Leica Sensor Replacement Program

[jszokoli]

With all the hand wringing regarding Leica’s sensor replacement I feel maybe a poll is in order.

It would be interesting what owners of M9, M9-P, M-E, and Monochrom think.

For me there are two issues, are you happy with your camera, and are you happy with the service Leica provided as part of Its sensor replacement program.

Joe

 

[raid]

I have not gotten the M9 back.

 

[YouAreHere]

I didn't vote but your response options apply, summarized as follows -

I have NOT submitted my M-E.
I have concerns about the time it would take.
I have moved on, using a T and/or M-D instead.

 

[rfaspen]

There are at least a couple other threads here at RFF about this.

I'm not ready to vote in the poll, but I can address the two issues (questions actually) in the OP.

1. I was thrilled with my M9 when I had it. Love the camera, its size, handling, images.
2. I am absolutely thoroughly disappointed beyond belief with the service Leica has provided for my M9.

I sent my M9 to Leica NJ during the first week of August 2017.
March 13, 2018 I received an email from Leica NJ to tell me they are going to send my camera to Germany to be repaired.

To summarize: Leica received my camera August of 2017 and did absolutely nothing with it for over 7 months (March 2018).
After 7+ months, with absolutely NO communication whatsoever, they decided to send my camera to Germany. What was being done during those 7+ months? Absolutely nothing!! Not even a nice email to say I'm not forgotten. Nothing!

Will the German repair experience take an additional 7+ months??? Perhaps the "Germany" they mention is actually Leica Germany. With luck (!?) maybe Leica Germany will be more professional and address my camera in a timely manner. Perhaps at least provide some clue about what, where, when is happening to my M9.

Remember at the top of this post: I said I love my M9. Perhaps I meant "loved" my M9 🙁

I have been very patient with Leica and cut them some slack because I suspect the M9 corrosion issue was much much bigger than they expected. However, the long, long periods of complete silence and inaction are inexcusable. It has been pointed out in the other threads about this issue that nearly every other high-end camera manufacturer on our planet has enormously more responsive repair service than Leica with a much more professional demeanor. So much so its beyond laughable how Leica has behaved.

So now. Maybe I should check my gold-plated Peruvian Jaguar Extinction Anniversary commemorative issue with glow-in-the-dark shutter speed paint and fine Corinthian ocelot belly leather coverings for sensor corrosion? Of course, I would have to break the Patagonian solitary beeswax seal on the Cuban Swietenia wood presentation box to open it up and remove the camera. Better get my organic cotton archival bleached museum curators gloves out...

 

[Rob-F]

I'm grateful that Leica did the replacement, and happy to have my M9 back.

 

[Beemermark]

I'm not ready to vote in the poll, but I can address the two issues (questions actually) in the OP.

1. I was thrilled with my M9 when I had it. Love the camera, its size, handling, images.
2. I am absolutely thoroughly disappointed beyond belief with the service Leica has provided for my M9.
.

I have not sent my in. Stupidly, stupid, stupid, stupid. I had one little spot when I could have gotten it fixed free. Now I have maybe two so it's not that bad. I didn't send it in when I had one spot because I didn't want to wait 6~12 months to get it fixed. Now I don't know what to do. I've used Leica products for ~40 years. I don't know what to do now, I have a Fuji X-Pro2 which is as good or better than the Leica. I have an M7 and M4 to use my lenses on. The choice is spend a lot of money and wait a long time to get it repaired, then risk the new sensor corroding OR upgrade. I really don't think I can afford to use the upgrade path.

I have yet see anyone give a ballpark on what they will give you towards upgrading.

 

[raid]

I took the risk and I sent my M9 in even though I did not yet see any spots. Leica then confirmed there was corrosion. I mailed my M9 last September to NJ. Still no return to me.

 

[Huss]

I took the risk and I sent my M9 in even though I did not yet see any spots. Leica then confirmed there was corrosion. I mailed my M9 last September to NJ. Still no return to me.

Didn't they tell you two weeks ago it was done?

 

[Beemermark]

I took the risk and I sent my M9 in even though I did not yet see any spots. Leica then confirmed there was corrosion. I mailed my M9 last September to NJ. Still no return to me.

Harry Fleenor, well past retirement age, only takes 4 months to overhaul a Rolleiflex

 

[raid]

I was lucky enough to get a M240 as a loaner camera from them. They asked for it back. I told them that I want to use the same box in which my M9 will be returned to me. May have been a good idea.

 

[raid]

Didn't they tell you two weeks ago it was done?

Yes. On February 24. "your M9 has been repaired." I should have received it back "within a week".

 

[Calzone]

Joe,

My wait was 12 weeks. I was told 8-10, but I sent in my Monochrom in December 2015 and knew they have a holiday shutdown.

I did not even pay for shipping for the round trip. When I inquired with Bill the Service Manager I got a prompt response via e-mail.

I also took advantage of a waiting list so my camera did not wait for a sensor for additional months like other people. I feel I took responsibility to protect my best interests, and I also knew that eventually this program would have to end sometime.

Easy to predict the last minute scramble. In my communications with Leica they were very up front about the 8-10 weeks without a camera. It was easy to predict that this would worsen in a bad way when the program wound down.

I had a 84 Jeep Scrambler that I kinda made into a suicide machine with a Corvette engine, Ford 9 inch rear, and Lincoln Continental rear disc brakes. At one time this Jeep had a gas gauge that did not work, and my workaround was to take note of the odometer reading each time when I filled up with high-test.

So human nature is to explore and test this envelope. It was not like I didn't know I was running low on gas, and it is understandable that if I keep on driving that eventually I will run out of gas, but sometimes I keep on driving anyways.

So when my engine sputters, stalls, and I finally run out of fuel why each time am I surprised? Who do I blame?

I apologize if my analogy offends some, but some of the blame here for the lengthy delays I see as being self inflicted. Some owners really were irresponsible and did not respond in a timely manner. Some people did not protect their own "best interests" and now are angry with Leica when they are partially to blame. In reading through the threads I learned about the waiting list, but many did not take advantage of this opportunity.

How many years has this program been in place? Did people realize that maybe one day it might end? Were people unrealistic in thinking the replacement program would last forever?

In all the threads that blame Leica how many people take blame or partial blame for the log jam/bottleneck created. How many...

Perhaps only Beemermark.

The few times when I ran out of gas in my Jeep I only blamed myself.

Cal

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I was set on waiting for another year or two, since M-E is not five years old or older.
But someone told me - "how long do you think the program will lasts?"
So, whom to blame? This person or changing quick and for worse Leica policies?

 

[Huss]

I was set on waiting for another year or two, since M-E is not five years old or older.
But someone told me - "how long do you think the program will lasts?"
So, whom to blame? This person or changing quick and for worse Leica policies?

I wouldn't wait. Leica has been very dishonest about this and will change their policy again.
Just look at it on an individual level with Raid. They told him one month ago that his camera was fixed (after a 7 month wait?) and he still has not received it.
Leica NJ is an untrustworthy partner.

 

[raid]

We are happy to inform you that the repair to your Leica product has
been completed. The service was performed by our highly experienced and
trained technicians. You can expect to receive your repaired equipment
within a week.

 

[rfaspen]

I've said many times that I understand Leica's difficulty with the corrosion problem. I suspect it is larger than they expected. Much larger 😱.

While I had my M9, I checked my sensor frequently (too frequently?) just waiting for the corrosion to appear so I could send my camera in. I suspected the goodwill program would not last too long -- for a variety of common sense reasons that would clearly arise. So, when the goodwill program deadline was announced, I checked yet again and still no discernable corrosion. However, I decided to send my camera in even though I could only see dust and no corrosion. I sent it in just in case there was corrosion I couldn't see, even though I looked hard. I did not procrastinate! I made what seemed like the most reasonable gamble considering the situation.

It was wise of me to send it in (I guess). Leica and UPS took unusually long to process the intake, but the camera arrived in time for the deadline and I received an email about 3 weeks later stating my sensor had corrosion and the sensor needed to be replaced. So, the gamble paid off -- in a sense.

Now, I have been very patient and understanding with Leica. I fully expected they would have a huge glut of repairs to do, and the wait times reported by others before the goodwill deadline have ranged from a couple weeks to 3 months. So I figured it would certainly be more than 3 months considering they would receive a surge of cameras. So far, no surprises.

I admit that over the last several months I have been disappointed with the ultra-glacial movement and lack of communication. But, I figured Leica was truly swamped, so I didn't complain.

However, I find it difficult to hide my disappointment now that I learn Leica has done nothing with my camera for over 7 months, and *then* decided to send it off to Germany. Not sure how much longer it might take once in Germany, and no indication from Leica.

So how much blame do I assume for my situation? Blame for sending in the camera even though I didn't think it had corrosion -- just in case? Blame for being patient and understanding -- even defending Leica while have done nothing with my camera for over 7 months? Blame for being the more communicative agent in our relationship?

 

[cz23]

....I have yet see anyone give a ballpark on what they will give you towards upgrading.

That info is readily available. I believe the offer still stands: https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2017/06/leica-offers-new-upgrade-options-ccd-sensor-corrosion-q-sl-choices/

 

[cz23]

I wouldn't wait. Leica has been very dishonest about this and will change their policy again.
Just look at it on an individual level with Raid. They told him one month ago that his camera was fixed (after a 7 month wait?) and he still has not received it.
Leica NJ is an untrustworthy partner.

I agree with Huss. I'd be more concerned about sensor availability. They seem to be struggling with that even now, and as the numbers grow smaller, sensor fabrication may make even less financial sense to them. Let's face it, it's digital technology with built-in obsolescence. As the saying goes, it's not a matter of if, but when.

John

 

[Calzone]

I was set on waiting for another year or two, since M-E is not five years old or older.
But someone told me - "how long do you think the program will lasts?"
So, whom to blame? This person or changing quick and for worse Leica policies?

KoFe,

I think both parties are to blame here.

The fact is the current log jam could have been avoided, Some people did not take advantage of the list that offered 4 months of continued use like I did.

I am also guilty of waiting, procrastinating, and gambling. The "Goodwill" program existed for more than a year before my camera was sent in on December 2015. It was sometime in August 2017 the cutoff deadline. Owners had years to send in their cameras is the point, but also know I displayed much of the same behavior of waiting, procrastinating and gambling.

Let's just be honest...

Cal

 

[Ko.Fe.]

...The "Goodwill" program existed for more than a year before my camera was sent in on December 2015. It was sometime in August 2017 the cutoff deadline.

Let's just be honest...

I don't think anyone here at RFF is dishonest or biased. The other side....

Correct me if I'm wrong, wasn't Leica tossing in defective sensors under this "Goodwill" before September 2015 and Monochrome not defective sensor was not even ready by this time?

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/249569-leica-m9-corrosion-sensor-replacement-starts-now/

Don't you think it is common sense to wait and see if second round is actually working one, after first round with defective sensors failure? And do you think it was honest to cut under short notice by August 2017 started in September 2015 program?

Are you blaming users for the rush to send cameras after all of this mess which lasted for years, but was cut short once they find the solution?