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Leica Upgrade program for M9 ( corrosion of sensor)


Stefan Daniel

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Here is my experience.

 

I discovered that my sensor was affected - 4 scratch like lines on the sensor with the white bubbles along them. .....

The camera was in immaculate condition (signs of light use), and you could really only see the damage to the sensor at f/22....

I don't know why repair wasn't offered as an option

 

Interesting and puzzling. Like you say, John, presumably something got a little 'lost in translation' and the communication was geared towards your preference for an upgrade.

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I think that's right, Ian. It's the only sensible explanation - they agreed to what I asked for, and I am extremely grateful.

 

I know for sure of 2 M9 cases in Italy in which people was not interested in the upgrade, and both were served with different approaches : one was offered a swap of the sensor, around 800 Euros and 1 year warranty, the other was offered an ex demo M-E , full 2 year warranty at a price around 1500 Euros (and, considering the age of his M9, the customer considered this a good option).

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-On the December 15th 2014,after confirmed by Leica technicians in Lisbon Portugal of corrosion problems,i checked in my Leica M9 P for sensor replacement,or M (type 240) deal.

 

-Camera was sent to Germany,and February 20th 2015 i got my M9 P with a new sensor.Leica never talked about a deal for the M 240.

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FWIW - I sent my M9 into Leica Service in New Jersey for their inspection of the sensor in early January. I received a letter dated 01/19/2015 that they would "Replace Image Sensor ** Leica Good Will Warranty **." The repair estimate was to be completed on 2/27/15. Called last week and they stated no sensors were available at this time and that they were awaiting shipment from Germany with no ETA. They could not state where I was in the repair queue. I thought about it over the weekend and decided to talk with customer service and asked if I could take advantage of the exchange program and they asked if I wanted the M 240 or MP 240. I asked for the MP 240. The exchange deal is trade in the M9 plus $3750.00 for a new MP 240. So a $4200.00 credit was given for the M9. A fair trade-in value for a four + year old M9. They indicated that I should receive the MP by the end of the week.

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FWIW - I sent my M9 into Leica Service in New Jersey for their inspection of the sensor in early January. I received a letter dated 01/19/2015 that they would "Replace Image Sensor ** Leica Good Will Warranty **." The repair estimate was to be completed on 2/27/15. Called last week and they stated no sensors were available at this time and that they were awaiting shipment from Germany with no ETA. They could not state where I was in the repair queue. I thought about it over the weekend and decided to talk with customer service and asked if I could take advantage of the exchange program and they asked if I wanted the M 240 or MP 240. I asked for the MP 240. The exchange deal is trade in the M9 plus $3750.00 for a new MP 240. So a $4200.00 credit was given for the M9. A fair trade-in value for a four + year old M9. They indicated that I should receive the MP by the end of the week.
The sensors arrived in Germany over a week ago. Apparently US customs can be slow.
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Well, I'm a bit lost then. How can it be "beyond economic repair"? There either must have been more to it than that or the Leica offer to change the sensor as often as necessary is not as straightforward as it appears to be.

 

Am I missing something here?

 

Mike

 

I wonder this ... the cost difference between a repair and an upgrade is from Leica perspective is perhaps about 5000€ (-1500 for a repair to + 3000 for an upgrade + 500 value of M9 parts, LCD, battery etc). If they have lots of M240 on stock, at cost it could even be slightly profitable to do the upgrade over the sensor change at cost prices. List price is around 5500.

 

A repair bill for 1500 + a M240 sitting in a storeroom OR 3000 revenue + some no longer made spare parts. Your good condition "beyond economic repair" might well have been very economic as a parts source ... and since you wanted the upgrade, everyone is happy.

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I also have an M9 in New Jersey, and the initial work order copy I received in mid-February indicated that the work would be completed and the camera ready to ship March 5. At that time, the warranty work would include "realignment of sensor," plus the usual cleaning, etc. They now say it has been scheduled for replacement, that it may be a least a couple of months and that the supply of sensors they had been receiving is nowhere near enough to address the backlog of M9s needing sensor replacement. As I was otherwise happy with it, I really hate to spend the additional money on an M240, but if I'm to be without it for months...

 

Hopefully, some sensors may arrive soon, and I will be nearer the front of the line.

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my experience is similar... m9 sent in december for a check up. estimate said a cla was necessary. i sent a file showing the dust and asked them to inspect some particles that had a "halo" around them. in need of a new sensor as part of the goodwill program. as with others, no sensors on hand, back ordered...no specific date known.

 

also eligible for the upgrade program. initially thought i'd be interested in a chrome mp, but they too were on order. sounded like there was time to think about it before committing. over the next week i decided the black paint would be fine.

 

then to my surprise i got a notice from ups with a tracking # from new jersey. i didn't know if an mp or sensors had come in, but within a week my m9 came back with the new sensor and circuit board, adjustments, etc.

 

excited to have it back, i shot a couple of frames of the sky...did some pixel peeping and found the new sensor was very dusty. but there was no corrosion. i sent it back for a cleaning and it was turned around quickly and it is now back in action.

 

i had psyched myself up for getting an mp and was looking forward to it. my m9 has a new lease on life and i'm very happy to have it back, and i'm going to enjoy using it.

 

kudos to leica for standing behind their products and for the work all of the technicians do to keep things working.

 

attaching an image from the new sensor.

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Interestingly, as with Tom, a couple of days after I was told that I would need a new sensor and they were back ordered, I received a UPS notification that a package was on its way to me. As I'd not ordered anything from anyone, I called Leica in NJ and, in contrast with Tom, learned that my sensor was felt to only need cleaning, not replacement, and that after cleaning and "realignment," the camera was on its way back.

 

Well, it's back in my hands and while I, too, had gotten my mind around the idea of a trade-up, I am thrilled to have it back. It works as well as it ever did, and it's back to being my back up to the MM, and my alternative when I really do need color. For now, I guess I've saved 3500- US.

 

So...do I check the MM? For now, I am pleased with the service, if not the confusion. I suspect they're overwhelmed with service requests. Roxanna and Jim at Customer Service in NJ have been great, and very responsive.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I was a little concerned about this issue and had a chat with Ivor of Red Dot who suggested I contact Leica in Mayfair and explained the procedure. The outcome was that I sent pictures of the sky to Mayfair and we had a chat on the phone with the technician who said that both cameras looked OK but he would prefer to clean them to be sure that the odd piece of dust was not hiding anything.I booked a cheap return ticket from Manchester to Euston and took them in yesterday.Both cameras where given a clean bill of health and I was also very pleased with the way the whole issue was dealt with by Leica.I had previously discussed the various options i.e. new sensor or very good price in px on M 240.I was not keen to upgrade as I am very happy with the M9.I will sooner or later buy a Monacrom as this exercise has actually cost me Zero to have 2 M9 and 1 M8.2 cleaned. (its a complimentary service in Mayfair).I would recommend anyone with an M9 who is in reasonable distance of London to use the Mayfair store to check their camera.A big thank you to Ashna and Jimmy Hughes of Leica and Ivor of Red Dot Cameras.  :)

BrianP

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Thought I'd throw my story into the mix... I have an M9 that has the sensor issue. Contacted New Jersey directly because the dealer I purchased from in Washington DC told me to stop by and drop off my M9... Even though I explained I live in New Orleans and can't drop by. I responded that I would have to ship it to them... And they haven't responded to any emails from me since. That was enough for me to move on (the original purchase was a nightmare... So I wasn't expecting much from them anyway)

 

NJ asked me to send in the body for eval. Yesterday it went out FedEx... Hoping all goes smooth.

 

i have to say I'm nervous having read some of the experiences here.

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You can only be nervous about a US-Europe/German misunderstanding and difference in thinking about warranties; it would be very strange if NJ is still misinformed though. It just can't be that you won't get a new sensor if it's the real corrosion

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