Help Needed: Private Purchase of M6 and lenses

[dkchicago]

Hello,

I am considering my first rangefinder, and have found a private seller offering a seemingly nice setup (listed below).
This is a trial for me for rangefinders, and if I like it after a year, I'll step up to the M8.
Here is the seller's offer:

* M6 Chrome .72 (Like New) $1100
* Summicron 90/2 (LN - Canada) w/uv and case $875
* Summilux 35/1.4 ASPH (LN) w/uv and case $1500
(sold by original owner, bought in 1996, all boxes, serial numbers, etc.)

Here are my questions:
* Are these fair prices? I've checked many sites, 35/1.4 seems very good, M6 good, and 90/2 ok
* I'm mostly going to use the 35, but is the 90 worth it?
* Is there anyway for a newbie to tell if these are in good shape?
* Can I buy a aftermarket warranty?
* If I sell this kit in a year or two can I get 50%+ back?
* Would I be better of with a new Zeiss Ikon and lenses with 6 bit coding?
* Any words of warning for the private purchase?

Thanks for your help,

David

 

[Nachkebia]

I think it is very nice catch, I would not think twise about it...

 

[jaapv]

If the stuff is as described, the prices are fair to good. Yes, the Summicron 90/2 is a great lens. If it is a private sale why don't you ask if you can shoot a film through it? Even the work of a one hour lab would show up obvious defects. You could easily sell it after a year, but chances are you will not want to.And should you decide to go M8, the lenses can be coded easily.

 

[telenous]

The prices are as you say: good (with the price of the Summilux better than the other). If you were to sell in a year I would think you would get much more than 50% (unless of course the second hand market for film cameras collapses because the M8 is such a resounding success). I can't see the benefit in buying new esp. as you are unsure whether you will keep the equipment or will sell it. Buying new always results in maximum loss when it comes (if it comes) to resell. A 35 and a 90 lens make for a good combo, although you may feel the need to supplement it with a lens in between. The two lenses you mention can be coded by Leica (or RFF!) quite easily. All in all, a great outfit, I think you will like it so much you will not want to sell even if you decide to take the plunge for the M8.

 

[Nachkebia]

You decide to go M8

evil speaking 😀

 

[jaapv]

Och, Vladimer, it is a nice supplementary toy... 😀 I can always replace it by a Holga 😉

 

[mc_vancouver]

Having had a bad private sale (I was the seller) may I Recommend the following: Call the seller and speak to him/her, to ask various questions but also to get a sense of the person. Make sure there's a refund available after you have had a few days to examine the camera, providing, of course, you'll pay for return postage and its returned in original packaging, etc. Get that firmly established ahead of time. Finally, when you get the camera, quickly run a roll of something you can get processed quickly, like a colour neg film or XP2 (same processing) and get the results printed, and check it out.

 

[dkchicago]

Thanks for the quick opinions...

Thanks for the quick opinions...

The sale is local, so that is easier. I think I will try to work out a deal and quickly have some film processed.

The seller has answered all of my questions via email and has even sent a copy of his orginial reciept.

Thanks again!

 

[anabasis]

If its local, go to the person's house, shoot a quick roll, making sure each lens is tested, and go to a 1 hr place to see if all is in good working order. If so, go for it.

JCA

 

[SolaresLarrave]

What kind is the Summicron? Is it the second version, the one that has a built-in hood that looks like a portable glass? If so, it should be in VERY good condition. The best way to find out is by the filter size. The one I'm talking about has a 48mm filter size. The newer one (pre APO) has a 55mm filter size.

I say this because ALL of these Summicrons are Canadian. And, by the way, that's NOT at all detrimental to their quality.

Regarding the 'lux... heck! If you don't want to go ahead with the sale, I'd like to take a look at it! 🙂 The price is very reasonable.

Good luck!

 

[ERV]

Why don't you get the m6 and 35 lux first and use it for a while before thinking about a longer lens?
I know that many people like longer lenses and use them for portraits etc, however I like the portability and discrete quality of an m6 and a 35mm.
In addition to the 35mm, you could also consider a 50mm such the current elmar 50 M, which is fantastic, less expensive, and more versatile than a 90mm IMO. also, on an m8 the 90 will be equal to a 120mm.

 

[dkchicago]

Took the plunge...

Took the plunge...

Thanks again for the help. I was able to make a deal for the whole set. I've picked it up and shot a couple of test rolls and had them quickly processed. Everything seems pretty good.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

A Summilux... man, I'm LIKE THIS with envy... :bang:

<pulls himself together & grins>

Congratulations on your purchase! 🙂

 

[Dougg]

Sounds great! Now to see some pics... 🙂

 

[Alex Krasotkin]

Great prices! Go and get it!

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[jaapv]

There is a point, Magus, the resale of non-Leica coded lenses. The price might be lower, moe difficult to sell. I personally would only buy Leica-coded ones....

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request