My colector friend is offering ma an almost mint M6, the price? $1250 USD in installments; how it looks? beautiful to my eyes. it is in 10+ condition, but not mint, no dings, serial number 1781xxx, it turned 11 last summer, just like Harry Potter; it feels just fine, meter is dead on rigth, and everything is like new; he wanted 1700 but came down to that; what do you think?

It comes with a third version 35/2 (2,740,xxx), that is not included in the price of course, but he wants me to keep it, the lens feels solid compared to my 35/2 pre asph, even stronger than my 35 summaron from the 50´s, any one can tell me about experiences with this lens?

Thanks and Merry Christmas to all.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), December 11, 2001

Answers

I can give you some feedback on the lens - I have owned one of the 3rd version 35mm Canadian Summicrons for three years. It is indeed constructed very well, all screwed together (not glued!) and with a solid finger tab in good old metal (not plastic like the later versions). The hood is the cut out metal type as opposed to a plastic obstructive type. Optically at 2.8 and above the lens is fine, beautiful clarity with B+W especially. At F2 it is a little soft but in typical Leica available light photography this works well. Before owning this lens I had a 4th version which was optically faulty and disapointing wide open. Together with a fine sounding (so called classic) M6 at the right price, this outfit is very desirable and is all you ever really need for most 'M' photography. I say 'go for it!"

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), December 11, 2001.

Can't comment on the lens, but the camera looks like a good buy to me. Have the shutter speeds checked if the camera was sitting on the shelf and not used for a while.

Good luck with your purchase!

-- Alexander Grekhov (grekhov@wgukraine.com), December 11, 2001.

Sorry! Hands up: "solid finger tab in good old metal (not plastic like the later versions"

I am wrong, on very close inspection I think it is plastic - but better quality than the one on my 4th version (that cracked).

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), December 11, 2001.

The price sounds OK if it is working perfectly and doesn't require a CLA. As far as condition, 10 (out of 10) should mean cosmetically perfect. The only distiction between 10 and mint is that, technically speaking, mint should mean that the box, manual, and all of the original packing and acessories (ie., strap) are provided. I have no idea what means 10+ or how you mean the camera is 10+ but not mint?

As far as the M6 "classic" features go, you should be aware of a few subtleties. The meter was improved at several different points during the tenure of the M6 (mostly to increase low light sensitivity); and the meter in the M6 TTL is more sensitive (by one EV) than that in the last M6 classic. Thus the M6 TTL low light sensitivity is to -1.0 EV, the best yet.

These meter changes may be no big deal, but they are there. I suspect at SN1781xxx, this is not the most sensitive meter of the M6 classic cameras. Practically speaking, I think the camera is a good deal.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), December 11, 2001.

Roberto,

My M6 is a 1988 model, serial number 1762xxx, bought new and though it is cosmetically flawed from much use, it functions perfectly. It has never been serviced, and yet slides are perfectly exposed, and wide aperture close-ups with long lenses are in perfect focus. I would think that constant use keeps it going so well, as storage is what causes mechanical cameras to develop problems.

I've often thought of "upgrading" to a newer model, but too many stories on many Leica sites about new cameras with problems right out of the box just make me happy I have this older version.

I'd gladly buy another similar vintage for the price you quote, even if a CLA is needed.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), December 11, 2001.

did you say "installments"? Then go for it, Roberto! You could test both lenses and sell the one you decide not to keep on eBay..........

-- david kelly (dmkedit@aol.com), December 11, 2001.

Both the body and lens sound like winners. My M6's are both classics, I see no need to get the TTL model. I've had one of those same version 35/2 lenses for many years(the only 35 I own besides the 35/1.4ASPH). I like it better than the famed "pre ASPH". My only experience with the 4th gen was it came unglued and fell apart.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), December 11, 2001.

The camera certainly sounds (with the time payments) like a deal too good to miss out on. You can't lose. I personally prefer the earlier model M6's; they suit my tiny hands a little better.

-- sam smith (Ruy_Lopez@hotmail.com), December 11, 2001.

Hello Roberto,

The price for the M6 sounds good if it is as you describe. The market is pretty soft right now. Does the lens have the aperture tab? If so I think your 35mm is a better lens despite the feel. Have a look on this link, http://www.cameraquest.com/mlenses.htm Lots of info on the different versions of summicrons. I think you will enjoy the meter.

Best, Tom

-- Tom Gallagher (tgallagher10@yahoo.com), December 11, 2001.

The lens doesn´s have an aperture tab, it looks very much like the 4th version, but is not; I´m gonna make some tests with both lenses and put those here, we´ll see.It feels realy solid.

The camera seems it doesn´t need a CLA, sounds fine and all speeds are fine, well I need to make tests, but in front of a monitor it looks on.

I think I´m getting more excited about the lens than the camera, I´ll have the test very soon.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), December 12, 2001.

And thank´s to all for your kind answers.

Regards

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), December 12, 2001.

Dear R Watson,

I got my chrome M6, along with a 35/1.4 ASPH for a total price of $1'500 USD. They are both six years old, in excellent condition. I was the second owner as I knew the owner who bought them new in 1996 from the a local authorized dealer in HK. A brand new M6 TTL body currently costs roughly 1'600 USD in Hong Kong with full warranty.

My point is: $1'250 for a mint 11-year old M6 is too costly for a photogragher who use a Leica on a regular basis. However maybe price level is different in Mexico then it is in Hong Kong (BTW, is one of the most expensive cities in the world). I have no idea about the 35/2. Have you made a counter-offer, say 1'000 USD, as one of the posters mentioned that the market is a bit soft now.

-- Damond Lam (damondhk@hotmail.com), December 12, 2001.

Dear Friend Mr. Damond Lam;

What you have just tell me about prices in HK, really puts me to think about the offer I have. First if I buy a camera out of Mexico, it will cost me something like 30 to 40 % of of it´s value in taxes, unless I got it in without declare any value. Second, there is no Leica market here in mexico, the nearest is USA prices. And third, I´m going to pay it little by little until march next year, so I think is not that bad but I really wish I was in Hong Kong, your M6 and ´lux were an excelent buy Damond.

Thanks for sharing.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), December 12, 2001.

R. Watson Don't worry about a few dollars. I've found no matter how good a deal I might of gotten sooner or later I'll hear of a better deal. It sounds like you got a reasonable and fair deal especially with the payment schedule. The most important factor is the condition of the camera. To save a hundred or so and then find out you have to invest additional money and aggrivation is not worth it. Five years from now will you care? Go for it, enjoy it and post some pics.

-- Gerry Widen (gwiden@alliancepartners.org), December 12, 2001.

TTTTTTTThank´z Gerry, I knew it was gong to be so easy to convence me..what the hell, we only live once.. well not acording to Dr. Weiss...

Thank´s again Gerry, and the rest of you fellows.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), December 12, 2001.

Dear R Watson,

As a friend I am obligated to tell you facts on the other side of the earth. As a friend I should make you think twice even sometimes the facts are not always comforting. I will go with Gerry's line as the price is considered reasonable in America. Go for the camera of your dream as it is in the exact condition as you have wanted. If you plan not to sell it in the near future then cost today is not an issue.

-- Damond Lam (damondhk@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001.

after using the M6 for a couple of days; have found ligth meter arrows a bit disturbing, and meter is acording to my self metering, so what I do is set the camera for a picture to be taken, to notice the two arrows comes on when look through finder, so I can´t find a real use of it, and in dim ligth it is not very clear in it´s reading and when with lens cap the two arrows apears too, is it a fault? a low battery problem maybe?

I think I can need the meter when using color chrome film, but find it not so with black and withe. I´ll continue using it and see how I go with it; and it is the same feeling as with my M4P.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001.

Roberto,

My slightly older M6, (see serial number in post above), does not display the meter LEDs when the cap is on... there is no light hitting the white spot on the curtain.

Your comment on the display being hard to see in dim light is not my experience. I can see it better in low light due to better contrast between the LED and ambient light. In very bright light, I have learned to slightly obstruct the front finder window with my finger to make the LEDs stand out better... but I've never had a problem in low / dim light.

I'd change the batteries as a first course of action. Don't give up on the meter. I never cared about meters in my M3 / M2 days, but in the 13 years that I've had the M6, I have really found it to be a great aid to my shooting. Give it a chance, but always use your own eye and brain to challenge it and make sure it gives you the correct reading.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), December 13, 2001.

Al, what I ment was that my M6´s meter doesn´t gives any lecture in low ligth, it goes left arrow on and stays there iven if I point it to a stronger ligth source, wich I think may be because of older batteries.

On the other side using the M6 ligth meter in low ligth is very easy to see the arrows (it is even disturbing), but in brigth ligth is just the rigth contrast to meke it less obtrusive to your framing

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), December 14, 2001.