Leica M9 FF-CCD Corrosion: A most unsatisfactory non-conclusion

[nobbylon]

Hi,

But why only 10 years?

I don't like this trend to set a limited life on the cameras etc. They can still make parts for the abandoned cameras and ought to. I'm thinking of the minilux and worrying about the CL and M5's. And will we be worrying about the M7 sooner or later?

Regards, David

David,
I said 10 because technology does move on quick with digital and my own expectation has that figure in mind however that figure should be increased if it's only getting lighly used. Parts supply should be enough to keep them going for say 20?
My first digital Canon s40 is still fine after 11 years and my first Nikon digital, a D70 is still perfect and still being used regularly by my Dad. Both have never needed sensor cleaning or service since bought new.
This is my expectation of a product that I've paid a decent amount of money for. Leica digital owners seem to me to expect a constant outflow of cash for service, parts, upgrades etc rather like buying a new car. Maybe those of us who are not used to this way of thinking are missing the point and Leica is definately not aimed at us.
I have a German motorcycle which is 40yrs old this coming year and a German car that is going to be 25 and both still have near 100% factory support for parts. Maybe my expectations are just too high for Leica especially given their advertising claims and b@@l that's been used to sell their digital line. They do it with their mechanical's also but at least they fulfill their promise.
john

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I couldn't agree more. I expect about 5 to 10 years support but I think we are paying for longer in the case of Leica and especially after reading what they said about their reputation. So my comments were about all the maker's of all electronic things and what they expect us to take on the chin without complaining.

I can't see why they cannot order new parts made to the old specification. And I'm muttering to myself about the M5, CL and minilux. And Omega "Seamasters" without replacement mainsprings available. And I hate scrapping things that are only 1% defective.

My oldest digital SLR is from 1997 and still trundles on but, luckily, takes AA batteries; try getting a modern and original battery for most cameras and you'll see built in short lives.

Regards, David

PS I'll wish you luck with the car and bike, I made one of mine last 246 000 miles and another one in this village had over a million miles on it when sold.

PPS I was in a restaurant in France once and said to my wife something about the car with a million miles on it and someone nearby said in English "we had one with a million miles on it after two years"...

 

[_goodtimez]

Hi,

I couldn't agree more. I expect about 5 to 10 years support but I think we are paying for longer in the case of Leica and especially after reading what they said about their reputation. So my comments were about all the maker's of all electronic things and what they expect us to take on the chin without complaining.

I can't see why they cannot order new parts made to the old specification. And I'm muttering to myself about the M5, CL and minilux. And Omega "Seamasters" without replacement mainsprings available. And I hate scrapping things that are only 1% defective.

My oldest digital SLR is from 1997 and still trundles on but, luckily, takes AA batteries; try getting a modern and original battery for most cameras and you'll see built in short lives.

Regards, David

PS I'll wish you luck with the car and bike, I made one of mine last 246 000 miles and another one in this village had over a million miles on it when sold.

PPS I was in a restaurant in France once and said to my wife something about the car with a million miles on it and someone nearby said in English "we had one with a million miles on it after two years"...

My daily commuter is a 1985 MB W124 with a straight six diesel totaling 650 000 km 😕.
My oldest camera is a 1932 Leica II.
I love old stuff and I hate throwing stuff away.

 

[Cyriljay]

... that sounds way too sensible, what with all these bandwagons about

Do threads still disappear if the OP deletes the first post?

This is precisely Leica wants from the Leica users... a way sensible way to react to their technical inefficiency . They had this from the first launch of their M8 and still they are in no way near the right standard of their Digital range. I bought my first M8 and had faced the fist problem and I have stopped to go any further in their digital . I have many more friends who has bought every M Digitals and gone through the careless customer service and the inefficient and untrustworthy digital system saved me lot of Money. But all of them confess they have not given up the Leica M and they want to be loyal to the Leica as the experience they had before the M Digital make them rooted to Leica very strongly. Which is my problem too not to give up in some way.:bang:

 

[enasniearth]

So let me get this right ,

What is the alternative for full frame digital camera that offers rangefinder coupling, for the range of Leica manual focus lenses ?
And what other digital camera allows a preset that maximizes performance
Based on the lens used. I.e. old Super Angulon?

Seems like a market that no one else is foolish enough to go into.

We commonly pay thousands for a computer that is extinct in 3-4.
Or sign oppressive contracts to have the phone that is out in 2.

In the digital age, everything goes by quick,
At some point film will be an artists lost or limited process.
And digital will be left.

One of my digital cameras is a used Leica X2, the other a Canon s90
The Leica is capable of very nice work,
I trust neither to be with me for a long time

 

[NazgulKing]

How do you feel about excessive emotional revulsion?
🙂

I don't feel any. If you do, then I suggest learning to take a chill pill.

 

[mountainrivera]

What is Leica's upgrade offer in lieu of replacing the sensor? I searched but no one has posted their offer.

 

[MCTuomey]

What is Leica's upgrade offer in lieu of replacing the sensor? I searched but no one has posted their offer.

Stefan Daniel:

Should you, as an M customer, be considering an upgrade from your camera to a Leica M or M-P (Typ 240), Customer Care would be pleased to make you an attractive offer following a check of your camera and under consideration of the model and its age.


Since my cameras are there for service, I've placed a couple calls into Leica-NJ over the holidays to get offer details. Waiting for a response, hopefully next week.

 

[Charles D. Orze]

Has anyone heard from Leica?

Has anyone heard from Leica?

Hi all,

Has anyone gotten a reply from Leica customer service? I've sent two emails now about 3 weeks ago, the second with an image of the sensor, and have not yet gotten a reply.

Best,

Charlie

 

[raid]

Stefan Daniel:

Should you, as an M customer, be considering an upgrade from your camera to a Leica M or M-P (Typ 240), Customer Care would be pleased to make you an attractive offer following a check of your camera and under consideration of the model and its age.


Since my cameras are there for service, I've placed a couple calls into Leica-NJ over the holidays to get offer details. Waiting for a response, hopefully next week.

The upgrade to M240 costs about EURO 3500.

 

[Pioneer]

The upgrade to M240 costs about EURO 3500.

Thanks. I really have no wish to upgrade, but if that upgrade price is even close Raid, then it looks as if I will by having new sensors installed as long as needed, or as long as they let me get away with having it done for free. 🙂

 

[VertovSvilova]

Thanks. I really have no wish to upgrade, but if that upgrade price is even close Raid, then it looks as if I will by having new sensors installed as long as needed, or as long as they let me get away with having it done for free. 🙂

That's what I'd do, too. 3500 Euro is no better than selling the M9 yourself and buying a M240 on your own. It's actually worse considering that a used M9 goes for around an average of $3000 USD now and a new M240 is selling for $6500 USD today (based on a 3500 Euro conversion of $4165 USD.)

The downside of going the repair route is of course the wait times for Leica sensor replacement. And then there's the cost of shipping for repair. I spent close to $200 to have my M9 shipped (UPS with insurance) to have it repaired for the 2 different times it needed fixing.

Hopefully your M9 won't ever have an issue or maybe soon they'll have a real solution for the sensor corrosion issue. Then you won't need to be concerned about it anymore and feel more comfortable keeping the camera for a long time.

 

[Pioneer]

Well, I did buy the M9 intending to keep it and maintain it for the long term, so that's what I'll do. I love the camera and I'm going on 3 years now with no issues, hopefully that continues.

 

[raid]

Thanks. I really have no wish to upgrade, but if that upgrade price is even close Raid, then it looks as if I will by having new sensors installed as long as needed, or as long as they let me get away with having it done for free. 🙂

Someone posted today that in the USA it may be around $3250. It is more costly then to upgrade in Germany.

 

[Huss]

PPS I was in a restaurant in France once and said to my wife something about the car with a million miles on it and someone nearby said in English "we had one with a million miles on it after two years"...

Well, maybe they bought it with 900,000 miles already on the clock.

To travel 1 million miles in 2 years would mean they would have to average 1370 miles a day....

 

[mountainrivera]

Someone posted today that in the USA it may be around $3250. It is more costly then to upgrade in Germany.

Wow. Far from an attractive offer.

 

[Pioneer]

Wow. Far from an attractive offer.

The "attractiveness" may depend on which side of the offer you are on! 😀

 

[SuperUJ]

For the record, I sent my 5 year old M9 to Leica USA for a sensor cleaning service last month and received an offer for replacement of sensor (for FREE) based a "Leica Good Will Warranty."

John

 

[raid]

Go for it, John.

 

[whatever]

No response, from Leica, regarding M9 sensor repair.

No response, from Leica, regarding M9 sensor repair.

I have sent 4 E Mails to ( jim.nooney@leicacamerausa.com ) over 3 weeks, to the New Jersey service center.
I've requested information regarding sensor replacement, so far no reply.
I don't want to call because I want a record of correspondence.
One of my sent E Mails had a auto response that said they would only be available 4 days a week and that they are backed up for now.
Has anyone else had this experience?
Note:
My 3 year old M9 sensor was eroding so bad the coating was actually pealing off the sensor. At first I thought it was a scratch on the sensor. Then it started leaving flakes in the inside the camera. I thought it was something I did wrong because I had never seen anything like that. I think after 30 years with Leica Im done. Im not going back to film and digital has many more great bodies to put my Leica Lens on, Like Sony.
Final note, thinking while typing:
I have been registered with Leica on line for over 10 years. Wouldn't you think they would E Mail me with a M9 recall?