Leica Ends Free Sensor Replacement for M9/Monochrom Bodies

[platypus]

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Best we should all just accept the sad fact that nobody really has a blooming clue as to how long these sensor replacements are going to take, no matter where the bodies have been sent.

Any quoted timeframe is just a stab in the dark on the part of the quoter and only hopefully and pathetically accepted by the poor customer.

I would be so happy to see my two bodies back by this Christmas, though I would not be surprised if they were still queued up at Camera Clinic next February when things grindingly get going

again after the long holiday break. To preserve one's own sanity it's best to expect the worst....you'll never be disappointed, I guarantee it.   

Edited June 24, 2017 by platypus

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[erl]

Dee, If it does drag on through Xmas, I know for a fact that Wayne works (solo) through the holiday period because he gets stuff done that way without interruption. So that could clear a bit of backlog.

[MarkP]

Dee,

 

you'll just have to suffer with that lonely M262.

 

Mark :-)

[Nordvik]

Leica says no. My camera is six years old and the sensor have never been replaced, and now it will never be.

A replaced sensor would perhaps give the camera a higher resale value (a new sensor sounds better than a six year old), but I do not know if it is worth it if one must wait months for the replacement.

And I got a cleaner sensor.

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[MarkP]

Leica says no. My camera is six years old and the sensor have never been replaced, and now it will never be.

A replaced sensor would perhaps give the camera a higher resale value (a new sensor sounds better than a six year old), but I do not know if it is worth it if one must wait months for the replacement.

 

 

Well that's reassuring it's not corroded. Even if it corrodes in the future, within reason, your country may have consumer protection laws that may require Leica to replace to sensor as a recognised faulty component was used from new - we have such protections in Australia.

Edited June 25, 2017 by MarkP

[erl]

Latest breaking news, in Victoria, Australia, is that most of the traffic speed cameras have been infected with a virus. To the best of my knowledge, Camera Clinic do the servicing on them so this fact could cause a bottleneck in the time for sensor replacement, or any other camera service.

Or maybe they will deal with that while waiting for delivery of sensors.

[silverchrome]

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In that case I would start inquiring what the blazes is going  on. Leica Mayfair has a good reputation for bring helpful, otherwise contact Customer Service in Wetzlar directly.

 

Done that back in May.  They told me 3 to 4 weeks so I'll be dropping them a line soon.

[enboe]

Dropped mine off with Leica on the 21st of May, made a quick inquiry on where I might be in the queue, was told ~20 weeks best-guess turn-around right now.  Luckily I have other bodies to tide me over.

 

Eric

[platypus]

Latest breaking news, in Victoria, Australia, is that most of the traffic speed cameras have been infected with a virus. To the best of my knowledge, Camera Clinic do the servicing on them so this fact could cause a bottleneck in the time for sensor replacement, or any other camera service.

Or maybe they will deal with that while waiting for delivery of sensors.

 

 

Your updates/breaking news tidbits are gratefully received. I really hope poor old Camera Clinic is making lots of money to mitigate the pressure they must be feeling....

[Go Figure]

I took mine in the day after the summer solstice ...when I mentioned that I'd like to have it back by the winter solstice  they broke out laughing ... and mumbled something

about 14months ... I did not care to clarify.

[IkarusJohn]

I took mine in the day after the summer solstice ...when I mentioned that I'd like to have it back by the winter solstice  they broke out laughing ... and mumbled something

about 14months ... I did not care to clarify.

 

I hope that was black humour ...

[Go Figure]

I hope that was black humour ...

or ... just a case of #Hypernormalisation 

Edited July 3, 2017 by Mark Ebert

[IkarusJohn]

That is the alarming alternative.

 

The saying goes "perception is reality" (not sure I agree with it, as I'm old fashioned - I try to rely on verifiable fact, and extrapolate from there).  Since this issue broke cover, we've had a lot of excuses - wet cleaning, it affects only a small number of cameras, etc etc.  The revised policy puts us into the position of accepting that there is a considerable cost, and it's only fair that we should pay part of it, at some stage.

 

The reality is somewhat more disappointing.

[Go Figure]

That is the alarming alternative.

 

The saying goes "perception is reality" (not sure I agree with it, as I'm old fashioned - I try to rely on verifiable fact, and extrapolate from there).  Since this issue broke cover, we've had a lot of excuses - wet cleaning, it affects only a small number of cameras, etc etc.  The revised policy puts us into the position of accepting that there is a considerable cost, and it's only fair that we should pay part of it, at some stage.

 

The reality is somewhat more disappointing.

I understand ....it was the same for me!

if you research this thread you will see that I dug deeper than some people cared for.

Leica does not seem to understand the demographics of it's very own client.

I told the guys "you have no idea what amount of anxiety I went through".

Now that it's out of my hands I do not want to look back. 

Even if they don't fix it or if it never comes back I do not care.

...  after 40+ years  with the brand I realized .. yolo, divorce is maybe what I needed !

 

P.S. I already researched that the GH5 has the same Epson EVF as the Q ... Zuiko lenses have focusing scales ... so I am off to new beginnings :-)

P.P.S. 1x GH5 = 2x M9 sensor replacement cost ( if payed out of pocket ) minus the wait.

[IkarusJohn]

Well, for me it's not so dramatic.  I still have my SL and M-A to tide me over, and this "hiccup" hasn't spoiled the Leica experience for me yet.  I just wish they would deal with this properly, rather than trying to pretend (hope) this isn't a problem and if they ignore it, it will go away.  Quite why Leica brought on this tidal wave of sensor replacements, then seemed unprepared for the quantity is beyond me.

 

I appreciate that while the M10 is hugely appealing, it's a leap of faith that has to be taken in the context of how Leica has responded to both the M8 and M9 issues.  I guess what's disappointing is that CCD camera owners (purchased new) will, generally, have been Leica customers since between 2009 and 2015 (when the M-E was discontinued).  That's a lot of Leica customers who will presumably have been buying Leica lenses and looking at the new releases.  What Leica is saying to them is (1) we will charge you if you don't get your camera in before 15 August; (2) when you do send your camera in, we won't be able to fix it for 6 months (apparently); and (3) we won't offer the M10 as a trade in.

 

That's a fairly clear message to those owners that they don't really matter to Leica's future.  I find this all very odd.  At best, they really haven't thought this through.

Edited July 3, 2017 by IkarusJohn

[pico]

Maybe Leica can promote the corroded sensors as Lenny Kravitz specials.

 

As I've written I'm going to let both my M9s degenerate so that the sensor defects become a personal trademark, evolving over time, and every posted image will have a Made with Leica watermark.

 

Then I will publish a free Photoshop droplet to mimic the same. Random corrosion spots. Yeah, that's the ticket.

 

I see a patent here!

.

Edited July 3, 2017 by pico

[mikemgb]

Maybe Leica can promote the corroded sensors as Lenny Kravitz specials.

 

As I've written I'm going to let both my M9s degenerate so that the sensor defects become a personal trademark, evolving over time, and every posted image will have a Made with Leica watermark.

 

Then I will publish a free Photoshop droplet to mimic the same. Random corrosion spots. Yeah, that's the ticket.

 

I see a patent here!

.

 

You'd better patent it fast before the lomography people get the same idea and beat you to it.

[rramesh]

Every sensor has a unique Leica watermark. Wonder if you can customize your initials on the sensor.

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[RayD28]

Can someone point me to a definitive statement from Leica about how long they were going to offer free replacement sensors prior to the latest announcement?

 

With hindsight most situations like this could have been handled better although expectations are invariably at odds with what is on offer.

 

 

I have nothing documented but I'll add this experience.  

 

In the spring of 2016 I noticed what appeared to be corrosion.  I called Leica NJ to find out what the corrosion looks like (spots with halos) and how long it would take to get a new sensor installed and they said two months.  I told them I'd deal with it after an upcoming vacation since the spots were not too bad.  I asked how long I have to send it in and they said there is no time limit. They confirmed that a camera purchased second hand still qualifies for the free replacement.  I told them it all sounds too good to be true.  They assured me it was.  I asked if there was anything that prevents me from continuing to use the camera for as long as possible and then getting the sensor replaced?  After all, sensors are the most expensive part to replace, and waiting as long as possible for a brand new sensor could extend the usefulness an extra five or ten years.  They said it would be no problem.  

 

I had other problems with that camera so I traded it a few months later.  Had I not, I would have waited to send in the M9 for as long as possible.  

Edited July 5, 2017 by Raycpa

[gunnerbolt]

Hopefully this post may help fellow forum members in Europe gauge how long it takes Leica to replace the sensor of your M9 or M-E.

 

After hearing about the "free" sensor replacement program coming to an end I decided to send my M-E back to Wetzlar for evaluation, they subsequently found my sensor was suffering from delamination.

I prepared myself to be without my Leica for an extended period of time, however I was pleasantly surprised when on the 7th July I received notification that the work had been carried out and my Leica was being shipped out to me.

Below is the time scale of my experience.

 

15 May 2017: Leica post update to M9-M-E sensor replacement costing.

16 May 2017: I contact Leica Mayfair and organise shipping to Leica.

17 May 2017: Leica packaged and sent to Wetzlar.

31 May 2017: Confirmation of sensor delamination, repair started.

7 July 2017: Confirmation that the work has been carried out, and camera being shipped back to me.

 

So from confirmation of having a faulty sensor, to receiving notice that the work has been completed is 5 weeks 2 days, alot faster turn around than I expected, hopefully this information maybe of some help and reassurance if your Leica is back at Wetzlar at the moment.