Leica M9 CCD, could I still have the original one?

[dungeness]

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According to the camera store I purchased the M9 from... In 2011 it was converted from a N9 to an M9-P.  They said a new sensor was installed in 2013.  In 2016 it was sent into Leica USA for a few pixels and CLA upon which I bought it.  Leica USA has the record of that 2016 service but does not have any record of the CCD being replaced.  Accessing the information in the camera software, the camera says CCD ID 11.  I understand this to be indicative of the original CCD, which today, seems perfect.  I am wondering if this is the original sensor or not.  I will try contacting the store I purchased it from to see if they have any records that shows the CCD being changed.  Were some of the original CCD sensors not subject to corrosion?  Thanks for looking.

[andybarton]

Welcome to the Forum. 

Leica in Germany should have records of all factory-replaced sensors. Send an email with your serial number to the CS department. 

[LocalHero1953]

39 minutes ago, dungeness said:

According to the camera store I purchased the M9 from... In 2011 it was converted from a N9 to an M9-P.  They said a new sensor was installed in 2013.  In 2016 it was sent into Leica USA for a few pixels and CLA upon which I bought it.  Leica USA has the record of that 2016 service but does not have any record of the CCD being replaced.  Accessing the information in the camera software, the camera says CCD ID 11.  I understand this to be indicative of the original CCD, which today, seems perfect.  I am wondering if this is the original sensor or not.  I will try contacting the store I purchased it from to see if they have any records that shows the CCD being changed.  Were some of the original CCD sensors not subject to corrosion?  Thanks for looking.

It's not clear from the way you write which sensor you are hoping for - or do you mean it is in perfect condition? However 'perfect' the original sensor may be to you, any M9 with an original sensor is a corrosion risk. The first replacements were like for like, while the second round of replacements were not liable to corrosion.

As Andy says, ask Leica - and hope you have one of the second generation of replacements!

Edited June 21 by LocalHero1953

[pedaes]

50 minutes ago, dungeness said:

They said a new sensor

From memory the replacement sensors were '15' , but you should find both first and second generation sensors numbers if you use search facility.

Edited June 21 by pedaes

[dungeness]

Thanks, I will check with Leica Germany as suggested.  Is there a best email for contacting the CS department?  

It may be that Leica USA does not have the records.  I assume it unlikely that this is the original CCD as it shows no evidence of corrosion.

Thanks

[otto.f]

1 hour ago, dungeness said:

subject to corrosion?

If it’s the old sensor you have a very big chance that the corrosion would already be there. Try a shot with F16 and you should see it in that case. I don’t think so, because in that case you had posted a different text. If you can’t find the record of your M9, this forum and Leica should have info about the year and month when the new sensor went in operation. 

Edited June 21 by otto.f

[satijntje]

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vor 2 Minuten schrieb dungeness:

Thanks, I will check with Leica Germany as suggested.  Is there a best email for contacting the CS department?  

It may be that Leica USA does not have the records.  I assume it unlikely that this is the original CCD as it shows no evidence of corrosion.

Thanks

 

 

customer.care@leica-camera.com

[jaapv]

Contrary to Internet lore, not all M9 sensor IR filters will fail. This is due to the root cause of the problem. 
Corrosion is initiated by micro porosities in the anti-corrosive coating of the IR filter and basically a production failure. If you happen to have a blemish-free IR filter, and yes, few enough of those, there will be no corrosion. With the years passing by, the chance of striking it lucky will increase. 

[dungeness]

The reply from Leica was that it was made in 2010 and they have no record of a repair.  They suggested I contact Leica USA, which I have already, and they only have a record of the following.  Adjusted range finder, CCD pixel error, Sensor was dirty, cleaned, Cleaned, lubrication and Adjustment.

I am trying to call Leica Store SoHo in NYC, where I purchased it in 2016 and they said the CCD was replaced, but their phone says "busy".  Does anyone know if they are still in business?

I may want to sell the camera one day and would like to know and verify that the CCD was replaced or not.

[pedaes]

36 minutes ago, dungeness said:

CCD was replaced or not.

If Leica didn't change it, who could? All sensor replacements were done in Germany. Why do you think camera software incorrect (ID 11)

Without a formal confirmation difficult to sell claiming new sensor fitted on the say of shop assistant.

Edited June 24 by pedaes

[dungeness]

So Leica Germany was the only place that could change the CCD?  The shop, Leica Store Soho in NYC, did give me a date that the CCD was changed, 11-05-13.  It was also converted, they said from an M9 to a M9-P on 11-14-11, which is apparently correct.  Images attached.

The menu says CCD ID 11

 

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[jaapv]

2 hours ago, dungeness said:

The reply from Leica was that it was made in 2010 and they have no record of a repair.  They suggested I contact Leica USA, which I have already, and they only have a record of the following.  Adjusted range finder, CCD pixel error, Sensor was dirty, cleaned, Cleaned, lubrication and Adjustment.

I am trying to call Leica Store SoHo in NYC, where I purchased it in 2016 and they said the CCD was replaced, but their phone says "busy".  Does anyone know if they are still in business?

I may want to sell the camera one day and would like to know and verify that the CCD was replaced or not.

It will be a hard sell without a replacement certification by Leica.  If Leica has no record it is not replaced -which is confirmed by the firmware version-  and worth a lot less, if sellable at all. Leica Store Soho closed in August 2024. 

[Patarei]

I bought a M9 from Mpb Europe around a month ago. The price was very good. Actually a bit to good, but since I got 14 days return, and one year warranty, I decided to buy.

When my M9 arrived, I discovered that it had the Id11, which is the old replacement of the sensor. It was also clear that it had some corrosion problem, so I returned the camera and got a M9 monochrome with the new sensor.

 

[dungeness]

How did you notice the corrosion, was it on the image or on the surface of the CCD?

[Jeff S]

On 6/24/2025 at 10:56 AM, dungeness said:

I am trying to call Leica Store SoHo in NYC, where I purchased it in 2016 and they said the CCD was replaced, but their phone says "busy".  Does anyone know if they are still in business?

 

Closed a year ago.