"A real Leica M9 user never complains" - Sensor & camera replacement program -Thorsten von Overgaard

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Thorsten von Overgaard is a Danish writer and photographer, specializing in portrait photography and documentary photography, known for writings about photography and as an educator. You are always welcome to send an e-mail to Thorsten for questions, suggestions and ideas.
Thorsten Overgaard is an independent writer and photographer who write, teach workshops and publish user reports about the equipment he uses. There is no affiliation with Leica Camera AG or any camera dealers, no free gifts, no sponsorship, no kickback and no paid content. All you see is real and based on the life of an eccentric and hard-working photographer who makes his own money, buys his own equipment and form his own independent opinions - and shares with you. Enjoy the ride.
Video Credits:
Produced by: Thorsten Overgaard (www.overgaard.dk)
Equipment:
This video was made with the Leica SL bhpho.to/3cIbPEg and Leica 35mm Summilux-L ASPH f/1.4 bhpho.to/2MEr0nn , using Sennheiser wireless microphones bhpho.to/2zafn4v .
#LeicaM9 #LeicaMMonochrom #sensor
Job #2042-0820

[@MarcS4R]

I am glad i found an M9p with a revised sensor. (replaced 2018). you can easily check in the service menu if the Sensor is the latest generation : Delete -> up (2x) -> down (4x) -> left (3x) -> right (3x) -> Info . If it shows CCID 15 or 16 then its the latest corrosion free generation.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you, didn't know. CCID 15 on the one I had in my hand. MM is CCID 52.

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Never selling mine, that's for sure! I have a very late model M-E, so I hope the sensor will never have to be changed. Just love the colours and detail on that CCD so much.

[@Funktrainer]

Got a cheap silver chrome M9-P with the box last year. It is on its first sensor (from 2012). No issues at all. Love it! 😍❤️

[@johnfarley4201]

Thorsten thank you so much for posting this detailed review. Have come across an M9 with sensor problem and the owner very disgruntled and has received all the Leica offers but for one reason or another has decided to sell his camera rather than as it is now to benefit from the discount on a new camera. This fellow now will release his Leica lenses but so far not listed them for sale. Goodness me and your comprehensive review has explained to me what has gone on. Absolutely fascinsting stuff. Lkely will need to keep looking for one with an intact sensor to shuffle along with. Rather fancy the monochrome. Bless your heart for posting. Always enjoy your relaxed and easy way in your discussions. At time of writing have just managed to buy a Leica from Switzerland winging its way to me. I have a very good feel about this camera and can sense the ownership so cannot wait for it to arrive. Warm and very best regards to you old chap. John

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you 🙂

[@jimstavrakis3870]

Hi Thorsten I have both the m9 and the m9m and had both sensors replaced ,but I didn't care about spending the money on these 2 special cameras, I payed around $ 7500 AUD and that included buying the cameras and then sending both cameras to Leica for the new sensor , and believe me I never complained because they are m9s and I will never sell either of them. cheers to you from Sydney and i always enjoy your videos.

[@federicoq1279]

High Thorsten, great review as always. Encouraging, as I seem to still be stuck with my M9-P’s and MM... just can’t get myself to upgrade! Although there would be many reasons to do so, I resist the temptation as I feel they do all I need and more, real love for the 9 sensor (when healthy)... MM and one P replaced but one still hangs strong from the start. All my best!

[@robertolouth7468]

Love my M-E and Monochrom both with newer sensors since 2017

[@JimEmbury]

Thanks Thorsten. A good summary. Cheers from New Zealand.

[@TheFFreak]

Like many i was unhappy with the corrosion caused spots on my m9 sensor,..... after 10 years of use.....and then leica ran out of replacements sensors. Thanks to you Thorsten i became a aware of the upgrade program and decided to participate via leica shop vienna. Worked as advertised, at leica speed (3 months, but promised schedule kept). Now i am happy with a m10r..... which other digital camera maker buys back after 10years for >1/3 of new price? Not crazily generous, but fair, no complaint. Thank you Leica !

[@costascosta273]

Really enjoying your content. Thank you. I've recently sold a load of high tech camera gear as I was feeling de-motivated and have gone for an m8. Cost mainly because I did not know how I would feel about it having never shot with a rangefinder before. No concerns as I absolutely love the process and the output. Would love to see a video from you on the m8.

[@boris.dupont]

The M Monochrom is one of the greatest achievements in photography as far as I'm concerned. I shoot Fuji most of the time but this is my Leica and I'll never get rid of it, I'm just crazy about it. There's nothing like a true monochrome. Thanks, you rock!

[@franciscranfield2051]

Leica M8 is just as good at B&W as the Monochrom. I have them all and the Monochrom is just hype. Good camera BUT no better than a M8.

[@FusionOfPolygons]

Is the dynamic range same in M8 vs Mono?

[@lensman5762]

I am a Leica M owner, I have 4 of them film and divital. Monochrome sensor is no big deal. All sensors are manufactured as monochrome. The colour matrix array goes on top it at a later stage of manufacture. Kodak had a monochrome sensor inside a camera body years before Leica decided to go for mono sensor. The majority of the deep space imaging cameras carried a kodak or Sony , ccd, sensor and they were monochrome in the beginning. The scientific grade stuff were all monochrome. Leica has done well to find a market for this monochrome camera though. So kudos to them

[@DarrenLoveland]

Good video. Lots of comments in here of people whining about the product not being perfect (sensor). I shoot with an M9 and had the sensor glass replaced by Kolari. It's flawless and the glass has a lifetime guarantee from Kolari. This camera is 13 years old and will probably last another 13+ years. Show me another brand that can provide a camera with 26+ years of use that I will enjoy for the duration? I've had Fuji and Canon cameras fall a part or need major repairs after just a few years also. It's part of the industry if you actually shoot/work with your cameras consistently.

[@_H_2023]

Well I'm still using my Leica IIIf so show me a modern digital camera that they think will last as long as that!

[@Topsyrm]

Having watched your earlier videos on the M9, 3 tears ago I decided it was for me. I now have 3 all with documented new 2nd gen sensors and have no intention of letting them go whatever the prices rise to. I guess I got in at the right time as now the same condition bodies are going for about £500 to £1000 more with documented replaced sensors. Worth mentioning that when Leica replaced the sensors they went through the cameras with a fine toothcomb and what you effectively got back was a new camera in an old shell. Happy M9 user.

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

I have the M8.2 and love the color and definition. And I sure would like to have the M9-P with the bigger buffer and that lovely CCD sensor. Your vid is very helpful..Tak.

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

I got an M-9 and love it. It is not perfect but is sure is good. Great color. I am endorsing your enthusiasm over the M-9. It has the Leica replaced sensor and circuit board. Good color, especially with a good lens. ;o)

[@ericjudlin5834]

I have been a Leica M user for thirty years and I bought both an M9 and M9p And both had corrosion after Leica cancelled it’s free sensor replacement. No sane person would not complain. Leica is a disgrace in treating its customers and its products are faulty. How about the M6 with it’s plastic part that breaks so the film counter becomes faulty. Or the dodgy shutter on the M8. Or the corrosive sensor on the medium format S series. Not a great track record. The upgrades are no great deal. Unfortunately I’m still using the m240 series as I do love the rangefinder system but holding my breath for the next failure. I did a basic comparison between the M8 and M240 and was impressed with the similarities in quality and the M8 also does beautiful b/w images just watch out for that faulty shutter. Fuji just makes Digital Leica look embarrassing. If they brought out a coupled rangefinder digital I would drop Leica. Their medium format is cheaper too. Get your act together Leica

[@rafael55]

I agree 100% Leica does not care about you after you give them your hard earned cash.

[@UncleMichaelable]

Kolari vision repairs them. No company supports every model forever.

[@drs-Rigo-Reus]

Leica mostly is oppressive marketing. But the bodies feel good in the hand and the lenses are great, although too pricey. (Had M6, M4, 21, 35, 90). Full Fuji now, XT1 graphite, XH1, and the xpro2 in black and graphite. All excellent. I use Olympus my lenses on Novoflex adapter. And a series of excellent Fujifilm lenses.

[@macbookdieter]

I love my M9 and use it almost everyday.

[@paulanderson24]

Over the years I’ve had Nikon DSLR, Sony a6000 series mirrorless. I recently bought a Leica m8 which predated any other camera I owned since taking an interest in photography. No regrets. Safe to say my next camera will be a Leica.

[@60lbackpack52]

Leica should have replaced every single sensor for free, regardless of whether it was showing signs of corrosion. Sensors were corroding because of a manufacturer error or a design defect. Not the fault of the customers who just used their cameras.

[@grahamhedrick6865]

I 100% agree. I thought these jokers made the best camera's in the world

[@rrr43875]

@@grahamhedrick6865 That would be Fuji :)

[@Caesar.Aquanaut]

Exactly! My M9 is always kept in the dry cabinet with the humidity regulated in between 45-49% and guess what? I have the sensor corroded TWICE! The first was replaced for free during the program, I was told that the corossion will not happen again, and guess what, the 2nd gen CCD with the new coating corroded again after 2 years! But this time Leica is no longer repairing it. I'm still having the corroded M9 with me inside the dry cabinet. Since then, I've became a happier analogue M shooter.

[@peetje28021970]

First of all a good day Thorsten, thanks for making another video. Would it be possible for you to make a video someday in where we could have a detailed look at your cameras and lenses cause I like the way all your gear shows beautiful patina. I think a lot of fans of this channel would love to see the same, all the best.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I have two closets full for film Leica cameras, early digital and ... you know. So it could be fun to do :-)

[@peetje28021970]

Magic Of Light awesome, please make it happen.

[@MB-or8js]

Love my M-E 240. Released in 2019 for a short time but offers all the M 240 with exemption of electronic handgrip compatibility (which I don't need). Sensor of the M(E) 240 is the same as in the M 10 just with lower high ISO range, but you have basic video and cheaper possibility with off-brand EVF. I think the M-E 240 has one of the best price/quality ratios now.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Yes, the Leica M240 is a great camera and a great second-hand deal.

[@taneltinnuri8985]

@@GiancarloBenzina Thumbs Up helps a lot with heavy body. Try somthing real like Match Tech Whats wrong with the strap? Makes heavier? How should i carry my camera hen. Its not some Ricoh man.Everyhing else waste of money of course.

[@rolloffilm1996]

+++

[@zehnleicafotos3450]

Hi Thorsten, the last batch of sensors that were used to replace corroded sensors in M9 cameras are free from corrosion. On 7th, May, 2018, Gabriele Arnold from Leica wrote me stating that "The new sensor will not be affected by sensor corrosion". It easy to know if you have a "good" M9: You only need to look for the firmware version in your M9. If it is version 1.210 then you have the latest sensor, because this firmware was only installed by Leica "in-house" after changing the latest type of sensor. As a result, fortunate users who own a M9 v1,210 will see their cameras skyrocketing.

[@omegalast800]

...my M9 is v1,138... so presume it's not a "good" M9!? My sensor seems ok but the red filter over the sensor cracked some years ago in a bottom corner,.. have not a clue why it did so, never dropped it or anything. I just crop my pic's slightly to remove the line that appears in all shots. Any idea how much it would cost to replace the red filter, anybody?

[@anthonymiller8979]

@@omegalast800 If you go into the de-bug menu you can see what sensor was used. Sensor ID 15 and 16 are the newest, non-corroding versions. The first replacements were simply spares of the original sensors and still subject to corrosion (ID 11, etc...)

[@omegalast800]

@@anthonymiller8979 ...ok, thanks!

[@shahrammehdizadgan5614]

I’m very lucky to have two M9 cameras with newer sensors. If there wasn’t an M9, I would still be shooting slide film. This camera is the only digital camera that images look like slide film straight out of the camera jpegs. Plus it is so simple it feels like I was using an M6. Don’t buy this camera because you want a cheap Leica, buy it for the beautiful colours and even b&w’s straight out of camera, and treat it like a film Leica with all its limitations. If you are a film user you would love this camera.

[@nickfanzo]

I love my m3 and m6. I hope to get a digital Leica..one day

[@AdamCzarnowski]

Still got my M8 and M9P. Don't think they will be going anywhere either, even though I have an M10 and an M10M.

[@Funktrainer]

Same here but I don‘t feel the need to upgrade to a 24 MP CMOS right now...

[@paulanderson24]

I upgraded after a few to the 10MP CCD of the M8. Loving it

[@nothingness.emptiness]

Fun fact - The Leica Monochrom wasn't the first black and white only camera. Canon EOS DCS monochrome was released in 1995 (might even be earlier ones). This is coming from a Leica user.

[@nickdigrispino2409]

I wanted a decent rangefinder camera for a while now. Looked at used Leicas, Canons, and Nikons on Ebay. Too expensive for me. Found 2 FED 2s and a FED 3 for a fraction of what a Leica costs. I know the picture quality is not equal, but for what I do, the FED cameras and Industar lenses are fine.

[@yakattac78]

"If you feel like complaining don't do it in this video" 🤣😂😆. I love your channel! Informative and entertaining haha

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thanks for noticing. Some didn't, but that was expected :-)

[@alexandermayakovsky6550]

Excellent presentation as ever - informative and animating. I am thinking of selling my M8.2 and using the money to help buy a used M9. I have three Leica lenses (made in Canada) and dislike the cropping of the 8.2. The full-frame M9 would please me more, I think. I am also thinking of selling my M6 which might allow me to buy an M10-R or get close enough to afford that. At the time that I used the M6, I used to send the film to Kodak in Stuttgart for development. The results were phenomenal and I became a totally convinced Leica person. By the way, I also have a TL2 which I admire. But again, there is the cropping issue. It does have a nice video section which overheats after 1/2 hours of continuous use but supplies a notice and turns off the video automatically. I do prefer the manual controls of the M cameras but these and the TL2 are two very different concepts. The TL2 Overgaard video has been a big help. I am not only a big Leica fan but also a big Overgaard fan. Thanks for the way that you present and talk about your ideas and your dedication to the world of Leica and to us who are denizens of that wonderful world.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you. M9 sounds like a good idea. M8.2 is a great camera too.

[@EdwargGz]

I had the M10 and the M10-P, I sold them and now I’m in love with my M9-P, now looking for a classic M9. This camera has a really special soul!

[@kassimnorris9768]

Thorsten...Absolutely love what you are doing and appreciate your passion for teaching. Please do share the lens/focal length you used on the photo @9:54

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

35/1.4 is the lens for that :-)

[@RutaseBRs]

Bought a Leica ME (new) from Adorama in 2014. Haven’t been use the camera since last year and today I took out to make some pictures and for my surprise the sensor is completely corroded. Don’t know what to do because in Brazil they don’t have Leica Service. So disappointed.

[@franciscranfield2051]

Monochrom SOC is very un-film like and makes very digital looking images. No coincidence that Leica supplied SFX PRO with the original Monochrom. The M8 is just as good and makes much nicer B&W SOC.

[@jameswhiteside5213]

Love my M9P and I have no complaints at all. I bought it second hand from Red Dot in London right when the M240 was announced and the second hand price dropped. It has had two new sensors fitted by Leica without charge. It first got sent back to Germany to have the focus adjusted and came back with a new sensor too (for the period of that repair Leica Mayfair loaned me an M9), then it had the new sensor fitted under the replacement program when the corrosion arrived, again free of charge, and then last year I took it in to Leica Mayfair to have the sensor cleaned - which they also did free of charge. So it is an expensive camera, but Leica have backed it up with ongoing fantastic service, And along the way it has made many pictures that are loved by me any my family. I have an M2 as a backup. Long may they both continue to make photographs....

[@taneltinnuri8985]

They probably used airblower thats why it was free! 😅

[@jameswhiteside5213]

​@@taneltinnuri8985 I took it into Leica Mayfair. Previously, they had charged around £70 for the sensor clean I think. But on being handed the camera back a couple of hours later (they do the clean on site) I asked to pay and was told that Leica Germany was now covering the cost of sensor cleans. I don't know if that continues, but it was my experience last year. It was cleaned by a very knowledgedable guy called Jimmy, who I've come across several times before at Leica Mayfair.

[@jameswhiteside5213]

​@@taneltinnuri8985 No, I do the air blower clean myself. This was a proper clean. Not only is the sensor cleaned, but the camera itself was returned looking nicely cleaned up too.

[@taneltinnuri8985]

@@jameswhiteside5213 really nice, i believe you. Its was more like ironic way said..:)

[@taneltinnuri8985]

Perfect timing! I was looking for M9 but afraid of sensor not replaced and even heard Leica stop service M9 completley. Now with the discount program getting M9 makes more sense since Leica dont leave you with an empty hands! Well i think they still had CCDs but they want to sell newer cameras too and they came up with the discount program. Thats the business.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I think the sensor replacement program, AND making a new sensor, became really expensive.

[@Kdkjdjewerdnxa]

People have a right to complain, the sensor replacements are absurdly expensive and the replaced sensors are corroding and will corrode just the same as the originals. Plenty of real Leica M9 users are complaining about Leicas absurd repair fees for factory errors. Eduardo Pavez Goye made a great video about why he cannot recommend used Leica digital cameras anymore after his experience dealing with them with their Leica M8. Leica should be replacing these sensors for free, the camera isn’t even that old, Leicas are meant to last decades and if manufacturing error prevents that, it’s their problem to fix.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I sort of agree. I know Leica considered it "has been really expensive" to replace the sensors. I think it's because they had to use spare sensors, AND develop a new CCD sensor. Can you imagine having to produce a CCD sensor in small numbers in this day and age where all sensors are CMOS. When the Digilux 2 sensor was dying (went black), it was a Sony sensor and they had to pay for all expenses. In any case, I think there is more to this decision than just a spare part. I agree with you, but I also understand Leica's "fix" to buy the camera at second-hand price and not have that problem.

[@60lbackpack52]

Isnt it funny how Leica never specified which lot was affected by this issue? They likely knew that the entire design was faulty, affecting every single lot, but instead decided to replace only the cameras showing signs of corrosion to avoid admitting this.

[@lawyal]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard YOU SORT OF agree, not fully agree. YOU don't agree leica shall provide products without defects. i'm telling YOU i SORT OF agree because 1. these buyers know what they are buying, so they deserve it. this is the only solid excuse for leica. two others would also be reasonable are: 2. because leica rangefinder tech is so outdated that not competent for today's commercial practice at all, so most OF the owners are amateurs and can actually wait during the long process. and 3. because they can afford, so the fee is not really expensive.

[@adeade2553]

in Indonesia sensor replacement cost about $2000. little higher than the price of used m9 in good condition.

[@ningyuyang5470]

My fav and only digital m

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Yes, isn't it lovely!

[@60lbackpack52]

I thought about this issue some more. If the sensor corrosion was limited to a small number of cameras, then Leica should have been able to provide a batch/lot number for the affected camera by looking at past manufacturer records. However, I have the feeling that since every camera was affected by this issue, they didn't want to spend the money necessary to replace every sensor; hence, the program that replaced only the sensors showing signs of corrosion instead of recalling all the cameras.

[@RogerHyam]

On my M6 there is a lever on the top that changes the sensor between every shot ;)

[@johanstam3602]

M9 + 35 mm Summicron. Always regretted I sold that combo.

[@vadimhsu5114]

As a Leica-lifer, the only complaint I’d ever have - is with ignorants who complain about Leica. “Seek thy emotional blotter elsewhere for whatever joy is evading your otherwise unburdened mind” would be the best and only advice to dispense such challenged intellect...

[@Zetaphotography]

Mine was replaced in 2015 and they still wanted to charge me $1700. I dont like them any more. I will wait until all Leica cameras break and then go back to Hasselblad. Very unhappy with their customer service. I had great memories and pictures.

[@michaelheny3186]

Reuben Zuazua 2

[@6bender]

Perhaps your camera had other issues? I believe the sensor repair was free in 2015. I had mine replaced in fall 2018 and it cost less than $1K at that time.

[@siebenburguer]

Sadly my M9 just died some days ago, when I take a picture only a black or white screen or some weird purple or green lines are shown.

[@jameslabeck6407]

I love hearing “foto-graffy”. Great job. I love the TL2-thanks for your youtube video-and want your instructional video, but $$$.

[@nickfanzo]

I only own film Leica: m3 and m6. Thinking about leaving fuji to get full frame. Thoughts on the m240 or m262?

[@tamilhoward9708]

Thorsten will you be reviewing the M10 Monochrom?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Yes, will be going over Monochrom cameras in the near future

[@morgankane4115]

Does anybody know if I can buy a spare/extra sensor for my 240? Just to put in a drawer in case I need it in the future.. I hate changing my gear.. :)

[@tuftufclub159]

I am really wondering why you never speaks us about the Leica M8 ? It is a genuine Leica, the first digital M with a CCD sensor ! Still an affordable way to enter the M system. The B+W images direct out of the camera are beautiful ! Greetings, Roger, Antwerp.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I never used one when they came out. Sort of have it on the list, but wait and see :-)

[@johnlee5721]

I got one used with 318 clicks (and a new summicron 28mm). To my eye, black and white images look beautiful!

[@MIZRAIM1906]

You left out a ton about the CCD corrosion issue. Sensors replaced before 2016 are old sensors and will corrode again. Sensors replaced after 2016 will NOT corrode again. Therefore the used marked demands more for those sensors. The sensor after 2016 on the M9 Monochrome is CCD 53. On the M9 is CCD 15......

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Thank you. I would think the newly made sensors doesn't corrode, but I never heard that for a fact. Also, the reason for corrosion is worth knowing. In ana analogy, buying a second-hand lens from Philippines is more likely to have fungus than one from UK. So, does weather affect corrosion, or what is it. Nobody knows for sure, and nobody would guarantee a CCD sensor to last forever. Hence, my stand is, buy a M9 and cross your fingers and enjoy the love. Maybe it lasts forever, maybe you need to find another one in two years - or trade it in with Leica.

[@6bender]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard The sensor IR cut filter was not coated. The sensor itself is fine but the glass was the problem, though they were built as a single unit. A few recent companies are now replacing the glass cover. Remember, Leica itself did not manufacture the sensors and they were at the mercy of Kodak > Truesense > On Semi for the eventual redesign and replacements, which are no longer available. The redesigned sensor should be as good as any cameras sensor, as far as not corroding. The CCD sensor may last a long time or may fail at any point from failed electronics, like most anything modern.

[@csgband]

Thanks for this report, always good. I have a mono with a new CCD sensor (2019). I’ve been thinking about the M10 Mono. What are your thoughts on switching to the M10 mono. Or using the M10R and converting to BW? I have a M10, a Q2 and the CCD Mono. I am trying to decide which camera to upgrade if any? Thanks for your thoughts.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

M9M is a keeper. As for M10M or M10-R, the result will be very much the same, but the feeling may be different.

[@csgband]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard Thank you, that said, I may sell my M10 and get the M10R and keep the M9M. It really does have a great vibe. I appreciate your input. Chris

[@taneltinnuri8985]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard Is the M-P Monochrome with CCD basically M9M? If yes then what is so special in M9M if everybody raves about CCD colors.

[@malfaris82]

Hi.. waiting for Leica M10R review :)

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

In the making :-)

[@henrymomoua]

wil they still produce the battery?

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

I remember Kodak producing a mono camera around 2000/2001.

[@MarkDershowitz]

Hello do you know if the replacement ccd 15 has had corrosion issues? Should I be looking.for a ccd 16 version. I'm also thinking of getting a m240 to avoid all of these issue. I know the m240 is not the same but do spend money to avoid these issues?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Will get into the sensor codes later.Collecting info.

[@kakikachannel]

love leica ❤️

[@ThatJewishKid11]

Can I apply your M9 master class to an M8 ?

[@asifmmhashim_spazio9124]

Very informative!! Thank you.! Leica M-E has a newer sensor and less susceptible to corrosion?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I don't know. I am trying to compile information on sensors and codes so to guide how ti check sensor status on any camera. Give me two weeks to get it together in an article :-)

[@togangokbakar]

I have a M9 and my sensor was replaced once because of the corrosion. and it happened again in the replaced sensor! Leica is not changing or fixing it which is outrageous!!! Shame on you Leica! Why should i replace my camera and pay more because of their fault. It should be taken to a court. When leica replaced the sensor they stated that it wont happen again but it did. So this is a misconduct.

[@taneltinnuri8985]

Sir if you buy ANY camera it has warranty for 2 years if lucky after that no matter what happens is that manufacturers fail or not NO ANY company is fixing that gear! NEVER! Shame on you complaining about company that have been service and taken care of camera like 30 years. I dont care about Leica but i think they have pretty good repairing service.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

You can always send it in to Customer Service and say you were promised it wouldn't corrode again. Deal with Leica directly, they are usually friendly and understanding. Complaining in my comment field won't get you anywhere (other than more upset). Write to them as human beings, it's not a war. They try to service things and people where it went wrong and they try to fix it. Someone made a comment in another video that he fell into a volcano with his Leica; their repaired it for free as he was the first customer to fall into a volcano :-)

[@togangokbakar]

@Tanel Tinnuri unfortunately you are totally wrong. A camera can wear out by use or can go broken by use.And after warranty ends it will be users responsibility. But if you sell a premium camera like leica m9 with a malfunctioning sensor and replace it with another malfunctioning sensor which Leica stated that it wont happen again! , and then you ask for money then this is misconduct. And what makes Leica " Leica" is their legacy and their loyal user base. If you chew your loyal user base with such selfish approach leica will diminish. I have 5 summilux m lenses that i bought for Leica. I am selling all because of this selfishness and arrogance. Think about it this way: you buy a Ferrari and the engine falls apart because of a faulty manufacturing and they replace it and say sorry and wont happen again. then it happens again. and they ask for money for a new engine!!!! or give you a discount for a new ferrari :))) Would you buy a Ferrari again???

[@taneltinnuri8985]

@@togangokbakar Yes its safer to buy a new Sony or Fuji - which are great too!

[@togangokbakar]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard I already did :) They asked for 1500 Euro for sensor replacement :) i understand your point but commenting here does not make me more frustrated. It is better to share to reach out with other people with the same problem. That way leica can here the voices of their users. I am against creating mystification and holiness on any brand . I like leica ,as i said i own a lots of leica gear but its a company for making money. and companies can make mistakes. and this is one them. and should be criticized.

[@rosemaryo3589]

I was in the Mayfair store and knowing nothing about the corrosion possibility, Leica returned the camera to the laboratory for free. Excellent service

[@jamieholmes5443]

How does it perform ion low light?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

You go to maximum 800 ISO for color, for BW you can go a bit higher.

[@robertoposa1120]

Would you still buy a M9 in 2021 even if you have a M10 and M240 just for this special look of the CCD sensor?

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Old love never rusts. Once you have had an M9, I think you want to keep it. And then there are people who just now discover M9 and fall in love.

[@vangstr]

Sooo what is Leica doing with all the M9 they take in? recycle the metal parts? or a new M10C (model with updated CCD sensor)?

[@Funktrainer]

Just swabbing the dust off the sensors and reselling them on eBay...

[@richardowen4558]

Even at today's prices, the M9/Monochrom are out of my price range. As much as I would love the Monochrom, it is not going to happen.

[@cfagil]

I believe Nikon fixes the D750 shutter issue for free regardless if you buy the camera brand new or secondhand. There is also no time limit when you can send the camera back to them. That is what a responsible manufacturer who care about their product quality and reputation should do. Even with this free recall, professional users still complained that Nikon should not have made this mistake which affected their professional work. Guess you might say how ungrateful these Nikon users were. Imagining how much the car industry would love to use your slogan for their brands. VW and Mercedes would have saved billions of $ for not having the need to provide any free recall fixes or dieselgate compensations. Perphaps you may like to do another video entitled "Why Leica's customer service is so unique?" or "Why Leica users are so unique?"

[@Blackmind0]

..omg, can it be....my friend rosie...?

[@AmbercoolPhotography]

I can't keep a gf because my M9 never complains...

[@elifan2523]

Regret selling my m-9 p with a newly replaced sensor 😭

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Yes, I understand that.

[@ebreckpo6563]

What other camera manufacturer will service a 10+ years old digital camera. To my knowledge none. Some other camera makers have problems with a particular body and they do nothing. Just buy the newer model, or they have no more parts after 3-4 years... I am of the opinion Leica did/do a great job regarding this sensor corrosion issue. This needed extra research for an end of life product (M240 was released) and they had to invest extra resources for a replacement glass stack. Certainly from an end user standpoint I can only applaud the coulance in the warranty extension by many years for this camera. I sincerely hope they will adopt the same strategy in the unlikely event something goes wrong with their other products.

[@qwertyman9560]

Ridiculous argument unless you are being sarcastic! Its a freaking 5000+ $ camera system you are talking about. Absolutely ridiculous to say you cant complain about of all the things the sensor corroding. So, as I understand there is really nothing you can do if your m9's sensor is going to the dogs and you still want to use it, unless you are ready to trade in (sort of) for a different model.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

I'm being sarcastic.

[@slimnics]

i thought you were going to say "....wear a mask"

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

Don't get me started ...

[@tt_photoworkshop3458]

You have too much audiences then you deserve

[@ronaldmoravec2692]

I do complain. Very late M9 for which I was careful in all respects for 500 exposures. Suddenly corroded in middle of shoot. Warrantees were gone. $7000 down the drain.

[@markkauda6185]

OMG, my Leica M9 from 2010 and the sensor is old, however there is no corrosion on it. (12523 exposures). P.S Climate of Russia can be dry and cold

[@chris_jorge]

Complaining publicly is exactly the only thing companies will respond to.

[@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard]

That is incorrect. If you send a camera to Leica and state what's wrong, or show up at the factory and hand it over, the likelihood is that they will help you in a gentle way. Bully-strategy may work, but why would you pit other people in that situation when normal communication and dialog can accomplish the goal and all can be happy to solve a problem.

[@chris_jorge]

@@MagicOfLight_ThorstenOvergaard i'm not arguing against that. i agree politeness is the first step to getting your issue resolved. however, the M9's corrosion problem is different. Leica shipped a product with a faulty component. problems of these type generally only gain traction after they start hurting the brand and not before. there's no incentive for Leica to publicly disclose an issue with their sensors if leica users were bound to some sort of code of silence. my advice is discuss with your peers if you experience an issue, and remind product companies to focus on making great products or else we'll end up marketing companies.

[@TheSololobo]

Yeah, losing thousands is part of the Leica experience, consider yourself privileged.

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

Not necessarily. I paid £500 or thereabouts for my 50mm Summicron in 2000 and around £1200 (if I recall) for my M6TTL in 1999, both new. Have you seen the prices for those now?

[@TheSololobo]

@@Tom_KZbin_stole_my_handle Im sure there's been some great deals along the way but generally speaking. And yes I've seen prices for an M6 way past the half way point cost of a current MP at which point you might as well make the jump for the new, imo.

[@rafael55]

Leica does not care too much about their customers. I am sure about that. When I complained to Leica about my M6 corrosion on the top plate they did not care. They wanted to charge more that what the camera cost new to fix it. Many M6's have the same problem. They don't care.

[@oreziopancrazio3685]

so you are just pretty much forced to buy a new camera, that doesnt cost anything near 8,000 dollars to make, but its just marketing price, and they discount barely 2000, what is left is 6,000 us dollars, which again its a ridicoulus marketing price and nothing more. very fair from leica, instead of replace your camera for a new one they gently make you spend even more money. and i should be happy with that? special or not, this is mocking people. and i hate to be mocked. especially from corporations

[@zakijaihutan4537]

I like and respect most of your content, but this one surprises me, and I cannot help but comment (although what I say here is already reflected by some other commentators). This is just FALSE . You want tons of megapixels, don't take 18 mpix M9. Yes, agree. You want fast sport action camera with great buffer, don't take M9. Yes, agree. You want a camera that reaches super silly high ISO with clean results, definitely don't take M9, and super agree on this. This is what it means by loving the camera for what it is, and the user should not complain. But design defect of a sensor? Hey, if day one they sell it stating "By the way our sensor is prune to corrosion, so customer must expect churning out money to replace it from time to time", then maybe this is acceptable. But no, they not. So no... this is not acceptable. Now people buying the M9 will simply have to take that into account, but it will never be acceptable for those (including me) buying the camera day one it came out, believing a very well thought camera for what it is (differentiate "what it is" with defect here). I love Leica, but I do not see any defence for Leica on this one...and yes, M9 users (at least those of the first ones), should state this clearly.

[@llr3zall151]

The REAL m9 user is an excellent point! The photographers who bought the camera when it came out, used it for 8 years and got their sensores replaced when there was an issue. And they simply moved on to the next cameras. Thats called TECHNOLOGY! It is not a film camera for fuck sake! It WILL die eventually! Any digital camera will... If you want a camera for a lifetime, buy a film camera(the gorgeous leica mp). I am 100% sure the people who complain about the m9 sensor dont even know the difference between ccd and cmos. The m240 is very cheap these days! Just buy that camera if you are so paranoid. Then again, if you REALLY need to have a ccd leica, maybe take a look at the m8/m8.2!!! Amazing cameras!

[@illyaswan]

Leica customer service is atrocious. They couldn't even accept a deposit for the sensor replacement to guarantee that I'd get a sensor prior to sending the camera across the continent: "Send it and we'll see if there is one available." It's definitely a personal thing, but I think I'll stick to second hand Leica lenses and adopt them to cameras from other manufacturers in the future.

[@franciscranfield2051]

Give it a rest -pretending to be a hotshot photographer. I have several Leica M9's ALL have corroded sensors DONT insult me by telling me that I am not a REAL Leica owner because I am unhappy that Leica saw me off with a faulty product. Save your BS to your fanboys on the LUF.

[@lawyal]

a REAL trump supporter never complains. i just don't understand, but i accept and respect that.