Leica M Type 240 Repair Question

[photolandscape]

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Eight months in, I sent my M Type 240 to Leica for repairs along with my three lenses (24 Elmar, 35 'Cron ASPH, 90 Elmarit. The issues were: 1) even with the latest FW, continuing red edging with the 24 and 35mm lenses, 2) occasional shutdowns requiring restarting the camera, 3) occasional flickering in LCD brightness (changing batteries didn't help), and 4) checking rangefinder for focus along with the three lenses.

 

I heard back from Leica today. They are replacing the CMOS and circuit board. Question: are they considered as one part? I am glad they're replacing the sensor as I hope it will cure my red edging. They are also replacing the leather covering, which I imagine is required due to disassembling the camera for such an extensive repair. They examined the camera in on 1/22 and expect to have it done by 2/19. After that they'll do the lenses, or so it appears, so I will be down and out until 3/19 latest (though they did say they think they can improve on that date).

 

Anyone else experienced these kinds of repairs? Especially to eliminate the Italian Flag Syndrome?

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[hoppyman]

Steve, I can add some comment on the processes. My own camera and a lens are just back after repair from impact.

Firstly with the M9 at least the sensor assembly and associated board/electronics are delivered together and are matched. Both would both stay together. The M (typ 240) is completely different construction regarding how the various modules assemble together within the shell but I would expect that the pairing arrangement would be the same.

Replacement of the covering would be normal after a complete disassembly.

 

In my instance it was the camera vertical RF that required calibration (and the body was not disassembled). However it is normal practice that all functions are tested/measured/ adjusted as needed any time your camera is in repair.

I was told from their technicians that the new camera is more sensitive to lens calibration, perhaps due to the finer processes used in the RF and I guess the sensor assy alignment for that matter. So my lens was not started until after the camera was complete and then the camera's calibration was used as the benchmark to match the lens as perfectly as possibly. That would be within the tolerances that ensure that every lens should work well with every M body of course.

 

I can attest that the camera came back perfect, the lens' sharpest plane at one metre was within 2mm and my own benchmark lens (previously calibrated years back) is also ridiculously good on there.

[photolandscape]

Thanks Geoff. Always good to hear from you. Leica told me the same thing about the steps they were taking--get the sensor and circuit board in place, go through and adjust everything in the body first. Then check the rangefinder and lenses. It sounds like they did a fantastic job on yours--my 90mm on the M has been really sharp, but the 24 and 35 have felt off, so I am anxious to see what improvements they can make.

 

I will be especially interested to see if the red edge problem goes away entirely, or almost entirely, after the new sensor/circuit board is in and everything is adjusted. I am hoping so.