tardegard
Member
yes, true, but they are truly too expensive to me...
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
My opinion:
If this would be your first, or only, Leica M body. Pass on the one you're considering and look for a more recent model, or an M9 with a verified new sensor. Not just a replaced sensor, but one with the latest non-corroding sensor. Or look at the wonderful film M bodies out there. Both the M6 (film) and the M240 (digital) are good options.
If not your first/only M body, and you can get it for a steep discount. Then perhaps get it and send it in right away, to Wetzlar and not NJ.
What would I pay for an M9 with corroding sensor? Today, if I'm honest and unemotional about it, I might part with $800 for one. I don't think that's what the poor sellers of these cameras are asking. My understanding is the repair cost is currently a bit over $1000. Add to that the fact that you will be without the camera for months, and I think my valuation of $800 is not so far off the mark. In fact, now that I've thought a few more minutes about it, I'd go lower.
Before long, I wonder if M9s with corroding sensors will be worth $800. There will come a time when Leica is no longer able to replace the sensors. It will probably be a simple supply issue; I'm told you can't get the LCD screen replaced on the M8 any more...
If this would be your first, or only, Leica M body. Pass on the one you're considering and look for a more recent model, or an M9 with a verified new sensor. Not just a replaced sensor, but one with the latest non-corroding sensor. Or look at the wonderful film M bodies out there. Both the M6 (film) and the M240 (digital) are good options.
If not your first/only M body, and you can get it for a steep discount. Then perhaps get it and send it in right away, to Wetzlar and not NJ.
What would I pay for an M9 with corroding sensor? Today, if I'm honest and unemotional about it, I might part with $800 for one. I don't think that's what the poor sellers of these cameras are asking. My understanding is the repair cost is currently a bit over $1000. Add to that the fact that you will be without the camera for months, and I think my valuation of $800 is not so far off the mark. In fact, now that I've thought a few more minutes about it, I'd go lower.
Before long, I wonder if M9s with corroding sensors will be worth $800. There will come a time when Leica is no longer able to replace the sensors. It will probably be a simple supply issue; I'm told you can't get the LCD screen replaced on the M8 any more...
Huss
Veteran
and the LCD screen on the M8 is known to fail. This should
give u a level of understanding how Leica operates.
give u a level of understanding how Leica operates.
tardegard
Member
Thank you for your opinion, very appreciated.
And thanks to the others too.
I made up my mind and, considering all your advices, I guess that I'll probably go for a M8. The M9, with its big full Frame sensor, is my cup of tea, is what I would really need and love, but it's still too expensive, and too risky. I'll look for an affordable and in good condition M8, and practice with it, with the range finder (I am new at it), waiting for better times and, most of all, for more money....
Thank you again guys.
Tom From Rome
tardegard
Member
hahaha, yeh, I've heard of that too...!
Nigel Meaby
Well-known
Personally if I were you, I would hold out for an M9 that has the corrosion free new style sensor fitted, from a dealer, rather than a private sale. Most in the UK from dealers come with a 6 month warranty. If the dealer does not know if the sensor has been replaced they can contact Leica to confirm this. I've recently bought an M9M Monochrom here in the UK. The dealer phoned Leica to confirm the sensor had been replaced, quoting the serial number. Dealer's such as Aperture, Richard Caplan and Red dot cameras often have M9's in stock.
Emile de Leon
Well-known
Get an brand new Sony full frame A7...$800-..
Don't bother w/Leica older digital bodies...
Good money after bad kind of thing..
Dont waste your $$...
Don't bother w/Leica older digital bodies...
Good money after bad kind of thing..
Dont waste your $$...
tardegard
Member
Pretty ironically: I have owned an M8 for few days. Then I’ve had to send it back. It had a corroded sensor....!
tardegard
Member
Yeah I had Sony A7, great camera for the money.
I was just very curious to try for once the range finder world.
Huss
Veteran
honestly if u r tight on cash i’d get a film M, shoot
a few rolls through it to see how like the Leica rf experience. You’ll be shooting full frame and if u dont like it can always sell for what u bought it for. as long as u bought it from private party! (not a retail shop).
If u try that w an M8 you would be dealing w the crop factor, will pay more and may have issues selling.
a few rolls through it to see how like the Leica rf experience. You’ll be shooting full frame and if u dont like it can always sell for what u bought it for. as long as u bought it from private party! (not a retail shop).
If u try that w an M8 you would be dealing w the crop factor, will pay more and may have issues selling.
raid
Dad Photographer
I hardly ever hear of an M8 having a corroded sensor.
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tardegard: Pretty ironically: I have owned an M8 for few days. Then I’ve had to send it back. It had a corroded sensor....!
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tardegard: Pretty ironically: I have owned an M8 for few days. Then I’ve had to send it back. It had a corroded sensor....!
tardegard
Member
Yeah. Not really corroded actually. With lots of dead and stuck pixels though....
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
No, not to change it, but there has been a waiting list because of all the M9s that have needed a new sensor. Many of us have waited as long as seven months and are just now getting our cameras back. Presumably the wait time will soon not be as long, once the demand for this service has been largely satisfied. But even if it is shortened to, say, two or three months, a prospective M9 buyer ought to be informed of this, prior to making a purchase decision.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
"Could you guys help me understand this Leica M9 (and co.) corrosion issue?"
The answer is simple; you might be lucky and/but you might not - only time will tell.
Regards, David
"Could you guys help me understand this Leica M9 (and co.) corrosion issue?"
The answer is simple; you might be lucky and/but you might not - only time will tell.
Regards, David
willie_901
Veteran
Your statement, "The answer is simple; you might be lucky and/but you might not - only time will tell.", completely applies.
The only issue is how much luck is required.
In the complete absence of objective prior information, the odds of a binary event are always 50-50.
One example where we have complete, objective information are government sponsored lotteries. Winning the lottery is about a 1 in 96 million (EuroJackpot) to 1 in 300 million (MegaMillions) proposition. But sooner or later, someone always wins! Low probability events are extremely rare, but the they can and do occur.
We also have useful prior information about M9 sensor corrosion. Our information is much less complete than published lottery odds, so it is much more subjective. This doesn't mean we shouldn't use the prior information. It just means each of us will assess the amount of luck required to totally avoid original sensor corrosion differently. I submit the odds of original sensor failure due to IR film corrosion are much higher than all other digital still cameras made between 2009 and 2012. Buying a M9 with an original sensor is essentially essentially a wager. I think it is a bad bet.
I would never insist the odds for corrosion are 100% because low probability events occur.
tardegard
Member
Again, thank you. You guys convinced me.
I believe I'll be back here soon, posting some M8 shots.....
for now.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
Something I have noticed is that a lot of people have got their M9's back with the new sensor but have waited so long that they've bought another, newer Leica and so they put the "as new" M9 on ebay. You could try looking for one as I don't want to be the bloke who puts you off what you've set your heart on. When all's been said and done there's nothing as nice as giving into temptation but please don't blame me...
Regards and good luck, David
Something I have noticed is that a lot of people have got their M9's back with the new sensor but have waited so long that they've bought another, newer Leica and so they put the "as new" M9 on ebay. You could try looking for one as I don't want to be the bloke who puts you off what you've set your heart on. When all's been said and done there's nothing as nice as giving into temptation but please don't blame me...
Regards and good luck, David
tardegard
Member
Ronald M
Veteran
You can tell if new model sensor is in the camera by firmware installed unless someone faked it.
If no sensors are available, they will discount a new camera replacement.
Mine is packed away in double plastic bags with descant in each. Original complaints came from areas of the world where there is high humidity. Mine is ok for now so I am keeping it "safe" and only clean with air and lens pen as required. The loupe lets met touch one spot lightly. The whole thing is a pain, but I do not know if better course of action.
If no sensors are available, they will discount a new camera replacement.
Mine is packed away in double plastic bags with descant in each. Original complaints came from areas of the world where there is high humidity. Mine is ok for now so I am keeping it "safe" and only clean with air and lens pen as required. The loupe lets met touch one spot lightly. The whole thing is a pain, but I do not know if better course of action.