The recent threads on new vs. used value sparked my curiousity somewhat.

With that, of those who have purchased a NEW M body in the past and still have it, what model is it and when was it purchased?

For me it is M3 1960, M2 1967, and M6HM 1998. (Lots of mortgages and college educations between the M2 and the M6.)

Best,

Jerry

-- Jerry Pfile (Jerry Pfile@MSN.com), June 01, 2002

Answers

I bought a new black M6 in 1992 and still have it.

-- Bert Keuken (treb@operamail.com), June 01, 2002.

I suppose HCB must be up there too

-- Philip Woodcock (phil@pushbar.demon.co.uk), June 01, 2002.

I've been using Leicas since 1968 but I have never bought a rangefinder Leica new. If I buy an M7 it will be a new one for the same reason I bought my R8's new: I'd be terrified to get one without a long warranty.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), June 01, 2002.

You beat me Jerry. I bought my M3 in 1966. I bought an M2 before that but did the unthinkable, I traded it for a Nikon Ft so I don't have it now.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), June 01, 2002.

Philip,

Not so certain HCB would be in the running here. Criteria was to purchase one. Any of his just may be "long term trials".

Jerry

-- Jerry Pfile (Jerry Pfile@MSN.com), June 01, 2002.

The other day, trafficking in the Maison du Leica, I heard the shop attendant naming one famous photographer who is using a very old battered M5 ("un M5 tout pourri").

Was it HCB he named? My attention was set on the deal more than his comment.

It's not often you see a Leica so used that the black paint has come off showing the brass.

Regards. X.

-- Xavier d'Alfort (hot_billexf@hotmail.com), June 02, 2002.

Jerry:

I didn't purchase a NEW M until later in life, but I purchased a 90 Summicron and 135 Elmarit new in 1973. It might be interesting to look at LEITZ as a whole, not just M bodies.

;)

-- Mark Johnson (logical1@catholic.org), June 02, 2002.

I bought an M7 two months ago and I still have it.

-- Olivier (olreiche@videotron.ca), June 02, 2002.

My Dad bought his M3 new in 1956, and I recently bought in from him . . . still in the same family -- does that count?? : -)

-- Jim Reed (jimreedpc@aol.com), June 02, 2002.

Hello Jerry,

bought a LEICA M4 new in 1968, got stolen in 1973. I got a substitute, a s/h M2, in 1974 and had the M4-v/f-frames build in when serviced. And this somewhat beaten M2 is still my favourite when using a camera on a bike, i.e.

1979, M5 s/h

1986, M6 new

1995: M6, new

This fighting if I should get the R8 ...

Best regards

-- K. G. Wolf (k.g.wolf@web.de), June 03, 2002.

Not an M and similar Jim Reed's story; My great Uncle bought a IIIf new at the base exchange in Jan of '52 (was an army photog) and had until the day he shot himself (not with the Leica...) in August of '98. I have it now and use it on occasion, had to get it overhauled due to lack of use.

-- Dave Doyle (soilsouth@cox.net), June 03, 2002.

While not an M bought my Leicaflex in '67 and still use it often (in for first CLA to DAG) That damn camera cost me dearly it made me get the 2 IIIc's IIIf and an M3 and an SL. You know the Leica feel and glass thing.

-- andy wagner (yxandy@hotmail.com), June 04, 2002.

M4 - purchased in 1968. Still in active use with a Sekonic 308B incident meter. Slides only

-- George C. Berger (gberger@his.com), June 04, 2002.

I bought my M2 new around 1960 or '61. I bought it with no lens and saved until I could buy the 35mm f/2.8 Summaron. I traded the Summaron, but still have and use the M2.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), June 05, 2002.