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Leica S typ006 Repair cost at $5000


chuanweeyeo

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Hi all, just received a repair cost for my Leica S006 at $5000. would you guys pay for it or just get a Sony A7RIII?

 

it saddens me and i feel cheated on leica products. 

 

See attached pdf and my reply to Leica.

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James

 

Feel for you. Water damage can be expensive. My S2 lives several weeks a year on a boat and survived some serious contacts with the water so far.

I thought, with the Leica S lenses,  it is almost as waterproof as my X-U. I think I shall be more careful in the future.

 

Yevgeny

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Maybe. Should you opt to do so, you will essentially have a brand new unit, which should serve you well for some time. I would consider the new sensor on condition that the issue with corroding, which existed with the original 006s, no longer will be a concern moving forward..

 

I am not a professional photographer - this is just hobby - but I can tell you that you can replace your 006 for less money on the pre-owned market. (Send me a PM if interested, as I am looking to replace mine with a 007, and mine has had the sensor replaced by Leica under warranty).

 

A tough call. Leica is expensive. Hopefully your letter will reach a sympathetic ear and Leica will compromise on their repair cost.

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Hi all, just received a repair cost for my Leica S006 at $5000. would you guys pay for it or just get a Sony A7RIII?

 

it saddens me and i feel cheated on leica products.

 

See attached pdf and my reply to Leica.attachicon.gifScreen Shot 2018-06-19 at 5.09.34 PM.pngattachicon.gifScreen Shot 2018-06-19 at 5.04.24 PM.png

Sorry to hear it. Years ago I dumped a canoe. While my underwear remained bone dry, my Olymlus OM1 was immersed. After examination, the folks at Olympus advised that the camera was "beyond economical repair." Frankly,I appreciated their honesty. Why invest in repairs that exceed the value of the "repairee." And I do not recall it taking two months for them to make that judgment.

I note that the repair assessment indicates "strong traces of use." That would be consistent with your self description as a commercial photographer. Consequently, I would be contemplating whether it even makes sense to invest in the repair of a camera which, even with a new sensor, may have already outlived its intended life.

As for the alternatives, do not buy a Sony, or any other camera for that matter, out of spite. I am sure you have considered what it will cost in time and money to move from the Leica S system to something else. The frustration and learning curve, on the job, may exceed the unfortunate repair costs.

In the alternative, this looks like a very good deal: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-S-Typ-006-Medium-Format-Camera-Body/132642004693?hash=item1ee2145ed5:g:TkoAAOSwJdBbBvOu

If I were facing your decisions, and if I were otherwise happy with the S experience, I would go for this camera or some other like it.

Good luck in your decision.

David

 

PS: Small S world. The S in the link is the very camera owned by ropo 54, who responded to your post above. This would give me greater confidence if considering this option.

Edited by Deliberate1
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Sorry to hear it. Years ago I dumped a canoe. While my underwear remained bone dry, my Olymlus OM1 was immersed. After examination, the folks at Olympus advised that the camera was "beyond economical repair." Frankly,I appreciated their honesty. Why invest in repairs that exceed the value of the "repairee." And I do not recall it taking two months for them to make that judgment.

I note that the repair assessment indicates "strong traces of use." That would be consistent with your self description as a commercial photographer. Consequently, I would be contemplating whether it even makes sense to invest in the repair of a camera which, even with a new sensor, may have already outlived its intended life.

As for the alternatives, do not buy a Sony, or any other camera for that matter, out of spite. I am sure you have considered what it will cost in time and money to move from the Leica S system to something else. The frustration and learning curve, on the job, may exceed the unfortunate repair costs.

In the alternative, this looks like a very good deal: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-S-Typ-006-Medium-Format-Camera-Body/132642004693?hash=item1ee2145ed5:g:TkoAAOSwJdBbBvOu

If I were facing your decisions, and if I were otherwise happy with the S experience, I would go for this camera or some other like it.

Good luck in your decision.

David

 

PS: Small S world. The S in the link is the very camera owned by ropo 54, who responded to your post above. This would give me greater confidence if considering this option.

 

David:

 

Yes, very good advice!  :) I knew there was a reason I liked this forum.  Small world, indeed. 

 

By the way, the original post made me concerned that my replaced sensor could ultimately have the same issue with corrosion, so I did re-confirm with my local Leica store that the replacement sensor does in fact do-away-with the  corrosion issue.  So, certainly a caveat for those looking to buy pre-owned 006s to make certain that the camera is still under warranty or has already had the sensor replaced).

 

Regards,

 

Rob

Edited by ropo54
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This may not apply to the original poster, but $5,000 of water damage may be covered by your household insurance policy.

As a commercial photographer, one would think that the OP would have a separate policy to cover the cost. I’m not a pro and my private policy would cover repair or replacement without deductible.

 

Jeff

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Several thoughts here:  1- too expensive, you could pick up a used body cheaper, 2- water damage could create issues further down the road from parts showing no ill effect at present , 3- SL body with adapter takes all S lenses, if the 24mp 24x36 sensor is sufficient for your use, in addition the SL body accepts Canon, Nikon, Leica-R and Leica-M lenses, 4- Hasselblad X1D :-)  

 

My experience with Leica repair has always been positive when calling repair and talking to them directly.  Good luck!  

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As a commercial photographer, one would think that the OP would have a separate policy to cover the cost. I’m not a pro and my private policy would cover repair or replacement without deductible.

 

Jeff

 

Jeff, what policy do you have?  When I looked into this several years ago it was rather costly so now I self insure.  

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Jeff, what policy do you have?  When I looked into this several years ago it was rather costly so now I self insure.  

 

 

Further to the conversation, making the claim oftentimes results in higher premiums going forward, non-renewal next time around, and/or another carrier not wanting to 'touch' you as a potential risk. 

 

In my experience, 'ordinary' claims such as this (as preposterous as that sounds!) make little sense these days; one should try to limit putting in claims to those more of a catastrophic scenario. The insurance industry has beaten the consumer. At least, that's my experience in south Florida.

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Further to the conversation, making the claim oftentimes results in higher premiums going forward, non-renewal next time around, and/or another carrier not wanting to 'touch' you as a potential risk. 

 

My experience also, if a claim is made the insured gets a black mark and becomes persona non grata.  

Edited by darylgo
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Jeff, what policy do you have? When I looked into this several years ago it was rather costly so now I self insure.

I always have a separate rider to my premium home policies, formerly with Chubb, now with AIG Private Client Group. These have always provided worldwide coverage, no deductible, full replacement value and most any circumstances outside warranty. My photo and book collections are included under the same policy. Of course, policies vary by location and individual circumstance (net worth, history, etc), but costs are surprisingly affordable.

 

I’ve had claims under my policies and have never had an issue with premiums or renewal. These companies insure collections that make mine look like small potatoes.

 

Jeff

Edited by Jeff S
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My experience also, if a claim is made the insured gets a black mark and becomes persona non grata.

Wow. I would think that your continued homeowners insurance would cover it. Was his a pro claim or end user claim?

Edited by AlanD
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I always have a separate rider to my premium home policies, formerly with Chubb, now with AIG Private Client Group. These have always provided worldwide coverage, no deductible, full replacement value and most any circumstances outside warranty. My photo and book collections are included under the same policy. Of course, policies vary by location and individual circumstance (net worth, history, etc), but costs are surprisingly affordable.

 

I’ve had claims under my policies and have never had an issue with premiums or renewal. These companies insure collections that make mine look like small potatoes.

 

Jeff

 

Chubb and AIG Private are "cream of the crop" insurance carriers.

 

Likely, your premiums are substantially higher than most other insurers' premiums, and, accordingly your claims are treated much more fairly.

 

Rob

Edited by ropo54
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Chubb and AIG Private are "cream of the crop" insurance carriers.

 

Likely, your premiums are substantially higher than most other insurers' premiums, and, accordingly your claims are treated much more fairly.

 

Rob

Yes, as I wrote, “premium” home policies. But my home insurance is still competitive, mostly influenced by location and assessed values. The separate riders have always been relatively inexpensive... predicated on replacement values, which pale in comparison to those who insure multi-million dollar art collections under similar plans.

 

The key is to qualify for the policy in the first place, as underwriting requirements are understandably strict. But the resultant premiums are quite reasonable and service is excellent. Why would anyone with expensive gear choose lesser companies if they don’t have to?

 

Jeff

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David:

 

Yes, very good advice!  :) I knew there was a reason I liked this forum.  Small world, indeed. 

 

By the way, the original post made me concerned that my replaced sensor could ultimately have the same issue with corrosion, so I did re-confirm with my local Leica store that the replacement sensor does in fact do-away-with the  corrosion issue.  So, certainly a caveat for those looking to buy pre-owned 006s to make certain that the camera is still under warranty or has already had the sensor replaced).

 

Regards,

 

Rob

 

Rob,

I am very interested to hear more details regarding the replacement sensor. I have a new one in my M9, and may be facing the need in my S. While it is well known  that the M9 sensor has a redesigned glass cover, I have not found any information suggesting that the same design extends to replacement S sensors, as your comments suggest. Do you have more details to share?

Obliged.

David

PS: Good luck with your sale. Amazing to think that a camera that first cost appx $20k now, with substantial life remaining, goes for a fraction of that. Get an S body for $4500 +/- and a used 70mm for about $1700, and then go out and shoot the world.

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Rob,

I am very interested to hear more details regarding the replacement sensor. I have a new one in my M9, and may be facing the need in my S. While it is well known  that the M9 sensor has a redesigned glass cover, I have not found any information suggesting that the same design extends to replacement S sensors, as your comments suggest. Do you have more details to share?

Obliged.

David

PS: Good luck with your sale. Amazing to think that a camera that first cost appx $20k now, with substantial life remaining, goes for a fraction of that. Get an S body for $4500 +/- and a used 70mm for about $1700, and then go out and shoot the world.

 

 

David:

I wish I could provide more on the technical details, but, I confirmed with Josh @ Leica Miami that Leica's replacement sensor does in fact "correct" whatever the defect was that was causing corrosion, so that there should not be a reoccurrence of the failure.  

Certainly the S006 with a replacement sensor is quite a bargain.

Regards,

Rob

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David:

I wish I could provide more on the technical details, but, I confirmed with Josh @ Leica Miami that Leica's replacement sensor does in fact "correct" whatever the defect was that was causing corrosion, so that there should not be a reoccurrence of the failure.  

Certainly the S006 with a replacement sensor is quite a bargain.

Regards,

Rob

Good to know. Josh is the man. I have given him a not insignificant part of my kid's inheritance. Willingly.

My own S 006 is ready to go for a sensor check. And will be accompanied by the 70mm which has a fried motor. I just cannot seem to find the right  time to part with it. Got my M9 back several months ago after shutter replacement and it remains in the plastic wrap it came in. It may be pressed into service once the S goes back to the mother ship.

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Good to know. Josh is the man. I have given him a not insignificant part of my kid's inheritance. Willingly.

My own S 006 is ready to go for a sensor check. And will be accompanied by the 70mm which has a fried motor. I just cannot seem to find the right  time to part with it. Got my M9 back several months ago after shutter replacement and it remains in the plastic wrap it came in. It may be pressed into service once the S goes back to the mother ship.

 

Yes, I know, I know . . . just got my SL back from repair after New Jersey dropped the ball for 2 months and then Josh had to send it to Germany, so another 6 weeks passed.  A minor issue, but I'm glad it is back and that Leica went over it and took care of any updates, cleaning, or other adjustments as they are wont to do.  Rob

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