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Leica Upgrade program for M9 ( corrosion of sensor)


Stefan Daniel

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A few things to report regarding my M9-P corrosion situation.

I have had wonderful exchanges with Leica USA's Roxana, and she has informed me that July is my time to send in my camera.
I will do as jaapv suggests and "live with the sensor spots" and embrace post production, until the time that I can find out what is going on with my sensor.
If corrosion is found, which I am very positive that it will be found, then I have decided to stay with my M9-P and take the new sensor with the three year warranty. I know that many here would think that I should go with the newer M, but I love my M9-P.
Thanks for reading,

Mark

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At the moment the replacement sensors are still the old type. Obviously it is impossible to test for corrosion in a short span of time, assuming a solution has been found.

According to my information Leica still prefers to replace multiple times if needed instead of waiting for a newly designed IR filter coating to be implemented.

 

This is a  long thread, I am just checking that the current situation is

 

Replacement sensor if there is an issue (Mine was cleaned by Leica and no problems a few months back)

Leica are still looking for a permanent cure

 

I saw something about 3 years ?

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My M9 is at Leica NJ presently. Was informed yesterday that my camera sensor has corrosion. Problem is that there is a 100+ replacement list and sensors are only trickling in. (so I was told). Could be a long wait without my baby back.

I am certain that I could learnt to love the 240 as much as my M9, not sure if I want to fork out an additional $3500.

Tough decision...

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I got the report from Leica on my M9P. They will replace the sensor under warranty/goodwill, but I wasn't offered the 240 upgrade. I think it was because my M9P needed other repairs (the viewfinder LED had partly disappeared).

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You did; it is incorrect though. Leica will replace sensors for free without time limit.

This is a long thread, I am just checking that the current situation is

 

Replacement sensor if there is an issue (Mine was cleaned by Leica and no problems a few months back)

Leica are still looking for a permanent cure

 

I saw something about 3 years ?

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The rep. @ Leica NJ was hesitant in stating any anticipated date to get my M9 repaired. Only saying that there was a backlog and sensors were only arriving in small batches. I think I would like to stick with a repaired M9, but I also don't want to wait months before repair is complete.

Can anyone provide any info on their recent wait times? Thanks, 

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It is undoubtedly true that Leica has promised to replace all affected sensors. I'm less convinced about finding a solution. I think the solution is to migrate M9 users onto the CMOSIS platform. I have a Monochrom, and if the sensor becomes affected, I will replace the sensor. 

 

However, where my M9P is concerned, I switched to a CMOSIS sensor based camera. Why?  Because Leica screwed up royally with its CCD based sensor supplier. The CMOSIS sensor was designed specifically for Leica. I like to think (hope) that they have a better supply arrangement for this supplier. 

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The CMOSIS sensor was designed specifically for Leica. I like to think (hope) that they have a better supply arrangement for this supplier. 

The sensor of the M was designed by Leica. It could be made by any other manufacturer.

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The sensor of the M was designed by Leica. It could be made by any other manufacturer.

Philipp,

 

I thought Leica said it was designed by CMOSIS to meet Leica's specifications and was then made (or "fabbed" as they put it) by STC Microelectronics in Grenoble.  

 

Wilson

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Philipp,

 

I thought Leica said it was designed by CMOSIS to meet Leica's specifications and was then made (or "fabbed" as they put it) by STC Microelectronics in Grenoble.  

 

Wilson

Yes, I could be mistaken. The important point within this thread would be that they own the specifications and can have it made by "any" manufacturer.

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Can anyone provide any info on their recent wait times? Thanks, 

Same with me. My M9 is in NJ since mid-April. Talked to a rep last week. They are waiting for sensors from Germany and cannot give any estimation on when my camera is going to be repaired.

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Yes, I could be mistaken. The important point within this thread would be that they own the specifications and can have it made by "any" manufacturer.

 

Thats my understanding as well, provided they order enough. 

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Please welcome an idiot who just upgraded his M9P due the sensor corrosion for M240, after, he has purchased brand new M-9P again ( since this idiot loves the feeling of M9 and sensor colors) and just recognized that sensor on new M9-P is already corroded...
Drop the curtain...

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Please welcome an idiot who just upgraded his M9P due the sensor corrosion for M240, after, he has purchased brand new M-9P again ( since this idiot loves the feeling of M9 and sensor colors) and just recognized that sensor on new M9-P is already corroded...

Drop the curtain...

Are you sure that the sensor on the new M9P is not just very dirty with the mysterious substance that appears on the sensor for the first 1 to 2000 shutter applications and which Leica insists is not lubricant. This can be difficult to remove and the results can look similar to sensor corrosion. In order to avoid any accusations that you have damaged the sensor by multiple wet cleans, I would take it to your Leica dealer, who should clean it for free and will tell you if it is corrosion or not. 

 

It would be very unusual for a new sensor to be corroded. My personal experience is that it takes around 3 years for a sensor to show serious corrosion. My 2009 M9 had a sensor replaced in 2012 for very serious corrosion and is only recently starting to show the first signs of corrosion again. 

 

Wilson

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Actually, the date of production is around december 2012, so its new old stock camera and given its age the corrosion is possible. Anyway i will check it if its lubricant, dirt or corrosion at Leica Secvice. If its corroded i will send it to repair as i have new 240 to shoot with.

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Actually, the date of production is around december 2012, so its new old stock camera and given its age the corrosion is possible. Anyway i will check it if its lubricant, dirt or corrosion at Leica Secvice. If its corroded i will send it to repair as i have new 240 to shoot with.

Even if it is old stock, it should have been sitting in a polythene bag in its box with a silica gel sachet, so it would have been in a very dry atmosphere and it would not have been being cleaned. It would be very worrying if the sensor still deteriorates in those circumstances. I would be interested to hear the results of your M9's visit to service. 

 

Wilson

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Wilson and all my friends, yes, its corrosion.

Date of production - end of 2011, camera is brand new, sealed package etc.

Based on customer service verdict the SENSOR FULLY CORRODED. There are hundreds dots and stains.

So, sending back cumera to Geneva Dealer for exchange or refund.

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