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I think that the fundamental problem here is expectations. An 8 year old design which was discontinued 5 years ago is minimally halfway through its life and in some cases more than. But Leicas last forever, or so many still think, even though a digital camera is an entirely different beast to a mechanical one. And at some point support will cease; I'd like to think at 10 years after production ended. After the indignation has died down some may start to consider the viability of a replacement sensor in an 8 year old camera from Leica's pov, though I'm not sure about this. But at some point Leica will have to withdraw support entirely. Should they continue to offer replacement sensors up until the point at which support ceases?

Tell that to someone who bought (and is using) an M9 Titanium...

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As all cameras are now at least 5 years old they've obviously decided its time to call it a day with respect to free replacement - though I suspect that they will be busy for the next few months as a result.

 

Sorry if I misunderstand, but all cameras are not 5 years old now. I think the M9 was discontinued in 2013, and my own sample seems to be from that year (I bought it used in 2016, so can only trust the documentation that came with it).

And the M-E, that is also part of this replacement programme was discontinued in 2016...

So Leica will still replace sensors for free on some cameras (those that are less than 5 years old) for quite some time.

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......

Leica could have built a set of lenses that is high powered but still small enough

not to block the viewfinder.

Instead they opted for FF and meanwhile build elephantine lens sizes ...

 

 

....I am only glad that the competition is still lost - Fuji x trans bodies are a disaster and so is Sony ...

 

 

I case if you missed it. Leica is offering more less compact line called "Summarit-M" and in case if you missed it again, right from M9, Leica has ISO high enough to use these compact, not fast lenses almost for everything and everywhere. 

 

And again, could you, please, not to trash cameras you have no clue about. Thanks.

Edited by Ko.Fe.
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1. picture shows something in the center that I think could be corrosion. Is it? It is a 100% crop from the 2. picture (the problem is up and to the left from center there). All taken at f22 with a 50mm.

 

I have never wet cleaned my sensor, and it showes. But I also never use any aperture smaller than f8,0.

I will try one more time. Does this look like corrosion?

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No, I do not. But it is nice to know if they will replace the sensor or not.

 

This small imperfection in the sensor does not bother me at all, but I will have it replaced for the resale value.

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In fairness, I will play Devil's Advocate.

Why would Leica offer a discounted upgrade to the M10 for Corroded M9 users when they can't fill orders for M10's willing to pay full price?

I was 3rd in the queue for my M10 behind two buyers who paid a deposit. I offered, and paid full price up front to 'jump' the queue. The dealer took my money but did not jump me forward. Retospectively, I think he was right to keep me in line, but not to take my full money in advance. Moral: There are protocols to be observed, and I think Leica is doing that.

 

Perhaps when the first flush of initial orders for the M10 are satisfied, Leica may extend the offer for M9 corroded users to include the M10. (Do I hear heavy breathing? ....... ie. don't hold your breath :p)

Well, I thought the M240 wasn't a worthy update to the M9. The M10 is. Yet, though I got a product with a critical fault, they still try to force me to the product I did not want in the first place.
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Well, I thought the M240 wasn't a worthy update to the M9. The M10 is. Yet, though I got a product with a critical fault, they still try to force me to the product I did not want in the first place.

If your M9 has a critical fault aka. corroded sensor, then it will currently be repaired with an improved sensor at no cost to you. That's fair. They also offer, without obligation, an upgrade to M240, again without obligation. If you don't fancy the M240 that's fine, but those are the only two option available. You must realize an upgrade offer is just that, an offer, not an obligation. That the M10 is not included is entirely the choice of Leica, at present.

 

Personally, I would accept the M9 repair and go away smiling. That never precludes you from buying an M10, or even trading the M9 on it. Your choices are pretty good IMO.

 

Edit: I have an M9 with replaced sensor and it is fine (Camera Clinic in Melbourne can do the replacement). My M10 is clearly  a better  camera, but my M9 is staying.

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Useful link. I should have read that before getting so hot under the collar. My personal impression from their original statement is not necessarily that of a commitment in perpetuity; it might be interpreted simply as a statement of their policy at the time, which has now changed. I can understand that others might see it differently though. Edited by gotium
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Tell that to someone who bought (and is using) an M9 Titanium...

On a 29.000$ camera a 1000$ repair halfway through its economic life seems to be of little relevance to me.

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I have a sentimental attachment to my MM. However, if I had known that their assurance to me in Wetzlar not to worry, that the old spec sensor replacement, should it also corrode, would be replaced again without charge, was worthless I would have considered their upgrade offer to the MM2 more seriously.

Well, should it corrode as well, the upgrade offer is still on the table.

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I will try one more time. Does this look like corrosion?

 

 

Why frig around with uncertainty?

Just send it in to Leica now before the offer time expires. 

 

Nothing to lose except perhaps a few weeks.

Everything to gain regarding peace of mind:

   if the sensor is faulty you can repair for free or upgrade

   if the sensor is fine you have peace of mind..

 

Mark  

 

 

 

Yet again, as I posted earlier, I thought my sensor was OK but on a routine inspection Leica found it to be corroded and it was replaced :-)

Edited by MarkP
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If it only took a few weeks I would agree, but I am afraid it will take months. My Leica importer have not answered my email, so there is also the potential difficulty of sending the camera from a non-EU country to the EU.

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A fast alternative is to FedEx it yourself to Leica. Cost me about AU$60 to send camera and lens to Germany from Australia. It arrived in customer service four days later. They phoned me to confirm receipt of the gear. Repair was done and returned to me in another two weeks as I recall.The alternative was a three month turn around through the 'usual channels'. Well worth the cost IMO.

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Within Europe it works a bit differently, John. One calls or mails Leica CS in Wetzlar and they will mail an UPS label. You call UPS and they will pick up the parcel the same day - I once had them on my doorstep within 5 minutes. Leica will confirm receipt within 48 hours and an estimate form will be mailed not long after.

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After returning a new Q for sensor dust, I was about to pull the trigger on a used M9-P until I came across this thread in researching it. I guess I'm back to getting the 5D Mark IV; or, maybe it's simply time to give digital the middle finger and get an M7. Sigh.

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