M9 sensor corrosion repair for $1k

[MaZo]

Just stumbled on this (no relation to the company). I guess many current/potential owners may be interested.

https://kolarivision.com/leica-m9-sensor-corrosion-repair/

 

[Ricoh]

M9 sensor corrosion ‘due to dumb design‘, so it’s claimed. Interesting strip down and findings reported here:
https://petapixel.com/2020/09/12/le...on-due-to-dumb-design-decision-report-claims/

 

[Michael Markey]

M9 sensor corrosion ‘due to dumb design‘, so it’s claimed. Interesting strip down and findings reported here:
https://petapixel.com/2020/09/12/le...on-due-to-dumb-design-decision-report-claims/

Interesting ..... I think the way in which they initially handled this whole episode left a lot to be desired .

 

[jarski]

Interesting ..... I think the way in which they initially handled this whole episode left a lot to be desired .

Yes both M8 and 9 had issues of their own. Anybody remember coffee stain issue of M8’s tiny LCD? 😀

But still both cameras have cult following and prices remain stable. This sensor fixing program no doubt help situation to remain so.

 

[Freakscene]

prices remain stable.

Not really. An M9 with original sensor (so probably corroded) sold at KEH this week for $US426.13. eBay prices don’t really reflect what they are moving for.

Marty

 

[jsrockit]

Not really. An M9 with original sensor (so probably corroded) sold at KEH this week for $US426.13. eBay prices don’t really reflect what they are moving for.

Marty

Without the corrosion I would imagine he means...

 

[Freakscene]

Without the corrosion I would imagine he means...

Maybe, but he didn’t say. And KEH sold an M9 with the updated sensor this week for US$751.65.

That’s a pretty good deal, but hardly ‘holding value’. These cameras are for using, not hanging on to as investments.

Marty

 

[jsrockit]

I’d say those prices are anomalies and not the norm. Seems odd that someone would pay $1600 to have sensor replaced and then sell it to KEH for like $300 so KEH can sell it for $750. Anywhere else, unless the sensor is corroded, they sell for much more. Unless you can support your point with more than prices from KEH. And sold auctions on eBay perfectly reflect prices... they are sales.

 

[Freakscene]

I’d say those prices are anomalies and not the norm. Seems odd that someone would pay $1600 to have sensor replaced and then sell it to KEH for like $300 so KEH can sell it for $750. Anywhere else, unless the sensor is corroded, they sell for much more. Unless you can support your point with more than prices from KEH. And sold auctions on eBay perfectly reflect prices... they are sales.

For quite some time Leica were fixing them for free.

There are several M9s on FM around or under $1K and on Gumtree in Australia for $AU1500. On the first page of completed sales on eBay a third or so are in the $400-1500 range including several with replaced sensors. There are plenty of bargains around.

Marty

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Any M8 for 700 USD? I remember how they went bellow 1K USD, but bounced back.

 

[willie_901]

Interesting ..... I think the way in which they initially handled this whole episode left a lot to be desired .

Agreed. They had a mess on their hands and the only remedy was very expensive. Leica under estimated their customer base as well as the potential for social media to tarnish their reputation.

 

[Michael Markey]

Not really. An M9 with original sensor (so probably corroded) sold at KEH this week for $US426.13. eBay prices don’t really reflect what they are moving for.

Marty

I`ll counter that $400 with the Titanium M9 with 35 summilux on sale at Aperture for £20k 😀

https://apertureleica.com/product/p...summilux-m-asph-set-rare-factory-test-camera/

 

[David Hughes]

For quite some time Leica were fixing them for free.

There are several M9s on FM around or under $1K and on Gumtree in Australia for $AU1500. On the first page of completed sales on eBay a third or so are in the $400-1500 range including several with replaced sensors. There are plenty of bargains around.

Marty

And a lot of people see a recession coming and that might just depress prices a little (or a lot) more.

Regards, David

 

[Freakscene]

And a lot of people see a recession coming and that might just depress prices a little (or a lot) more.

Yes, I am sure a lot of the sales are from people who need the money rather than are upgrading or flipping cameras. Not a Very happy time, certainly not a golden age.

Marty

 

[D&A]

I use the M9 and M9P and follow the prices fairly closely. I cannot speak for those on KEH (those prices with replaced sensor seem ridiculously low) but generally on FM, M9's with original (susceptible to corrosion) sensors may go for around $1000-1100, while those with replaced "non corroding sensors" in approx. 9-9+ condition have been going for approx. $2400-2800 and M9P's recently have sold for approx. $3150-3300 give or take. A recent search will easily show these. Locally these have also been the approx. selling prices. Condition and how complete the camera is (with box and all contents) and of course whether original sensor or recent new sensor also reflects the price. These prices have been fairly stable (there are always peaks and valleys).

Dave (D&A)

 

[jsrockit]

Yes D&A this is what I see as well. Not sure what happened at KEH. I can see it varying by country, but I see the US prices you stated. Never anything like what KEH had.

 

[D&A]

Yes D&A this is what I see as well. Not sure what happened at KEH. I can see it varying by country, but I see the US prices you stated. Never anything like what KEH had.

Thanks I very much agree. I would have had to see those KEH offerings to really know what the situation was. Sounds like there was more to those low price sales. Could have been M9(s) with badly corroded original sensor and body in poor condition or body had other issues besides bad sensor. The prices for M9's and M9P's in 9 or better condition with a non corroding sensor and boxed and complete have held fairly steady and still in fairly good to fairly high demand...based on my experience here in the States and what I hear from acquaintances in various parts of the UK/Europe. There are of course exceptions like any type of item sold.

Dave (D&A)

 

[rfaspen]

I still think the M9 is an excellent camera. I seem to use mine more than my M240 (also a nice camera).
I used to tell people that an M9 with original sensor at $800 is a reasonable purchase (considering suitable body condition, etc.) when taking into account the cost of sensor replacement. The service offered by Kolari is actually less expensive than Leica (up to recently), so I still think $800 is reasonable. Less than that is even better.
I also think that the M9 in good condition with the latest sensor installed is worth the typical $2500 selling price (last I looked).
No matter what the market, I'm using my M9 very happily. Its a "working" camera for me and I enjoy it very much.

 

[jankap]

In the Leica User Forum there is under the header M9 a thread with more info.

 

[D&A]

I too use my M9 and it's variants often. Great camera if used within its limits. No doubt later offerings from Leica are technologically more advanced.

With two companies now offering new sensor coverglass, there are less expensive fixes for a cooking sensor. One thing to watch out for is one of the companies doing this work, reduce the sensor stack thickness for even more improved sharpness of files but I believe when you do this (reduce sensor stack height), it affects accurate focusing with wide angle lenses like a 15mm and 21mm. More needs to be clarified about this.

Dave (D&A)