By David Farkas, LeicaStore Miami
Leica has just updated the
CCD Corrosion Upgrade Program once again, this time lowering prices,
eliminating discontinued models, and adding additional camera options. The
program started in 2015 as an alternative to sending an affected camera in for
service. Recently, the price for a straight-up sensor replacement increased to
$1,595.
You can read more about
the two options and the history of the CCD corrosion issue in greater detail
here: Price Increased on Leica CCD Sensor Replacement
Program Changes
Discontinued models M (Typ
240), M-P (Typ 240), M-D (Typ 262) and Q (Typ 116) have been dropped and are no
longer available. Current models M10 and M Monochrom (Typ 246) remain in the
program, while getting price reductions ranging from $150 to $400 depending on
what camera is being traded in. Likewise, the SL (Typ 601) stays on, but
doesn’t have any price adjustment, already the best value in the bunch. And
now, the M10-P and M10-D models, both featuring the new quiet shutter, have
been added in as additional options.
To learn more about the
two newest members of the M family, check out our overviews here:
Eligibility
As before, only M9, M-E,
M9-P or original CCD-based M Monochrom cameras that exhibit sensor corrosion
are eligible for the upgrade program. We can help you determine if your
camera’s CCD sensor shows signs of corrosion. See below for instructions on
shooting a proper test image and how to email us the file for evaluation.
Cost Breakdown
| Upgrade from M9-P | Old Price | New Price | Change |
| Upgrade to M10-P | N/A | $5,800 | New |
| Upgrade to M10-D | N/A | $5,800 | New |
| Upgrade to M10 | $5,150 | $5,000 | – $150 |
| Upgrade to M Monochrom (Typ 246) | $4,350 | $3,950 | – $400 |
| Upgrade to SL (Typ 601) | $3,100 | $2,800 | No Change |
| Upgrade from M Monochrom | Old Price | New Price | Change |
| Upgrade to M10-P | N/A | $5,400 | New |
| Upgrade to M10-D | N/A | $5,400 | New |
| Upgrade to M10 | $4,950 | $4,800 | – $150 |
| Upgrade to M Monochrom (Typ 246) | $4,150 | $3,750 | – $400 |
| Upgrade to SL (Typ 601) | $2,750 | $2,750 | No Change |
How to tell if your camera
has corrosion
If you think your camera
may be exhibiting signs of CCD corrosion, you can email us a full resolution
JPEG file and we are happy to evaluate it for you. Should your camera suffer
from CCD corrosion, we can then discuss the best way to proceed with a sensor
replacement or camera upgrade. Here’s how to get us a full resolution image to
check for corrosion:
- Set the camera to shoot either DNG+JPEG or JPEG only
- Attach a lens to the camera (a 35mm or 50mm works best)
- Stop the lens aperture all the way down (f/16 or f/22 depending on the lens)
- For a subject, either a solid blue sky or a solid, light colored wall is ideal
- If shooting the sky, focus the lens to the closest distance. If shooting a wall, focus the lens at infinity (you want an image that is as out of focus as possible).
- Shoot an exposure of the wall or sky and be sure to move the camera around during the exposure (to blur any details in the image, as we want to only see what may be on the sensor)
- Email us the JPEG file for evaluation
Below is an example of an
image from an M9 that is showing CCD corrosion, which is highlighted in red
circles. You can see the white “halos” around the spots that indicate
corrosion. The sensor also has numerous dust spots that can be cleaned, however
it is important to see the difference between the regular dust (easily cleaned)
and the corrosion spots (which require a sensor replacement).
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Order: info@gmpphoto.com
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Order: info@gmpphoto.com
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography
Click on image to enlarge
Order: info@gmpphoto.com
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography
Click on image to enlarge
Order: info@gmpphoto.com
Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography
I read a lot of criticism of Leica regarding this problem. However, please keep in mind that the only camera affected by this was the M9 which was discontinued in 2012. Once the problem was discovered, Leica replaced the sensor free of charge.This was well publicized at the time and should have given every M9 owner plenty of time to have their cameras taken care of. This went well beyond the standard warranty period for the cameras and Leica could have ended any further involvement right then. Yet even now, 7 years later, they continue to offer a solution beyond just buying another camera. I don't see how this warrants any criticism, especially since the original fault lies not with Leica but with the sensor manufacturer, a fault that was not discovered until well into the sales period for the camera.
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