Thoughts on digital Ms....

[kbg32]

I own two digital Ms. I bought the M8 for myself when I turned 50. I had funds saved away in anticipation. Three months after my purchase, the shutter went. I was happy upon its return and used it without incident until the M9 was released. 11 1/2 months after its purchase, the shutter went, 2 weeks before my warranty expires. While it was at Leitz, I had them check the sensor, as every 100 or so images captured, I would get a file with a horizontal line through it, but never in the same place. As well, there would be a random DNG that I could not open, but the JPEG was fine. My camera, 4 weeks on, is still sitting in New Jersey waiting for a replacement sensor from Germany. They are backordered.

Since I sent the M9 in for repair, Kodak has been undergoing quite a lot of turmoil. Having to sell off its sensor division to raise much needed capital, I wonder not when, but if I'll see my camera before the end of the year? I have called them, but the sensors still have not arrived. I find it strange that the sensors have to be sent to Germany before any are sent to Leitz NJ.

I guess what I am getting at, if I had to buy a digital M, knowing what I know now, I might not do it. I can't stand by its reliability. I can't go on a trip and have nothing else with me as a backup, because I never know if in that moment of photographing, if I press the shutter, will the camera respond.

Don't get me wrong, I love the files the digital Ms produce. I believe second to none. My files just have something that no other camera can come close to. For years, all I owned, and took with me everywhere were two M4s and just two lenses. In 30 years they never failed me. EVER.

Sorry. I am feeling melancholy and I just had to release....

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Completely agree. I sympathize with you. I've owned both an M8 and M9. Over the last few years of using them, about 20% of that time has been spent at Leica NJ. Between both cameras, they have spent almost a combined year in repair.
The files they make are the finest available in miniature format, hands down. Regardless, the reliability of the M8 and M9 have led me to sell the M8 and I'm planning on selling the M9 within the 11 months left of my factory warranty. They both have driven me back to using my M4 and buying an M4-P. As for digital and deadline work, I'm going to get a D2x and some awesome Nikkors and be happy.

Phil Forrest

 

[hausen]

Have to admit that I am often tempted to exit my M9. Have had some major dramas with Sd cards deleting files & freezing camera and such and is always when I am away somewhere. Left my M9 at home when I was away last weekend and only took my X100 for digital, along with M6 +Xpan and I was pleasantly surprised how convenient it was and was really happy with the results.

 

[MCTuomey]

Hard to imagine owners describing their Leicas much the same way I remember hearing owners describe their 60's era British sports cars ...

My experience is much like David's. I've had the "low battery" repair, more recently SD card problems (still awaiting the firmware fix). Leica was excellent on the repair side, but it doesn't help my confidence. In many years of use, some in harsh conditions, I've never had one of my Canon dSLRs fail me. And since I've been shooting RF, I've never had a film M fail me.

Digital M's are a labor of love and patience, punctuated with the joy their files bring when all's working well.

 

[Tom Niblick]

While I've been using Leicas since 1969, it was never ending QC issues and unfair repair charges with my digital Nikons, Nikkor lenses and Nikon scanners - in particular piss poor service from Nikon Repair in Torrance CA - that prompted me to purchase a M8 and then a M9. My M8 was 99% trouble free and my M9 has had no issues (well I did have a SD card fail but that was probably not a camera issue).

I use my cameras professionally but 90% of my work is done with 4x5s so I probably fall into the 5,000 to 15,000 exposure per year category with my Leica. My Nikons would clock 2 or 3 times that many exposures but I have since dropped catalog work from my services offered. Not a lot use compared to others but enough to justify a decent camera. FWIW: I do baby my cameras and use Pelican cases when traveling and on the water.

Point is, everyone has a different experience, but we all swear at or swear by our gear.

 

[Jimbot]

I bought my M9 from an authorised seller in late June this year. By early September it had developed the "False Low Battery Message" Issue. Since early September it has sat with the authorised repairer in Melbourne waiting for the part to arrive from Germany to effect the warranty repair.

Although I accept that with some camera lines and individual cameras there may be some issues that will require warranty claims I cannot accept Leica's apparently poor attention to assist in completion of warranty claims. I hasten to add that I am not critical of the poor front end repairers but, from my reading here and on other fora discussing issues with digital Leicas the theme is often repeated - bought camera, repairer helpful but long delay in supply of parts by manufacturer.

 

[Rafael]

(still awaiting the firmware fix)

The new firmware was released today and is available for download on the Leica site.

 

[MCTuomey]

Marc, thanks for the heads-up.

 

[jsrockit]

My camera, 4 weeks on, is still sitting in New Jersey waiting for a replacement sensor from Germany. They are backordered.

Well, there goes my theory that Leica stockpiled these sensors for future replacement / repairs. 😱 Scary.

 

[Keith]

Well, there goes my theory that Leica stockpiled these sensors for future replacement / repairs. 😱 Scary.

So what happens if the supply of sensors for the M9 dries up? They can choose another sensor for the M10 obviously but where would that hypothetically leave current M9 owners with sensor problems?

 

[jsrockit]

but where would that hypothetically leave current M9 owners with sensor problems?

I'm currently in denial and choose not to think of this... 😛 It's very sad really... the M9 is my favorite camera I've ever used...and I've used a lot of cameras.

 

[Ken Ford]

I simply do not have enough risk capital to be able to afford a Leica digital M - an out-of-warranty failure would be ruinous even if I could afford to buy a body to begin with. It's not like a film M that can be repaired by numerous people in the aftermarket.

 

[jaapv]

I simply do not have enough risk capital to be able to afford a Leica digital M - an out-of-warranty failure would be ruinous even if I could afford to buy a body to begin with. It's not like a film M that can be repaired by numerous people in the aftermarket.

Two years guaranty - one year extended - sell before three years are out and get a new one.

 

[jky]

So what happens if the supply of sensors for the M9 dries up? They can choose another sensor for the M10 obviously but where would that hypothetically leave current M9 owners with sensor problems?

Does Leica service guarantee parts availability for "x" amount of years? I'm wondering as this would obviously be much simpler with manual/mechanical film cameras vs digital electro-gadgets.
My M9 is the only L camera I've purchased new and it's longevity (in terms of service) was a topic of much consideration prior to handing over the visa.

 

[jsrockit]

Maybe its just a lull due to the sale of Kodak's sensor division to another company. Let's hope that new company decides to keep making these sensors for a few years at least.

 

[dave lackey]

Sorry everybody has problems.

Tell ya what, I'll buy anyone's M8 or M9 for a thousand bucks each since they are so bad. Cash, no questions asked. Just PM me and we have a deal!😛

Oh, and you can have Nikon DSLRs... the last ones I owned, (total of $10 grand worth of Nikon cameras) had inexcusable problems, that I got rid of.

What's the old bumper sticker, stuff happens. That's great, I can't wait for the trickle down.:angel:

 

[dave lackey]

Has anyone had the idea that maybe, just maybe, they can contact Leica directly and ask them the questions that get asked on this forum?:angel: Seriously, has anyone tried and if so, what was the response(s)?

 

[rogerzilla]

It makes a secondhand digital body look like a very poor prospect.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Two years guaranty - one year extended - sell before three years are out and get a new one.

With what is happening at Kodak you may be lucky to find somebody that wants to take a chance on a used M9 that is almost out of warranty.

Bob

 

[Nikon Bob]

I don't think any company carries a huge inventory of spare parts today. That may be especially true of very expensive spares. The preference would be to get the needed spares in a timely fashion from the supplier instead. Lets hope that whom ever bought the patent for the sensors sees fit to continue with their production, assuring a supply of spares and allowing for continued production also. You would think that whom ever bought the patents for the sensor would also want to continue to make money selling them to already established customers. If that is the case there should be no problems.

Bob