IQ4 fogging LCD

[stevieg]

Not sure if this is a "thing", but I've never encountered it with smaller format camera's with live view LCD's. I've just returned from a photographic trip with external temperatures hovering around 0°Celsius plus assorted wind chill effects. (Cold!) After a short period of operation, the LCD screen started to show what seems to be fogging/separation of the touchscreen elements, which obscured the view for composing etc. The resulting images seem to be fine with all pixels recording the image normally. Once the back was switched off or back at the hotel (following a suitable period of "sealed in the bag" warming up, the fogging disappeared. This wasn't a new back, but is new to me (traded in an IQ3/100). I'm concerned that there may be some moisture in the back that condenses on the inside of the screen once the back warms up and interfaces with the cold external surface of the LCD. Before I send it back for investigation/service, I wanted to check with existing IQ4/150 owners if they have seen this before and it's something to try and work around?

 

[drevil]

Is the back made in denmark or japan?

anyways, this should be fixed for free for sure

 

[f8orbust]

I'd guess there's been some separation between the cover glass and the touch screen and an air gap has developed. Never seen it before, but should 100% be fixed for free - I'm sure P1 will be interested to see what exactly has caused this in case it's not a 'one off'.

 

[stevieg]

Many thanks both. Will send it off.

 

[Paul2660]

Hope P1 does better with your fix. Mine has been sent in twice for this. 2nd time to Japan. Still fogs. Best to keep back out of extremes. If I pull mine it my safe and let direct sunlight hit it, fog every time. Fog lasts quite a while also. My 260 did this also but was fixed the first time. Answer the 2nd time was don’t put it in your safe. It’s a bit disappointing for sure.
Paul

 

[f8orbust]

You guys should compare serial numbers …

 

[vieri]

This is a known issue, my IQ4 Achromatic went in to be fixed and came back with the issue less prominent but still reappearing at times. As you noticed, there is no effect on image taking, storing, etc, it's just making composing / focusing annoying. Until Phase comes up with a definitive fix, the best solution is using a Hoodman loupe to keep light away, using it you don't see the fogging anymore.

Best regards,

Vieri

 

[f8orbust]

This is a known issue ...

So the touchscreen on a $100 smart phone outperforms the one on a $50k digital back ? Ouch.

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for P1 to come up with a 'definitive fix' - more likely they'll just upgrade the screen on the IQ5 and hope everyone forgets about it.

 

[Paul2660]

Personally I believe the issue stems from the oval cover on top for Wi-Fi access. The plastic oval in the top cover may not be not sealed correctly.

My IQ260 did this. Was fixed. My 3100 never did it. My IQ4 does it, has been sent in 2x and still can do it at times. And my 160 never did it.
As noted not allowing direct sunlight to hit the screen helps but in reality that’s not as easy. If used on the XF the screen protector that came out a few years back won’t fit.
Net it’s a pain. And it does effect liveview use tremendously in a negative way.
Paul

 

[f8orbust]

It's odd how air/moisture can get in and cause condensation since all the layers of a capacitive touch screen are (or should be) bonded together.

 

[msertac]

I had the same problem with IQ4 two weeks ago after it came back from maintenance. It went away in 2 hours and hope never comes back

 

[msertac]

Any input from PhaseOne yet?

 

[4*Paul]

This has happened to me twice now - once with an IQ3 100 and then my IQ4 150. Both on an Alpa STC and in similar conditions to those described by the OP.
I just waited until it cleared on the IQ3 and it never came back - probably because the particular combination of humidity and cold (3 hours of walking in heavy rain and then a sudden temperature drop) never occurred again during my ambles through Scotland. Which is a miracle in itself!
The IQ4 was sent away under warranty by the helpful people at Teamwork UK, who I was with at the time.
I got the impression that it is a known (but uncommon) problem and I’m not entirely convinced that it won’t arise again in similar circumstances.
As Vieri says, it’s a real pain when it happens and I don’t normally have a Hoodman loupe.
Maybe I will just slip the XF (and several lenses) into my pocket and use the WLF!
Paul.

 

[Paul2660]

What has concerned me is that moisture has gotten inside the camera somehow, and if so, can it also be getting on the internal components of the camera. For me its much more common as in Arkansas during most of the year, the outside temps are over 85 F, and when you take the back out of a car with AC, and sun hits the back, the fogging starts immediately.

Paul

 

[vieri]

What has concerned me is that moisture has gotten inside the camera somehow, and if so, can it also be getting on the internal components of the camera. ...

Hey Paul, I get fogging quite often but thanks to an opposite combination (warm inside the car, cold / wet outside). In the case of the IQ4, my understanding is that moisture fogs in between layers of glass of the screen.

About moisture getting on internal components of the camera, my understanding is that since humidity is carried by the air, unless a camera (any camera, not just P1) is completely sealed - and not just sealed as in waterproof, sealed as in no air can get in - there is bound to be moisture potentially condensing on other, internal parts of the camera. Which, I believe, is why manufacturer and the collective wisdom advise not to open our camera bag immediately when coming back into a warm room from the cold, but to wait for it to slowly get back to room temperature.

Best regards,

Vieri