Leica M9 Sensor replacement Kolari Vision or Maxmax? What would you recommend?

[RussPhoto]

Hello Everyone!

I just got Leica M9 with some sensor cover glass corrosion. I’m in dilemma where to send the camera for repair either to Kolari Vision or Maxmax? Any recommendation? What was your experience with these companies? Please share.
I also came across on company, not sure if it’s in China or Japan who does work on cover glass (link is below) Any info on them or address to reach?

Thanks so much!!!

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV125...d_more_video.0

 

[santino]

There is a thread about cover glass replacement somewhere on the forum. One user even wrote an application to correct possible uneven exposure after sensor glass replacement. Someone more knowledgeable will chime in... 🙄

 

[Sonnar Brian]

From what I've been told by a repairman that has done this: The standard M9 has the cover glass attached using a couple of beads of cement. The M9P and M Monochrom have the cover glass thoroughly cemented in place, and probably requires Heat to remove. The latter- can be a problem for sensors. The KAF-18500 CCD is actually made in halves, and a "non-uniformity correction" is required to have the images match.

MAXMAX uses a cover glass that is closer to that used in the M8. One RFF member here had uniformity problems after having them service it.

I would try Kolari and also contact Jadon Rosado,

https://www.instagram.com/reddotrepair/?hl=en

Red Dot Repair.

 

[RussPhoto]

From what I've been told by a repairman that has done this: The standard M9 has the cover glass attached using a couple of beads of cement. The M9P and M Monochrom have the cover glass thoroughly cemented in place, and probably requires Heat to remove. The latter- can be a problem for sensors. The KAF-18500 CCD is actually made in halves, and a "non-uniformity correction" is required to have the images match.

MAXMAX uses a cover glass that is closer to that used in the M8. One RFF member here had uniformity problems after having them service it.

I would try Kolari and also contact Jadon Rosado,

https://www.instagram.com/reddotrepair/?hl=en

Red Dot Repair.

Thank you, Brian! Do you know if the corrosion starts to develop from sensor’s side (between sensor and glass) or side which is facing to the lens? Or this is just penetrates through the glass itself?

 

[Beemermark]

Does Leica still do repairs/replacement. While pricey they do a complete overhaul in addition to replacing the sensor.

 

[RussPhoto]

Does Leica still do repairs/replacement. While pricey they do a complete overhaul in addition to replacing the sensor.

Leica discontinued CCD sensor replacement on M9 in 2020

 

[Freakscene]

Thank you, Brian! Do you know if the corrosion starts to develop from sensor’s side (between sensor and glass) or side which is facing to the lens? Or this is just penetrates through the glass itself?

Brian's comments about the way the sensor covers are attached is 100% correct from my first hand knowledge of the M9 vs M9-P and MM. Heat is not the only way to remove the glass from the M9-P and MM, but it is one way (though I would not recommend it). The corrosion starts from the side facing the lens and progresses inwards. The glass that the sensor covers is made from corrodes in the presence of water. It is often stated online that water gets to the sensor through imperfections in the coating, but of the five M9-era Leicas I have taken apart, none of them has any coating on the sensor cover. Eventually all the original sensors will corrode, whether coated or not.

Marty

 

[RussPhoto]

Brian's comments about the way the sensor covers are attached is 100% correct from my first hand knowledge of the M9 vs M9-P and MM. Heat is not the only way to remove the glass from the M9-P and MM, but it is one way (though I would not recommend it). The corrosion starts from the side facing the lens and progresses inwards. The glass that the sensor covers is made from corrodes in the presence of water. It is often stated online that water gets to the sensor through imperfections in the coating, but of the five M9-era Leicas I have taken apart, none of them has any coating on the sensor cover. Eventually all the original sensors will corrode, whether coated or not.

Marty

Thank you, Marty! I have also M8 which is 16 years old and the sensor is still spotless without any signs of corrosion. Btw, unlike M9 color balancing (when used with IR filters) on M8 is much better than on M9 probably due to better cover glass on the sensor.