uhoh7
Veteran
FYI the old sensor is a bit better if not corroded.
That's because the coverglass is S8612, the gold standard in absorbtive IR cut in terms of high transmission of visible light in just the right range. The new glass BG55, is good but transmission is a little reduced, perhaps 10% in visible light, my source believes. In terms of pure performance, it's not as good, but it will resist varied conditions better.
So if it's a camera you want to use a clean first gen sensor is the best. So if you are one of those desperate to see the wrong kind of spots, don't be.
Leica is the only FF camera which puts the IR cut directly on the sensor. Everybody else puts about .7mm of clear super hard glass there, and then puts the IR cut and other filters in a stack above it. So those filters can be easily replaced without delicate work or a new sensor. But having the IR cut on the sensor is best if you want to be a close to film performance with steep ray angles from a number of RF wide angles.
BTW the M9 sensor will be repairable for a very long time, regardless of if Leica is in business. This is because there are people who specialize in replacing the glued coverglass, with whatever you want. So for under 500USD, one could get a new sheet of S8612 placed over the sensor today. Other parts might be more problematic.
That's because the coverglass is S8612, the gold standard in absorbtive IR cut in terms of high transmission of visible light in just the right range. The new glass BG55, is good but transmission is a little reduced, perhaps 10% in visible light, my source believes. In terms of pure performance, it's not as good, but it will resist varied conditions better.
So if it's a camera you want to use a clean first gen sensor is the best. So if you are one of those desperate to see the wrong kind of spots, don't be.
Leica is the only FF camera which puts the IR cut directly on the sensor. Everybody else puts about .7mm of clear super hard glass there, and then puts the IR cut and other filters in a stack above it. So those filters can be easily replaced without delicate work or a new sensor. But having the IR cut on the sensor is best if you want to be a close to film performance with steep ray angles from a number of RF wide angles.
BTW the M9 sensor will be repairable for a very long time, regardless of if Leica is in business. This is because there are people who specialize in replacing the glued coverglass, with whatever you want. So for under 500USD, one could get a new sheet of S8612 placed over the sensor today. Other parts might be more problematic.
