Advice Needed - Dealing with Leica About Monochrom Sensor Issue

[photogirl]

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Looking for advice. I am the original owner of an original Leica Monochrom camera. When the problem with sensor corrosion first happened years ago, I sent my camera to Leica and was told my sensor had not corroded. I continued to use it and never saw any problems with the sensor Recently, after not using the camera for a long time, I tried to use it and got a shutter fault error message. (The camera was kept in a low-humidity environment.) I sent the camera to Leica and am now being told that my sensor is corroded, they don't have any replacement sensors, they will not fix my shutter, and my only option is to spend $3,500-$6,000 to get a "discounted" new Leica camera. Seems extremely unfair to me. Anybody else had this experience or anybody have any suggestions. 

[IkarusJohn]

Hi Photogirl,

If you wade through the pages and pages of posts here, you will see lots of outrage and “sage” comment about the life of electronic products.  The reality is, you either take the trade in offer,  or sell off your M lenses and move on.

Leica gave plenty of warning that the replacement sensors were going to run out.  Unhelpful to say now, but it might have been an idea to pay to have your sensor replaced while they were still available.  I can’t recall the cost (mine was replaced free), but it wasn’t cheap.  Spare a thought for the first group to have their sensors replaced with the same faulty cover glass.

Sorry not to have any better ideas.  It wasn’t Leica’s finest moment.
John

Edited May 19, 2022 by IkarusJohn

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[bags27]

Don't know if Kolari could help. Maybe contact them?

https://kolarivision.com/product/leica_m9_repair/

sorry and good luck!

[Jeff S]

Or you could buy a clean used M Monochrom, with new sensor, Leica German servicing and Leica/store warranties, from a reputable dealer like Leica Miami, which has them occasionally.  That’s how I bought mine 5 years ago, after calling to be put on a watch list.  One arrived 3 days later.  A minty, low mileage one will now list around $3500.  Miami recently sold one for about $4k, but it was extremely low mileage with extra battery and other accessories.  I would also ask them if there’s any value in yours, somehow.

Jeff
 

 

Edited May 19, 2022 by Jeff S

[jaapv]

23 minutes ago, IkarusJohn said:

Unhelpful to say now, but it might have been an idea to pay to have your sensor replaced while they were still available.

Actually, Leica has always refused to replace uncorroded sensors.

[IkarusJohn]

Just now, jaapv said:

Actually, Leica has always refused to replace uncorroded sensors.

True.  I was assuming that the sensor had started to corrode when the programme was being phased out.

Let’s not get back into the whole replacement debacle.  Photogirl isn’t alone.  Mikali’s experience with his cameras was similar.  When my M9-P started to corrode, the upgrade to the M(240) was unappealing (they wouldn’t proivde an M10 upgrade) and I had no faith in the sensor just being replaced with the same faulty component, so I persuaded Leica to give me a trade price on an M-A.  Couldn’t be happier …

[ramarren]

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When my M9 showed corrosion of the sensor, I sent it in to Leica. They informed me that the sensor was corroded and I had the option of either having it repaired or accepting the fair trade value and buying a new M-P 240. The M10 wasn't available yet. I went with the M-P 240 and was glad I did so ... It's a far better camera than the M9, IMO, and worth the extra money it cost me. This was, of course, before the dire days when the sensors were running out. 

I think the best thing to do is just bite the bullet and find the best deal you can on an M 240 series, an M262 series, or an M10 series camera. The M9 and M9-M are both nearly 12 year old technology now and it isn't worth investing more money and anguish into technology that old. The M 240 series cameras are very solid, as are the M 626 and M10 generation. 

The M10 Monochrom I acquired a couple of weeks ago is simply a far, far better camera than the M9 or M-P240 were. I'm delighted with it. 

G

[newnew]

I got this from Ikolari web site :

Our Repair

That’s where Kolari came in. We’re happy to announce that we can repair the Leica M9 sensor and replace it with corrosion resistant glass starting at $999. We’ve removed Leica coverglass before, but haven’t looked into this repair earlier since there was a warranty option through Leica. We found out about this recent news after a few customers emailed us asking about the repair. So we picked up an M9 with a corroded sensor, and gave it a shot. We were able to delaminate the corroded filter from the sensor, and replace it first with BG60 glass and now BG61. This glass will last indefinitely without oxidizing per Schott test reports. We can also replace the glass with our full spectrum glass making it IR and UV compatible.

PLEASE NOTE: Orders placed without rushed processing can be expected to take aproximately 3-4 weeks for completion once the camera has arrive with us.

[pippy]

On 5/19/2022 at 6:28 PM, photogirl said:

Looking for advice. I am the original owner of an original Leica Monochrom camera......I sent the camera to Leica and am now being told that my sensor is corroded, they don't have any replacement sensors, they will not fix my shutter...

In common with most camera makers Leica doesn't make their own sensors; they buy them from specialist manufacturers.

The M Monochrom was replaced in Leica's model line-up by the Typ 246 which was released in April 2015; i.e. over seven years ago.

The manufacturer who supplied sensors for the M Monochrom stopped making that type a number of years ago.

Leica does not have any of these sensors left and, as no more are being manufactured, your camera cannot be repaired by them.

Your best option will probably be to have a chat with Kolari as mentioned by newnew in post #8.

Good luck.

P.

[Herr Barnack]

On 5/19/2022 at 1:28 PM, photogirl said:

Looking for advice. I am the original owner of an original Leica Monochrom camera. When the problem with sensor corrosion first happened years ago, I sent my camera to Leica and was told my sensor had not corroded. I continued to use it and never saw any problems with the sensor Recently, after not using the camera for a long time, I tried to use it and got a shutter fault error message. (The camera was kept in a low-humidity environment.) I sent the camera to Leica and am now being told that my sensor is corroded, they don't have any replacement sensors, they will not fix my shutter, and my only option is to spend $3,500-$6,000 to get a "discounted" new Leica camera. Seems extremely unfair to me. Anybody else had this experience or anybody have any suggestions. 

@photogirl I do not get their refusal to fix the shutter.  It is disappointing, and it sounds as if Leica is not being very helpful or customer considerate.  Perhaps it is time to climb higher up the Leica tree and see if anyone at higher levels in Leica will offer a more agreeable resolution.

If the quote of $6000 is for an M10 Monochrom, M10R or an M11, that means they are offering you a $3000 credit for your camera.  That might be something worth thinking about, if the $6000 upgrade cost is within reach.

If not, Ikolari can repair/replace your sensor; can they also repair/replace your shutter?  If not, you would have to spend $1000 or more with them to get the sensor repaired, then send the camera off to Don Goldberg or another Leica repair person to have the shutter repaired, which could cost perhaps $300 to $1000, and you would still have a used camera, susceptible to other issues. 

At some point, avoiding all the above hoop jumping starts to make Leica's upgrade offer look like the best option.

Whatever you choose to do, good luck.

[pippy]

1 hour ago, Herr Barnack said:

...Whatever you choose to do, good luck...

I'd suggest that the OP replying to any of the suggestions put forward in several strongly troll-esque posts "photogirl" has made since the 8th April would be a good starting point.

P.

Edited May 24, 2022 by pippy

[Jeff S]

The mods thankfully removed multiple redundant posts.  Still no comment from the OP.

Jeff

[pippy]

I think we all know the lie of the land here....

Philip.

Edited May 24, 2022 by pippy

[Herr Barnack]

1 hour ago, pippy said:

I think we all know the lie of the land here....

Philip.

Not all.  Perhaps you could enlighten the rest of us.

[pippy]

7 hours ago, Herr Barnack said:

Not all.  Perhaps you could enlighten the rest of us.

No. I managed to reach my own conclusion - partly because I had read all the posts before some were removed - and I will leave others to form their own opinion.

Philip.

Edited May 25, 2022 by pippy

[pedaes]

8 hours ago, Herr Barnack said:

enlighten the rest of us.

New poster so were the original 'facts' genuine? There are obviously some posts now missing to help you draw your own conclusion. Maybe best to take thread down?

[jaapv]

Whether the OP is genuine or not, Leica will decline to do repairs when they are considerably more expensive than the value of the camera, unless specifically requested (e.g. like sentimental value) So I can understand them to refuse to repair the shutter on a camera with a corroded shutter. 

[Luke_Miller]

I believe Leica NJ provides a one-year warranty on the camera after repairs. They may decline to perform partial repairs for that reason.

[Herr Barnack]

5 hours ago, pippy said:

No. I managed to reach my own conclusion - partly because I had read all the posts before some were removed - and I will leave others to form their own opinion.

Philip.

That was my point - some of us did not have that opportunity. 

At this point, it's water under the bridge, I suppose.  I for one am not going to dwell on it.

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[kirkmc]

I've been looking at used M9Ms. I saw one where the sensor was replaced in 2016. From that point on, do the sensors have any issues over time?