Advice on used M purchase...

[JohnnyRangefinder]

Hello all --

I was hoping to get some constructive input regarding a possible purchase in my future.

The question is, if given the choice, would you opt for a very clean M7 or a somewhat used -- as in some light scratching near the strap mounts -- M6 TTL LHSA.

I am pretty aware of the fundamental mechanical differences between the two cameras -- namely the M7 having aperture priority -- something that I can easily see the virtue of having...

The LHSA simply appeals to the aesthete in me -- always one's worst side -- and while they are priced similarly -- the LHSA being slightly less -- I can't help but feel that the LHSA won't hold it's "value" being as it is not 'mint - in box', etc... -- not that that is a really important criteria -- but It doesn't hurt.

All that said, for shooting, what would be the recomendation -- a more evolved M7 for a bit more money, or a 'used-enough-to-be-comfortable-being-used-not-kept-in-a-safe' M6 LHSA?

Thanks for the spare brain cycles,

Sasha

 

[rover]

I don't think I can help. My M6 was very near mint when I bought it and I intend on using the stuffing out of it and making it beautifully imperfect.

Resale value? No clue.

The joy of use, priceless!!!

 

[JohnnyRangefinder]

Thanks Rover --

Maybe it didn't come across correctly, but I want a shooter not a 'show-er' -- the LHSA -- being an overpriced M6TTL at heart -- by nature brings up the question of 'value' -- resale or usabilty.

Put a different way, if the choice were between an M6 and an M7 what would be the consensus?

Best regards,

Sasha

 

[Vickko]

Hmmm. It's almost like comparing apples and pears, to speak about collector values of the M6 LHSA and M7. They are totally different beasts. And without a battery, the M7 is a paperweight, while the M6 will keep on taking photos.

Unless the condition is mint, neither will "keep its value" as a collectable. I bet the M7 will devaluate faster than the M6 LHSA.

Now for usage value, the M7 is superbly faster, as long as it keeps working.

Apples and pears.

...Vick

 

[rover]

I don't have, and think I would like an AE camera, so the M7 would be a consideration. The competition in my eye wouldn't be a top shelf M6, but a run of the mill $1200 one, so there would be a price difference to consider. You may be able to have an M6 and Bessa R2a for the price of the M7 and get the best of both worlds perhaps.

Either way, resale would not be a consideration of mine.

 

[peter_n]

Sasha, my first RF body was an M6TTL and after about two years I graduated up to an M7. I much prefer the M7 as a user, mainly for the AE. Under certain conditions the AE is indispensible, yet you still have the manual control that you have with the M6TTL. I think the M7 is the most practical camera that Leica makes and I really like mine. You will like it so much that the idea of putting it into a safe will never enter your head. 🙂

 

[jkelly]

If you're looking to actually use the camera, I wouldn't worry about it being in mint condition, because it won't stay that way. If you can afford the M7, and the AE capability appeals to you, you should go that direction rather than paying a premium for the LHSA M6.

 

[Ronald M]

The LHSA camera already lost the premium value by being used and certainly scratched. Now it is just a M6TTL.

I have auto exposure cameras and almost never use them on auto. The subject tones are usually wrong, so what value is it?

Just get a M6TTL or late M6