M8 ccd sensor not working

[84bravo]

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Leica was obligated to find an alternative to the M9 sensor because there was a defect that they had to make good on as a business decision. The M8 sensor had no defects other than the IR filter issue and they made good on that by supplying free filters. They still provide free filters for the M8 if you have the original guarantee card. In the not too distant future we won't be able to source original Leica batteries and the M8 will have literally met the end of the road, sensor or not. (The aftermarket batteries are just not up to the task)

I see no good reason at this point why Leica would be obligated to provide new sensors or upgrade sensors for a fifteen year old camera. In 2019 the M8 is popular only as a niche camera. I love the M8 for black and white work so much that I have three (one M8 and two M8.2). One of the cameras is mint and is held in reserve for use when one of the others eventually dies. The M8 is pretty cheap by Leica standards. I'm a professional photographer and use two M10's for work, but they just don't suit me for black and white work the way the M8 does. I wouldn't want an "upgraded" sensor if it changes the quality of the image (I find the M10 black and white to be "too perfect").

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[iedei]

16 hours ago, 84bravo said:

Leica was obligated to find an alternative to the M9 sensor because there was a defect that they had to make good on as a business decision. The M8 sensor had no defects other than the IR filter issue and they made good on that by supplying free filters. They still provide free filters for the M8 if you have the original guarantee card. In the not too distant future we won't be able to source original Leica batteries and the M8 will have literally met the end of the road, sensor or not. (The aftermarket batteries are just not up to the task)

I see no good reason at this point why Leica would be obligated to provide new sensors or upgrade sensors for a fifteen year old camera. In 2019 the M8 is popular only as a niche camera. I love the M8 for black and white work so much that I have three (one M8 and two M8.2). One of the cameras is mint and is held in reserve for use when one of the others eventually dies. The M8 is pretty cheap by Leica standards. I'm a professional photographer and use two M10's for work, but they just don't suit me for black and white work the way the M8 does. I wouldn't want an "upgraded" sensor if it changes the quality of the image (I find the M10 black and white to be "too perfect").

Batteries are NEVER going to be an issue for the M8. i have 3 batteries at the moment all aftermarket and they all work great.   Additionally the M9 uses the same batteries as the M8.  That's a total non-issue.   The M8 was not cheap and just because used values are low doesn't make it "cheap".  The M8 was a $7000 camera when new.  Historical and legacy products to provide adequate service and performance are a part of many industries in which products are kept.  Do you think BMW are not able to provided replacement dashboards for a 1986 E30 3-series?  They absolutely are able to.  Same should go for Leica and as the customer base we shouldn't have to settle for anything less. 

BTW i'm updating my last reply to incorporate something i was just told by Leica AG.   It's good news on behalf of the sensor availability issue. 

[iedei]

19 hours ago, Nora Charney said:

Yes. Thank you for this post and your persistence.

i have just received a long reply from AG and i stand corrected.  Leica Germany ARE still servicing AND replacing M8 sensors.   If you need a specific contact of the person i am speaking to send me a message and i will connect you. 

They don't have any solution for the screen but it sounds like they've been trying to figure it out.  Good news for M8 owners!

[lct]

1 minute ago, iedei said:

i have just received a long reply from AG and i stand corrected.  Leica Germany ARE still servicing AND replacing M8 sensors.   If you need a specific contact of the person i am speaking to send me a message and i will connect you. 

They don't have any solution for the screen but it sounds like they've been trying to figure it out.  Good news for M8 owners!

Interesting tank you. How much will Leica quote to replace the sensor? Just curious to see if it is worth it, which i doubt but i may be wrong.  

[iedei]

36 minutes ago, lct said:

Interesting tank you. How much will Leica quote to replace the sensor? Just curious to see if it is worth it, which i doubt but i may be wrong.  

I am not sure of the cost.  Worth talking to the Leica AG repair center in Germany. 

Also after my conversation with they are going to inform Leica USA of these sensors being available because Leica US repair has been telling people there are no sensors available and this will change after they are notified!!! They also told me there is no plan to stop availability and that these are the original CCD sensors. Good news for us!!

[lct]

Good news if the cost is lower than that of a s/h camera, otherwise i'm not sure to get the point...

[84bravo]

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1 hour ago, iedei said:

Batteries are NEVER going to be an issue for the M8. i have 3 batteries at the moment all aftermarket and they all work great.  

Aftermarket batteries for the M8/.M9 have been problematic for many users. They are plentiful now, but eventually Leica batteries and aftermarket will be very hard to find. Have you tried to purchase a Digilux 2 battery lately?

I don't expect any camera manufacturer to support sensors after fifteen years, even if the camera was $7000 new. Analog cameras are a different story because any skilled repair person could keep it running long past it's introduction. Digital cameras require proprietary tools and equipment to maintain repairs. Most of those repairs are not repairs at all, but replacement of assemblies, no different than a computer.

Now if Leica is still repairing or maintaining cameras at twice the cost of purchasing a used working camera, good for them. However, as a professional user I don't see that as a good ROI if I'm paying $2000+ in repairs for a camera that has a resale value of well less than $1500. YMMV.

[iedei]

37 minutes ago, 84bravo said:

Aftermarket batteries for the M8/.M9 have been problematic for many users. They are plentiful now, but eventually Leica batteries and aftermarket will be very hard to find. Have you tried to purchase a Digilux 2 battery lately?

I don't expect any camera manufacturer to support sensors after fifteen years, even if the camera was $7000 new. Analog cameras are a different story because any skilled repair person could keep it running long past it's introduction. Digital cameras require proprietary tools and equipment to maintain repairs. Most of those repairs are not repairs at all, but replacement of assemblies, no different than a computer.

Now if Leica is still repairing or maintaining cameras at twice the cost of purchasing a used working camera, good for them. However, as a professional user I don't see that as a good ROI if I'm paying $2000+ in repairs for a camera that has a resale value of well less than $1500. YMMV.

Batteries are not and will not be an issue.  Considering that the M8 and M9 series share batteries and chargers.  Almost everyone I know uses aftermarket batteries with no issues.  People buy $8 aftermarket batteries on eBay and complain about the issues! Lol

a couple of years ago Leica even issued a statement that some batches of M8 and M9 batteries didn’t interface well with the camera on displaying charge.  Why do you think that is? Probably because the manufacturers of ‘aftermarket’ batteries are the same or similar to the official batteries sold.  A total non issue. 

Edited September 2, 2019 by iedei

[lct]

Aftermarket batteries for M8 & M8.2 work fine is they are discharged totally in the camera. If not, you'll get false meter readings with them.

[lct]

4 hours ago, lct said:

Aftermarket batteries for M8 & M8.2 work fine is they are discharged totally in the camera. If not, you'll get false meter readings with them.

I meant false charging readings sorry.

[Nora Charney]

On 9/2/2019 at 7:47 AM, iedei said:

i have just received a long reply from AG and i stand corrected.  Leica Germany ARE still servicing AND replacing M8 sensors.   If you need a specific contact of the person i am speaking to send me a message and i will connect you. 

They don't have any solution for the screen but it sounds like they've been trying to figure it out.  Good news for M8 owners!

Thank you for contacting Leica in Germany. Please send me the contact. I would like to know if my camera can be repaired and what is would cost.

On 9/2/2019 at 7:50 AM, lct said:

Interesting tank you. How much will Leica quote to replace the sensor? Just curious to see if it is worth it, which i doubt but i may be wrong.  

 

On 9/2/2019 at 7:47 AM, iedei said:

i have just received a long reply from AG and i stand corrected.  Leica Germany ARE still servicing AND replacing M8 sensors.   If you need a specific contact of the person i am speaking to send me a message and i will connect you. 

They don't have any solution for the screen but it sounds like they've been trying to figure it out.  Good news for M8 owners!

 

[iedei]

On 9/5/2019 at 10:28 AM, Nora Charney said:

Thank you for contacting Leica in Germany. Please send me the contact. I would like to know if my camera can be repaired and what is would cost.

 

 

PM your email address and I will forward you the email address and info. 

[david strachan]

Mmmmm, looks like Nora was lead astray by Leica New Jersey.

😒

Thanks SYED for your extra work in clarifying the situation.

...

[Nora Charney]

On 8/20/2019 at 6:49 PM, 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?

 

On 9/1/2019 at 12:22 PM, Nora Charney said:

Yes. Thank you for this post and your persistence.

Hi everyone. Here's an update on the M8 sensor issue. Following the advice of forum member Syed I emailed the person whose address he had given me regarding a replacement sensor. This is the answer I received from William Weier was: "After numerous emails we are now able to get the sensor for the M8. To replace the main board/sensor and the body covering only, plus labor would be at a cost of $2300.00."

I very much appreciate all the information and suggestions from the members of this forum. Thank you for taking the time to reply. Now I have to decide whether it's worth repairing.

Nora

 

On 9/1/2019 at 12:22 PM, Nora Charney said:

Yes. Thank you for this post and your persistence.

 

[jaapv]

On 9/19/2019 at 6:24 PM, Nora Charney said:

Now I have to decide whether it's worth repairing.

 

Unless that camera has a strong emotional meaning for you, it definitely is not worth repairing.

[lct]

4 hours ago, jaapv said:

Unless that camera has a strong emotional meaning for you, it definitely is not worth repairing.

+1

[tobey bilek]

Small runs of electronic circuits can only be afforded by the government.  

All digital cameras go 4 cheap as they age because they can not be repaired.  The image is not that much worse than new ones,  but they are like old cars.

[Guest]

Am 19.9.2019 um 18:24 schrieb Nora Charney:

... This is the answer I received from William Weier was: "After numerous emails we are now able to get the sensor for the M8. To replace the main board/sensor and the body covering only, plus labor would be at a cost of $2300.00."

I very much appreciate all the information and suggestions from the members of this forum. Thank you for taking the time to reply. Now I have to decide whether it's worth repairing.

Nora

 

Am 22.9.2019 um 09:02 schrieb jaapv:

Unless that camera has a strong emotional meaning for you, it definitely is not worth repairing.

Due to lack of emotions for a technical object I replaced my M8.2 after 10 years (about 80,000 shutter releases) against a M10-P.
The drastically increased prices had to be co-financed by the sale of some Leica cameras and lenses of the last 65 years.
Changing a film is considerably cheaper than the expected replacement of the sensor.

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[CSG123]

And this is why I wouldn't seriously consider a Leica digital camera.  For those of you who can afford to buy $7000+ disposable cameras, more power to you.  But for me, I'll stick with my M4 - 53 years old and running strong along with a 62 year old 5cm DR Summicron.

[lct]

1 hour ago, CSGreene said:

And this is why I wouldn't seriously consider a Leica digital camera.  For those of you who can afford to buy $7000+ disposable cameras, more power to you.

How many pics can you take on film for $7000?