Leica M9 FF-CCD corrosion - A most satisfactory conclusion

[nobbylon]

You might as well drag an anchor as hike or ski with a FF DSLR. The glass? Sorry I'll take M and LTM.

When I was in the Himalaya I took a Nikon Dslr and an M6ttl. I trekked for 4 weeks carrying both. The glass? Pro Nikon zooms or M? does it matter?
I always smile at those M users banging on about how small their cameras are and then slapping a huge 35 or 50 fast prime on it.
A D700 with a 28 isnt that much bigger than an M9 and it's far more suited to being outside of it's box than an M9 in the snow!

 

[DougFord]

Might they 'rework' existing faulty sensors, rather than manufacture new sensors, in an attempt to solve the issue?
Has this possibility been eliminated?

 

[uhoh7]

Might they 'rework' existing faulty sensors, rather than manufacture new sensors, in an attempt to solve the issue?
Has this possibility been eliminated?

Hi Doug,

I was wondering this as well, since MaxMax will replace sensor covers on Sony and Canon bodies, but Brian, at LP, who knows a lot about the construction aspects, was pretty firm saying the removal of the current sensor cover would likely damage the bayer array, or whatever you properly call the guts.

Here is his post.
http://www.leicaplace.com/showthread.php?t=735&page=3&p=7512#post7512

This thread was far and away the most technically informative discussion of the M9 sensor I've ever seen anywhere: the whole thing can be read:

http://www.leicaplace.com/showthread.php?t=735

It starts long before the scale of this issue was clear, but became active again to cover the recent develpments.

 

[Pioneer]

Interesting link uhoh7. First time I have seen any reference that shooting style may have an effect. Most often I use single shot methods but occasionally I use continuous. One circumstance would be while shooting some sports action. Another would be using bracketing to evaluate different exposure possibilities.

 

[Huss]

When I was in the Himalaya I took a Nikon Dslr and an M6ttl. I trekked for 4 weeks carrying both. The glass? Pro Nikon zooms or M? does it matter?
I always smile at those M users banging on about how small their cameras are and then slapping a huge 35 or 50 fast prime on it.
A D700 with a 28 isnt that much bigger than an M9 and it's far more suited to being outside of it's box than an M9 in the snow!

Eh? My Summilux 50 1.4 is still tiny compared to SLR lenses. Of which I have many. And my 28 Elmarit is minuscule compared to a DSLR 28.

But I get your point. If I am serious about going out and getting images, the size of the equipment is of very little concern to me.

 

[Huss]

Hi,

I think there's a lot of owners of Leica CL's and M5's reading this thread and wondering about some of the things that have been said and wishing and sighing...

Regards, David

I have an M5 which is just wonderful. What am I meant to be wishing and sighing about?

 

[DougFord]

Hi Doug,

I was wondering this as well, since MaxMax will replace sensor covers on Sony and Canon bodies, but Brian, at LP, who knows a lot about the construction aspects, was pretty firm saying the removal of the current sensor cover would likely damage the bayer array, or whatever you properly call the guts.

Here is his post.
http://www.leicaplace.com/showthread.php?t=735&page=3&p=7512#post7512

This thread was far and away the most technically informative discussion of the M9 sensor I've ever seen anywhere: the whole thing can be read:

http://www.leicaplace.com/showthread.php?t=735

It starts long before the scale of this issue was clear, but became active again to cover the recent develpments.

thanks for the links.
I'll read through all of the technical data and opinions based on what's known or currently understood on the issue but it'll probably just make my head hurt. (lol)

 

[Huss]

Trading in your M9/M-E? Not that simple...

Trading in your M9/M-E? Not that simple...

I swung by Leica Store LA to kick tyres and try out some new stuff.
People there were really nice. I asked about the trade in policy out of curiosity, and was told that the camera would have to be sent to Leica HQ in NJ, for them to appraise it before deciding on what offer they would give to trade for an M240.
I'm not sure what I was expecting, I guess for the appraisal to be performed by someone in the Leica store, not for it having to be sent away. When you go to a car dealership to trade in your car, they appraise it there. They don't send it to HQ...
Anyway, it soured the remediation process once again for me, as I would not be willing to be w/o my camera for the period of time that it took for them to appraise it, since no estimation of time was given. As well as the fact that you have no idea whether you would even be happy with the offer after the inspection.
It looks like I'm going to have to wait for the supposed newly developed sensor instead and keep the M-E.

This is in no way meant as a knock on Leica Store LA, it's a great place to visit and they treat you really well there. They are just following corporate policy as instructed.

 

[Kwesi]

I swung by Leica Store LA to kick tyres and try out some new stuff.
People there were really nice. I asked about the trade in policy out of curiosity, and was told that the camera would have to be sent to Leica HQ in NJ, for them to appraise it before deciding on what offer they would give to trade for an M240.
I'm not sure what I was expecting, I guess for the appraisal to be performed by someone in the Leica store, not for it having to be sent away. When you go to a car dealership to trade in your car, they appraise it there. They don't send it to HQ...
Anyway, it soured the remediation process once again for me, as I would not be willing to be w/o my camera for the period of time that it took for them to appraise it, since no estimation of time was given. As well as the fact that you have no idea whether you would even be happy with the offer after the inspection.
It looks like I'm going to have to wait for the supposed newly developed sensor instead and keep the M-E.

This is in no way meant as a knock on Leica Store LA, it's a great place to visit and they treat you really well there. They are just following corporate policy as instructed.

Huss,
If you are really interested in the trade in, call Leica NJ. and have a chat with them about your camera and how long it will take them to evaluate and give you an offer.
I think if you agree on their offer you send them the money and the send you the M240/P. The whole process may be a lot faster than you think.

Not sure if your MM ME M9 must first have a sensor problem.

Kwesi

 

[burancap]

Yikes, all the way to NJ for evaluation? Sounds like the old "get the keys" trick. Gives a whole new meaning to "most satisfactory."

 

[uhoh7]

Yikes, all the way to NJ for evaluation? Sounds like the old "get the keys" trick. Gives a whole new meaning to "most satisfactory."

Yeah, every town should have a Leica factory tech. No, even that would be too much trouble. They should make house calls. Get a grip, Leica. 🙂

You do know every Sony issue has to visit Laredo, right?

 

[Pioneer]

And KEH will appraise your camera as well. But you have to send it to Georgia.

Not sure why this is a problem?

If you don't like their offer I doubt they will try to keep it. 🙂

 

[quadtones]

While making an appointment three days ago to ship my M9 for inspection/cleaning/possible sensor replacement -about five week's wait-I inquired about whether there was any information about the buy-back program. I was told that they were anticipating some information from Wetzlar, possibly after the holidays. As it is, I see prices dropping a bit on used M240s and wonder if any "credit" that might be allowed for my M9 would be deducted from list price on a new one if purchased from Leica. If offered a sensor replacement, I expect I will accept it, and send my MM for inspection when the M9 comes back.

That said, I have a 28mm Summicron that I got at a great deal direct from Leica after the M8 debacle [I should have bought the Noctilux at cost, but who knew?]. Maybe they will continue to [try to] do the right thing...

 

[Huss]

And KEH will appraise your camera as well. But you have to send it to Georgia.

Not sure why this is a problem?

If you don't like their offer I doubt they will try to keep it. 🙂

But that is KEH's only location so it makes sense. Plus KEH occasionally sends reps out to Los Angeles for buying events where they will appraise on the spot.

There is a big difference here. I was in the official Leica Store. No just any old retail store. But I was only asking out of curiosity. Which led to me trying out an M240, with the same lens, back to back with my M-E.
I'll post the results in a different thread..
😉

 

[Huss]

Yeah, every town should have a Leica factory tech. No, even that would be too much trouble. They should make house calls. Get a grip, Leica. 🙂

I was in the official Leica Store.

 

[Pioneer]

I was in the official Leica Store.

It would seem that representatives in an official store could help you. That being said though, you have to admit that this is a LITTLE out of the ordinary. Limiting the administration of this solution to just a very few locations does make sense.

 

[noimmunity]

A truly satisfactory solution would be to provide an updated alternative, lower-cost, no-frills M-mount solution to that part of the niche of that has supported Leica's bumpy transition to the digital age.

 

[Doug]

I have no idea if Leica would do this, but it seems to me a decent way for that updated alternative at an attractive price is to offer turned-in M9 cameras refurbished with the "fixed" new sensor.

 

[seakayaker1]

..... I have made an appointment and will send my M9 back to New Jersey in Mid-January. I am hoping to have the spots issue resolved and spend several more years using the M9. I love the camera.

 

[Pioneer]

I have no idea if Leica would do this, but it seems to me a decent way for that updated alternative at an attractive price is to offer turned-in M9 cameras refurbished with the "fixed" new sensor.

I think this is being done already. I purchased my Monochrom refurbished and it came with a two year Leica warranty. I have seen refurbished Monochrom advertisements like this...http://www.digitalrev.com/product/leica-m-monochrom-body-official/MTAwMTYwNg_A_A as well

Likewise, occasionally a refurbished M 240 shows up like this one...http://leicarumors.com/2014/05/20/deal-of-the-day-refurbished-leica-m-camera-for-5995.aspx/

I don't know why they were refurbished but occasionally they do pop up.