BBestone Posted June 15, 2016 Share #1 Posted June 15, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) My 109 has been in with Leica in Allendale , N.J now for about three months. Seems as if they are replacing my camera with a new one, but they do not have a black ones to give to me, only the gray is available. My question is, does anyone know or believe that they are discontinuing this model?. This is the second time it's been in for repair and that the length of time I'm without the camera is growing each instance. Last conversation with Allendale is that 'maybe' by the end of June I would have a new camera, but that sounds iffy at best. I know there's been a lot wrong with the camea since it's hitting the market, but waiting three months for a camera to come out of Germany...well, should it take so long, and why should it? Growing impatient and loosing faith in the 109. Any idea? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 15, 2016 Posted June 15, 2016 Hi BBestone, Take a look here What's going on with the Dlux 109???. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ChrisRL Posted June 15, 2016 Share #2 Posted June 15, 2016 Sorry to hear that! Yes, I too had a Typ 109 that I returned soon afterwards (now I'm running an old M9 which I love). Another pal who is running a 109 has had his back to NJ twice now, seems the zooming part of the lens keeps on getting dirt stuck in it as it moves back and forth, which starts to grind into the mechanism over time. Anyway, NJ has fixed it twice for him how, and I haven't heard anything more about it, one way or another, so they might have fixed that issue. Or maybe he just quit taking it to dusty locations, or maybe he just sets the zoom inside his car and doesn't touch it outside... : ) Must say I don't have that issue with my M9, Digilux 2 or my V Lux Typ 114, it's just the 109 that seems to be somewhat of a problem child... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBestone Posted June 15, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted June 15, 2016 Must say I don't have that issue with my M9, Digilux 2 or my V Lux Typ 114, it's just the 109 that seems to be somewhat of a problem child... I also have a Digilux 2 and no problem at all. What you mentioned about your friend is why mine was taken in to service. I find it strange that there are a lot of gray 109s to be had ( as Allendale seemed to be pushing the grey one to replace my black one), but no availability for the black ones even from Germany) I can't help but wonder if they're going to discontinue the 109. Does anyone know if this has happened in Leica's history before. I feel as if this camera has been back home with leica more than in mine! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemgb Posted June 16, 2016 Share #4 Posted June 16, 2016 What problems are people having with the 109? I'm happy to say mine has been flawless since I bought it and I hope it stays that way. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 16, 2016 Share #5 Posted June 16, 2016 Just rumors if you ask me. The DL109 has no more reasons to fail than its clone LX100 which works fine generally. After a battery drain issue that disappeared by itself mine works perfectly now. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted June 18, 2016 Share #6 Posted June 18, 2016 If I recall, the 109 has been on the market for three years. If that's correct maybe we're approaching a replacement. I suspect that the reason they are offering you the gray one may just be due to their having sold far more of the blacks and far fewer of the grays than they expected, and may in fact be out of blacks. Good luck with solving this quickly. Even though Leica is but 20-30 minutes from you it's still annoying to go up the Parkway and up 17, both under-sized for their traffic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted June 18, 2016 Share #7 Posted June 18, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) These cameras are made in batches by Panasonic. I think they make enough for their estimated sales over a certain period. As Stuart has said the 109 has been out for a few years now and is probably due to be replaced so they are most likely not going to make any more - if all they have left is grey that's what's on offer I guess. At least it's a new camera you're getting though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Braun Posted June 19, 2016 Share #8 Posted June 19, 2016 If I recall, the 109 has been on the market for three years. If that's correct maybe we're approaching a replacement. I suspect that the reason they are offering you the gray one may just be due to their having sold far more of the blacks and far fewer of the grays than they expected, and may in fact be out of blacks. Good luck with solving this quickly. Even though Leica is but 20-30 minutes from you it's still annoying to go up the Parkway and up 17, both under-sized for their traffic. The D-Lux 109 has been introduced in November 2014. There has not even been a FW update, still version 1.0! The earliest time for a successor would be the Photokina fair in September 2016. Andreas 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted June 19, 2016 Share #9 Posted June 19, 2016 LX5 in 2010, LX7 in 2012, LX100 in 2014... all hope is not lost Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted June 19, 2016 Share #10 Posted June 19, 2016 Both Adorama and B&H both have black ones in stock. I wonder if you can prevail upon Leica NJ to arrange with one of the vendors to get your black replacement. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhsimmonds Posted June 20, 2016 Share #11 Posted June 20, 2016 I purchased my own Panasonic LX100, aka DLux 109 in November 2014. Panasonic aren't known for fast replacement schedules, Their FX1000 aka VLux type 114 is now some three years old with no sign of replacement. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBestone Posted June 23, 2016 Author Share #12 Posted June 23, 2016 Both Adorama and B&H both have black ones in stock. I wonder if you can prevail upon Leica NJ to arrange with one of the vendors to get your black replacement. Thank you! I've emailed Leica N.J. with that information, and will let you know the answer when answered! My fingers are crossed. In my opinion, three months is too long for no answers to this. I've talked with Roxanne and she's a delight, but hasn't an answer except to 'wait'. When is 'waiting' done? -g- Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBestone Posted June 28, 2016 Author Share #13 Posted June 28, 2016 Just to keep up to date, I emailed Leica in Allendale, N.J. on June 23. No answer and no new camera. This is going on over three months now. Any ideas what to do? I don't think I'm alone on this one at all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted June 28, 2016 Share #14 Posted June 28, 2016 Try calling them. Selection #6 gets you to service, and hopefully David Elwell who is very responsive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBestone Posted June 29, 2016 Author Share #15 Posted June 29, 2016 Talked today with them, and was informed that the dlux 109 is being discontinued. So, from this point on, I have no idea what will happen. There are a lot of gray ones available, but I have always liked a black camera so , that decision is made on my part. Anyone have any ideas on how this compensation could or should work out?? At this point I have lost all faith in the camera, and I suppose Leica has also. So, if I don't want another 109, what would anyone recommend to do? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elopezso Posted June 29, 2016 Share #16 Posted June 29, 2016 Talked today with them, and was informed that the dlux 109 is being discontinued. So, from this point on, I have no idea what will happen. There are a lot of gray ones available, but I have always liked a black camera so , that decision is made on my part. Anyone have any ideas on how this compensation could or should work out?? At this point I have lost all faith in the camera, and I suppose Leica has also. So, if I don't want another 109, what would anyone recommend to do? Ask if it is being replaced by another camera? Could they offer you that camera as the replacement? OR, could they ask on elf their retailers, like B&H, to send you one ASAP as Leica's expense? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBestone Posted June 29, 2016 Author Share #17 Posted June 29, 2016 I am waiting for them to get back to me as there must be a conclsuion on this soon.. I did mention B&H and they skirted the issue. I was told that every decision must come from Germany. About two months ago, my woman's intuition told me that they were discontinuing the 109.! Next...the lottery!!! -lol- Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBestone Posted July 8, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted July 8, 2016 July 6th, Leica N.J. told me that I will be receiving a new black 109 in a week. Really? ..........we'll see. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamgm Posted July 8, 2016 Share #19 Posted July 8, 2016 Maybe you should have asked them for a Leica Q as they've messed you about (all those missed photo opportunities......), or just stick with the old faithful, the Digilux 2. Wonderful camera which I still use regularly. Geoff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 9, 2016 Share #20 Posted July 9, 2016 Slightly puzzled as to the unsuitability of a grey camera.. I assume they are the same in usability and image quality, so as far as I'm concerned this is in the "who cares" category. It is not as if somebody is forcing a green with purple and orange blotches one on you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.