What's new
DPR Forum

Welcome to the Friendly Aisles!
DPRF is a spin-off of dpreview. We are a photography forum with people from all over the world freely sharing their knowledge and love of photography. Everybody is welcome, from beginners to the experienced professional. From smartphone to Medium Format.

DPRF is a community for everybody, every brand and every sensor format. Digital and film.
Enjoy this modern, easy to use software. Look also at our Reviews & Gallery!

User comments btil June 2003

>Hello, > I have a really nice condition M6TTL Black, .85 finder. (This is the finder closest to the magnification of an M3.) If you're going to use 50's and 90's, this is a good one. If you are going to use 35's, perhaps a .72 is best. I want $1250 in the box with everything that came with it. DAG has adjusted the rangefinder. You can contact me directly at michael@photonphotos.com.
 
> Matt, I have not really been following the discussion but I would like to point out that I bought an M6TTL over a classic, not for the fact that I shoot lots of flash. Instead, the size of the shutter dial was the main reason. the bigger dial on the TTL allows me to adjust the shutter with the camer still to my eye. tho i'm sure you can still do that with the classic, the larger dial makes for more ergonomic use.

Just my 2 cents worth.
 
>> ------------------------------------------------------------ > Leicainfo.com User Forum: Leica M-System : M-bodies: M6 > ------------------------------------------------------------ > > Posted by Melvin Tan Hua Jin on Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 3:00 am: > > > Matt, I have not really been following the discussion but I would > like to point out that I bought an M6TTL over a classic, not for the > fact that I shoot lots of flash. Instead, the size of the shutter dial > was the main reason. the bigger dial on the TTL allows me to adjust > the shutter with the camer still to my eye. tho i'm sure you can still > do that with the classic, the larger dial makes for more ergonomic > use. > > Just my 2 cents worth.

I chose the classic over the m6ttl because its just a little smaller, mayby just one or two millimetres, but it felt better to hold (please correct me if im wrong but that was the impression i got in the shop). If I want to use non-studio flash i might as well spoil the picture and use my canon eos equipment - its big, plastic fantastic but delivers efficient flashshots with loads of effects, fill in etc. Either way good luck finding the right Leica for you - if your dealer is nice he might let you try both models for a day or two.

Ruben
 
I would second what Frank said. Rich is very reliable, honest, and dependable. He will have what you need. Call him for advice. Let us know how you make out please.
 
> A very interesting overview of current Leica M prices. Funny isn't it how some models go in and out of fashion? I agree entirely a good M3 won't be any cheaper than a used M6 but that's what I got, having used both, madly enough. Ijust like using this classic camera. The other point to consider is that for anyone living outside the US, buying from a US camera store must be a good deal right now, as the greenback has been sliding markedly against other currencies.
 
Thanks for all the advice on where to shop! There's an aweful lot of information to absorb in the Leica universe. From all of my surfing I've stumbled upon a number of different dealers online. They include:

http://www.leicagallery.com/msalesused.htm

http://www.bhphotovideo.com
(have ordered Canon equipment from them with good experience)

http://www.adorama.com

http://www.tamarkin.com

http://www.keh.com

http://www.camerawest.com/

http://www.deltainternational.com

http://www.photovillage.com

The photo.net classifieds.
http://www.photo.net/gc/gc-filter

A particular eBay seller named "meleica" in Westlake Village here in California:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2933962589&category=30063

Along with a few other shops that appear to specialize in collectables. In addition, Samy's Camera on Fairfax in LA says that have used M6s available, but I don't know what their prices are.

Other than the question: Who should I buy from? There's the issues of: What should I buy?

It seems like there are a number of M6 "classics" available for in and around $1250 while the M6 TTLs run closer to $1400-$1450 on the sites I've visited. Is it worth the extra -- let's call it $200 for the TTL?

Also, I very much appreciated the advice on the 35mm and 90mm lenses above. That combination makes sense to me.

Sorry if I'm all over the place!

Justin
 
> Justin:

1) if you can try out a camera at home, or at least have a play with a few different ones in a shop, instead of buying sight unseen, that will make a big difference in choosing. Then at least you will know which model you prefer. 2) Don't be too hung up over a $100 "saving"; it might not be in the long run. It is a significant invstment and you want to get it right.

3) Make sure you buy from a reputable dealer and get a good guarantee.

4) As you are buying used, go for the best possible condition model you can afford. Some older ones may be in better condition than some newer ones (just to complicate things).

5) You will probably find some TTLs cheaper than classics and vice versa.

6) Don't be hung up either by a lack of a built-in meter in the older Ms - it's not such a hassle as I first thought.

7) A couple of other possible firms to look up on the Internet (apart from photovillage which lots of people recommend) are www.leicashop.at in Austria, and www.theclassiccamera.com in the UK.

Good luck, and do let us know how you get on!
 
Dear Justin and others

Interesting to hear of relative used market prices. It is easy to forget the global nature of this forum.

Justin, if you haven’t worked it out already the asking prices for used Leica gear varies quite widely over different countries, local regions and cities. So I guess your decisions need to be based on your local market conditions or those in other countries based on exchangerates. As David suggested if you’re not in the US now is the time to take advantage of their sliding dollar and pick up a bargain.

I still recon even if an M3 effectively costs more than an M6 where you are (which isn’t the case here, where M6s are still damn expensive) go for the M3 if you can find a good one that has been cared for. (just being cheeky).

But on a serious note, picking up an M6 does have less risk associated with it. However, as others have suggested, don’t over look the M4-P (which is basically an M6 sans TTL meter). When they come up, they don’t fetch particularly high asking prices, here at least. This said, if you do chance upon an earlier model at a decent price don’t necessarily dismiss it out of hand. In my experience, if they have been looked after, even 40 year old Ms have still got a lot of work left in them. You will need to do a little homework to be sure that all checks out ok, but this is the same as any second hand purchase.

Just a different perspective you may wish to consider.

Regards craig
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top