M9 Sensor Problems After Replacement

[nightfly]

I had the sensor in my M9 replaced in 2015.

Just got back from a trip to Cambodia and while reviewing my photos I see a vertical line on all of my photos. A similar problem is what prompted Leica to replace my sensor in the first place (I thought it just needed re-mapping).

Anyone else had this repeat problem? If it was replaced is it possible now it just needs remapping? Or does the new sensor have corrosion issues as well?

Love the camera but I'm starting to hate it...

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Admin edit

its my understanding, and I admit I could be mistaken
that the earlier M9 sensor replacements were just replacements of the same trouble prone sensors and cover glass
and were therefore prone to the same problems

then sometime in 2017 a new M9 sensor appeared, produced by the same Israeli company which produces the M240 and M10 sensors
and this new 2nd generation sensor will hopefully be more resistant long term to sensor corrosion than the original sensors

SFAIK, Leica has not made a public statement on different generations or versions of the M9 sensors

 

[benjkim]

I know very little about the M9 corrosion problem, but this sounds like a hot/stuck pixel and not corrosion. I think it's a common problem with digital sensors and just requires remapping.

 

[raid]

Oh boy! I haven't even gotten back my M9 from NJ, and now we see such issues!

 

[Chuffed Cheese]

Oh boy! I haven't even gotten back my M9 from NJ, and now we see such issues!

someday....

 

[Huss]

Oh boy! I haven't even gotten back my M9 from NJ, and now we see such issues!

You STILL haven't got it back? Didn't they tell you a month ago it was ready?

I just received a Rollei 35 bought off ebay from Germany in a week. So mail is not the excuse..

 

[raid]

Yes, Leica NJ told me on FEB 24 that my M9 was repaired and they wamted their M240 back. Then, about 2 weeks ago, I received another email from Lieca with a (zero) invoice and nothing else added to the email. Today, is April 11, as you know. Is my M9 on the way?

 

[nightfly]

I had the same issues when I sent my camera in for sensor repair from Leica, NJ in 2015.

Sent it to them in June. Got it back in September but zero communication in between. Kept bugging them, then a zero invoice, then one day the camera showed up.

They did also re-do the body covering and some other stuff which was nice but it doesn't seem difficult to implement a better system of communication if you are going to keep my camera for several months. Just tell me where it is and when it's coming back.

At least you got a loaner.

I remember once I sent a backpack to Eastpack for repairs. They sent me a letter from my backpack as if it were at backpack summer camp informing me it was having a great time and would be back soon. Overly cutesy but effective. Maybe Leica could do one with a more Germanic tone...

 

[Huss]

they re-do the body covering because they have to peal the old one off
for
the repair.

 

[Chuffed Cheese]

Maybe Leica could do one with a more Germanic tone...

stoic silence seems appropriate as-is 😀

 

[Doug]

The vertical line is a stuck pixel which, on CCD sensors, affects the whole column in which it is located. M8 and M9 are vulnerable to this, and it is said that cosmic ray strikes can trigger the issue, so long flights at high altitude... It's unclear how Leica resolves this. I've had this fixed a few times, not been charged yet.

Edit: Of course all the photos shot since the pixel got stuck will show that vertical line in the same exact location, mostly visible in darker areas. There is a workaround. Process the photo as usual and Save as a full-res TIFF, open that in an image editing program in pixel-peeping mode, locate the line, select everything to the right of the line and move it left one pixel. Shazzam, the line is gone! Might be possible to create a Photoshop action to automate this...

It can also happen on Leica S2 and S006 since they too have CCDs, and one person reported that he sent a representative DNG file to Leica showing the problem, and from that they created and sent him a custom S firmware that mapped it out without having to send in the camera for service!

Suggestion: Contact Leica Service Dept by phone or email and see what they have to say...

 

[raid]

... one person reported that he sent a representative DNG file to Leica showing the problem, and from that they created and sent him a custom firmware that mapped it out without having to send in the camera for service!

Very cool. If only such efficiency could be projected to other services offered.

 

[nightfly]

Been round tripping from Lightroom to Photoshop and using the healing brush with the shift key held down which seems to work.

Just frustrating to have it happen twice.

Contacted Leica and they told me to send it in, so I guess I can bid farewell to my camera for a few months if past performance is any indication...

Actively wondering how frustrated I'd be with the Sony A7R2 or 3 as I've been working on the files...

 

[Doug]

Good to have a plan of action. And now that the free sensor replacement program is over or winding down, the flood of cameras in their shop for that should taper off. Speculate that servicing times may be getting shorter... ? Good luck, report how it goes for you!

 

[nightfly]

Camera is on way back.

The invoice I got says "sensor out of tolerence, ccd pixel error". Fixed for free but I'm wondering how reliable this M9 is going forward. Seems like this happens when I travel and saw something about cosmic rays effecting CCDs on airplanes.

Is this a real concern or just bad luck? Are newer CMOS sensors similarly effected?

 

[Calzone]

Is this a real concern or just bad luck? Are newer CMOS sensors similarly effected?

N-F,

Yes. I get the same warning from Leica for my SL and CL. Cosmic radiation can damage CMOS sensors.

Cal

 

[raid]

Does this mean that we should never take on an airplane the digital Leica cameras?
This is not good at all.

 

[raid]

I just emailed someone at Leica NJ to get their "official" response on cosmic rays and pixel errors.

 

[Calzone]

Does this mean that we should never take on an airplane the digital Leica cameras?
This is not good at all.

Raid,

The only way to fully avoid Cosmic Radiation is to create a cave deep underground so Cosmic Rays cannot penetrate. Basically one requires mucho shielding. I know of one research lab that is built so as not have Cosmic Rays as noise to some very careful measurements.

When flying and at high altitudes of course there is a higher likelyhood of a Cosmic Ray hitting the sensor. Pretty much this is a random event. Recently I flew NYC to Spain and back. Total flight time about 14-15 hours with no ill effect. I doubled my risk by carrying two cameras; triple my risk of damage if I include "Maggie's" V-Lux. Don't forget about the CMOS sensor in her cell phone.

Meanwhile you could have a cosmic ray hit you at sea level, so my camera is at risk currently, but still less of a risk than at altitude.

Moral of the story here is store your cameras in deep underground caverns or highly specialized government labs to ensure no Cosmic Ray damage.

Cal

 

[Huss]

How do u think Leica cameras
are shipped to the US for sale? Pretty sure they are not using submarines.

 

[JohnTF]

Any news from Iceland Leica users, re: Cosmic Ray damage ? Would think they would get hit more? Raid, you might get less in Florida?


J