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SECOND M9 sensor failure

amusong

By amusong
in Leica M9 / M-E

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amusong

amusong

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The sensor on my M9 failed nearly 2 years ago, and I posted about this at the time.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/274431-m9-bizarre-sensor-shutter-failure-help.html

 

After a protracted process the local repair agent got it sent to the factory and repaired. I got it back about 18 months ago.

 

I have hardly used it since then, but have recently started using it again.

 

It has now, after very few actuations (dozens only), failed completely for a SECOND time...in exactly the same way. It has had a very easy life, no knocks or extreme temperatures.

 

There is a lot of talk about M9 sensor failures issue on this and other forums, so I know I am not alone. The local repair agent tells me I have to send it back again and that Leica will consider the situation. It was already out of warranty at the time of the first failure so the camera is now well out of warranty. At the very least I can look forward to a long wait and an uncertain financial outcome.

 

I am very interested to hear if others have experienced more than one M9 sensor failure, and also what was the response from Leica.

 

Very disappointed indeed with Leica. I did love my M9......but photographer friends with the "other brands" are now giving me wry smiles and it hurts.

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MarkP

MarkP

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Posted (edited)

I disagree - I would not sit on this problem.

 

I think you should speak directly with Leica customer service in Germany (pm me if you want the details of the head of Customer Service) or you could directly contact Leica in your country.

 

See what they say.

Edited by MarkP
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Manoleica

Manoleica

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Seeing as some owners have had to pay and some have had Free repairs, I feel until Leica Officially make a Public Statement you will only get the "before" response/reply..

I would rather keep hold of my camera than have it sitting somewhere at Wetzlar either waiting for parts or Leica's forward plans for the Sensor Issue, they will have to include (A) keeping existing owners happy (B) making sure new Leica owners feel assured their money is not buying a pig in the poke' © the Brand is not irreparably damaged...IMHO..

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jevidon

jevidon

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The sensor on my M9 failed nearly 2 years ago, and I posted about this at the time.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/274431-m9-bizarre-sensor-shutter-failure-help.html

 

After a protracted process the local repair agent got it sent to the factory and repaired. I got it back about 18 months ago.

 

I have hardly used it since then, but have recently started using it again.

 

It has now, after very few actuations (dozens only), failed completely for a SECOND time...in exactly the same way. It has had a very easy life, no knocks or extreme temperatures....................Very disappointed indeed with Leica. I did love my M9......but photographer friends with the "other brands" are now giving me wry smiles and it hurts.

Leica released a policy on the problem in the last 24 hours. If you paid for the last sensor replacement, you will get a refund. Refer to the Sticky on this Forum for instructions on getting your sensor replaced again. Note that the no cost sensor replacement applies indefinitely as per Leica. BTW, the replacement sensors are now in stock at Leica US.

Mine is already in shipment back to me.:)

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amusong

amusong

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Thanks for your advice people. I was not aware of the public announcement by Leica until told here but have now looked at it and it is obviously good news for M9 users.

 

I do not know if that announcement applies to my particular issue but have taken advantage of the offer of direct communication with Leica to express my feelings to them on this matter and await their response.

 

Do I want to have an M9 that has been repaired twice for the same problem though? A fair question I think.....I will be looking to Leica for a creative response on my issue.

 

Still interested to know if anyone has ever heard of a SECOND failure of this type - not mentioned in any of the posts in reply to my original question.

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amusong

amusong

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For completeness on this post, I have today spoken with Leica customer care in Germany.

 

Reviewing the images I sent, my contact in Germany advised me this was a failure of the electronics not of the sensor itself, but that to repair the electronics the sensor would need to be replaced (as Jaapv has also advised elsewhere). This is exactly what happened last time, but it appears that the camera was not sent back to Germany for repair on that occasion.

 

They have directed me to Leica Australia and I will let you know what happens.

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  • 3 weeks later...
richfx

richfx

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Posted (edited)

I've had my M9 sensor replaced twice by Leica USA. First time when the frame lever fell off and I didn't realize it (the sensor) had cracked. Second time, a month ago and before Leica's official sensor announcement, when all images had the same artifact. Both turnarounds were two weeks or less. No complaints here.

Edited by rcerick
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james.liam

james.liam

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Anyone know the long term availability of these sensors? Wouldn't there be a finite number available? Just wondering ;)

 

They purport to support the electronics of digital models for 10 years. The sensor is still made by the sensor division of Kodak that was spun off after the bankruptcy, IIRC. The larger issue is the corrosion problem that potentially may involve far more units and for which there isn't a ready solution. It is unclear how many M9/MM cameras are or will potentially be affected. Leica has really done the correct thing acknowledging the issue and offering replacement sensors even if the camera is out of warranty. Being a 7 year old CCD sensor, the cost can't be that great.

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amusong

amusong

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An update on my M9 sensor issue.

 

The Leica repairers in Australia (Camera Clinic) have contacted me and told me that the electronics have indeed failed for a second time, and that this would not be a warrantable repair. However, they have also found evidence of the early stages of delamination/corrosion on the sensor and this is indeed a warrantable repair, or at least it falls under the recent offer by Leica to fix corroded sensors free of cost.

 

Therefore the camera will be repaired free of charge. That's the good news. The better news is that they have sensors in stock, and I should have my camera back within 2 weeks.

 

It's a reasonable outcome I think.

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intruder

intruder

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An update on my M9 sensor issue.

 

The Leica repairers in Australia (Camera Clinic) have contacted me and told me that the electronics have indeed failed for a second time, and that this would not be a warrantable repair. However, they have also found evidence of the early stages of delamination/corrosion on the sensor and this is indeed a warrantable repair, or at least it falls under the recent offer by Leica to fix corroded sensors free of cost.

 

Therefore the camera will be repaired free of charge. That's the good news. The better news is that they have sensors in stock, and I should have my camera back within 2 weeks.

 

It's a reasonable outcome I think.

 

what electronics have failed? retailers lie and so do their repairers.

they have to repair it free regardless of warranty, warrenty does not come into this, because it was opened for repairs previously, and because "the electronics" are a faulty item which should not have failed.

you should contact the ACCC and understand consumer law here in Australia.

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jonogilmour

jonogilmour

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An update on my M9 sensor issue.

 

The Leica repairers in Australia (Camera Clinic) have contacted me and told me that the electronics have indeed failed for a second time, and that this would not be a warrantable repair. However, they have also found evidence of the early stages of delamination/corrosion on the sensor and this is indeed a warrantable repair, or at least it falls under the recent offer by Leica to fix corroded sensors free of cost.

 

Therefore the camera will be repaired free of charge. That's the good news. The better news is that they have sensors in stock, and I should have my camera back within 2 weeks.

 

It's a reasonable outcome I think.

 

Just make sure that if Camera Clinic do not come through for you in two weeks, contact them. If they don't give you a satisfactory response, email Leica Australia again and they will sort you out. I've had some horrific experiences with CC, both times completely solved by Leica themselves. Just a heads up!

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dant

dant

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The sensor on my M9 failed nearly 2 years ago, and I posted about this at the time.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/274431-m9-bizarre-sensor-shutter-failure-help.html

 

After a protracted process the local repair agent got it sent to the factory and repaired. I got it back about 18 months ago.

 

I have hardly used it since then, but have recently started using it again.

 

It has now, after very few actuations (dozens only), failed completely for a SECOND time...in exactly the same way. It has had a very easy life, no knocks or extreme temperatures.

 

There is a lot of talk about M9 sensor failures issue on this and other forums, so I know I am not alone. The local repair agent tells me I have to send it back again and that Leica will consider the situation. It was already out of warranty at the time of the first failure so the camera is now well out of warranty. At the very least I can look forward to a long wait and an uncertain financial outcome.

 

I am very interested to hear if others have experienced more than one M9 sensor failure, and also what was the response from Leica.

 

Very disappointed indeed with Leica. I did love my M9......but photographer friends with the "other brands" are now giving me wry smiles and it hurts.

 

I think it is your bad luck. I had 5 Leica's now 4. Yes, small issues like dirt and hot spots. But they all produced with thousands of pix each.

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