[ INFO ] Kolari Vision repairs cover glass with corrosion BUT only for M9 & M-E, NOT M9-P

[Daniel H. L]

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Dear friends,

I have a M9-P with corroded sensor and I contacted Kolari Vision this morning.

https://kolarivision.com/leica-m9-sensor-corrosion-repair/

Unfortunately, I was told that they repairs the cover glass only for M9 and M-E as titled, Not M9-P.

I thought it may be possible for both M9 and M9-P since they have same sensors but that's what I was told anyway.

I hope it helps for those who have M9-P with corroded sensor.

It is sad that there's no way to fix the corrosion issue on the M9-P.

What would you do with your corroded M9-P?

Any suggestions or advices would be appreciated.

Edited August 2, 2021 by Daniel H. L

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[Bart D]

If I'm not mistaken, there are a number of places where you can still get a corroded sensor fixed, including M9-P.
See this thread.

This is just from memory. I'm afraid you'll have to read through it to gather the needed information.
My M9-P sensor was replaced by Leica.
 

[Daniel H. L]

Thank you Bart for your reply with the thread.

MaxMax also offers same service for corroded sensor but it's $500 more expensive than Kolari and the link below makes me not getting services from them.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174228

So now Kolari and MaxMax are not an option so I will read the thread to find other places.

Thank you very much again for the info.

 

 

[tele_player]

Just for information.

I recent sent my M9 and $999.99 to Kolari. Working perfectly, but with ‘corrosion’.

A few weeks later, I received email saying the cover glass was cracked, asking should they proceed with repair. I replied OK. 
Next email said they replaced cover glass, and were ready to test. This was followed by an email saying sensor was dead.

Kolari returned my dead M9, and refunded the $999.99.

Needless to say, this was very disappointing. Caveat Emptor.

 

 

 

[codocee]

5 hours ago, tele_player said:

Just for information.

I recent sent my M9 and $999.99 to Kolari. Working perfectly, but with ‘corrosion’.

A few weeks later, I received email saying the cover glass was cracked, asking should they proceed with repair. I replied OK. 
Next email said they replaced cover glass, and were ready to test. This was followed by an email saying sensor was dead.

Kolari returned my dead M9, and refunded the $999.99.

Needless to say, this was very disappointing. Caveat Emptor.

 

 

 

Any specific information on “dead sensor”. You say the camera worked perfectly except corrosion. What was it that rendered the sensor dead? In changing the cover glass, is it now unable to produce an image? 
Did you know the cover glass was cracked?

Prior to sending it in,  were you using the camera and could you salvage those images in post if you had wanted to go to print with any? I ask because I’m in a similar position.

[tele_player]

1) the camera just makes a black image now.

2) something in Kolari’s procedure killed the sensor. Read Kolari disclaimer.

3) yes, changing the cover glass rendered it unable to produce an image.

4) no, I didn’t know it was cracked. They sent me a photo of the sensor (after being removed from camera) showing it was cracked around outside edge. I’d not seen anything in test shot the day before I shipped. Prior to replacing the glass, they warned me that the crack increased the risk of debris remaining on the sensor.

5) I hadn’t used the camera in a couple years. Decided to use it again, noticed corrosion in photos.

6) maybe it could have been used for some shots, it never occurred to me.

I’ll probably just sell all my lenses, and get a camera more appropriately priced for disposable technology. I’m not a pro, and not even a serious amateur anymore. My LX3 still works.

Edited August 13, 2021 by tele_player

[codocee]

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19 hours ago, tele_player said:

1) the camera just makes a black image now.

2) something in Kolari’s procedure killed the sensor. Read Kolari disclaimer.

3) yes, changing the cover glass rendered it unable to produce an image.

4) no, I didn’t know it was cracked. They sent me a photo of the sensor (after being removed from camera) showing it was cracked around outside edge. I’d not seen anything in test shot the day before I shipped. Prior to replacing the glass, they warned me that the crack increased the risk of debris remaining on the sensor.

5) I hadn’t used the camera in a couple years. Decided to use it again, noticed corrosion in photos.

6) maybe it could have been used for some shots, it never occurred to me.

I’ll probably just sell all my lenses, and get a camera more appropriately priced for disposable technology. I’m not a pro, and not even a serious amateur anymore. My LX3 still works.

That's why I asked about your claim of not seeing anything in a test shot the day before sending it off. That tells me that it was able to at least produce an image, although with corrosion showing. With that said, all the M9 variants have proven beyond doubt that it is highly unlikely of a successful repair. 

Although the result is not something I'm sure you're not too pleased with, I'd like to thank you for answering all my questions and providing the forum with your personal experience with the attempted repair. Ill opt to keep my M9M as is, corrosion and all, and use it until it becomes  too problematic. In low light, non sky included images, I can continue to justify pushing the shutter button on occasion.

Thanks again!