Did you buy your Leica new/used? What type?

Did you buy your Leica new/used? What type?

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I bought a Bessa R4A new, but at present, the Leica I want (MP) brand new is a bit too much green. Perhaps the issue is that unless you want a perfect camera, there is no real need to buy new, and used cameras are just fine.

If circumstances were a little different though, I'd gladly buy a new Leica MP, Alpa, and Rolleiflex.
 
thegman said:
...Perhaps the issue is that unless you want a perfect camera, there is no real need to buy new, and used cameras are just fine.
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I think you're right... Used in fine condition is just fine! I got a nice 9-yr old M2 45 years ago and still use it. Bought a barely used M9 from an RFF member, and I'm not quite positive whether my M8 was really used or new. The authorized dealer wanted to discount the item, and offered it as a used "demo". So often you can get a nice Leica at lower cost.
 
I almost never buy new anything. My D300 and D700 were new but both are gone now. All my Leicas have been used. I now have two M bodies and M7 and MP that were both bought used but they are in beautiful shape. I'll have these for a long time. Jim
 
M2 - Ebay
M6TTL - the Classic Connection
M8 - Adorama - 667 actuations (why buy new)
M9 - National Camera Exchange - 1778 actuations (why buy new)

I have bought brand new Leica lenses though and used.
 
M6 Classic (black) I got on Ebay for a really good deal at the time. I want to say under $900- $850 ish?, but it was one of those listings with poor pictures, no bids...

I usually try to snipe my auctions, but I did a low ball bid on this one early because I was going to the movies with my wife during the ending of this auction. I figured why not. When I got home I realized I won the auction...and then I looked at the pictures again and said Oh man, what did I just do?...I regretted it, actually

Anyway paid for the auction, it arrived a few days later, and looked brand spanking new with the plastic still on the bottom of the camera, not a scratch or fingerprint. I asked the seller what the deal was, he said he purchased a store demo, ran one roll of film through it and lost his job and needed to sell it unfortunately (this was during the financial crisis days).

Anyhow, it's now one of my favorite, if not my favorite camera that I own. I recently tried an M2 and M3 in a camera store while on a trip in Chicago. Those felt so good and tripping the shutter was so smooth. I tend to gravitate towards the M2 based on looks, but I'd take either. I would miss the in camera meter. I have plenty of handheld meters, but to work quickly I like in camera like my M6 - which I find to be an excellent meter.
 
I have bought Leicas new and used. The M6 now owned was bought used - because when I decided to get another one last year - a M6 Wetzlar model - it had to be used.

In order:
Leica CL: New
M2: used
M2: used
M6: used
M6 Wetzlar: used
IIIf: used
CL: used
M6 Wetzlar: used

Still have the last 3
 
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Since I love old film cameras, and they aren't being made anymore (M2, M3, M4-2, M5), I had to buy used.

Usually I try to buy used in excellent to fantastic condition. Even then I mentally allocate a visit by the camera to Don Goldberg, just in case. That way, I won't end up overpaying and regretting the purchase.

I would love to buy a new Leica if I could afford it.
 
I have bought a number of M bodies, all of which have been used until now. I did buy an M-A a couple years ago that was “hardly” used (frankly I don’t think it saw more than 1 or 2 rolls of film) and that is my only film M right now.

I tend to always buy used because I often rotate out my equipment, I’m trying to break that habit though! I just purchased an M10 this month and I bought it brand new (for the original MSRP, thanks Ken Hansen!). I was looking to buy a used one but almost every one I encountered was going to cost me MORE than buying a new one through Ken, so financially speaking it made sense in this context, especially as I intend to keep this camera for multiple years.
 
Just bought a silver chrome M7 0.85 with updated MP viewfinder. Currently en route via USPS. Can't wait!

My dad was a photographer and Leica enthusiast. When he took his leave in the early 2000's, he left me a black paint M6TTL LHSA, M3 black paint (by Shintaro), and a 35 lux, 50 Noct and 75 Lux. I was deep into the new age of digital (bought the first Canon D30), and never thought I'd want to use the Leica gear, so I sold it all to buy digital gear. 15 years later, I regret it!!!

With a new interest in shooting film again, I bought a Canonet a few months ago (poor man's Leica), but then realized that what I really wanted was a real Leica. I spent the last couple of months looking for a silver/0.85 M7. I figured I'd have to get one from Japan, as they seem non-existent in the US, but one came up for sale the other day in 9+ condition with box, etc. and at a bargain price (@1/3rd of new), so I took the plunge!!
 
A used M8 first, sold it. Then a new M9, sold it. Now a used M9 and will keep it. I'm difficult to learn lessons......
 
Bought a QM2 MM and a used M6 0.85 (needing a CLA and sent for MP finder upgrade). The Monochrome was perfect without any flaws and at the time, $1000 cheaper than the cosmetically perfect.
 
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