Buying advice M6 and lenses seeked

[Photon42]

Hi all,

looks like I have the opportunity to buy a used M6 .72 with the rangefinder updated (to that of an MP). Being with Nikon SLRs all the time, I've got no M lenses at all. Camera-wise I know in principle, what I'll face with the M6.

However, there are three questions I dare to ask:

Is there anything specific to look at with a *used* Leica and a M6 in particular?

Given the price level of new leica lenses, what are the realistic options of lenses (28 or 35 and 90) below, say, 1k US$? Of course without compromising quality too much ;-)

What would be kind of the upper price limit to pay for the abovementioned M6 in near mint condition?

Thanks very much for your thoughts on this.

Regards
Ivo

 

[gertf]

Hi Ivo,

I picked up a Summaron 35mm for roughly $650, and a Nikon LTM 105mm f2.5 for $300 which I use with a 90mm LTM-M adapter. The Nikon lens is a fantastic portrait lens in my opinion, and the summaron is great too.

I'm not sure how much you would have to pay for the 35 summicrons, but they go for close to $1k at www.keh.com, so perhaps a little less if you take your chances with evilbay? 90mm Elmarits seem to go for a little less if you are happy with an older model.

M6 I suspect would be around $1k as well? Maybe a bit less, maybe a bit more?

Gert

 

[cmogi10]

If it's in good shape with an updated finder paying 1200 or more isn't unreasonable. Minty? 1500?
How much does the M6 you're looking at cost?
I found a pre asph 28/2.8 elmarit for under a grand and it's my favorite walk around lens.

I would pick one good lens and stick with it, I let GAS get the best of me and I have a plethora of lenses but I found my favorite's and stick with it.

It comes down to preference, maybe a used 50mm cron and a CV 35mm skopar? There are a tons of great options out there...happy hunting!

 

[markinlondon]

Here's some buying tips.

 

[Photon42]

Thanks for the link Mark. Thanks what I need.
Cheers
Ivo

 

[Photon42]

Hi Carl,
thanks for your advice. I guess the price is to be discussed. Let's see. After all, I've got an idea of the ceiling ...
Would you say the CV 35 is a reasonable lens in terms of quality?
Regards
Ivo

 

[ferider]

Like Carl said on the M6 price.

For the lenses, I recommend not to restrict yourself to Leitz only.

At this price range the best 28s are IMO the CV 28/1.9, the ZM 28/2.8
and maybe an older Elmarit if you find a clean one below US 1000.

For 35/50/90 you have lots of options, it depends a bit on what you
want wrt speed vs compactness, signature, etc.

If you want a Leitz 35 in this price range, the 35/2 vIII is very good.

The Nikkor 105 is one of the best underrated lenses out there at the moment - it can
keep up with any other short tele in the US 1000 price range, IMO.

My two cents,

Roland.

 

[cmogi10]

Hi Carl,
thanks for your advice. I guess the price is to be discussed. Let's see. After all, I've got an idea of the ceiling ...
Would you say the CV 35 is a reasonable lens in terms of quality?
Regards
Ivo

For the money it's a great lens, not the fastest 35 but the small size is very nice. It's the lens I grab when I just want to through my camera in my bag with one lens with all my other day to day stuff.

I found a super clean Ver III elmarit for under a grand

As you can see it's a bit larger then the current Asph one but it's still a fantastic lens.

If you need speed CV makes the 35mm 1.2 which is a massive lens, it's great, but big and heavy

The 35 and 50 summicron's are both great and in your price range, I found a near mint current version 50 cron for well under a grand.

There are so many fantastic options out there and like Roland said there's no reason to look at brands besides Leica, you can find outstanding CV or Zeiss lenses that are easy on the pocket.

 

[oscroft]

The CV 35/2.5 is also the lens I usually stick on when I just want to take one body/lens with me - it's very sharp and contrasty. I can't compare it with a Leica 35, but it's up there with the best of the lenses I've used.

 

[mad_boy]

One more thing to check on top of Mark's list is to smell the camera.
Take off the lens and take a deep sniff.
If you notice a mouldy smell the camera has been wet and problems may occur.

Mad_boy

 

[Photon42]

Thanks for this but in my case this is not very likely. The camera is supposed to be very clean. Probably will look at it tomorrow.

 

[Ronald M]

1200/1500 is the price range for the M6.

CV lenses are about equal to the Mandler designed Leica lenses from the 1980 era. Since then they have gotten sharper almost to an extreme. Current Zeiss are similar, but have a more natural image so some say. They are well liked.

There are no bad Leica 90`s except SOME 2.8 tele-elmarits second version 2have an incurable problem with element fogging or separation in the rear area. Mine is fine.

I will suggest something you may or may not like depending if you want fast lenses. Current 50 2.8 Elmar and current 90 4.0 macro Elmar. Both are fantastic. I have one each.

Version 3 or 4 35 Summicrons are very good. ASPH better at 2.0.

The version 3 28 2.8 shown is good. Picture shown

Was that $1000 each or for two? Two Leica lenses for a grand is asking a lot.

3.5 Summarons are ok if clean inside. I use mine on screwmount bodies.
Original 90 4.0 are decent lenses if you shade them and are under 200.

A slow CV 35 or 28 3.5 +CV 90 3.5 would be good for under 1000 total.

 

[Photon42]

Hello Ronald,

thanks very much for giving me some insight into the CV design. The 1k US$ is per lens, of course. I won't complain to loudly, if it works for two as well, but I am realistic here.

Regarding the lenses, I'll probably stick will my first approach: 28/35 and 90. After spending a bit of time on that question (and in the net ...), this lens seems to suit my style the most.

I am really attracted by the size of the compact CV wide angle lenses, which seem to be a 2/3 stop slower than their Zeiss counterparts (probably all manfactured in the same plant?).

For me, that means most likely a 2.8/90 from Leica with repesct to the telefocus lens, as this is relatively easily available at acceptable prices.

As of the wide angle, I am kind of torn between on one side between the focal length 28/35 (stupid, I know) and on the other side between Zeiss and CV compact lenses. I don't see any reasonable chance of getting a Leica lens at my 1 grant range.

Anything more to add to make this even more confusing?

Cheers
Ivo

 

[mas]

The Zeiss 35/2 is a great lens, arguably better than Leica. Anyway, it is a contender.

It would be my first choice for a 35. Your choice in 90 is good. I have one for sale-one of the skinny versions.l

Michael

 

[Thea]

I use a CV 35 on my M6 all the time, its a great lens, small, easy to focus, nice contrasty images, does well in low light and its an excellent price for a quality RF lens.
I just bought the PII to replace my original one, as it's M mount and doesnt need an adaptor, the only down side with the PII is you really need a lens hood as it is (or seems to be) prone to flare.

 

[ocean7]

What the others said about the M6. 1200-1500 is the usual price range, especially for one with an updated VF (and that probably means that it has been serviced at the same time, you should confirm with the seller).

I do not own the CV 35 but I held it several times and I can say the build quality is fantastic. From the samples I have seen it's a great performer too.

 

[Photon42]

Thanks

Thanks

Hi Thea, Michael and Philippe,

thanks for all your nice mail and advice. Time was moving on since I posted my question So now I've ended up with this M6 described (chrome, mint condition, finded updated), a 2.8/90 E46 and a "Angle of Live" 35/2.0 from Zeiss -- broke but happy :angel:

All this stuff hides perfectly away in any small size bag / sac-a-dos. It weights as much as a Nikon F4 with data back and no lens. Nice. A Timbuk2 XS with two domke F6 inserts takes care the combo.

Cheers
Ivo