safepricker's photos: The M-Monochrom

All digital cameras shoot black and white. Colors are "added" by a filter layer that interprets the different wavelengths of light the sensor receives. Leica removed that color filter on the M9 and observed astonishing results in black and white. The image became sharper and the dynamic range became wider. And the M9 Monochrom was born -- more popularly known as the M Monochrom -- with a whopping price tag of $8000! $1000 more than its parent model, the M9. However, the M9 series developed a problem. The cover of the CCD digital sensor corroded after some time. Complaints trickled in at first. Evidently, all the CCD sensors of the M9 series had the potential of developing corrosion on the glass cover. Small black spots appeared on the photos and increased in number in time. Leica made an official recognition of the problem and offered sensor replacement free of charge.

Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines (2017)

My Monochrom eventually developed the issue after a few months of use. Note the black spots on the photograph below. They had been magnified to highlight the corrosion. It took some peeping to appreciate them on the original.

Turn around for the service took five months presumably due to the high demand for sensor replacement. Its two-year international warranty untouched and remained intact. And I have since brought it with me to China, to Canada, and to the USA. No problems, so far.

Still, I am asked why get a camera that only shoots black and white. And, it does not even shoot video. And, it does not even do autofocus! And no built-in flash! (Sarcasm there, sorry). But $8000!!! I can't explain it fully but all I know is that when I shoot, I am in full control of a magnificent tool. And, I got it on sale, 40% off, brand new with a generous replacement offer.