Leica M9 sensor damaged? (weird spots and bleeding)

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donod

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Hi everyone, I noticed couple of weird spots in my pictures. However I continued taking the pictures and the weird spots stopped appearing. But last week with no apparent warning, my sensor started "bleeding". First it turned completely white and then completely black and then random pink patterns started appearing. I have uploaded the pictures here.
I guess the best approach now would be to ship the camera to Germany? If I do so what all should I include with the camera? I don't have a lens cover and my summicron lens needs some greasing so I will just send it with the camera. What about battery, charger and memory card?
*The images are posted in chronological order*
Spots on the same position
http://imageshack.com/a/img909/806/lDb1zt.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img911/9986/N1KaLc.jpg

This was taken just before (1 picture before) the sensor started bleeding
http://imageshack.com/a/img540/3865/yxHIS8.jpg

Sensor started bleeding and the image was completely white
http://imageshack.com/a/img904/6682/5T8yCN.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/7263/IhH0R4.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img674/8516/AFcPx8.jpg

These are how the pictures look now
http://imageshack.com/a/img674/8544/f67Tqi.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img674/1337/QtlpZf.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/9678/ojc4sU.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/9620/ydc9C1.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img674/7035/te3Uqp.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img904/7799/kezaZr.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img537/7108/6xxdAd.jpg
 
1. I don't know about the first couple but the later ones look like solid state problems.
2. Don't send the lens if the cost of repairs might be prohibitive.
3. But Leica might remap or more likely replace the sensor under their goodwill program, depending on what's wrong and how old the camera is.
4. Keep the battery and card. Get a body cap.
 
Thanks for such a quick reply Richard
What does solid state problem mean? Problem with the memory card, internal buffer memory, sensor processing???
Is there any tests I can do to confirm it is a sold state problem?
How does one repair such problem? And is it an expensive affair?

The focus ring is a bit jammed and the flow is not very smooth. I hope that the repair cost is not a lot.
 
The first two photos look like sensor delamination. That's what happened to my M9 too. Strongly advise sending it into Leica. The good news is that the sensor delamination issue is well known and as far as I'm aware, Leica will replace the sensor free of charge, even if it is out of warranty. They did that for me. You can read more about my experience and those of others on this thread.

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/307974-strange-white-spots-m9-sensor-7.html#post2810129


I'm not sure what the other photos mean, but I'm guessing they are sensor-related.

Hope this helps, and good luck.


Terence
 
I would definitely send the camera to Germany. As for the lens that may be less costly to get repaired elsewhere. Just send the camera in a ziplock bag and wrap it well in bubble wrap if you don't have a body cap, but they are pretty inexpensive to buy.
 
My friends M9 has the same problem, he sent it to Leica NJ and they changed the CCD and surprisingly also changed the shutter, LCD and leather cover..............For free!
 
Contact Leica NJ first, and just send in the camera itself, they don't need anything else, not even the batteries.
 
Then I must be one of the lucky ones who squeezed in past the gate. Mine was sent in 2 weeks ago and they told me replacement was free. My warranty ran out two years ago. Before the assessment, I was sweating buckets before the guy gave me the good news.
 
This has absolutely nothing to do with delamitation of the sensor. It is a sensor motherboard that has broken down. Thus it has nothing to do with the replacement policy that is explicitly limited to coating failure.
 
My M9 got sensor and motherboard replaced when it started showing only half of each image. The other half was black.
 
It doesn’t matter, sensor and motherboard are one unit anyway. This kind of error is really the motherboard gone South, I can assure you.
 
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