Is Leica really working on a new CCD sensor for the M9?

[icebear]

...

As for Roger he can be rather Dry
and unfortunately it can come across as Cranky & Superior
I don't think he meant any ill will

And he only uses the "invisible tongue in cheek" smily ...😛, reading between the line is required 😀

 

[jaapv]

I have to agree with Kwesi on this one. If your sensor is good and you are still feeling anxiety regardless of how others around you are being treated, then maybe it is time to sell your M9 and move on. I know your closest Leica store will be happy to discuss a trade in and upgrade. It may be worth it just to ease your mind.

BTW, though it sounds as if everyone is having serious problems with the M9/MM sensor I don't think that is true. Neither my M9 (5 years old) or my MM (1 year old) are currently afflicted. As I have said a number of times, I am sure there are an awful lot of owners out there who have no problems.

According to my sources the number of corroded sensors is low, in the order of 1%.

 

[Pioneer]

Thanks Jaap.

It could still increase but it is kind of nice to have some reference to work with. It tends to put things in perspective, something that can be tough to establish on the internet at times.

 

[airfrogusmc]

My MM is over 30K and over 2 years old and no sensor issues.

 

[uhoh7]

In Idaho we have a saying: "hard telling, not knowing"

 

[jaapv]

Felt like schoolyard taunting to me.

As for the points Huss was making, what possible reason can Leica have for keeping progress on the issue secret? It's not like they're developing a new model, where confidentiality would be a competitive advantage. On the contrary, they have everything to gain from being open. He may have good reason to be worried, and deserves better than puerile "irony".

I fear that a few tongue-in-cheek detectors are in dire need of recalibration...😉

 

[mani]

I fear that a few tongue-in-cheek detectors are in dire need of recalibration...😉

It's a well-known fact that I'm totally lacking in any sense of humor whatsoever. But on reflection the puerile taunting was in fact hilariously funny, and totally appropriate given the serious concerns that Huss very thoughtfully presented.

By the way Jaap, I'm intrigued by the sources you're always quoting - they always seem to have good news for Leica.

 

[ian_watts]

According to my sources the number of corroded sensors is low, in the order of 1%.

It's quite possible that the percentage of problem sensors reported to Leica is 1% of the cameras sold (quite a large number for the service department to deal with) but I rather doubt that the percentage of sensors actually affected is anything like that low. If I take just one random sample: the digital Leicas that I have bought in the last 4 years – 2 out of 3 have been affected. Take another random sampling: regular posters (i.e. those who aren't posting because they have a pre-existing complaint) on, say LUF, who own a Monochrom – again, the incidence of sensor corrosion is much higher than 1%. Okay, my examples are statistically very dodgy but a common sense reading of the situation is that the problem is more widespread even if (fortunately for Leica) most people will not notice nor bring the sensor to Leica's attention.

 

[Michael Markey]

By the way Jaap, I'm intrigued by the sources you're always quoting - they always seem to have good news for Leica.

I think its that which worries me the most.
Objectivity badly required on both sides of the fence.

 

[noimmunity]

I fear that a few tongue-in-cheek detectors are in dire need of recalibration...😉

I wanted to get mine recalibrated, but the manufacturer's Customer Service representative told me to expect several months' waiting time. As I read about wildly different waiting times experienced by other users, ranging from just a few weeks to over half-a-year, not to mention the fact that the spamium components used in the last generation of detectors easily leaks Spam grease, it suddenly dawned on me how much more sense it would make for me to simply upgrade my detector to the BS Typ 380 model. Only thing is, I had to figure out how to get it past my wife, now that the body shape of the Typ 380 has, like my waist line, increased incrementally. Fortunately, a friend suggested that I put it in a Piedi d'Arte case and just walk it past her. Case closed!

 

[Vobluda]

That would make about total of 300-500 sensors overall.
And if so why does it take them half year to change the sensor even when they have them stock?
And why do they do the circus with this ridiculous exchange for new camera that is not good for customer?
If it would be only such low number/% they could just give those people in silence M240 and it is done.

According to my sources the number of corroded sensors is low, in the order of 1%.

 

[Keith]

Personally I think Leica are about to get a wake up call ... this could be a very interesting year for them 'financially' IMO.

 

[MCTuomey]

I'll include myself in the apparent "outraged masses" the OP identifies. Except I'm not outraged, just some residual disappointment. Don't care about a new CCD as long as Leica has adequate stock to replace defective ones and continues its policy to do so. If a new, replacement CCD is developed, great - nice upside. Right now, I see no downside given the ability to replace defective sensors. And long-term, if replacement of the sensor becomes unworkable, there's the upgrade path. My cameras have been inspected and work very well. That's what I bought into, and that remains a criterion to continue to shoot Leica gear. The cameras continue to work as they did prior to this development.

This kind of rabble-rousing post is nice theater, I guess, and gives folks an outlet for internet venting. It won't make anyone's pictures better. And I don't see much, if anything, constructive in it.

 

[willie_901]

Assuming the defect rate is on the order of 1%, perhaps the 1% are people who actually use their cameras often and pay attention to the overall quality in their rendered images.

It's interesting that a trivial 1% of the M9 series owners had a massive impact on Leica .

I first heard about the first replacement policy announcement here and then spectated the responses at a well-know Leica user forum (very entertaining and educational by the way).

Before long the photo bloggers and photo magazines I follow on Twitter made comments. Then I saw the same reports on news/blog aggregation apps such as News360. Within days (48 hours I think) Leica admitted the issue was a materials defect in the sensor cover glass and reversed their sensor replacement policy.

That's a lot of leverage for problem that only affects 1% of all M9 cameras.

 

[ROOOO]

Loved my M9 and I was happy when they stated in a letter on dated January 19th that the Sensor was defected and the estimated date of repair would be 2/27/2015. When I called during the week of March 3rd, I was told that the sensors were on backorder and they did not have an estimated date of arrival in New Jersey.

No one suggested the upgrade to a M-240 or MP-240 when I called. There was information on the letter sent to me that read, "For Upgrade Information Please Call 800-222-0118 EXT 9930." There are also a few threads on the internet regarding the cost of upgrade.

After thinking about it over the weekend, I called on Monday, March 9th and asked if I could upgrade and they stated yes. I provided my credit card information and they stated I would have the new MP-240 by the end of the week. I was concerned about the delay and availability of the replacement sensors and also concerned if there was another problem in the future. Those two factors were the reason I decided to upgrade to the newer model with a full warranty. I do enjoy the rangefinder experience.

I thought it was a fair deal. A credit of $4200.00 for a four + year old M9 that I purchased used towards a new camera.

If the sensor was available and they repaired the M9 and returned it to me I would have been happy to use it until it died a natural death.

I am not outraged how Leica has handled the problem with the sensor. I do believe they could improve their communication which would enhance the customer service experience for the consumer.

Life to short, there are a lot of choices out there.

I know years ago I switched to using MAC computers and laptops vs Microsoft Windows based products because I was unhappy.

Certainly there have been a number of folks that have switched over to the Sony Full Frame solution and given up on Leica.

It is good to have options.

$4,200? How much did you pay for the new camera? I was asked to pay $3,500, valuing the M9 at $3,000.

 

[CameraQuest]

According to my sources the number of corroded sensors is low, in the order of 1%.

According to this RFF poll, over 1/3 of those responding have problems -

- if you are / were an M9 owner and have not yet voted - please VOTE

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=1516

Stephen

 

[Emile de Leon]

Sounds like it is more like...33%..and that's not factoring in..how many more sensors will crap out..in the coming weeks and months..let alone..years..
That probably explains the long wait times..

 

[Godfrey]

$4,200? How much did you pay for the new camera? I was asked to pay $3,500, valuing the M9 at $3,000.

The Leica M-P typ 240 body sells for $7950 at B&H Photo. When I decided to opt for the upgrade, Leica USA offered the M-P to me for $3750. That puts the net value offered for my M9 at $4200.

I could have opted for the M typ 240, the upgrade price was $250 less ($3500). B&H sells that body for $6500. That would have changed the trade-in value of the M9 to $3000.

The M-P upgrade was a better deal, so I went for that.

G

 

[sevo]

According to this RFF poll, over 1/3 of those responding have problems -

Polls are a poor place to calculate a percentage of those affected by whatever issue, as people that are not affected are unpropprtionally less inclined to answer than those that are. All we can say from that is that twice as many people as those affected are Leica apologists to the degree that they even answer when it should not matter for them...

 

[CameraQuest]

Polls are a poor place to calculate a percentage of those affected by whatever issue, as people that are not affected are unpropprtionally less inclined to answer than those that are. All we can say from that is that twice as many people as those affected are Leica apologists to the degree that they even answer when it should not matter for them...

probably true, but polls are still better than a guess

If you are / were an M9 owner, please VOTE in the Poll !