Nora Charney Posted August 20, 2019 Share #1 Posted August 20, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) My Leica m8 ccd sensor doesn’t work and Leica says they can’t fix it because they no longer have the part! What to do? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 20, 2019 Posted August 20, 2019 Hi Nora Charney, Take a look here M8 ccd sensor not working. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted August 20, 2019 Share #2 Posted August 20, 2019 It is probably a lot cheaper to buy another M8 than having the sensor replaced, even if they had the part. You would be looking at the best part of 2000 Euro. This is a terminal fault. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 20, 2019 Share #3 Posted August 20, 2019 Any chance you have insurance to cover some or all? Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lykaman Posted August 20, 2019 Share #4 Posted August 20, 2019 31 minutes ago, jaapv said: It is probably a lot cheaper to buy another M8 than having the sensor replaced, even if they had the part. You would be looking at the best part of 2000 Euro. This is a terminal fault. +1 or Trade Up! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 21, 2019 Share #5 Posted August 21, 2019 vor einer Stunde schrieb Nora Charney: My Leica m8 ccd sensor doesn’t work and Leica says they can’t fix it because they no longer have the part! What to do? Too bad your M8 failed and mutated into an overpriced paperweight. I find it scandalous that Leica has never tried to have commissioned a replacement sensor. Or to have submitted attractive take back bids for customer M8 to get missing replacement parts. Please wish me good luck for my M8.2 with over 80000 releases and some Lenny Kravitz look. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted August 21, 2019 Share #6 Posted August 21, 2019 1 hour ago, jaapv said: It is probably a lot cheaper to buy another M8 than having the sensor replaced, even if they had the part. +1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david strachan Posted August 21, 2019 Share #7 Posted August 21, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well the lcd used to be "not replaceable"...now the sensor is the same...such a pity without backup for the lovers of M8's. 😣 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
david strachan Posted August 21, 2019 Share #8 Posted August 21, 2019 4 hours ago, Nora Charney said: My Leica m8 ccd sensor doesn’t work and Leica says they can’t fix it because they no longer have the part! What to do? Hello Nora Can you let us know who told you sensor not available? Leica Germany, or somewhere else? ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 21, 2019 Share #9 Posted August 21, 2019 6 hours ago, mnutzer said: Too bad your M8 failed and mutated into an overpriced paperweight. I find it scandalous that Leica has never tried to have commissioned a replacement sensor. Or to have submitted attractive take back bids for customer M8 to get missing replacement parts. Please wish me good luck for my M8.2 with over 80000 releases and some Lenny Kravitz look. Scandalous? For a digital camera from 2006? For a part that, in itself, costs at least double the value of the camera? The sensor part price was 1800 Euro net back when the camera was new. 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 21, 2019 Share #10 Posted August 21, 2019 vor einer Stunde schrieb jaapv: Scandalous? For a digital camera from 2006? For a part that, in itself, costs at least double the value of the camera? The sensor part price was 1800 Euro net back when the camera was new. Leica customers switching from analogue Leica-M in 2006 and even later, expected comparable durability and repair capability. Well, we have learned that even digital Leicas are only as short lived as other electronic devices. The display of the M8 was not available much earlier, which in the event of damage for most M8 was the end of usability. (Yes, I know the instructions, to use an M8 with defective display by counting the button presses.) If you ask Leica for a cheaper digital Leica-M for beginners and younger people, you always get the answer, used Leicas are the beginner models. But then they should ensure the functionality for the older digital Leica-M. The mentioned net price of 1800 € I have always considered a deterrent, so Leica is not bothered with too many repairs. No company has to name the purchase prices to the customers, so I do not want to mention a number that I only heard as a rumor. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 21, 2019 Share #11 Posted August 21, 2019 If Leica owners really expected that, they were singularly naive... 🙄 Even if the company might be expected to remake parts that they produced -if that, there are no R parts, and good luck with any model before the M6 TTL- themselves, all the electronical parts had/have to be sourced on the volatile (mostly Asian) component market. No parts supplier will guarantee a supply for an indefinite time. The LCD story has been chewed to the bone, it was hardly Leica's fault, but of course their responsibility, and Leica did offer an upgrade program on that occasion. However, if you are going to complain about the repairability of digital products, Leica has always said that their aim was to ensure full support for ten years, which, in the case of the M8, would be 2018. However, for repairs that exceed the economic value of the camera - and a sensor replacement is certainly is one of those-, it makes no sense to stock any parts, even for a shorter duration. Who is going to pay in excess of 2000 Euro to repair a camera that is worth less than 1000 Euro? Leica will happily carry out any sensible repair on the M8, as long as spares stocks last. Used Leicas are indeed an entry drug, but be prepared to move up as time progresses. If one breaks too expensively, simply get another used camera. The myth of "a Leica is forever" is lost in the mists of time. Welcome to 2019. On a side note, my mid-2012 Macbook Pro was declared "vintage" by Apple in 2018 - no parts and they won't touch it for repair in general. Newer Macbooks have all parts soldered in and are virtually irreparable on an economic basis from new. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
analog-digital Posted August 21, 2019 Share #12 Posted August 21, 2019 (edited) vor 10 Stunden schrieb Nora Charney: My Leica m8 ccd sensor doesn’t work and Leica says they can’t fix it because they no longer have the part! What to do? What exactly is not working? Pic's would be good for any ideas..... Sensor, Screen or what????? Edited August 21, 2019 by analog-digital Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jankap Posted August 21, 2019 Share #13 Posted August 21, 2019 Exactly, perhaps one can combine two defective M8´s. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nora Charney Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share #14 Posted August 21, 2019 Thank you to everyone who offered comments. Regarding the ccd sensor for the Leica m8, I spoke with the senior customer service representative at Leica in New Jersey. She consulted a technician who confirmed that the sensor was no longer available either there or in Germany. I expressed astonishment and dismay that a reputable company such as Leica could not repair a camera that was less than 15 years old. I also learned that Leica has farmed out the sensor to Kodak because they had trouble making it and Leica knew there were problems with the sensor. Yes, I have an expensive paperweight. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted August 21, 2019 Share #15 Posted August 21, 2019 Leica has never made digital sensors AFAIK and can hardly replace one w/o having spare parts. I would not expect it or any other digital camera maker to keep spare parts for 15 years but i may be wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 21, 2019 Share #16 Posted August 21, 2019 37 minutes ago, Nora Charney said: Thank you to everyone who offered comments. Regarding the ccd sensor for the Leica m8, I spoke with the senior customer service representative at Leica in New Jersey. She consulted a technician who confirmed that the sensor was no longer available either there or in Germany. I expressed astonishment and dismay that a reputable company such as Leica could not repair a camera that was less than 15 years old. I also learned that Leica has farmed out the sensor to Kodak because they had trouble making it and Leica knew there were problems with the sensor. Yes, I have an expensive paperweight. Sensors are always "farmed out" to third party manufacturers (although Canon made their own for a while) The mother company may be involved in the sensor maker, like for instance Panasonic does, but in the end, sensor making is a highly specialized and separate business. For one thing, the sensor making machines cost many millions of dollars, which would be wasted if they were underused. In general, most internals for digital cameras come from other companies than the final assembler brand. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmradman Posted August 21, 2019 Share #17 Posted August 21, 2019 If M9 was launched on 09/09/09 than M8 & M8.2 cameras are less than 10 years old (just), i believe both M8 and 8.2 share same sensor board. Not sure what is manufacturer's obligation in the most consumer protected markets to stock spares & maintain product - 6, 7, 8, 10, more years? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 21, 2019 Share #18 Posted August 21, 2019 AFAIK 5 years. The M8 was replaced by the M8.2 early 2008 IIRC. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iedei Posted September 1, 2019 Share #19 Posted September 1, 2019 (edited) On 8/21/2019 at 9:09 AM, Nora Charney said: Thank you to everyone who offered comments. Regarding the ccd sensor for the Leica m8, I spoke with the senior customer service representative at Leica in New Jersey. She consulted a technician who confirmed that the sensor was no longer available either there or in Germany. I expressed astonishment and dismay that a reputable company such as Leica could not repair a camera that was less than 15 years old. I also learned that Leica has farmed out the sensor to Kodak because they had trouble making it and Leica knew there were problems with the sensor. Yes, I have an expensive paperweight. I recently discussed this with Leica repair in NJ and they told me the same as you. What i am perplexed about is HOW Leica were able to find OR develop 'upgraded' CCD sensors for the M9/MM and how this isn't possible for the M8. I am currently trying to discuss this with Leica in germany. I think it's very discouraging to find Leica not helping M8 owners keep their cameras running. NO it's not financially rewarding for them, but as a philosophy this is going to discourage future buyers of Leica digital cameras of purchasing expensive digital equipment that is at risk of being non-serviceable at a future time. Will let you know what Leica AG says to me. Leica is a profitable company and i feel they should invest in the past as well as the future. The M8 has a cult following which has kept values strong. Edited September 1, 2019 by iedei 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nora Charney Posted September 1, 2019 Author Share #20 Posted September 1, 2019 Yes. Thank you for this post and your persistence. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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