Emile de Leon
Well-known
Next thing ya know..they will come out with a Leica O-series digital...and charge 15K for it...
Sensor Replacement Policy 2017
- Thread starter Calzone
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willie_901
Veteran
Almost nothing if you know how to select ISO, shutter times and apertures to maximize exposure (signal-to-noise ratio) and you use raw files. Essentially nothing if you do the above and render the raw in monochrome.
raid
Dad Photographer
The M9 is a wonderful camera and it is now "a bargain", considering that a new M10 has a price of $7500 or more.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I have found that using Heliopan filters marked "Digital" have both additional UV and IR filtering over regular filters by Heliopan and filters by other brands.
Basically I use additional filtering to lower the IR for reduced/less clipping, smoother rollover in the highlights, and a higher signal to noise ratio that allows me to shoot more to the right to optimize my histogram.
Cal
raid
Dad Photographer
I received today an email from Leica Camera US (NJ) that my M9 has arrived. They will eventually let me know what the diagnosis is.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Good luck raid!
On another forum, I noticed some M10's lately at the $6500 mark used. Essentially unused, but not brand new. Of course, that's the new price but I hear about waiting lists....
I've also seen some used M10 offered at $8k and above. They don't seem to sell.
I love my M9. I'm a little depressed about all this sensor corrosion/replacement business, and the new policy just adds to the anxiety.
On another forum, I noticed some M10's lately at the $6500 mark used. Essentially unused, but not brand new. Of course, that's the new price but I hear about waiting lists....
I've also seen some used M10 offered at $8k and above. They don't seem to sell.
I love my M9. I'm a little depressed about all this sensor corrosion/replacement business, and the new policy just adds to the anxiety.
raid
Dad Photographer
I would keep using your M9 until it rusts! [or the sensor fails 🙁]
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
R,
This is a difficult time, and the waiting is deadly.
I know my MM is a very basic camera, and that is why I love it warts and all. The M-246 is so more advanced, but really the original MM is the camera for me.
I bought mine early on. Waited 5 months on a list from a dealer, and over the 5 years I have owned it no issues or problems other than having to get my sensor replaced. Now that I had the sensor replaced I expect using my MM a very long time. For me it is a camera that cannot be replaced. Know that I have many other cameras though.
Cal
Corran
Well-known
I just received my estimate from Leica. I am very happy as they are replacing the sensor or sensor cover and also doing some sort of circuitry work, as well as a general CLA on the RF, for $0.00. I know it'll take awhile but I expect to receive an as-new M9 that I will probably use for as long as it still clicks.
raid
Dad Photographer
Congratulations on the zero cost repair!
ornate_wrasse
Moderator
Wonderful news! I must admit that when I first saw the cost, it looked like much more than
$0.00. It took a second look for me to realize that it didn't cost you anything.
Approximately how long did it take for Leica to get back to you with an estimate after you had sent your M9 to them?
$0.00. It took a second look for me to realize that it didn't cost you anything.
Approximately how long did it take for Leica to get back to you with an estimate after you had sent your M9 to them?
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
C,
The new sensor and an electronic circuit board are replaced as an assembly.
With my camera I was told by the repair manager that basically my camera will get "overhauled" and will be like an almost new camera.
I don't think the service manager exaggerated. My MM was used heavily, the top plate is silvery along the edges displaying a different form of "brassing," but otherwise the camera is kinda like new.
The covering was replaced with new covering, and my old covering was worn smooth from my fingers. Also know that you get new firmware.
I have not seen any difference in the IQ from the new sensor.
I think in the end you will be pleased.
Cal
Corran
Well-known
Shipped on the 21st of June, received the 23rd by Leica.
I got an email notifying me that they had received the camera on the 28th. I was a little worried because the form they sent me was blank and did not actually have my camera (or anything) listed in the received column, but I let it go as I was travelling.
Today, July 12th, I got the estimate, two weeks on the nose from their first notification and about 3 weeks since I shipped the camera. Not bad.
I asked about the current wait time for the repair, but have not heard back yet. EDIT: they said 24-36 weeks.
Thanks Calzone for the additional information, that makes sense. My M9 (purchased used) was heavily worn on the black paint and had lots of brassing. I don't really care about the cosmetics but I am still glad to hear they really overhaul it. I am definitely pleased from the get-go here with the "cost" and will feel confident in using this camera even for my paid work, which I have not been after having corrosion spots show up in the eyes of subjects and the like which is a pain to fix.
I got an email notifying me that they had received the camera on the 28th. I was a little worried because the form they sent me was blank and did not actually have my camera (or anything) listed in the received column, but I let it go as I was travelling.
Today, July 12th, I got the estimate, two weeks on the nose from their first notification and about 3 weeks since I shipped the camera. Not bad.
I asked about the current wait time for the repair, but have not heard back yet. EDIT: they said 24-36 weeks.
Thanks Calzone for the additional information, that makes sense. My M9 (purchased used) was heavily worn on the black paint and had lots of brassing. I don't really care about the cosmetics but I am still glad to hear they really overhaul it. I am definitely pleased from the get-go here with the "cost" and will feel confident in using this camera even for my paid work, which I have not been after having corrosion spots show up in the eyes of subjects and the like which is a pain to fix.
SlappyPeterson
Member
Another "success" story here.
I mailed my camera to Wetzlar several weeks ago, on a wing and a prayer. I honestly couldn't tell 100% if I had the sensor issue, but said what the heck, sent it anyway. Cost about $150 shipped from Wisconsin, USA. Long story short, got an email about a month ago saying that testing confirms I had the sensor issue, and Leica is replacing the sensor at no cost to me, along with cleaning and adjustment. Repair estimation is 6 weeks, so I should have my camera back within the month (I hope). Happy camper here.
Editing to add: Also, I purchased my M9 USED from B&H Photo in August of 2012. So seems that it doesn't matter if you bought your camera new or used.
I mailed my camera to Wetzlar several weeks ago, on a wing and a prayer. I honestly couldn't tell 100% if I had the sensor issue, but said what the heck, sent it anyway. Cost about $150 shipped from Wisconsin, USA. Long story short, got an email about a month ago saying that testing confirms I had the sensor issue, and Leica is replacing the sensor at no cost to me, along with cleaning and adjustment. Repair estimation is 6 weeks, so I should have my camera back within the month (I hope). Happy camper here.
Editing to add: Also, I purchased my M9 USED from B&H Photo in August of 2012. So seems that it doesn't matter if you bought your camera new or used.
Last edited:
Corran
Well-known
That's quite a difference, I wonder if the influx of people sending in their cameras with the announcement of the end of the program has led to what they told me - up to 36 weeks.
Hopefully for you they didn't mistakenly leave off the 3 on 36 😱.
SlappyPeterson
Member
🙂 Seriously. I'll report back once I get it. I check the repair tracking portal first thing in the morning, every day. My camera still shows "In Repair".
http://repair.leica-camera.com/service/repairtracking/
raid
Dad Photographer
In 2014, Leica replaced motherboard (and sensor) for my M9 and charged then $400 for labor. It was not for free then. Still, an awesome deal.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I decided to end my anxiety over shipping issues by just taking it to Schiller's Photo in St. Louis. Stephanie knows all about the M9 sensor issue and can send it to Leica for me. She said Leica NJ is sending them to Germany for this work.
We looked at the purchase receipt from Photo Village. It indicates that the camera had a new sensor; however, my date of purchase was April 10, 2016, and we don't know how long before that the sensor had been replaced; so we don't know if I have a "new old sensor" or a "New New Sensor." So I opted to have it sent in for a clean and check, and we will see. In either case, I guess I'm covered now, outside of the loss of use of the camera while it is away.
We looked at the purchase receipt from Photo Village. It indicates that the camera had a new sensor; however, my date of purchase was April 10, 2016, and we don't know how long before that the sensor had been replaced; so we don't know if I have a "new old sensor" or a "New New Sensor." So I opted to have it sent in for a clean and check, and we will see. In either case, I guess I'm covered now, outside of the loss of use of the camera while it is away.
ornate_wrasse
Moderator
I think you made the right decision by sending it in. How much did Schiller's Photo charge you for shipping it to Leica?
Interesting that Leica NJ is sending all the cameras to Leica in Germany. That must be part of the reason why it's taking so long for the work to be done.
raid
Dad Photographer
Now this is interesting. So our M9 are sent to Wetzlar after all. With the new-new-sensor, and getting the M9 adjusted and calibrated, and getting new leather cover, it will be a wonderful "broken-in" but like new , and better, camera! All for no charge.
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