Buying a used M9

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agentsim

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Hi Folks,

I'm looking at buying a used M9, looks to be in pretty good condition. The sensor was replaced by a local dealer in July of 2017, shutter count is 11500.

If I understand correctly, the July 2017 sensor should be a good one, so I don't have to worry about corrosion. 11.5k on the shutter seems low, so I don't think I need to worry there.

What should I be checking when I meet up with the seller to confirm that this is a good buy?
 
I would check RF alignment. Vertical (some close object) and on infinity (really far object).
And see if battery is Leica made.
And check sensor as usual.
 
Huss said:
What does that even mean? I thought that the sensor could only be replaced by Leica HQ. Never heard of a dealer doing this for Leica.
Click to expand...

Bad description on my part. What I mean is, it was sent to the local authorized Leica dealer, who likely sent it to the correct Leica repair centre.

On the listing, there's a picture of a certificate saying that the camera was tested and repaired by Leica trained technicians.
 
agentsim said:
What's the best way to check the sensor without risking any undue damage by exposing while I'm poking around?
Click to expand...

Hi,

Best not to go poking around but instead take a lens (preferably coded) and a media card and take a few pictures. Try and take them as you normally would, meaning shutter speeds, aperture and ISO choices.

Then print them to 16" x 24" and get a magnifying glass and go over them, or do it on screen after tapping the "/" button.

Even then I'd say you still won't know if you like the camera until you've a had it a week or two and get to know its little ways and the ways of your lenses with it.

Regards, David
 
I'm not too worried about liking it, I had an M8.2, and I rue the day I sold that.

I'm not sure if I'll have time to a super thorough inspection. I'll make sure to load some images onto my laptop and go over them.
 
It's good that the certificate is there. I'd definitely say any paperwork about the sensor replacement should be included in the sale and make sure the serial numbers match up.
 
agentsim said:
What's the best way to check the sensor without risking any undue damage by exposing while I'm poking around?
Click to expand...

Take a photo of the sky stopped down to f16 and look at the images at 100% or more. Corrosion marks look haloed and generally symmetrical. There are plenty of examples on the web if you do an image search.

Marty
 
The most important thing would be to bring a laptop or tablet that can open the DNG files with you, and to look at the files while you're still there, especially at 100% magnification. Besides corrosion, you should check for hot pixels and dead CCD lines - these can still occur on a replaced sensor, and can only be fixed by sending the camera back to Leica. (which they will charge for!)
 
I'm a little concerned about the "certificate" of service. One of the sore spots of these repairs, at least for Leica NJ, has been a failure to indicate that the sensor was actually changed. Typically, there has been an invoice with vague language like (in my case) "necessary repair." Some of us have had to follow up for a explicit statement that the sensor was replaced.

John
 
The paperwork accompanying my M9 was as vague as Johnwolf said. I wonder if their lawyers told them not to mention the sensor, so in case it goes bad again, the replacement wouldn't be guaranteed and Leica wouldn't have to to replace it again. Maybe I'm just being paranoid.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
I would check RF alignment. Vertical (some close object) and on infinity (really far object).
And see if battery is Leica made.
And check sensor as usual.
Click to expand...

I agree with this... especially the battery if you live in a cold weather city. Many other cameras, generic batteries work. On the M8 and M9, I found them to be very bad (especially in the cold).
 
Assuming the camera really has been at Leica for sensor replacement in July 2017, it's a much safer buy than most used cameras regardless of age. Outside obvious impact or moisture damage on the body (since Leica service), you are unlikely to find any serious issues by inspecting the camera. Rangefinder alignment is anyway good to check.
 
Freakscene said:
Take a photo of the sky stopped down to f16 and look at the images at 100% or more. Corrosion marks look haloed and generally symmetrical. There are plenty of examples on the web if you do an image search.

Marty
Click to expand...

+1 on this. Dust on the sensor is simply a spot. Separation is a spot with a halo or ring around some or all of it.

As to RF alignment that is simple enough to see when focusing the camera. Batteries are still available new.

Huss said:
Go into the camera's menu and check the firmware.
If it has the latest sensor, it will have firmware 1.204.
It is not available as a download so camera's with old sensors will not have it.

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/252448-firmware-1202/#entry2921419
Click to expand...

And +1 on this. The definitive answer about the sensor replacement.
 
agentsim said:
Hi Folks,

I'm looking at buying a used M9, looks to be in pretty good condition. The sensor was replaced by a local dealer in July of 2017, shutter count is 11500.

If I understand correctly, the July 2017 sensor should be a good one, so I don't have to worry about corrosion. 11.5k on the shutter seems low, so I don't think I need to worry there.

What should I be checking when I meet up with the seller to confirm that this is a good buy?
Click to expand...

Before buying a used M9, you might want to wait and see what the new rumored Zenit rangefinder turns out to be (or not be).

Rumors are that its based on the M9, produced in partnership with Leica.
 
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