Got an M9! ...oh, it's sensor has fungus...

Well for 6 big ones, I'm glad it worked out for you. Imagine if they stuck you
with the bill and 8 weeks, I would not be happy, but it shows Leica likes there
user's of their cameras and want to keep them, good going Leica.
 
Range-rover said:
Well for 6 big ones, I'm glad it worked out for you. Imagine if they stuck you
with the bill and 8 weeks, I would not be happy, but it shows Leica likes there
user's of their cameras and want to keep them, good going Leica.
Click to expand...

Actually, this is what i was expecting, and personally i would consider it fair. Nothing lasts forever, even film Ms need new shutters after a while... Plus, i didn't spend 6 bigs ones on it, nothing even close to that.

Ronald: It is being fixed, nothing has spread, happy ending :)
 
Wow! Great news!

Over there at Leica they are really OK. It's best to directly talk to them.
But even if you can't, give it a try. They might surprise you.

In your case, Cris, they probably want to keep that sensor and display it. ;)
 
Wonderful birthday gift!

Wonderful birthday gift!

This is great indeed.



CrisR said:
So, i have an update!

September 16th was my birthday, and among my presents i had an email from Leica Mayfair that said the following:

"Your Leica M9 recently went back to Germany with sensor mark problems. A new sensor will be required, and this will be fitted without charge. Unfortunately, we’ve just been told that sensors are out of stock and are not expected for about eight weeks. I’m very sorry about this delay, and hope it does not inconvenience you too much."

Needless to say, i was floored. A new sensor is not a cheap repair, nor a 5 minute job. The delay on the sensor stock was the least of my concerns, and i made sure to reply as such.

I honestly was not expecting a replacement at Leica's expense. I believe this is customer care that's above and beyond what is expected. If i bought a 3 year old Ferrari, out of warrantee, with an engine that was barely operating due to it's previous owner not taking adequate care of it, i would not expect a new engine to be dropped in at Ferrari's expense.

If i wasn't already sold entirely on Leica, now and for the foreseeable future, you can guarantee that i am now. Canikon users can say what they want about the cost, about Leica being about "hype" or any of the other M system bashing that goes on, Leica Solms know how to take pride in their products and support their users in a manner that exceeds expectations.
Click to expand...
 
Here are some examples of the condition the sensor was in when it was first taken in to be cleaned, none of this could be cleaned off.

All shots are totally unedited.

Full image and some 100% crops
 

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As you can see, the crops are around the centre of the image and to the edge, but the coverage of the marks is pretty even
 
CrisR said:
Actually, this is what i was expecting, and personally i would consider it fair. Nothing lasts forever, even film Ms need new shutters after a while... Plus, i didn't spend 6 bigs ones on it, nothing even close to that.

Ronald: It is being fixed, nothing has spread, happy ending :)
Click to expand...

That's really good, so you got a great buy and getting it fixed
for free Terrific.

Range
 
For the fungus to be inside the sensor pack there had to have been a defect, thus Leica's repair for free. Good outfit no matter.
 
I know this is a resurrected thread, but my own experiences have made me very wary about buying cameras from humid climates, unless I can check them out in person.
I returned 3(!) Fuji GW690 cameras that I bought on ebay, from 3 different vendors in Japan. All claimed, after I asked about fungus etc, that the cameras were perfect. All had fungus when I inspected them (I am in CA, USA).
I've since given up buying from humid places abroad unless I can have a trusted party first verify the equipment. I got lucky and managed to find one locally.
 
Fungus looks totally different. In this case it's the second kind of sensor failure for the M9. The first and easy to check damage is the crack of some cover glass and the second is the delamination of the different layers.
Fungus (as I know from lenses) looks like criss-cross organic 'fog' where fungus is eating the canada-balsam in glued optical systems or the coating or the glass itself?.

So no worries about certain mushrooms in your camera….. ;-)
 
Glad for your excellent result with Leica Support! Have had a sensor replaced on my M9 two years at no charge, so not entirely surprised. Also had to wait at that time due to lack of replacement sensors on hand.

Re Edward's & others' comments about lubricant impact -

In the past year I bought an M6ttl from a very reputable source, one of RFF's sponsors, that originated in Japan. Unlike my usual camera buys, this one was a shop queen. Got it in hand, gorgeous but very rough operation, Sherry fixed it, saying "dry, dry, dry ..." Apparently a combination of lack of use and dry storage is very detrimental. Best I think to avoid extremes of humidity and non-use.
 
Be nice to hear what Leica think the problem is.
Consensus here seems to be sensor delamination?
Like members have been saying Fungi needs food.
This food always used to be petroleum based oils & greases. These break down & cover the insides of your Camera with a fine film that the Fungi needs as its nutrients.
Now most cameras have synthetic oils & lubricants which have (in my more temperate climates) sorted the problem. Or so I am lead to believe.
The food for the fungi has gone!
In very humid climates?
 
I am glad that Leica saved the day for you! One of these days (way down in time) I'll see to make the same purchase. Let's hope the holy Leica spirit has me covered in case I have a problem of this type.

But then, I might as well not have it. In the meanwhile, I'm still saving my pennies. :)

But I'm very glad for you, Chris!
 
Way back in another time I had a Nikon 105mm when I was in the army in viet-nam had to get it cleaned because of fungus and it was only about six months old, but that was because I lived without a/c. They did it under warr. I guess as I sent in the sales slip back to Japan. I was happy! Also had a Yashica Mat 124 that someone tried to steal, it hit the ground and got dented up pretty good. Sent that with a note to Yashica in Japan about what had happened and got it back as a goodwill repair at n/c. So you never know. Glad I have not had that problem any more.....
wbill
 
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