I will avoid Leica NJ from here on...

[raid]

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.

The new sensor should be a better sensor with respect to corrosion due to a different glass being used. I am happy that the replacement is free of charge.

 

[Emile de Leon]

I remember when Leica's passport warrantee...replaced broken cams with a brand new camera for any reason if totally destroyed.. free...
9 mos is a lifetime to some..to wait for something they already paid for..that wasn't their fault to begin with..
and now their new M10..has the iso knob problems etc..it just never ends...
For something that should have been tested thoroughly before release to market..
Who is running the show over there..do they even care..

 

[splitimageview]

This is nothing new. How many issues have arisen since the original M8?

It began with the magenta problem.

Along the way there were loose strap lugs.

Deteriorating sensors.

Coffee stain LCD.

SD card incompatibility.

Banding, streaking, rainbows, green ghosts, transistors, recalls.

And so on over time until the current M10 ISO problem.

History shows that issues with Leica are to be expected.

On top of this, they can't produce to meet demand. This has been the case since 9/9/9 when the M9 was announced. This may actually be a *good* thing, as that means there are fewer cameras in the field that they'll have to service. 🙂

 

[raid]

What is the M10 ISO problem? I may be out of the loop here.

 

[Dan]

...They just don't seem to care.

This is nothing new. How many issues have arisen since the original M8?

Watch for the side-effects of this on the fabled "Leica glow".

 

[Archlich]

I remember reading somewhere on RFF (perhaps when the sensor corrosion issue first broke out), that people referred to it as a "person-to-person, curated experience". Hmm...

 

[steveyork]

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.

You must not have gotten many Leica cameras repaired recently, Leica NJ or anywhere else. Waiting is the name of the game. Six months is actually pretty quick these days.

 

[Huss]

What is the M10 ISO problem? I may be out of the loop here.

Here:


https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/271966-m10-stuck-on-iso-400/

Some are reporting a 3-6 month wait for fix. As given to them by the customer rep. Other have had theirs fixed in a month.

Holding on to my M240 is looking better all the time now! Especially since I bought it used.

 

[kermaier]

I would send any camera directly to Germany, through an intermediary if necessary. Leica NJ has proven impossible to deal with. They do not reply to emails, they do not reply to voicemail, unless you are lucky and someone actually answers their phone when you call you are SOL. Even then, I often got little to no explanation for how it could take so long.

I wrote to the contact in Solms to complain about the process/timeline in NJ but have not heard back yet. Never any mention of a refund or partial one for being without the camera for about eight months. I may email to ask...

I brought my M9-P in to Leica NJ last year to have a sticky focus cam roller serviced. They said they could replace the focus arm for a couple hundred dollars, but FYI the sensor is corroded and needs to be replaced (free service) -- and we'll throw in the focus arm for no charge.
When it turned out that the new sensors were going to be delayed coming from Germany for some months, they sent me an M240 as a loaner for the interim.
When I -- eventually -- came in to pick up my repaired M9-P, they told me I could come back any time for a free sensor cleaning.
So, while everything took much longer than they originally told me, my overall impression is still quite favorable.

 

[raid]

Yes, they treated you very well.

 

[sepiareverb]

You must not have gotten many Leica cameras repaired recently, Leica NJ or anywhere else. Waiting is the name of the game. Six months is actually pretty quick these days.

DAG recently did an overhaul on a 1a I have. Turnaround time was about three weeks. He also did some work on an M5 a month or so before that in about the same timeframe.

 

[steveyork]

DAG recently did an overhaul on a 1a I have. Turnaround time was about three weeks. He also did some work on an M5 a month or so before that in about the same timeframe.

Then you must be on DAG's preferential list, or you actively pushed for an earlier repair, because of all he the Leica technicians he is known for his long waits. I finally told him to send a camera back after more then 12 months. Even Sherry and Ye are a 4-6 month wait now, unless you are a 'squeaky wheel.'

 

[Rob-F]

I would send any camera directly to Germany, through an intermediary if necessary.

I wrote to the contact in Solms to complain about the process/timeline in NJ but have not heard back yet.

So sending an M9 directly to Germany is an option? I don't recall seeing this mentioned before. It would go to Wetzlar, I believe, not Solms, now. Sending it to Germany would be an additional shipping nuisance, though, possibly with greater risk of loss, owing to the added handling steps.

I will try to remember to phone Leica NJ another time, on Monday. I'd like to have my M9 for a trip in August or September; and for the Leica annual meeting in October. But I guess that won't be possible, since the deadline for free service is in August, and then my M9 will be away for 8 or 9 months.

 

[raid]

I will use other cameras until my M9 gets back to me (from NJ) one day.

 

[Borge H]

I got today an email from Leica NJ about my M9.
Sensor cover glass: coating is separating.
Adjust range finder
CLA

Does this mean the sensor is damaged or is it only the cover glass for the sensor that needs replacing?


Cost=$0

Be happy for the low cost.🙂

I sent my M9 to Germany recently for sensor replacement, as it is separating. They sent me an estimate for the replacement: 178,5 Euro for the job which includes a Leica M9 service package with inspection and CLA of all parts. The sensor replacement (exchange sensor, adjustment, firmware update, adjustment range finder and new camera cover) is carried out under good will.

If I use Leica DHL pick-up service, I have to pay if the camera has no warranty.

So I guess the Leica NJ is a low cost operation. I guess if they hire more people to answer telephones they have to increase the prices. So what do you americans want? Nice people answering telephones or low repair cost?🙂

 

[ptpdprinter]

So what do you americans want?

The same cost and turnaround time as Europe. Will your repair take 24 weeks?

 

[raid]

I would say that in general, The US market seems to be following the guidelines that lowering costs is done "at any cost", so to speak. Look at US airlines. Service is non-existent, with the excuse that "otherwise, the flight fares must be increased". Compare this with European airlines that accept a much lower profit margin and that offer far superior services to the passengers.

 

[Borge H]

The same cost and turnaround time as Europe. Will your repair take 24 weeks?

They said in late May 6 to 8 weeks when I sent it in then to Leica Wetzlar. If I check the online repair tracking it now says:"Reparatur in Bearbeitung" (work in progress). So I guess it will take some time. The German people usually go on holiday in August, here in Sweden we usually have our holidays in July. They all have at least 4 weeks of holiday, so I guess I will be lucky if I get my camara back before end of September. That will be about 16 weeks. Normally companies shut down here or have minimal operation during holidays.

 

[raid]

Leica USA sent me a UPS mailing sticker, so I did not pay for shipping either. Actually, Leica USA seems to be doing what is possible to keep costs very low or at zero cost for Leica users. I bought my M9 used, and it is/was not under warranty.

 

[ptpdprinter]

They said in late May 6 to 8 weeks when I sent it in then to Leica Wetzlar. If I check the online repair tracking it now says:"Reparatur in Bearbeitung" (work in progress). So I guess it will take some time. The German people usually go on holiday in August, here in Sweden we usually have our holidays in July. They all have at least 4 weeks of holiday, so I guess I will be lucky if I get my camara back before end of September. That will be about 16 weeks. Normally companies shut down here or have minimal operation during holidays.

So Leica Wetzlar say 6-8 weeks and Leica NJ says 24 weeks. Can you understand how US Leica users feel like the red-headed stepchild?