me it look like residue from the cleaning fluid. I have had that and it looked exactly the same as yours. Cleaning fluid like Eclipse attracts moisture and if it's to old it's prone to leave residue that looks like this. Also the cleaning cloths are really important, I find the Woven Cleaning Cloths that Capture Integration sells to be very superior and they and a fresh bottle of Eclipse took care of it for me.

[borzamircea]

Hey pemihan,

Yes, the eclipse I used was fresh, actually bought a kit from teamworkphoto which had those presoaked pads. Used one of them with the white card from phase. The dust on the surface was wiped properly, but I did see some dust in the photos, and after looking with a magnified lamp, saw some dust specs which appear to be under the IR filter.

Also, after wiping the sensor, I did get some dried blue solution from the bottom edge (that was probably solution B from phase), most likely from a previous clean.

Probably the previous owner cleaned it with eclipse/phase solutions which weren't so fresh. Anyway, thanks for giving your input. Really appreciate all the help from this community.

Cheers,

Mircea

[borzamircea]

Hi all,

just as an update, the back arrived at Phase one this week, waiting on a quote. Will keep this thread updated.

Cheers,

Mircea

[gebseng]

Hi Mircea, did you get a quote yet?

[borzamircea]

Hi gebseng,

It took about a month, but the back is back, just got it last Tuesday. The quote was 500 € + shipping, but I am still waiting for the invoice from my dealer. It looks clean, and Phase One specified they cleaned the dust on the IR filter, and it looks clean, when I attached the back to the body. As I was on Holiday until today, will take some test shots tomorrow and keep you updated.

Cheers,

Mircea

[borzamircea]

Hi Geb,

Did some studio shots and the images look clean to me, no more dust.

Cheers,

Mircea

[Mexecutioner]

That's great, worth the wait, now time to enjoy!