Sensor Replacement Policy 2017

What to do:
...
So - whats the best course of action here?
Do i send the camera in and drop the dough?
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Tough call.

Think about how come you stopped using the M9. Unless your decision was flawed, sell it now.

I would put this camera on an online auction site and disclose in the clearest possible way the sensor needs to be replaced and you will not accept a return. With a reserve auction, you can control the economics of selling now vs fixing and then selling later. The camera's value is already compromised. If your reserve is not met, you can send it in and hope Leica cuts you a break. Maybe they will give you a discount on new M body (although that would not be an M9).

The reason I suggest this course of action is you are not using the M9. Fixing it and selling it just delays disposing of the camera for about 6 months. If I'm not using something I sell, donate or recycle it.

I just sent a large box of unused two Fujinon X-Series lenses and an X-T1 body to KEH. Of course, an X-T1 is nothing like an M9. But the principle (use it or get rid of it), is the same.

Also, this would not be an irreversible decision. A year from now if you realize you actually need an M9, you can find one with the new sensor and buy it.
 
Yes, a few people who post on RFF have gotten theirs back.

My repair order is dated May 23 and I understand the next round of sensors for MM are not expected to arrive in New Jersey until January. They offered me an upgrade, but I just want my Monochrom back.

David
 
Tough call.

Think about how come you stopped using the M9. Unless your decision was flawed, sell it now.

I would put this camera on an online auction site and disclose in the clearest possible way the sensor needs to be replaced and you will not accept a return. With a reserve auction, you can control the economics of selling now vs fixing and then selling later. The camera's value is already compromised. If your reserve is not met, you can send it in and hope Leica cuts you a break. Maybe they will give you a discount on new M body (although that would not be an M9).

The reason I suggest this course of action is you are not using the M9. Fixing it and selling it just delays disposing of the camera for about 6 months. If I'm not using something I sell, donate or recycle it.

I just sent a large box of unused two Fujinon X-Series lenses and an X-T1 body to KEH. Of course, an X-T1 is nothing like an M9. But the principle (use it or get rid of it), is the same.

Also, this would not be an irreversible decision. A year from now if you realize you actually need an M9, you can find one with the new sensor and buy it.
There is an M9 with the sensor issue on Fred Miranda for $1475. That's probably hard to swallow, but it's some indication of value. No idea what it will sell for though, so it might well be optimistic. I find it hard to believe that some one would want to buy one, pay $1000 for the sensor replacement, and then wait 4-6 months to get it back, so your best bet may be to bite the bullet, get it fixed, and then sell it. Leica has obviously put you in a bind by reneging on their lifetime warranty.
 
As former member of RFF reached out to me to pass on his latest conversation with Leica NJ about the status of repairs. He has five MMs in for sensor replacements.

"The latest Leica NJ told me ( a few days ago) was they were working on the May / June cameras. They said once they finish up that group they will be on the July / August group. I had written them a few times over the course of this repair and was told it can take up to 20 weeks. Well, it has far surpassed that, so who knows when they will be returned. I had told them I was a loyal Leica user since the early 70's starting with the M2, M3 on up to the M6 and if they could at least one of my cams up a little on the repair line. But everyone must have to wait their turn."

It is no secret that the MM sensors are few and far between and his cameras will undoubtedly be among the last to be returned.
 
That can't be right. The announcement was made in mid-May, which would mean that after eight months they are still working on the first month's receipts.

John
 
It is no secret that the MM sensors are few and far between and his cameras will undoubtedly be among the last to be returned.


That's not the issue.

The real issue is that they only have one tech working but they don't want you to know that. Cuz it is a premium luxury outfit.
Leica NJ has less people working for them repairing cameras than my local independent repair shops.

That is why it takes months, but if you send it to Leica HQ in Solms you will get it back in a few weeks.
 
I just made a mental note of the time since I sent my M9 to Leica NJ:

I think I counted correctly: Since early Aug 2017, it has been at least 5 months. Wow. I was prepared for 3 to 4 months, but 5-6 months and counting now....
 
For others' information, my MM was received by Leica USA on May 19, 2017 and was [finally] returned back to me, sensor replaced, on January 15, 2018. Nice to get it back, but not using it for that long had me thinking about moving on. I have no idea how many MM replacement sensors they get, relative to M9/ME in a batch, but I suspect these batches are small.
 
It's good to hear that the line is moving. I sent my Monochrom in mid June. So I've been waiting seven months. It took till early August just to get the confirmation that the sensor would be replaced. At that point I was told 20 weeks. If what was stated above is true I may be receiving it back soon. Or at least I hope so...
Joe
 
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