Sensor Replacement Policy 2017

I asked Leica NJ for an update today. I was originally told to expect a 12 week turnaround when I sent the camera in this March. Mine is still in line, and they've updated that estimate to 20 weeks. So, maybe 2 or 3 more months wait for a camera they've had for 3 months. I sent my Monochrom in before the updated policy was announced. At least they responded to my email in the same day...
 
I took the recommended blue-sky shots this AM with my M9 and 90mm thin tele-Elmarit. Both shots are at f/16. The first one is exposed with the "A" setting, for normal exposure:

U11787I1497322896.SEQ.0.jpg




And this one is underexposed more than one stop, as per the directions:



U11787I1497322897.SEQ.1.jpg


All I see is a tiny, tiny black spot that I guess could be a dust speck. It's left of center, a little above the middle. Should I still send it for a sensor clean and check?

I wonder if my sensor had already been replaced before I bought it? Probably not. Would Leica NJ know?
 
If the sensor has been replaced, Leica will have the serial number on record. If you can shift the spot it is dust, if you can't, it might be corrosion. If you are not sure, send it in.
 
I found that making large prints revealed my corrosion. Even on an dimmed down EIZO the brightness of the monitor did not reveal the artifacts or make them abundantly apparent, and of course not all prints displayed artifacts. I only thought I had corrosion because I print a lot and I tend to print big, but over time the locations of suspected corrosion became evident and consistent in location. Know that I lived with these artifacts over a two year period.

Another thing is that wet cleaning with a Visible Dust system did not improve or change the location or shape of the suspected corrosion. Basically the appearance of artifact was intermitent and depended on the image. I would not feel certain I did not have corrosion by just stopping down and doing the sky test. A simple test is just that.

I am very aware that when using my Visible Dust magnifier that has a ring of LED's to inspect my sensor I could not see any defect.

I hope this is helpful. When in doubt I would just send in your camera.

Cal
 
Seeing this, I just phoned and was told that they received my MM on the 24th of May. It will get a sensor and the estimated return likely 24 weeks!
 
Just buy another camera and lenses to use while you are waiting.


Agree 100%

If you can afford a $5000 Leica, you would be foolish not to have a different system ready for when it breaks.

You think that people who own Ferraris don't also have a little Fiat in the garage. Oh wait, not a good example for a reliable back up..
:D
 
Agree 100%

If you can afford a $5000 Leica, you would be foolish not to have a different system ready for when it breaks.

You think that people who own Ferraris don't also have a little Fiat in the garage. Oh wait, not a good example for a reliable back up..
:D

Some people have a whole garage full of Ferraris, that's a better plan.

Actually, the sensor issue was a factor in my getting another digital M as I had a feeling that my M-E was going to be at Leica for a while.

I hope the Leica Germany gets the message how slow things are in New Jersey and does something about it.

Joe
 
Some people have a whole garage full of Ferraris, that's a better plan.

Actually, the sensor issue was a factor in my getting another digital M as I had a feeling that my M-E was going to be at Leica for a while.

I hope the Leica Germany gets the message how slow things are in New Jersey and does something about it.

Joe

I replaced my M-E with an M240 because I had a bad feeling about this.
I think Leica switching to the CMOS sensor allowed for a more reliable camera. Unfortunately losing that CCD look.
 
Some people have a whole garage full of Ferraris, that's a better plan.

Joe

Joe,

You know me: no car, but mucho cameras.

My 84 Scrambler that I put a Corvette engine into was not a reliable. Broke a valve spring once and had them all replaced when it happen again.

Ever break an axel in a loaded down Jeep and loose a rear wheel and three wheel down an interstate in Ohio at 65 mph while skidding on the backing plate for your brakes sending up a roostertail of sparks at night?

For me it is much safer owning cameras. LOL.

Cal
 
I replaced my M-E with an M240 because I had a bad feeling about this.
I think Leica switching to the CMOS sensor allowed for a more reliable camera. Unfortunately losing that CCD look.

Huss,

In my case I bought a SL to tie me over. Now I luckily am happy with both my digital Leicas (MM and SL).

Sorry to hear that you kinda had to do a forced move to protect yourself from owning a time bomb.

Cal
 
It worked out for me Cal as I have found the LiveView feature really useful for adapting all sorts of lenses. And it allowed me to dump my collection of accessory viewfinders that I had to use with various lenses (18, 21, 24 etc) as they were no longer needed.
(Of course I still have those for my film Leicas)
 
It worked out for me Cal as I have found the LiveView feature really useful for adapting all sorts of lenses. And it allowed me to dump my collection of accessory viewfinders that I had to use with various lenses (18, 21, 24 etc) as they were no longer needed.
(Of course I still have those for my film Leicas)

Huss,

Glad you got kind of a consolation prize, but I know if I was in your situation I would be pretty upset and mucho annoyed.

It does seem like many have mucho excess cameras to fall back on, but it is still painful to be without a favored camera.

Cal
 
Time to get out of your M9's..and buy an M10..
..surprised Leica doesn't offer a good discount on M10 for M9 owners..even at a long wait time..that would go a long way to easing the pain of potentially owning a defective camera..
 
Time to get out of your M9's..and buy an M10..
..surprised Leica doesn't offer a good discount on M10 for M9 owners..even at a long wait time..that would go a long way to easing the pain of potentially owning a defective camera..

I think the waiting list for the M10 is even longer than the repair waiting list for the M9...

(remember when we used to talk about tuna?)
 
wait time

wait time

I sent my monochrom in to New Jersey for a sensor replacement two weeks ago and never heard from them about receiving it. I called them this morning and they had it, whew, and was told it would be from 18 to 24 weeks. Glad I have other cameras!
 
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