Dropped my M9 on sand and sea water. - Advice needed

[stalker]

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I dropped my m9 with 28mm lens attached on sand and the camera did contact some sea water in May 2011. I cleaned the exterior immediately. The lens' focusing ring got stuck. The camera continued to function till today. I sent the camera and lens to local leica service.

 

When I observed some focusing problem with 50mm f/1.4 I sent two other lenses for calibration to Solms including the 28mm i dropped along with the camera. Camera was still functioning.

 

I am informed that the camera can not be repaired economically and that they can offer me an exchange for some reduced price. ( Not a great reduction 17% )

 

So my question is, I have 2 M7s and M9 that i dropped as the only digital camera. I already informed the local dealer that i will buy the M10 and I am 1st on the list. Solms informed me that they cannot tell me how long the camera will go on functioning can be 3 month or next week. Corrosion cannot be predicted.

 

What do you recommend should i accept the exchange with new M9 at a 17% discount or go on shooting with my m9 till it dies?

[jaapv]

If the offer holds and you have no critical shoots coming up you might keep on shooting and pray that it keeps working until the M10 hits the shops. Maybe January 2013.

On the other hand, I would claim it on insurance and buy a used M9.

[MarkP]

I agree with Jaap. This is why we have (or should have) insurance.

[bocaburger]

It could very well be that Leica's techs saw no evidence of water incursion at all, but given your testimony that salt water was involved, are covering their butts by saying it could stop working at some point due to corrosion. Otherwise, if they agree to service it, they automatically warranty it for a year, and if it then were to subsequently malfunction during the next year, they'd be on the hook to replace the camera at their expense.

 

The reason I say that is because the camera never stopped working. That at least means not enough water got inside to short something out. So maybe even no water got inside, or if any did, that it did not come near the electronics. There are of course vulnerable points of water entry on an M9, but by and large it's a pretty tight ship.

 

The thing about salt water is that the salt remains even after the water evaporates, and any moisture can combine with it to cause corrosion. But not everything inside the camera can corrode, and as long as any new moisture is in small quantity and not constant, might not cause any corrosion to occur at all, or very, very slowly, or not to a critical operating system.

 

If it were me and I have insurance that covers such a condition, I might consider going that route, but if not, given the entire story I think I would be reasonably confident to keep the camera. You could keep it and if it dies, easily find a replacement for the same or less than Leica is offering. And if by the time the M10 becomes available your M9 still hasn't begun to malfunction, I would be confident to sell or trade it in good conscience.

Edited June 19, 2012 by bocaburger

[jaapv]

It could very well be that Leica's techs saw no evidence of water incursion at all, but given your testimony that salt water was involved, are covering their butts by saying it could stop working at some point due to corrosion. Otherwise, if they agree to service it, they automatically warranty it for a year, and if it then were to subsequently malfunction during the next year, they'd be on the hook to replace the camera at their expense.

 

The reason I say that is because the camera never stopped working. That at least means not enough water got inside to short something out. So maybe even no water got inside, or if any did, that it did not come near the electronics. There are of course vulnerable points of water entry on an M9, but by and large it's a pretty tight ship.

 

The thing about salt water is that the salt remains even after the water evaporates, and any moisture can combine with it to cause corrosion. But not everything inside the camera can corrode, and as long as any new moisture is in small quantity and not constant, might not cause any corrosion to occur at all, or very, very slowly, or not to a critical operating system.

 

If it were me and I have insurance that covers such a condition, I might consider going that route, but if not, given the entire story I think I would be reasonably confident to keep the camera. You could keep it and if it dies, easily find a replacement for the same or less than Leica is offering. And if by the time the M10 becomes available your M9 still hasn't begun to malfunction, I would be confident to sell or trade it in good conscience.

 

 

An optimistic post

 

This is what it looks like:

 

 

 

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

Edited June 22, 2012 by jaapv
typo

[jaques]

doesn't 'it' depend on how much water got in? Therefore could it look like that- or a lot worse- or a lot better?

 

Perhaps you could ask Solms if they could perform an internal clean of the camera-without offering any warranty thereafter? I imagine it would be possible to greatly reduce whatever salt remains inside the camera. Perhaps if they won't do it- you could attempt it? A lot of swabbing- and drying- and re-swabbing.

[jaapv]

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Not really - these images are from a camera that suffered internal condensation. The problem is that once corrosion starts it goes electrolytic and is "fed" by the electrical currents in the camera. Cleaning does not help - or at most very temporarily- as the slightest amount of moisture in the air will set the whole thing off again.

[andalus]

Dab that corrosion with a bit of WD40. That might halt any progression at least. My card read slot in Mac Book pro has been intermittent for months. Took it to Genius Bar yesterday and they suggesting replacing the board, at a cost of 500 bucks. I brought computer home, did the WD40 thing and now it's working ALL the time. Not just once in a while.

[stalker]

I was taking photos of my 2 years old son by the ocean. When he abruptly walked towards the water i dropped on the sand and just a little amount of sea water contacted. Camera first fell on the lens then turned backwards on the display. Camera went probably just 2 cm in water. Water did not cover the camera completely.

 

Solms informed me that repair is not economical and that they would not give a warranty after such a repair. I have no insurance to cover such an incident. If i knew i would be able to buy the new M in Jan 2013 i would wait. But the release of MM with M9like specs makes me think that M10 may arrive much later.

 

Thanks.

[MichaelRabern]

When this thread speaks of insurance. Does it mean as a rider to another policy or something tradesman specific?

[bocaburger]

Am optimistic post

 

Well, Leica offers to exchange him another camera for $5800, no doubt a refurbished camera not a brand-new one. And they will not send him back his "doomed" M9. OTOH if he waits till his M9 dies he could buy an M9 demo w/same 1-yr warranty from a dealer for the same $5800, and sell the dead one for parts. Heck, the top plate, baseplate and rangefinder should bring at least a grand. And if by luck his M9 lasts until he can get his hands on an M10, he saved himself $5800. I'd say there's not much downside to optimism in this case.

Edited June 19, 2012 by bocaburger

[NZDavid]

That's a shame and so easy to do. Beaches are tricky -- not just sea water to contend with but wind and sand.

 

A tricky choice. Would it be worth checking around independent repair shops to see if they could help? (Depending on your location, others will be able to recommend some.)

 

With the M7 you a have a brilliant camera, but next time at the beach how about a compact weatherproof and waterproof model like the Panasonic TS4/FT4 with Leica-designed lens? You could even take it swimming with you.

[NZDavid]

See "Repair specialists" sticky at the top of the Customer Forum.

[jaques]

for what it is worth: I believe m10 will be released at Photokina this year... Stephen Daniels let slip that there were 'two' new products coming along.

[jaapv]

That's a shame and so easy to do. Beaches are tricky -- not just sea water to contend with but wind and sand.

 

A tricky choice. Would it be worth checking around independent repair shops to see if they could help? (Depending on your location, others will be able to recommend some.)

 

With the M7 you a have a brilliant camera, but next time at the beach how about a compact weatherproof and waterproof model like the Panasonic TS4/FT4 with Leica-designed lens? You could even take it swimming with you.

 

I do not think there is one independent who will touch the interior of a digital M.

[marknorton]

Water ingress is exceedingly bad news and because any water other than distilled water will conduct electricity, electrolytic action will accelerate the corrosion process, as Jaap says. Continuing to use the camera will make things worse but even if you don't, the internal clock battery is still there to cause problems. The only hope is to rinse the salt water away using distilled water after immediately removing the battery and then dry it out but even then, success is elusive.

Edited June 22, 2012 by marknorton

[bocaburger]

I dropped my m9 with 28mm lens attached on sand and the camera did contact some sea water in May 2011.

 

I understand and agree with Mark and Jaap. The OP did say the camera ended up on its back in 2cm of salt water, and (Mark correct me if I'm wrong, because I'm just going on my gut here) all those buttons plus the control wheel seem like they would let water straight into the electronics. OTOH the incident happened more than a year ago and despite continuing to use it, the camera is still functioning. I know there are a great many variables at play here, and corrosion is a slow process leading to sudden failure, and remission isn't the same as cure. But unless I was someone who absolutely had to depend on the camera come hell or (pardon the pun) high water (and in which case I'd have a backup anyway), and especially if like the OP I were committed to getting an M10 as soon as it's available, I certainly wouldn't let Solms keep it in exchange for a refurb at the same price I can buy one on the street.

[robban]

Hi,

I am sorry to hear about your accident. I actually had a similar one today.... I can see moisture inside the viewfinder etc. Is there a way to slightly open the top - or another way to let the moisture escape if I heat the top slightly with a hairdryer.....?

[brianv]

I'm sorry for your troubles, hopefully insurance will cover it.

 

Reminds me why I packed the Leica Mini for the beach and waterpark.

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[Jeff S]

When this thread speaks of insurance. Does it mean as a rider to another policy or something tradesman specific?

 

Varies by country, by company and by personal history. I have a rider to my home policy, which covers near $25,000 of itemized gear for just over $300 per year. It covers all circumstances of loss or damage, with no deductible, and has an automatic replacement cost escalator to 150% of stated value at no additional cost in the event prices rise. No brainer for me.

 

Jeff