[Leica] M9 reliability question - from the Leica Website

Wed Jun 1 14:30:31 PDT 2016

Douglas,

 From the latest posting I could find, the best clue is the Firmware 
number.  Apparently, if the new corrosion-less sensor is installed, they 
update the Firmware to 1.204.  The previous version, for the earlier 
sensor, is 1.202.

Jim Nichols
Tullahoma, TN USA

On 6/1/2016 4:19 PM, Douglas Sharp wrote:
> http://uk.leica-camera.com/World-of-Leica/Leica-News/About-Leica-News/Global/2015/Update-CCD-Sensor 
>
>
> *Dated 31/08/2015:*
>
>
>      /"Update CCD Sensor of the Leica M9/M9-P/M
>      Monochrom and M-E camera models/
>
> //
>
> /We are very pleased to inform you that we have successfully completed 
> development on our new generation of CCD sensors and conducted 
> subsequent quality assurance testing under practical conditions. As a 
> result, Leica Camera AG can now begin replacing the sensors in the M9, 
> M9-P and M-E models that were affected by corrosion with sensors from 
> the new generation./
>
> /Sensor replacement for M Monochrom models will also begin shortly. We 
> will inform you of the precise date of this as soon as possible./
>
> /On this note, we would like to remind our customers that we can only 
> offer replacements for CCD sensors for cameras affected by this 
> particular problem; prophylactic replacement is not possible./
>
> /We thank you for your patience and for your loyalty to the Leica 
> brand."/
>
> Unfortunately, it doesn’t say exactly from when the "new generation" 
> replacements are being installed. But it seems to indicate that any 
> replacements made before 31 August 2015 must have been with older 
> generation sensors.
>
> Cheers
> Douglas
>
>
> On 01.06.2016 23:03, Jim Nichols wrote:
>> Nathan & Douglas,
>>
>> A search turned up this:
>>
>> http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/258531-m9-sensor/
>>
>> Jim Nichols
>> Tullahoma, TN USA
>>
>> On 6/1/2016 3:53 PM, Nathan Wajsman wrote:
>>> I have no idea when the cutover date was. I am basing my statements 
>>> on Peter Klein’s post.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Nathan
>>>
>>> Nathan Wajsman
>>> Alicante, Spain
>>> http://www.frozenlight.eu <http://www.frozenlight.eu/>
>>> http:// <http://www.greatpix.eu/>www.greatpix.eu
>>> PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws 
>>> <http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws>Blog: 
>>> http://nathansmusings.wordpress.com/ 
>>> <http://nathansmusings.wordpress.com/>
>>> Cycling: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/belgiangator 
>>> <http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/belgiangator>
>>> YNWA
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On 01 Jun 2016, at 22:43, Douglas Barry <imra at iol.ie> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Nathan, I'll pick your brain if I might as a Google search has 
>>>> failed to clarify this.
>>>> I didn't realise the sensor replacement was date critical. The 
>>>> private one near me here in Ireland had its sensor replaced 6 
>>>> months ago by Leica. I presume that's ok? If so, I just might make 
>>>> him an offer.
>>>>
>>>> Douglas
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nathan Wajsman" 
>>>> <photo at frozenlight.eu>
>>>> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org>
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2016 8:22 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Leica] M9 reliability question
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Thanks to all who have replied. So the story is not that 
>>>>> simple—not only do I need to know whether the sensor has been 
>>>>> replaced but also whether it has been replaced with the old one or 
>>>>> the new one. I have asked the seller when the replacement got done.
>>>>>
>>>>> And no, I do not want to deal with the hassle of sending a camera 
>>>>> to Germany and then waiting for who knows how long. My previous 
>>>>> experience sending my M8 for repair back in 2009 or 10 was not 
>>>>> that great.
>>>>>
>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>> Nathan
>>>>>
>>>>> Nathan Wajsman
>>>>> Alicante, Spain
>>>>> http://www.frozenlight.eu <http://www.frozenlight.eu/>
>>>>> http:// <http://www.greatpix.eu/>www.greatpix.eu
>>>>> PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws 
>>>>> <http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws>Blog: 
>>>>> http://nathansmusings.wordpress.com/ 
>>>>> <http://nathansmusings.wordpress.com/>
>>>>> Cycling: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/belgiangator 
>>>>> <http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/belgiangator>
>>>>> YNWA
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 01 Jun 2016, at 14:22, Frank Verizon 2 2016 
>>>>>> <red735i at verizon.net> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I would buy the one that has not had the sensor replaced, if I 
>>>>>> could determine the replacement is required. Then I would send it 
>>>>>> in for sensor replacement, getting the complete camera checked 
>>>>>> out and adjusted for free.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> There are those that would say buying a non-current digicam is 
>>>>>> silly. You are buying old technology. Not as good. My argument is 
>>>>>> that if it does the job you want, when you buy it, the age of the 
>>>>>> technology is not relevant.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The M9 has proven itself to me to be reliable and a great back 
>>>>>> end for Leica glass.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> $2500 is a bargain
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Frank
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Jun 1, 2016, at 12:05 AM, Nathan Wajsman 
>>>>>> <photo at frozenlight.eu> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have always said that once the M9 prices come down to a level 
>>>>>> that I am prepared to pay, I will buy one. Well, in the past week 
>>>>>> I have seen two for sale, for $2500 and $2200, respectively. The 
>>>>>> one I saw this morning has had the sensor replaced. Those prices 
>>>>>> are within my range, but I now have doubts about reliability. 
>>>>>> Clearly, buying an M9 that has not had a sensor replacement is 
>>>>>> out of the question; but in case one has had it, is the new 
>>>>>> sensor reliable—or is it just a matter of time before it starts 
>>>>>> rotting just like the original one did? And are there other 
>>>>>> reliability issues besides the sensor? Digital Leicas have not 
>>>>>> had a stellar record.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
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