Leica ME. Would you take a chance?

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kknox

kknox
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I have an opportunity to pick up a late Leica ME with a serial number that puts its manufacture date in 2015. It has only 825 or so actuations like new. It's at a Leica dealer they can tell me if the sensor needed to be replaced not. There is not a problem now, and maybe never. Can I assume with a 2015 serial number I don't need to worry about a bad sensor?
 
Can your dealer tell you if the sensor is the old one or not? This is not clear from your message. He should be able to. In any case, the camera was sold new within the last 5 years, so you are eligible for a free (not $1000) sensor swap if corrosion occurs (source). End yes, it will most likely occur. I just had to return one where the seller (private) was convinced there was none, I saw it immediately and was confirmed by Leica. Bought an M9 with new sensor from the Leica Shop in Vienna. Happy camper.
If its a shop, and its the old sensor...take it outside, shoot against the sky at f/8 or f/11, send the DNG to Leica. See what they say. Maybe you are in for a swap. Then you need patience, but you get a nice M-E back :)
Or look for an M9/M9P with replaced sensor (there seem to be more around than M-Es with new sensor).
 
No, unless it has the new sensor or is like $500.

The above mentioned "warranty" repair just lapsed August 15th, see other threads on the forum. Also whatever the price on the repair is, in the future, is dependent on whether they have parts.

My M9 is in the shop for said sensor...
 
I depends on the price... but take into account a sensor replacement sooner or later. Being a dealer, I would imagine it isn't that much better of a price than a used 240 at this point.

And who are these people that buy a Leica M-E and only make 825 shots?
 
I have an M9 that has had its sensor replaced for free several years ago. It does great. I am sure the new one will fail at some point. It is still a great picture taking machine. State of the art M bodies are very very expensive. I guess you pays your money and takes your chances. When mine goes south, it will be much less expensive to replace the sensor than to buy a new camera.
 
Benjamin Marks said:
When mine goes south, it will be much less expensive to replace the sensor than to buy a new camera.
Click to expand...

Sure, if Leica doesn't re-neg on that commitment. They already have multiple times - initially with the claim that the M8 would be a lifetime camera, then with the M9's lifetime sensor replacement. I'm sure there are others..
Anyway, if you think down the road that Leica will support the M9 when its sensor fails, good luck to you.

The only way I'd pick up an M-E or M9 is if there was corresponding documentation that shows it has had the original sensor replaced with the latest version.
 
I generally agree - there's no way they can just have sensors on hand indefinitely. The question is how many, and how long will they last. Obviously the idea of a "lifetime camera" in digital is a bit dubious, and uncharted territory.
 
Well, sure. If you don't trust Leica, then don't buy the camera. I am sure you could get a nice Canon and do wonderful things with it. Or a Sony, they have a "last man standing" sort of look to them as a company.

[Edit: Leicas used to plausibly make a "lifetime" sort of investment. I have M3's and a couple of IIIa's that have probably outlived their original owners and will probably outlive me in terms of their usefulness. Now, no. ALL modern digital cameras five to seven year purchases now. If you are a hero, you can stretch it to ten. As I say, you pays your money and takes your chances. . .]
 
Huss said:
The sensor will fail. They all do. Then it will be a $1000 fix.
Click to expand...

My M-E is 2015. Looks like corrosion is on the glass now. Don't know about sensor.
According to Leica latest policy it is five years after purchase new, if I'm not mistaken. After August 15 2017. Mine is purchased new, from authorized dealer in 2016. So, I have four years for free fix, I guess.
 
No way I'd trust Leica. I'll never buy another new product of any kind from Leica.

Keep in mind how bad their service is too. Months and months of waiting and often no feedback. I make a living with my digital equipment. It's not a toy to me. I've used leicas for 50 years and can't even get professional priority service. When a dentist can get loaners and quick turnaround it's time to bail out of leica.

One mistake buying an M9 was enough of a lesson. Worst experience I've ever had regarding new equipment.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
My M-E is 2015. Looks like corrosion is on the glass now. Don't know about sensor.
According to Leica latest policy it is five years after purchase new, if I'm not mistaken. After August 15 2017. Mine is purchased new, from authorized dealer in 2016. So, I have four years for free fix, I guess.
Click to expand...

I'd get it fixed sooner than later... you never know when they change their policy again.
 
jsrockit said:
I'd get it fixed sooner than later... you never know when they change their policy again.
Click to expand...

I'll wait for pre 15.8.17 tsunami flood to drain. But sooner is the right word.
Corrosion which started as small "worm" earlier in 2017 is now progressed to much more and larger worms and strikes like spots. Not visible in most of the photos, but on blue sky it is scary.
 
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