M9 repair or replace?

[Rolleiflexible]

I gave Melanie a Leica M9 ages ago. Now it has a corroded sensor and I gather Leica no longer repairs them. I see that a few third-parties repair them for US$1000 but results are not guaranteed.

What to do?

Melanie loved the camera for its film-camera-like ergonomics and the quality of the images it made. Is there a replacement that makes sense for under, say, US$3000?

If not, then what do you recommend for a repair attempt?

Does Leica offer any trade-in value on an afflicted M9?

I knew I retired too soon

 

[BrianShaw]

Give her a Rollei!

 

[BradS]

I don't think I'd bother / risk a repair.
How about a replacement with a modern camera that also has film camera like ergonomics?
A few come to mind....
Fuji XT-5 or X-T30ii?
Nikon Zf or Zfc

 

[Rolleiflexible]

Give her a Rollei!

I have! Many times!

 

[Bushcat]

Leica stopped the repair programme a few years back presumably when it ran out of sensors. The upgrade programme is still available, so if you have a spare $4000-$6000... Have you contacted Kolari? They do IR and full-spectrum sensor conversions, so banging a new bit of glass on the M9 should be no problem. I would imagine the results ARE guaranteed.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

I would imagine the results ARE guaranteed.

Alas, no. See the lengthy disclaimer aat the end that basically says, We'll do our best but no guarantees:

Kolari Repair Service for the Leica M9 Camera – Kolari Vision

Repair your Leica M9 Sensor and fix your corroded sensor and sensor rot, alternative to a sensor replacement.

kolarivision.com

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I think if I had a broken M9 I might throw $1000 at it to get it fixed if I was really in love with it. I look at things as a zero sum regardless of how much I've already invested in it, so the cost of having a working camera again would be the cost of the repair factoring in what the camera would sell for being inoperable. If the camera is worth $1000 as is, and the repair is $1000 then the actual cost of the repair would be $2000. You might want to talk to her to see what she really sees herself doing in the future. Maybe it is time to move on. Your hesitation says a lot too and I don't blame you.

If she likes the Leica then she might dig the Fuji XPro series which would be ergonomically nearly the same. Sensors aren't full frame though so if she wants to continue using Leica glass that would be a consideration. Fuji does perhaps the best color which is a big plus. If I were starting from scratch and wanted to just get a digital camera for myself I'd get a Fuji. Keep in mind mirrorless cameras, which is pretty much everything these days, all have electronic viewfinders. She might really hate that. The XPros have an optical finder if I am not mistaken.

If she wants to keep using Leica glass then maybe a newer Leica would work. Don't know what they cost though.

Hope that helps...

 

[mshchem]

Alas, no. See the lengthy disclaimer aat the end that basically says, We'll do our best but no guarantees:

Kolari Repair Service for the Leica M9 Camera – Kolari Vision

Repair your Leica M9 Sensor and fix your corroded sensor and sensor rot, alternative to a sensor replacement.

kolarivision.com

I would not put anymore money into such an old digital camera. I have a M11 and a XPro 3. I use them not much. I shoot more film.
The Leica M digital bodies are neat. The M11 is idiot proof, why I like it, no video! However the cost is astronomical!

 

[Rolleiflexible]

I would not put anymore money into such an old digital camera. I have a M11

I think if I had a broken M9 I might throw $1000 at it to get it fixed if I was really in love with it.

It’s a tough call but I think the right answer for her is to repair the M9. The sensor on those cameras is a Kodak CCD with a unique look. (The M10 and M11 have more generic CMOS sensors.) That matters a lot to Melanie. The camera is otherwise built like a tank, as one would expect from Wetzlar, so it should last long enough to make the repair worthwhile. And it is looking like the path of least expense for her needs.

Still open to suggestions but we are leaning toward repairing the M9.

 

[mshchem]

It’s a tough call but I think the right answer for her is to repair the M9. The sensor on those cameras is a Kodak CCD with a unique look. (The M10 and M11 have more generic CMOS sensors.) That matters a lot to Melanie. The camera is otherwise built like a tank, as one would expect from Wetzlar, so it should last long enough to make the repair worthwhile. And it is looking like the path of least expense for her needs.

Still open to suggestions but we are leaning toward repairing the M9.

If it's a nice example, sure. Sounds like Kolari will alert you if the camera is a mess. Keep us posted.