yeahyoung Posted February 18, 2017 Share #1 Posted February 18, 2017 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Long story short, I sent my silver M9-P back to Holms for a sensor replacement. Leica taunted me with an additional €150 M9 service package (on top of the other stuff that they do for free with the sensor replacement), which involves cleaning the winding-mechanism, restoring all engraving (the engraving on my speed dial was fading), and replacing the bottom plate, etc. My understanding is that, basically for €150, they will restore the camera to like new condition. To me this was a no-brainer. But then they taunted me furthermore, telling me that for another €100 they can offer me to replace the old cover with an a-la-carte leather cover on my choice. Now this is really tempting as I would love a M9-P with a brandy light-brown leather. But the cons are: I have to wait longer for the a-la-carte, and I have black lenses, which might not fit the brandy light-brown leather. Leica has made it clear that they would replace the cover anyway, so it's between new black stock leather and brandy color genuine leather for €100 more and a few more weeks of waiting time (which I would hate) + a unique look that might not fit my lenses. What's your opinion? Edited February 18, 2017 by yeahyoung Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 18, 2017 Posted February 18, 2017 Hi yeahyoung, Take a look here Leica offered my Leica M9P an A-La-Carte for €100, shall I take it?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Robert M Poole Posted February 18, 2017 Share #2 Posted February 18, 2017 Long story short, I sent my silver M9-P back to Holms for a sensor replacement. Leica taunted me with an €150 M9 service package which involves cleaning the winding-mechanism, restoring all engraving (the engraving on my speed dial was fading), and replacing the bottom plate, etc. My understanding is that, basically for €150, they will restore the camera to like new condition. To me this was a no-brainer. But then they taunted me furthermore, telling me that for another €100 they can offer me to replace the old cover with an a-la-carte real leather cover on my choice. Now this is really tempting as I would love a M9-P with a brandy light-brown leather. But the cons are: I have to wait longer for the a-la-carte, and I have black lenses, which might not fit the brandy light-brown leather. Leica has made it clear that they would replace the cover anyway, so it's between new black stock leather and brandy color genuine leather for €100 more and a few more weeks of waiting time (which I would hate) + a unique look that might not fit my lenses. What's your opinion? I'm sending mine off soon for sensor replacement and heard about this offer. I can't decide if I'd take it either! www.robertpoolephotography.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeahyoung Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted February 18, 2017 I'm sending mine off soon for sensor replacement and heard about this offer. I can't decide if I'd take it either! www.robertpoolephotography.com Do you have any options in mind? To me there is only one attractive option - the brandy color leather. What's the color of your M9P? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted February 18, 2017 Share #4 Posted February 18, 2017 Do you have any options in mind? To me there is only one attractive option - the brandy color leather. What's the color of your M9P? I have the steel grey m9 (not P) not sure if it's still the same deal? Toying with the cognac if it is. I have a silver lens www.robertpoolephotography.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeahyoung Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted February 18, 2017 I have the steel grey m9 (not P) not sure if it's still the same deal? Toying with the cognac if it is. I have a silver lens www.robertpoolephotography.com I think by cognac you might be referring to the color that Leica called Brandy. I have an official document they gave me about all the available a-la-carte options and it says "Brandy" Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted February 18, 2017 Share #6 Posted February 18, 2017 I think by cognac you might be referring to the color that Leica called Brandy. I have an official document they gave me about all the available a-la-carte options and it says "Brandy" I'm just looking at the Leica a la carte site which says cognac! www.robertpoolephotography.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 18, 2017 Share #7 Posted February 18, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Unless you're going to switch to silver lenses, I would stick with black. You won't be completely happy otherwise, given that you already have doubt. Silver and black.....can't go wrong. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeahyoung Posted February 18, 2017 Author Share #8 Posted February 18, 2017 I'm just looking at the Leica a la carte site which says cognac! www.robertpoolephotography.com The document I have is in German... Anyway, you were talking about the light/orange-brown color, right? That's what I wanted too. If you have silver lenses then why not. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted February 18, 2017 Share #9 Posted February 18, 2017 The document I have is in German... Anyway, you were talking about the light/orange-brown color, right? That's what I wanted too. If you have silver lenses then why not. It might be different, here's one from the a la carte site. Afilm MP though http://www.efixmedia.de/stuff/M7_a_la_carte.jpg www.robertpoolephotography.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted February 18, 2017 Share #10 Posted February 18, 2017 Cognac is the brandy they make in the region around the town called "Cognac". 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted February 18, 2017 Share #11 Posted February 18, 2017 Cognac is the brandy they make in the region around the town called "Cognac".Thanks Pop, I prefer Spanish brandy though, my unrefined taste buds www.robertpoolephotography.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 18, 2017 Share #12 Posted February 18, 2017 And it looks much nicer in a silver goblet than a black one. Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedaes Posted February 18, 2017 Share #13 Posted February 18, 2017 (edited) Ok- have just been through this process. Firstly, the €150 additional service. I am not sure this is good value as I am not sure what you get if your top and bottom plates are good, as it seems to me all the key elements are included in the free service (clean / adjust rangefinder etc.). I opted for it hoping the engravings on the rear buttons would be refreshed as mine are worn - they weren't. I think much of the description (winder etc.) refers to film cameras. I did also take up the leather covering option, and have to say it feels gorgeous when you hold the camera. Chose Blue to go with silver-grey as it is quite subtle, although wifey was pushing for Red! Ordered matching strap at same time as seemed good value. Camera came back quite quickly, but arrived with a blob of something on inside of front viewfinder lens. Customer Service sent another postage label immediately and turned it round in a week - did mention they are not very busy at moment, which of course begs the question of why not right first time! A Nb for OP, they say they will replace plastic protective cover on bottom plate,, NOT the bottom plate itself. Edited February 18, 2017 by pedaes Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckrider Posted February 19, 2017 Share #14 Posted February 19, 2017 (edited) If Leica offers some service for 100€ - GO FOR IT! Such a bargain will never come ever It's too early in the morning for Cognac, but if this helps for finding a decison: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Thomas p.s.: left is aki-asahi.com Red Lizard Emboss (Genuine Leather Cowhide), right one is griptac grey by cameraleather.com Edited February 19, 2017 by duckrider 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Thomas p.s.: left is aki-asahi.com Red Lizard Emboss (Genuine Leather Cowhide), right one is griptac grey by cameraleather.com ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/269560-leica-offered-my-leica-m9p-an-a-la-carte-for-%E2%82%AC100-shall-i-take-it/?do=findComment&comment=3216350'>More sharing options...
yeahyoung Posted February 19, 2017 Author Share #15 Posted February 19, 2017 (edited) Ok- have just been through this process. Firstly, the €150 additional service. I am not sure this is good value as I am not sure what you get if your top and bottom plates are good, as it seems to me all the key elements are included in the free service (clean / adjust rangefinder etc.). I opted for it hoping the engravings on the rear buttons would be refreshed as mine are worn - they weren't. I think much of the description (winder etc.) refers to film cameras. I did also take up the leather covering option, and have to say it feels gorgeous when you hold the camera. Chose Blue to go with silver-grey as it is quite subtle, although wifey was pushing for Red! Ordered matching strap at same time as seemed good value. Camera came back quite quickly, but arrived with a blob of something on inside of front viewfinder lens. Customer Service sent another postage label immediately and turned it round in a week - did mention they are not very busy at moment, which of course begs the question of why not right first time! A Nb for OP, they say they will replace plastic protective cover on bottom plate,, NOT the bottom plate itself. Thanks so much for the information! To be clear, here's the detailed information on the quote: "Service-package M9/M9-P/M-E/MM" ... We gladly advise you personally replace protective foil bottom plate clean/service winding mechanism clean/repair multi function dial clean main switch (speed dial) restore top plate engraving" In my case, the engravings on the speed dial have faded and I am hoping that they will refresh them it as part of the "restore top plate engraving", or "clean main switch(speed dial)", but I might be wrong. It does say "Service-package M9" so I doubt the winding mechanism refers to those on film cameras. Doesn't M9 have a motor for winding? Also you were right about the bottom plate. It's kind of weird that they would restore that cover though. May I ask how long did it take for the camera to come back? That's one of my main concerns. Edited February 19, 2017 by yeahyoung Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeahyoung Posted February 19, 2017 Author Share #16 Posted February 19, 2017 It might be different, here's one from the a la carte site. Afilm MP though http://www.efixmedia.de/stuff/M7_a_la_carte.jpg www.robertpoolephotography.com It is indeed different. Brandy looks more like this: http://leicarumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Leica-M-a-la-carte-silver-brandy.jpg Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted February 19, 2017 Share #17 Posted February 19, 2017 It is indeed different. Brandy looks more like this: http://leicarumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Leica-M-a-la-carte-silver-brandy.jpg All cognac us brandy but not all brandy is cognac www.robertpoolephotography.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedaes Posted February 19, 2017 Share #18 Posted February 19, 2017 "May I ask how long did it take for the camera to come back? That's one of my main concerns." Mine took four weeks, but that included Christmas and New Year. If they are still "not very busy", I think plan on 2-3 weeks. If they despatch on a Thursday or Friday it takes a couple more days for courier (UPS). Two other points - it may be worth asking about the speed dial as a specific, as I would think could be replaced easily as part of the job. I think they renew bottom cover protection as it is easy and they think users remove it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeahyoung Posted February 19, 2017 Author Share #19 Posted February 19, 2017 (edited) "May I ask how long did it take for the camera to come back? That's one of my main concerns." Mine took four weeks, but that included Christmas and New Year. If they are still "not very busy", I think plan on 2-3 weeks. If they despatch on a Thursday or Friday it takes a couple more days for courier (UPS). Two other points - it may be worth asking about the speed dial as a specific, as I would think could be replaced easily as part of the job. I think they renew bottom cover protection as it is easy and they think users remove it. Four weeks between sending off the camera and receiving it? That's pretty quick especially during Christmas time. I'm assuming that speed dial is part of the top plate as I googled "M9 top plate" and the images always include the speed dial. Edited February 19, 2017 by yeahyoung Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
enboe Posted February 19, 2017 Share #20 Posted February 19, 2017 Slightly bitter here in the U.S.A. I saw the a-la-carte program for the M240 and inquired if I could pay to gave the khaki/green leather put on my silver chrome camera. I was told no by our U.S. rep., that it would look too much like a Safari M240. On the other hand, if you live in Europe, they actually solicit this type of service. Arrrgh! Eric Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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