Now that several companies other than Leica are offering M9 sensor repair,
How good are the non Leica sensors repairs?
How good is the repair service and warranty?
Cost wise, which is the better deal in your view? Leica repairs or no?
With Leica concentrating on newer cameras,
is this the way to keep your M9 going?
How good are the non Leica sensors repairs?
How good is the repair service and warranty?
Cost wise, which is the better deal in your view? Leica repairs or no?
With Leica concentrating on newer cameras,
is this the way to keep your M9 going?
View Range
Well-known
My M9 is with one of the companies right now.
- Turn around is expected to be 10 working days. Far, far superior to the turnaround time from Leica.
- The sensor is not being replaced. The corroded cover glass is being replaced.
- Until the M10R I considered the Mxxx models to only be marginally better than the M9. So why buy a new digital M when you have a fully functional M9?
- Even with the Leica allowance toward an M10R, the M9 repair price is far cheaper.
I'll provide more comments when I get my camera back.
- Turn around is expected to be 10 working days. Far, far superior to the turnaround time from Leica.
- The sensor is not being replaced. The corroded cover glass is being replaced.
- Until the M10R I considered the Mxxx models to only be marginally better than the M9. So why buy a new digital M when you have a fully functional M9?
- Even with the Leica allowance toward an M10R, the M9 repair price is far cheaper.
I'll provide more comments when I get my camera back.
dourbalistar
Buy more film
Are the 3rd parties replacing sensors entirely? I might be mistaken, but I thought they were just replacing the glass covering the sensors, not swapping out and replacing the sensor itself.
EDIT: View Range beat me to posting, and it looks like they actually have a horse in the race.
EDIT: View Range beat me to posting, and it looks like they actually have a horse in the race.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Glass is changed due to corrosion and another option is conversion to Monochrome (two versions) and IR (if I'm not mistaken). This is done with original sensor.
Raymondl
Newbie
Hi I am new to this forum.
I got my camera back from Kolari Vision. Here is a summary of my findings:
Overall my satisfaction: 10/10 Fantastic
Colours/colors: Looks fine to me (IMO like prior state)
AWB: No changes required (IMO like prior state)
Corrosion: No (Fixed)
Focus calibration: N/A felt fine (IMO like prior state)
Album
Physical evidence - https://photos.app.goo.gl/3jQiE8XWACPMq4bG8
Processed sample photos - https://photos.app.goo.gl/a7buKra5NGHL9uey8
Unprocessed sample photos (DNG - LR EXPORT) - https://photos.app.goo.gl/DRuL4CS53VHk8zfv8
I have other points about some of the short comings with my analysis and more background on timings and import/duties...vertical column defect (not related to kolari vision) but I won't bore you...not unless you want to know!
I got my camera back from Kolari Vision. Here is a summary of my findings:
Overall my satisfaction: 10/10 Fantastic
Colours/colors: Looks fine to me (IMO like prior state)
AWB: No changes required (IMO like prior state)
Corrosion: No (Fixed)
Focus calibration: N/A felt fine (IMO like prior state)
Album
Physical evidence - https://photos.app.goo.gl/3jQiE8XWACPMq4bG8
Processed sample photos - https://photos.app.goo.gl/a7buKra5NGHL9uey8
Unprocessed sample photos (DNG - LR EXPORT) - https://photos.app.goo.gl/DRuL4CS53VHk8zfv8
I have other points about some of the short comings with my analysis and more background on timings and import/duties...vertical column defect (not related to kolari vision) but I won't bore you...not unless you want to know!
JMQ
Well-known
Just curious, how much is the 3rd party glass replacement? thanks.
CVickery
Established
I'm interested in the results as well. I've been considering sending in my Monochrom. It shows no signs of corrosion, but I suspect it will be a problem eventually. I don't want to miss out on the option to have the issue dealt with. Leica's cancellation of the replacement program was a bit of a shock causing my camera to depreciate significantly almost overnight.
zleica
Established
@CVickery, I didn't know if Kolari cover glass replacement included Monochrom sensor. My Monochrom also starts to show corrosion spots in the upper corner of the sensor and sooner or later the corrosion will grow. I will contact them and report back.
Cheers,
Cheers,
Raymondl
Newbie
raid
Dad Photographer
It is great that we have such options available to us.
zleica
Established
I just reached out to Kolari Vision and they are currently not providing service to the Monochrom M9M.
Cheers,
Cheers,
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
I am woefully out of the loop on the digital Ms, so I have no idea what they cost when new. Am I right that the replacement of the glass is 20-30% of what the M9 cost new?
Do I infer that this is a looming problem for the other digital Ms? (And what exactly is corroding, anyway? I haven't heard of this as a problem with other digitals.)
Do I infer that this is a looming problem for the other digital Ms? (And what exactly is corroding, anyway? I haven't heard of this as a problem with other digitals.)
JMQ
Well-known
Raymondl
Newbie
This ”sensor” corrosion is actually got to do with the glass and only affects cameras that have the M9 sensor
Here is a bit of history from my recollection....
1.Leica acknowledging the issue and replacing sensors with the (same) corrosion glass (free of charge) - https://petapixel.com/2014/12/10/le...osion-issue-company-offers-free-replacements/
outcome: Leica replaces the sensor with the same sensor that has the glass issue (free of charge)
2. Leica announces the permanent fix (”new generation of sensors”) - https://www.reddotforum.com/content...r-ccd-sensor-corrosion-on-m9m9-pmmm-e-models/
Outcome: Leica replaces the sensor with the ”NEW” sensor that has the permanent fix (free of charge)
3. Leica ends the sensor (free) replacement program
4. My leica M9 sensor glass starts to corrode
5. Leica announces increases to sensor replacement - https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2018/12/price-increased-on-leica-ccd-sensor-replacement/
Outcome: the service is not only a sensor change but it also includes CLA
6. Leica announces stopped sensor repairs
https://petapixel.com/2020/08/10/le...the-m9s-ccd-sensor-future-repairs-impossible/
Outcome: game over
7. 3rd party assessment of the leica M9 issues - https://petapixel.com/2020/09/12/le...on-due-to-dumb-design-decision-report-claims/
Outcome: although leica had just replaced the sensor, the root cause isn't actually got to do with the sensor.. But the sensor glass and the fact it wasn't treated properly...
zuiko85
Veteran
It is apparent that Leica’s vaunted ‘investment for a lifetime’ regarding purchase of an M rangefinder ended with digital. Not to shame them, but the advent of digital has proved a major disruption for all the old line camera manufacturers.
But really, as soon as the late 70’s forward, with the increasing reliance on electronics in 35mm cameras, cameras that depended on proprietary flexible printed circuits that run throughout the body are orphaned when spares for these run out.
It is just that Leica had a more valuable reputation to protect and so has suffered more damage to that reputation.
But really, as soon as the late 70’s forward, with the increasing reliance on electronics in 35mm cameras, cameras that depended on proprietary flexible printed circuits that run throughout the body are orphaned when spares for these run out.
It is just that Leica had a more valuable reputation to protect and so has suffered more damage to that reputation.
f.hayek
Well-known
Marginal? Really?
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
That’s good news because my M9 still has the original sensor.
David Hughes
David Hughes
It's a pity they said what they said in this brochure:-
And now read paragraph 3:-
'nuff said?
Regards, David
And now read paragraph 3:-
'nuff said?
Regards, David
Yokosuka Mike
Abstract Clarity
Yes, David, I think not only 'nuff said, but well said.
You always bring that touch of wisdom to the conversation - thank you!
All the best,
Mike
Nitroplait
Well-known
It's a pity they said what they said in this brochure:-
And now read paragraph 3:-
'nuff said?
Regards, David
Well, in all fairness, they didn't say it is a good investment. Some investments go bad and some will haunt you for a long time - maybe even a lifetime?