Thoughts on digital Ms....

Ah- but I am a user. And I am reporting. And I know about forums. The Forumitis Negativus Syndrome is endemic to Homo Gullibus.
 
I'm sure you have quite a bit of nice gear too right?

I've got gear that I can write off for my business. Is it "nice" - well, the Leica gear I do own is all second hand save for the one brand new Summarit I bought this year. Most of it is in "good" condition but hardly immaculate since I actually use the bodies and lenses.

The DSLRs I own were bought new. I have one that I have to take into Nikon to get fixed because of a known (but not admitted to by Nikon) issue surrounding the hotshoe and SB-900 combination. Won't happen to everyone but I've put a lot of miles on that one body in the past 3 years since I've owned it.

So is the gear "nice"? I'd like to think it is - but I have a registered business that I pay taxes on and thus, can "write it down" over time. Still doesn't mean I can afford to outlay $8,000+ for a camera body that I fear I will not be able to depend on.

I don't consider myself a "basher" of the brand; quite the contrary, I believe I do appreciate and like the items that I do own and have used for what they are. But having been bit once with the M8 I am twice shy when it comes to the M9 :)

Cheers,
Dave
 
I called Leitz this afternoon about my camera. Here is an update from Leitz NJ -

Sensor replacement has still not arrived from Germany. I asked if Kodak selling off their sensor division affects getting sensor replacements? The person said that, "Kodak has nothing to do with this. Parts come from Germany." I said I understand, but the sensor is made by Kodak. The person replied, "Not that I am aware of. Expect another 10 days or less for parts to arrive."

Unbelieveable.............
 
I called Leitz this afternoon about my camera. Here is an update from Leitz NJ -

Sensor replacement has still not arrived from Germany. I asked if Kodak selling off their sensor division affects getting sensor replacements? The person said that, "Kodak has nothing to do with this. Parts come from Germany." I said I understand, but the sensor is made by Kodak. The person replied, "Not that I am aware of. Expect another 10 days or less for parts to arrive."

Unbelieveable.............

*LOL*
Oh well, maybe the person you spoke to didn't know better? That is, maybe they're just not aware of what goes into the M9?

(even if that information seems to be common knowledge online; I'm well aware not everyone has time or cares to review online news).

Cheers,
Dave
 
Deja vu all over again. Keith, it sucks that you have had bad luck. Hell, I have bad luck going to buy groceries, every line I get in is the longest, slowest line, always! But I still go.

Everytime someone posts a Leica problem thread, it goes to hell in a hand basket from Leica bashers.

This is the kind of crap that causes me to rethink even being on RFF. Not that your OP was a bad one, it's just that Leica bashers come out of the woodwork in droves.

Tell ya what, I quit.


I would miss you Dave.

I understand about the Leica bashing, and I don't get it. I've used Leicas for over 30+ years. Maybe I'm selfish, but I ain't quitting them. I just wish, they would really listen and respond to the people who buy their products in a respectful useful manner. Is is really that hard to produce a camera that, in a word, works? And is reliable? Maybe they should focus not so much on "mystique", and pay attention to functionality.

I just want my camera back in my hands.
 
Kodak sold the patents to the sensor technology. That doesn't mean they can't keep manufacturing it, just that they'd potentially be paying some vulture capitalist a licence fee for the privilege.

The M9 *should* be more reliable than the M3 because it has more solid state components. The M3 is a box of clockwork. However, the rule of thumb with any computing device is not to buy it until version 3; and the M9 is really only version 2.
 
I called Leitz this afternoon about my camera. Here is an update from Leitz NJ -

Sensor replacement has still not arrived from Germany. I asked if Kodak selling off their sensor division affects getting sensor replacements? The person said that, "Kodak has nothing to do with this. Parts come from Germany." I said I understand, but the sensor is made by Kodak. The person replied, "Not that I am aware of. Expect another 10 days or less for parts to arrive."

Unbelieveable.............


That doesn't inspire confidence ... well not in Leice NJ at least! :p

How long does it take to get something the size of a sensor from Germany to the US? I admire your patience ... I'd be getting a littly grumpy by now! :D
 
I'm also puzzled by leica Germany's inability to be able to supply a sensor. The sensor is the heart of any digital camera and should logically be kept in good supply by the manufacturer if possible ... unless of course the actual producer of the sensor (Kodak) is dragging the chain or these things are failing so regularly that the supply can't be kept up because demand/failure is higher than they ever predicted was possible!
 
Deja vu all over again. Keith, it sucks that you have had bad luck. Hell, I have bad luck going to buy groceries, every line I get in is the longest, slowest line, always! But I still go.

Everytime someone posts a Leica problem thread, it goes to hell in a hand basket from Leica bashers.

This is the kind of crap that causes me to rethink even being on RFF. Not that your OP was a bad one, it's just that Leica bashers come out of the woodwork in droves.

Tell ya what, I quit.


My advice Dave ... get some OM gear and spend more time in the 'OM ... I'm a Zuikoholic' thread. Nothing but brotherly (and sisterly) love over there mate.

In other words, this place won't change ... so you have to! :D
 
Why would someone react this way? Don't get it. It's a very expensive camera. One would expect far fewer problems. Is pointing this out and an owner expressing frustration "bashing"? I think users have been very patient. Far more patient than I would be if I spent that much for a camera that spents 20% of the time being repaired.
 
Well, mine didn't. The only time it had a repair it was at an inconvenient time just before a long trip and as they ran out of spare parts Leica offered me a loaner straight away. I had it in my hands the next day....And no, I am not a pro nor did I demand a loaner. Just Leica service as I have known it for decades.
 
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The vast majority of owners weren't killed by their Corvairs or Pintos, but generally we accept that those were not optimally-produced automobiles.
 
Why would someone react this way? Don't get it. It's a very expensive camera. One would expect far fewer problems. Is pointing this out and an owner expressing frustration "bashing"? I think users have been very patient. Far more patient than I would be if I spent that much for a camera that spents 20% of the time being repaired.
you and me the same. If i somehow forked out the cash to buy an M9 id expect the durability. I will certainly hold onto my M6TTL and M3 for now and hold off from the Digital M
 
Jaapv, as I and a few others on this forum have said in past threads, your experience with Leica service is not what most users have access to nor experience. Leica usually backs up their repair orders and most of us mortals have to wait months for our cameras to return.

Phil Forrest
 
I wish they offered me a loaner ....

I wonder if you are dealing with a different Leica? The comment on the sensors from NJ hopefully is not indicative the level of dedication to the product the rest of the staff have there. Seems the service is inconsistent from one part of the world to another. You do have more patience than I would have but getting snarky would only make it worse. Hope it all pans out.

Bob
 
What else can I do but be patient. At least I still have my M8, but the M9 goes with me everywhere, everyday. I truly enjoy using that camera. I have all the lenses I need and will be getting rid of ones that I feel are less then optimal. But let's see how the replacement sensor performs whenever I do get my camera back.
 
I wonder if you are dealing with a different Leica? The comment on the sensors from NJ hopefully is not indicative the level of dedication to the product the rest of the staff have there. Seems the service is inconsistent from one part of the world to another. You do have more patience than I would have but getting snarky would only make it worse. Hope it all pans out.

Bob

Solms.....
 
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