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Leica M-E sensor corrosion


doctorlebel

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Hi,

I new to the forum and am considering a brand new Leica M-E. I've read many posts on the corrosion issue of Leica sensors in the M9, M9-P, and M-E bodies.

 

My question is this, "Will every camera body's CCD sensor develop corrosion at some point in time?"

 

Would I be better off with purchasing the newer M240 style body to avoid this quality problem of the M9 series camera?

 

Thanks for your comments,

 

Steve

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Hi Jaap,

 

I understand that a new camera will have a sensor that is initially free of corrosion, but will that sensor potentially develop corrosion iver time?

 

Do you know if Leica began installing improved sensors after a specific serial number?

 

The camera that I am interested in purchasing is a Leica M-E with serial number 4425210 with a label showing a date of 2014/02/20

 

Thanks,

Steve

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The camera that I am interested in purchasing is a Leica M-E with serial number 4425210 with a label showing a date of 2014/02/20

 

Thanks,

Steve

 

Assuming that's the date the camera was assembled it's been sitting on a shelf in the shop for nearly 3 years!

 

It may or may not have had a new sensor fitted - I must say I'd think probably not.

 

You could ask Leica if they've upgraded that particular camera, they may be able to tell you, but if not I'd look for one that was made more recently which will have (surely!) a new sensor.

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Hi,

I new to the forum and am considering a brand new Leica M-E. I've read many posts on the corrosion issue of Leica sensors in the M9, M9-P, and M-E bodies.

My question is this, "Will every camera body's CCD sensor develop corrosion at some point in time?"

Would I be better off with purchasing the newer M240 style body to avoid this quality problem of the M9 series camera?

Thanks for your comments,

Steve

Steve. I have a 2013 M9-P with the original CCD sensor. There is absolutely no sign of corrosion and I love the images produced. It has travelled with me to India, Hong Kong, and Central Asia.

Your intended purchase seems to have been manufactured around the same time as mine.

However, to avoid the possibility of needing to send the body away for a few months , I think it would be wise to only purchase a body with a certificated replacement with the new sensor, or a model originally manufactured with the new sensor. I don't think that the latter is possible.

Note that some bodies had replacement sensors of the original design, and those will need to be replaced again. Check the paperwork carefully.

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As with all these production/aging faults, not all sensors will develop the issue. Not sure what the percentages are/will be.

My M9 took only 3 weeks from sending it in to Wezlar and returning it to me with the new generation sensor. (Aug 2016)

Could have been 2 weeks if I decided earlier about the upgrade to an other model or not.

 

So, with plenty of new sensor stock availble, I think/hope replacing can be done in a month in the future. Just email Leica support and check turnaround times before you send the camera in. I was advised to wait for a few weeks because of holiday season. So I kept using my M9 and avoided small apertures + with a little bit more PP could still use my corroded M9 during that period.

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