I just picked up a second used M6 body which is in excellent condition. The serial # says it is a 1990 model "Classic." My question: This is a GMBH body, but the leatherette on it lacks the "Made in Germany" which, if I understand correctly, should be stamped to the right of the pressure plate. Is it likely this body has been recovered? I have another body with a similar serial number which does bear this "branding."

-- Thomas M. Nutter (tmnphotos@erols.com), January 22, 2002

Answers

I am not sure about the re-covering of your camera, but just to add another sample into your pool of cameras for comparison, my classic M6, a bit older than yours, does have the "Made in Germany" imprinted on the covering just to the right of the flip-up film door. I wouldn't have given it a second look if not for this thread, so I don't know if it is mandatory that it is on all original coverings.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), January 22, 2002.

Nope. Don't see it on my Classic. (#2288xxx)

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), January 22, 2002.

Classics were made in Wetzler and Solms. If your red dot says Leitz AND if there's Wetzler on the top plate then, the "leather" will have the made in Germany impressed into it. Steve Gandy shows all of the changes within his site.

-- Chris Chen (chrischen@msn.com), January 22, 2002.

Pardon my ignorance, but how do I get to Steve Gandy's site?

This Wetzlar business is puzzling:

Both bodies I have Are numbered 178-----, but the first one , which is the later of the serial numbers has the "Made in Germany" mark while the one I just got, the older of the two does not. Both have the Leica red dot and neither say Wetzlar. They are the ones with nothing engraved on top, just "Leica Camera GMBH Germany" on the back underneath the advance lever.

-- Thomas M. Nutter (tmnphotos@erols.com), January 22, 2002.

Gandy's site is Camera Quest: www.cameraquest.com

-- Richard (rvle@yahoo.com), January 23, 2002.

Also bear in mind that any M6 that's been serviced since the end of the "Leitz" era may have had its red dot replaced, and the new dots say "Leica". So the dot-style may not correspond to the original vintage year.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), January 23, 2002.

Jay is absolutely correct. But, top plates, acces. shoes (where the serial nos. are) and other parts, if damaged beyond repair, will be replaced with Solms products and not Wetzler ones? So, I guess the only "fool proof" way to determine where the camera was made is from examining the internals by Leica itself.

My no service M6:

Leitz in red dot

Made in Ger... rear leather

Engraved loading diag.

...Wetzler... engraved on top of top plate

no rubber bumpers above strap lugs

no rubber eyepiece

I don't have the ser. no. the camera in apt., my records are packed, as I am leaving Russia for Spain Feb. 1.

As for Tom: I think both your M6s are made in Solms; does it really matter?

-- chris chen (chrischen@msn.com), January 23, 2002.

If anyone needs them Leica UK still sell "LeiTZ" red dots, I bought some spares for my M4-P. £0.75 each! :)

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), January 23, 2002.

I agree with Chris Chen......It doesn't really matter, I'm a shooter, not a collector.

Thank you to everyone for your opinions.

-- Thomas M. Nutter (tmnphotos@erols.com), January 23, 2002.

Ok, this isn't a criticism of any previous post in this thread but I have to ask - does it really matter if the vintage of the leatherette or red dot script does not match the age of the camera? I fail to see what the problem is if the camera is bought for use, not display/storage. Does mismatched age of cosmetic parts affect resale value of a user camera? Someone enlighten me, please.

-- Fred Sun (redsky3@yahoo.com), January 23, 2002.