This item is exclusively for customers from the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway
Due to customs regulations, the repair must be processed as a “refinement procedure” (customs repair process). If you are from with the EU, please select our cheaper items.
1.After placing your order, please provide us with the serial number of your Leica.
2.We will issue a pro forma invoice for the full repair price.
3.With this invoice, you arrange shipment of your Leica through your postal service or courier.
4.When filling out the customs forms, please declare clearly that the camera is being sent to Germany for repair (refinement) and attach the pro forma invoice on the outside of the parcel.
This way, you avoid import duties and VAT on the total value of the camera on our side. When we return the repaired camera, your local customs office will see that it was sent to Germany for repair. They may then charge duties and VAT only on the repair amount, not on the full value of the Leica. Because of this customs procedure, the repair price is higher than within the EU.
Professional Repair of the Sensor Glass of Your Leica M9 for Corrosion and Scratches
We replace the damaged filter on the sensor of your Leica camera.
Two-Step Process
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Shipping the Camera: Order the item "Leica-M9-Inspection" and send us your Leica M9. We carefully check if replacing the defective filter is possible. We repair all Leica M9 models (Standard, M9M, M9-P, M-E, Titanium).
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Success Rate: In about 9 out of 10 cases, repair is possible. This value was determined after 1 year of performing these repairs.
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Repair: After our confirmation that repair is possible, you purchase the item "Leica-M9-CCD-Repair". If the repair is not economically feasible, we will return the camera unrepaired. The price of the item "Leica-M9-Inspection" covers the processing and return shipping costs for an insured DHL package in this case.
Sending in Your Leica and Repair Duration
Send your Leica well-packaged and sufficiently insured in neutral packaging. Accessories and batteries are not required. Please remove the memory card. Due to high technical requirements, the repair may take up to 8 weeks in exceptional cases. You can request an updated estimate at any time.
Our Repair Service Includes
- Removal of the defective filter
- Installation of a new corrosion-resistant special filter
- Fine-tuning of optical properties
- Comprehensive final quality control of image quality
- 24 months warranty on the filter glass
Technical Background
Many Leica M9 cameras suffer from so-called sensor corrosion. The cause is the decomposition of the IR blocking filter. Our solution: We replace the damaged filter glass with a Schott BG61 glass, which is optically compatible with the original Leica filter. The images show photos of damaged Leica cameras as well as images with the repaired sensor. These are real photos of several repaired cameras.
Note
Recently, another problem has been identified in many Leica M9 cameras affected by sensor corrosion: In addition to the progressive decomposition of the filter glass, the ceramic adhesive that bonds the sensor glass to the sensor decomposes, producing an oily liquid consisting of sulfuric acid. This liquid lies at the edge under the filter glass. It can migrate inward under the glass and touch the fine microlenses on the sensor. If this happens, it causes permanent damage. It can also destroy the gold bond wires that control the sensor. This acid ultimately means the death of the sensor.
Why is prompt repair important?
Over time, the adhesive decomposes further, producing more acid and increasing the risk of permanent sensor damage. Timely cleaning is therefore crucial.
What does this mean for the repair?
When removing the sensor glass, the acid must be removed extremely carefully and completely. Despite the greatest care, there is a risk that a drop of this aggressive liquid could reach the microlenses or that bond wires have already been damaged. In this case, the sensor would be irreparably damaged.
Our New Method
After months of development, we have developed a method that allows us to remove the acid residue-free. Additionally, we can repair damaged bond wires to a certain extent. We continuously develop our methods and tools, and we can already proudly look back on a double-digit number of successful sensor repairs.
We inform the customer in the cost estimate whether the camera only shows classic sensor corrosion or is additionally affected by the acid problem. If the acid problem is present, the repair can still be carried out. The price remains the same. However, we discuss possible consequential damage caused by the existing acid before starting the repair.
Vertical Adjustment of the Rangefinder
If necessary, we calibrate the rangefinder. If the images are vertically offset during focusing, we recommend an adjustment.
Camera Leathering
In addition to sensor repair, we also offer the replacement of the leathering on your Leica camera. Worn parts are replaced with high-quality material (contribution of 50 €).
Our Repair Experience & Method (Update)
So far, we have successfully repaired over two dozen corroded Leica M9 sensors using our specially developed method. This method is based on hundreds of hours of research and practical development. Unlike many other camera systems, the sensor glass of the Leica M9 is bonded with a ceramic adhesive that cannot be dissolved by heat or chemical processes. Therefore, removing the damaged glass is only possible through precise mechanical work under a microscope.
This process is very demanding:
When removing the adhesive, microscopic particles are created that must not reach the sensor. Even the smallest residues can cause visible image errors or quality losses. Achieving a 100% clean result requires hours of highly precise manual work.
A crucial point is the necessary precision:
One might assume that work is done in millimeters along the edge of the sensor—actually, the reality is much finer. We work in tenths of millimeters, step by step, to ensure that no adhesive residue reaches the sensor surface.
Repairing a Leica sensor therefore takes a full working day. This explains the price of this repair. This repair effort differs fundamentally from other camera manufacturers, where the filter glass can be replaced relatively quickly. With the Leica M9, the process is more complex and involves risks.
Additionally, many affected sensors suffer from the acid problem. We are able to treat this problem and can partially repair damaged bond wires. This work requires additional time and involves a certain residual risk due to the existing damage. But saving 9 sensors out of 10 is a good result.
About the Replacement Filter
Our glass was selected to match the optical properties of the original Leica filter as closely as possible. The crucial difference is not in image quality, but in material stability: The original Leica filter offered excellent optical performance. However, the material has decomposed over time, and our solution is designed to permanently avoid this problem.
This means:
You retain the original image characteristics of your Leica and benefit from significantly improved durability.
After repairing numerous Leica M9 sensors, we can say with conviction today:
We consistently deliver excellent and reliable results. Our method is continuously developed, and we already achieve a quality level today that meets the highest demands for this type of repair.
International Customers: Orders from all over Europe are possible. For non-EU countries, a service fee of 100 € applies.
Experience and Trust
Over 5,000 cameras and lenses have already been repaired and modified by us. More than a thousand positive eBay reviews create trust.
Questions? Call us – our contact details are in the legal notice.
