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Sensor Specular highlights issue (M9 CCD)
The M9 sensor cannot handle extreme highlights in some cases. This example was repeated multiple times, and using both the Leica 35/2 Summicron and Zeiss ZM 35/2 Biogon. It is definitely a sensor/camera issue.
It has been years since I observed this bug in early DSLRs. It was associated (then) with CCD sensors, but I haven’t seen it in a long time, and never with a CMOS sensor.
This bug is troublesome. With careful exposure it can generally be avoided, but this might mean gross underexposure for some parts of the scene.
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Diglloyd Guide to LEICA contains in-depth coverage of Leica M system cameras and lenses, with additional coverage of Leica M Monochrom, Leica Q.
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Leica M9 + Zeiss ZM 35/2 Biogon @ f/8, 1/4000 sec handheld, ISO 160