Sending in the Leica and Repair Time
Please send your Leica well packed and fully insured in neutral packaging. Accessories and battery are not required. Please remove the memory card.
Due to high technical requirements, repairs may take up to 4 weeks in exceptional cases. You may request a more precise estimate at any time.
Technical Background:
Many Leica M9 cameras suffer from sensor corrosion. The cause is the degradation of the IR-cut filter.
Our solution: replacement with Schott BG61 glass, which is fully compatible with the original Leica filter.
The images show sample photos taken with damaged Leica cameras and next to them photos taken with the repaired sensor. These are real images from several repaired cameras.
Note:
In many Leica M9 cameras affected by the so-called sensor corrosion, we have recently discovered an additional issue:
Along with the progressing degradation of the filter glass over time, the ceramic adhesive connecting the damaged sensor glass to the sensor also begins to break down. An oily, yellowish liquid consisting of sulfuric acid is formed.
This liquid forms at the edge under the filter glass where the former ceramic adhesive bonds the glass to the sensor. Since the liquid is mobile, it can move under the glass and reach the delicate microlenses on the sensor. There it causes stains or permanent damage. It can also destroy the golden bond wires that control the sensor. This acid is the definite death of the sensor. This phenomenon is relatively new and is now being reported by other repair shops as well.
Why is quick repair important?
Over time, the old adhesive continues to break down, creating more and more acid, and increasing the risk of permanent sensor damage. Timely opening and cleaning is therefore crucial.
What does this mean for the repair?
When removing the sensor glass, we must remove the acid completely and very carefully. Although we work with utmost caution, there is always a fundamental risk that a drop of this aggressive liquid reaches the microlenses or that the bond wires have already been damaged by the acid. In such a case, the sensor would be irreparably damaged.
Important addition: our new procedure
After identifying these new damages, we have developed our own method over many months that allows us to remove the acid without residue. In addition, we are also able to repair damaged bond wires to a certain extent. We continuously improve these working methods and the necessary tools. This means: as time goes on, we expect the repair success rate to continue increasing — but one thing is clear: time works against the sensor.
How do we proceed?
• In the cost estimate, we inform the customer whether the camera suffers from classic sensor corrosion or is also affected by the acid problem.
• If the acid problem is present, the repair can and should still be performed.
• The price remains the same as for a standard sensor glass replacement.
• However, we require a waiver for possible consequential damages, since the risk arises from the pre-existing acid — not from our work.
• At the same time, we point out that a sensor affected by the acid problem will very likely be destroyed anyway if nothing is done — while the repair attempt offers a realistic chance of saving it.
Experience & Trust
More than 5,000 cameras and lenses have already been repaired and modified by us. Over a thousand positive eBay reviews provide trust.
Questions? Call us — our contact information is in the legal notice.