Sensor Replacement Policy 2017

[robert blu]

I'm glad that at the end I decided (with a little help from my wife LOL) to go for the M10 instead of that pre owned ME I had seen by my dealer a few weeks earlier !
Of course I understand the disappointment of owner of cameras with sensor still to be replaced.
robert

 

[Calzone]

I'm glad that at the end I decided (with a little help from my wife LOL) to go for the M10 instead of that pre owned ME I had seen by my dealer a few weeks earlier !
Of course I understand the disappointment of owner of cameras with sensor still to be replaced.
robert

Robert,

You are a lucky M10 owner. The wait on this camera is mucho big also.

Cal

 

[robert blu]

yes, I'm lucky! If I hadn't driven through Wetzlar and visited the Leica shop things had been different...
rob
PS: waiting time was 3/4 weeks...

 

[Calzone]

yes, I'm lucky! If I hadn't driven through Wetzlar and visited the Leica shop things had been different...
rob
PS: waiting time was 3/4 weeks...

Robert,

Going to Wetzlar kinda was like cutting the line. LOL.

Cal

 

[jszokoli]

Well just got a $0 estimate for Leica NJ, so now to see how long the sensor replacement takes...

Joe

 

[raid]

How can I make sure that Leica NJ will actually take care of the M9 free of charge before sending in my M9? I have asked Markus Limberger (Leica AG Wetzlar) to send me something in writing that I can pass on to Leica NJ.

 

[cz23]

Raid, you can't be certain because they have to inspect it first. If it's corroded they have already stated in writing they will fix it at no charge until August. If it needs other work they will quote the cost and notify you for a decision.

John

 

[raid]

This makes sense, John.

Thanks.

 

[cz23]

Personally, if I had an M9-series camera with original sensor that was approaching five years old, I would send it in regardless. I don't know their inspection method, but I assume it's way more sophisticated than the blue sky, naked eye test that we would perform.

John

 

[Huss]

Personally, if I had an M9-series camera with original sensor that was approaching five years old, I would send it in regardless. I don't know their inspection method, but I assume it's way more sophisticated than the blue sky, naked eye test that we would perform.

John

"... we would like to remind you that the replacement of CCD sensors and the upgrade offers apply only to cameras confirmed to be affected by this problem, and only to the models of the Leica M-System we have listed above. Preventive replacement of sensors is not included in this program."

 

[Emile de Leon]

If the sensor is still good..they just kiss the camera..and send it right back to you...lol..

 

[cz23]

"... we would like to remind you that the replacement of CCD sensors and the upgrade offers apply only to cameras confirmed to be affected by this problem, and only to the models of the Leica M-System we have listed above. Preventive replacement of sensors is not included in this program."

What I was suggesting is that perhaps they can detect the start of corrosion before it becomes evident in our blue sky test.

John

 

[sojournerphoto]

Without any knowledge of this change, I sold my M9 and Monochrom a few weeks ago, but if I still had them I'd be inclined to submit them for checking. The M9 had a replacement original sensor just before the switchover.

It's difficult - Leica are still offering a 5 year warranty on cameras that would otherwise be out of warranty. However, the potential cost of a fix may be viewed as quite high in the secondhand market. On the other hand, so are other camera repairs to old film bodies.

 

[Huss]

What I was suggesting is that perhaps they can detect the start of corrosion before it becomes evident in our blue sky test.

John

Let's say they say no corrosion. August 15 passes. August 16 rolls around and corrosion has reared it's head. $1000 please.
And all because Leica went back on its word.

 

[ornate_wrasse]

I just sent my M9 to Leica this past weekend. I had called Leica a couple of weeks ago and they emailed me a UPS prepaid mailer to use. As I drove to the UPS facility to drop off the camera, I was wondering how much I should pay to insure it and what I should use as the insured value. At the UPS store, I was told if I decided to insure it, I would have to pay both for the insurance and the cost to ship it to Leica, that, in effect, my prepaid mailer could not be used if I wanted to add insurance to it. I was pondering what to do, but finally decided to just use the mailer and send it off to Leica. I trust it will arrive OK. It is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday as the Leica provided mailer was for UPS 2nd day Air so I should find out soon if it got there OK. I look forward to hearing from Leica how long it will take and if there is any sensor corrosion.

 

[jaapv]

I would say that if Leica has the camera collected the responsibility for its safety goes to Leica. I'm sure they would be liable for loss or damage in transit, unless they can pin it on UPS. It is quite likely that the eventuality is covered by their contract with UPS.

 

[Fraser]

I noticed the insurance thing when I sent my M9 in, as jaap said its up to Leica if it did get lost they would probably just send you another M9.

 

[raid]

I should call up Leica NJ today.
Should I just ask them "to check the M9 and its sensor" or is there something specific that I should ask for, and will they by themselves offer to send me a pre-paid UPS mailer or should I ask for it ?

Thanks.

 

[Calzone]

I should call up Leica NJ today.
Should I just ask them "to check the M9 and its sensor" or is there something specific that I should ask for, and will they by themselves offer to send me a pre-paid UPS mailer or should I ask for it ?

Thanks.

Raid,

I did what Ellen did last December. They gave me a shipping label, and as I remember it covered and included insurance but it was only valued at $1K.

I was told 8-10 weeks, but the turnaround was in reality 12 weeks. Understand this was right before the holidays and I believe there is a holiday/New Year shut down.

I would do what Ellen did, and be prepared for the long wait.

For me the long wait was worth it. Basically I got my camera factory overhauled and upgraded. I am pleased, and know my camera was used very heavily for 5 years. I bought it new. The top and bottom plates are worn into silver along the edges, but my camra came back with new leatherette.

Good Luck.

Cal

 

[rfaspen]

Well, I'm following Ellen's experience to see how this all progresses for her. I'm pretty lost as to exactly what I should do. But I'm going to send my M9 in, that's for sure. Do I call or email? What number or email address?

I'm actually not too upset that I may be without my M9 for an extended period of time, but more about the possibility that I send my camera to Leica, and they say it's clean with no corrosion, then send back my ticking time bomb. If that happens, I'll be left with a $1000-plus repair bill at some point in the future. That is, unless I get corrosion, detect it, and send the camera back to Leica all before August (how likely is this?) 🙄.

So to expand why I'm upset: I have been very careful with my camera to avoid exposing it to humid situations. Explicitly, my thinking has been that I should embrace my responsibility to protect my camera from corrosion-inducing conditions and Leica will appreciate my considerate behavior when the sensor eventually needs to be addressed. Suddenly, it feels like the opposite is true.