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Owners of Leica M cameras that suffer from ‘peeling’ CCDs will be able to claim a free repair in the future so long as the camera was purchased within five years of the fault becoming apparent, the company has announced. The plan has been set out to address what happens after the 16th August this year when the ‘regardless of camera age’ offer is due to expire.
After this date Leica will still replace faulty sensors in affected models that have been in use for more than five years but will ask owners for €982 towards the cost. Alternatively, owners may wish to take advantage of ‘even more attractive terms’ on a trade-in for a new Typ 240 class model. Quite what those attractive terms are though remains unclear.
Cameras that have an issue with a peeling layer on the CCD sensor are some M9, M9-P, M Monochrom and M-E cameras. The issue was recognised and acknowledged by Leica in 2014, and this announcement intends to begin to put a close to the free repair program.
Cameras that need to have their sensor replaced will also get a free 7-point service and overhaul as a good-will measure, which includes cleaning of numerous mechanisms and some repairs to the viewfinder and the multi-function wheel.
For more information see the Leica website.
Press Release
Latest information concerning the CCD sensors of the Leica M9 / M9-P / M Monochrom and M-E camera models
Following the successfully begun and largely completed replacement programme for corroded sensors that affected M9, M9-P, M Monochrom and M-E camera models, we would now like to inform you about how this programme will be handled in the future.
Until 15 August 2017, we will continue to offer free replacement of sensors for these camera models if they are affected by the corrosion problem. This will also apply after 16 August 2017 for the models listed above, but only in cases where the cameras have been purchased as new products within the last five years.
From 16 August 2017, and until further notice, we will offer our customers the following new programme for all camera models mentioned above that were purchased longer than five years ago. Here, the customer pays a share of the replacement costs for the affected CCD sensor amounting to 982 euros (825 euros plus 19% VAT). Included in this programme is a free general overhaul of your Leica M camera and a one year warranty on the same terms as for new products. This offer expresses our commitment to conserving the value of your camera.
We have also revised our upgrade offers with more attractive terms for our customers. Instead of a sensor replacement, we offer our customers the alternative option of sending us their camera affected by sensor corrosion in part payment for the purchase of selected Leica M camera models of the Type 240 generation at even more attractive terms. Leica Customer Care will be pleased to inform and advise interested customers about the terms and conditions of the upgraded offer.
With regard to the above, we would like to remind you that the replacement of CCD sensors and the upgrade offers apply only to cameras affected by this concrete problem, and only to the models of the Leica M-System we have listed above. Preventive replacement of sensors is not included in this programme.
The general overhaul of the Leica M camera includes the following items:
• Cleaning and overhaul of the shutter cocking mechanisms
• Cleaning and maintenance/repair of the multifunction wheel
• Cleaning of the main switch and shutter speed dial
• Adjustment of the baseplate locking system
• Refurbishment of engravings
• Renewal of the protective film on the baseplate
• Maintenance/repair of viewfinder displays
Q&A:
How can I find out whether my Leica M is more than five years old?
The date on which you purchased your camera as a new product applies. The sales receipt serves as proof of the date of purchase. If you no longer have your sales receipt, the age of the camera will be determined from its serial number. In this case, the date on which it was supplied to the dealer applies.
Which point in time is used for determining whether my camera is within the period designated for the full goodwill arrangement?
The date on which the defect was reported to Leica Camera AG applies. In each concrete case, a check of the camera by Leica Customer Care is required to prove that the problem is due to the corresponding sensor defect. This check can be made by sending the camera or a suitable test exposure to Leica Customer Care and subsequent checking of the camera by specialist personnel at Leica.
What can I expect to pay if I decide to take advantage of the upgrade option instead of having my camera repaired?
Leica Customer Care can provide concrete prices for your upgrade wishes on request.
Can I also upgrade to a Leica M10?
Due to the extremely high demand for the new Leica M10, this model is excluded from the upgrade programme. Only the direct successors of the Leica M9 listed below are available as options in the upgrade programme:
• Leica M (Typ 240)
• Leica M-P (Typ 240)
• Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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