M9 sensor swap-- what does your documentation say?

[drec]

I recently purchased a used Leica M9 from someone, online, who had indicated that the sensor had been upgraded to the latest and greatest non-corroding one.

I received the camera in good order on physical appearance a few days ago. I have not had time to shoot it yet.

The documentation pertaining to the repair is an invoice that shows that this M9 was sent to the Leica Shop in LA. The items are:

Repair parts- $0.00
Repair labor- $0.00

I also received the certificate indicating that the sensor was meticulously cleaned. I received no documentation specifically indicating sensor swap. This, I find hard to believe, given the publicity that the new sensor program has had.

Firmware, I should note, has been upgraded to 1.210; I understand from searching that the old sensors should not be run on 1.204 or later.

I have written to the LA store with the work order/serial number and trust that this will be cleared up shortly. But I would like some understanding at this stressful xmas time 😉 and am hoping that you can share your experiences as to what documentation you got back when you sent your camera in for the latest sensor.

The good news is that I got the camera at a good price and, with the free swap, even if I was lied to, I am hoping that it shouldn't be a problem getting the new sensor in the future when I need it.

Thanks!
Andre

 

[drec]

Oh, and the work was completed this past October, so if a new sensor had been called for, Leica obviously would have done it. Thanks again

 

[cz23]

I'll be interested to learn what folks say about this. My MM is at Leica now. If the sensor is replaced, it would be nice to have the work documented. But I agree that, given your repair date, the sensor was either replaced or replacement was not considered necessary.

John

 

[Ronald M]

The clue is firmware upgrade.

Did you have spots originally that you could not clean? Are they now gone?

 

[drec]

I haven't tested the camera at all except a few clicks in my living room. The pictures looked fine. But that's not the point of my question.

 

[user237428934]

There is a price difference on the used market for M9 with old vs. M9 with new sensor. So it would be a rip off if you paid for a new sensor and got an M9 with old sensor insted (even if the old sensor is in best shape).

 

[drec]

I got the camera at a good price, a price that I consider equivalent to a non-swap M9. I was surprised at the deal I got at the time; I think I'm realizing, now, why I got such a good deal. I don't think I was ripped off monetarily. But the trust factor! (crawls into fetal position, wailing to mom)

 

[oltimer]

I note the question Drec is asking, but as far as replacement goes; there is huge documentation on this forum with Raid having meetings with the Leica CEO. They will be replaced free if and when the problem comes up. The sensor is the same except the outer coating.

 

[raid]

I would use the camera extensively, and if/when you see sensor damage, send the camera to Leica. The other option is to send the camera back to the seller, and buy another camera.

 

[drec]

My concern is that, if the sensor was indeed replaced, there is no explicit evidence of such. It just said "repair part" as the item, with $0.00 cost.

That might be ok for the owner who sent the Leica in, but it does not help the next owner ascertaining whether the repair occurred.

The Leica response might be: too bad, we're not going to change how we document these things. Given the cost of ownership and Leica's excellent, if slow service, I have difficulty understanding why they would neglect to document such an important repair. I am left to believe that either they didn't repair the sensor or there is an information gap here that should be rectified for the peace of mind of future owners of a used camera.

 

[raid]

The next owner can send the camera to Leica when there is a sensor problem. It is covered.

 

[drec]

The next owner can send the camera to Leica when there is a sensor problem. It is covered.

Raid, you have offered sensible solutions to the problem and I intend to pursue any/all of them. Sometimes people are not necessarily in fixit mode; I'm not in fixit mode. I'm in peace of mind mode, just wanting some answers for peace of mind.

If Leica is reading this and makes a change in how they document their repairs, then I'll have considered this post useful not just for me but for others. Have a great holiday.

 

[user237428934]

The next owner can send the camera to Leica when there is a sensor problem. It is covered.

But if you sell it to someone and state it's the new sensor but it isn't it's simply fraud.

 

[raid]

I once sent my M9 to Leica NJ, and they fixed the camera, and I received a bill for $450. There also was a detailed description what was fixed.

 

[raid]

But if you sell it to someone and state it's the new sensor but it isn't it's simply fraud.

I would state "the seller of the camera [to me] claimed that Leica has replaced the sensor ....."

 

[user237428934]

If Leica is reading this and makes a change in how they document their repairs, then I'll have considered this post useful not just for me but for others. Have a great holiday.

I'm sure that they write it in the repair letter that they replaced the sensor. Maybe someone can confirm this who got the sensor replaced.

 

[_goodtimez]

I had an M7 I sent to Leica for a free film DX sensor repalcement from electrical to optical type and the invoice also showed $0.00 cost...

 

[user237428934]

I had an M7 I sent to Leica for a free film DX sensor repalcement from electrical to optical type and the invoice also showed $0.00 cost...

That's not the point. Did they describe on the invoice that they replaced the DX sensor or did you derive from the 0.0 cost that they might have replaced the DX sensor?

 

[user237428934]

Has someone asked Leica via mail if the sensor for their camera was already replaced? Did they answer?

 

[drec]

I have emailed Leica LA asking very specific questions, including work order and my serial no. I trust that they will contact Leica to get me an answer, if a little slowly given the time of year.

I'm a little concerned, but not too much! More curious. Even if the guy committed fraud, I got a good deal.