Joe, I'll weigh in on your comment about the differance in screw mount systems Leica/Canon
I have owned a 1952 IIIf RD a 1959 IIIg so I have pretty much experianced the best Leica offered in screw mount. I currenlty own a 1955 If the only I've kept.
In Canon I currently own a 1951 model III (which wears a Rapid Winder) and a 1957 L-1. I have fondled a number of other Canon RF models as well as Leicas including a few models of the M.
My 1951 Model III is every bit as quality built as my 1953 IIIf RD the big differance is the Canon's viewfinder is better then the 1959 IIIg as it is a single window none of this silly two window finder/rangefinder Leica foolishness.
The 1959 IIIg compared to the two year older L-1 is just a plain silly comparison granted the IIIg is a very fine camera. But from an operationaly point of view it's crap compared the L-1 the viewfinder alone is so much better by design then the IIIg. That if you add in the back door of the L-1. The superior camera is very clear to me.
I will be adding a Model P, Model VT Deluxe, and Model 7, 7s, 7sZ to my kit as soon as I manage to add the lenses on my shpping list.
As to Leica fine camera's but weither I am comparing a collectable I intend to use or a recent used camera or a new camera. I just can't see where the cost/return makes any sense in the real world.
I would put buying a Leica MP and a couple of new lenses in the same catagory as buying a Mecedes SL600 roadster as a day to day commuter.
Sure it's great but I just could never justify the price for the job.