M9 sensor replacement poll....

M9 sensor replacement poll....

  • My M9/ME still has the original sensor

    Votes: 23 22.8%

  • My M9/ME has the replacement sensor

    Votes: 78 77.2%
  • Total voters
    101
Wasn’t Leica offering deals on new cameras for M9 bodies with spoiled sensors?
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Yep, they still do. You'll need to send in your affected camera and can then choose to, either have the sensor replaced and the camera overhauled at no cost, or you can upgrade to a number of M series cameras, or to the Leica SL. The upgrade prices are not great though.
 
Are you sure that there is no cost attached now? I have seen online posts in which M9 owners state that they had to pay large sums of money for a Leica replacement of the sensor.
 
Ouch! I paid $400 for my first M9 sensor replacement (Leica NJ), and then it was free in July 2018 for the second sensor replacement. $1595 is not a small amount. For $3000 you were able to get a Leica inspected and CLA'd M9 with custom color and new sensor.
 
james.liam said:
For $1600, I'd sooner apply it toward a used M10 than "re-live the glory days of '09".
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I doubt it is even 1600. The tax and shipping is in the Leica statement as well.

It all depends on M9 with bad sensor price. Fair price for M9 is around 2900 with new sensor.
So, M9 with bad sensor has to be = 2900 - (1595 + tax + shipping) = Well bellow 2K$.

Otherwise new M-E MKII is 3900 (plus tax and shipping)
 
james.liam said:
No evidence that humidity is the culprit. Urban legend.

One wonders whether the 4.5% who still have the old sensor have corrosion (?edges) and don't know it. Hopefully it will remain inapparent.
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Actually there is evidence that water vapor is responsible for M9 sensor original cover-glass delamination (corrosion).

The first generation M9 sensor cover glass used the Schott S8612 IR filter film. The Schott data sheet for this filter can be seen here. The data sheet notes section contains rain cloud icons and the text "Long-term changes of the polished surface are possible"

It is unproductive to include other links that document the water-vapor issues with the Schott S8612 filter film or that the Schott S8612 filter is used in the first-generation cameras. This information is in other camera forums that may not be quoted or linked in RFF posts.

The Schott S8612 filter layer material is a very efficient with excellent optical properties. It is also very thin.

Leica strived to minimize the digital M body thickness and minimize loss of M lens optical performance caused by cover glass thickness[1]. This is how come the M8 did not have an IR filter. For the M9 Leica choose a thin, but efficient high-quality IR filter. Unfortunately this filter material reacts with water vapor. By the time the M9 replacement sensor assembly was designed a thin, water stable IR filter material was available.

When a M9 camera with the first generation sensor starts to delaminate is difficult to predict. It is possible the most careful handling during camera assembly and, or careful, skillful sensor cleaning can cause micro scratches which increases water vapor penetration. Some cameras are used in high humidity locations. Some cameras experience a greater range of operation temperatures and different rates of thermal expansion and contraction.

Likewise, once delamination begins the rate of delamination growth can range from very slow to very fast.

Anecdotal reports about delamination vary widely because many variables are involved. But one thing is certain - sooner or later all first-generation sensor glass covers will delaminate. Once delamination begins it will continue.
 
I bought my M-E second hand from the big camera shop in Atlanta in the spring 0f 2018. I purchased the Mack repair warranty for digital cameras up to $5000 value. After returning to the US in the fall, I noticed indications of corrosion. I showed photos to my friends and sent one to Leica Miami. All concurred with me. I called This big camera shop and they said send it to Mack.
I sent it to Mack and they refused to repair it since it was a Leica problem!
A year later, I sent the camera to the repair facility where it is waiting for the replacement sensor.
 
I wonder if anyone has attempted to replace the sensor glass similar to the Sony A7 guys that do the Kolari mod. (Kolari does not do the M9's)
 
I voted on the first or second day, forgot to post. Mine was replaced shortly before the deadline.
 
My M-E performed well until I moved to SE Asia... Since my arrival there, the sensor went Kaput real fast. So I suppose the humidity is to blame. Having it fixed as we speak.
 
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