raid
Dad Photographer
Wonderful! Thank you Jaap. I sent my M9 in without having identified any problems myself. I saw dust once in a while, but I did not identify corrosion, as it is described online.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
So the camera is insured in both directions? (Thanks, Doug)
taemo
eat sleep shoot
there's definitely a bunch of you guys that have had good experience with Leica NJ.
unfortunately I fall on the 2nd group with 2 bad experiences.
Over 4 months to get a M240 cleaned, 35mm Summicron IV missing focus tab.
Another 3 months for the Summicron IV to come back, front lens loose.
Sent Summicron IV back again to get fixed, wait for another 2-3 months.
Getting hold of someone is not a problem, but getting hold of the same person that knows what you're calling about is another challenge.
I think I ended up talking with 4-5 different staff in there to finally get an update or work done.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I wonder if it's even worth it to send in my M9, since its sensor may not even be defective. Eight or nine months without the camera; risk of loss. But then, if I don't send it, later I may have to pay $1000 to get it fixed.
I ought to rethink what I'm doing. Photography is becoming a headache. Too much buying, selling, shipping. Time to stay with my best, and most reliable gear, and use it to take pictures. My X100 works great, no headaches. Same with my D700 and my film Leicas, Nikons and Hasselblads.
I ought to rethink what I'm doing. Photography is becoming a headache. Too much buying, selling, shipping. Time to stay with my best, and most reliable gear, and use it to take pictures. My X100 works great, no headaches. Same with my D700 and my film Leicas, Nikons and Hasselblads.
raid
Dad Photographer
Send it in. This is my advice.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Yeah, OK. I know I have to.
raid
Dad Photographer
My M9 sensor failed in 2014 and again now. Hopefully, the "new sensor" will last more than 2 years.
raid
Dad Photographer
It will take 24-36 weeks to get the repair done, I have been informed today too. I still use my M8, and I have two M 4/3 cameras, so I should be fine.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
You think they might hire an extra tech or three? Five or six months as the estimate, which they rarely seem able to meet doesn't bode well. Hope I'm wrong, but I suspect you will see the camera back just in time for Easter.
raid
Dad Photographer
I gave it more thought, and I am now unhappy about not having my M9 for 24-36 weeks. I take photos each week, and this will be very disappointing to me not to be able to have it for use. Leica should provide a loaner program for such cases.
Emile de Leon
Well-known
Leica is more interested in building new boutiques and slick T cameras ..than providing quick service and reliable M cameras..
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Still no reply from the Solms contact.
Dan
Let's Sway
Seriously, not trying to start a war here, but why do you guys put up with this from such a high-end product?
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I sort of wish I had kept my M8.2. At least it was reliable, with no sensor problems. But you know what? I will shoot film in the meantime. Digital, Shmigital. I have a darkroom, after all.
Corran
Well-known
I assume your first failure was replaced with a similarly problematic sensor. The newer sensor should be free of the separation one would think?
I am also somewhat disappointed with an estimate of 6-9 months but on the other hand the repair is free so I suppose I don't feel too cheated. I shoot mostly film anyway and have a couple of FF Nikon DSLRs so while I would like to have my M9, I'm not totally out of options. I certainly wouldn't balk at a free M10 rental for 6 months or more though
.That sounds great but I suspect that the training and specialized knowledge needed would mean the tech wouldn't really be doing much except taking time away from the other techs for quite a while.
Huss
Veteran
I agree with you. If I knew about this before, I never would have bought a new digital Leica. I would have stuck to old Leica film cameras that other techs can service.
My M-E failed only a few months into warranty, and was gone for service longer than I owned it! Leica should have either just replaced it with a different camera, or provided a loaner. Obviously they did not do this because this was happening to too many cameras for them to do so.
A problem of their own doing, knowingly selling defective cameras i.e. cameras with sensors that they knew were going to fail.
But they get a pass a most Leica owners are not Leica users and think that this is part of the territory of owning such an exclusive product. A badge of owner if you will.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
Not surprising. Leica is in Wetzlar...
sepiareverb
genius and moron
I suppose I could have driven down to NJ and demanded they finish the camera while I waited? Not really sure how well that would have gone over...
I did ask to get the camera finished quickly, mentioned that I had started this process almost a year ago, that they'd taken the camera in in September, that I had to return it because work I'd paid for wasn't done. They just don't seem to care.
Ha, right. Wetzlar.
enasniearth
Well-known
Digital Leica
Digital Leica
Unfortunately only Leica can work on the digital models
With the film cameras and lenses you have other options
The cut off on sensor replacement for cameras under 5 years old
Has the service department overwhelmed , no one wants to miss
The cut-off date and pay $1000 later on
So everyone is sending cameras in and so the very long wait
Digital Leica
Unfortunately only Leica can work on the digital models
With the film cameras and lenses you have other options
The cut off on sensor replacement for cameras under 5 years old
Has the service department overwhelmed , no one wants to miss
The cut-off date and pay $1000 later on
So everyone is sending cameras in and so the very long wait
raid
Dad Photographer
Many camera repair people can fix and maintain Leica film cameras, but when it comes to defective Leica digital cameras, only Leica can fix them.