How to make a fair M9 Trade??

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LateStart

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I have a silver M9 and want to trade for the all black version. I found someone with the black version who wants Silver. However I have 1,700 exposures and he has 17,000. Assuming that they are in close physical condition, how much money should change hands to account for the difference in actual usage?

Also, I am assuming that 17k frames is not an issue (or shouldn't be). Should he send his to Leica for inspection/CLA and then we call it even? Or CLA/Inspection + Cash?

Ideas are welcome. In case you are wondering, we each got ours used at good prices which is why we have colors we don't want.

BTW, if anyone on the forum has a all black and wants to trade, my deal hasn't been finalized it would be simpler to have a straight trade with more closely matched cameras.

#firstworldproblems 😎
 
Maybe ask if he could send it to Leica, get it CLA'd and get the extended warranty for USD $400 (if you're in the US, that's how much it is) and call it even. After the CLA and warranty upgrade, you'd have a camera certainly on-par with your own.
My $.02

Phil Forrest
 
Once upon a time, you'd not have access to the shutter count and you would estimate a camera's value based on its evident condition, on inspection. 1700 ... 17000 exposures, on a camera the shutter for which is rated to at least 100,000 exposures, is an inconsequential difference IMO.

Certainly have the camera checked out by a certified Leica tech, as I'd want to do for any piece of equipment at the price of an M9, but that's on you, not on the seller. Same for buying the extended warranty.

Electronics do not "wear out" of their own accord in use. It's primarily the mechanical bits that wear over time. But both these cameras are way too young to have any serious issues unless something anomalous has happened.

G
 
Good feedback, thanks.

I just got his pictures and I would say I am a 8.5+/10 and he is a 7-/10. A fair amount of top brassing... however shutter count is 13k, not 17k.

I agree on non-digital it would not matter at all. I have the same M2 since 1975. However, my M8 was back to Leica 2x during the 3 years I owned it - 'red line' on sensor and complete shut down (warranty replacement of boards). I am cautious.

If he gave $500 that is almost 1/2 way to the minimum M9P upgrade... and then I would have a new top and bottom...

I will let you know how it all plays out. Thanks for the advice!
 
LateStart said:
Good feedback, thanks.

I just got his pictures and I would say I am a 8.5+/10 and he is a 7-/10. A fair amount of top brassing... however shutter count is 13k, not 17k.

I agree on non-digital it would not matter at all. I have the same M2 since 1975. However, my M8 was back to Leica 2x during the 3 years I owned it - 'red line' on sensor and complete shut down (warranty replacement of boards). I am cautious.

If he gave $500 that is almost 1/2 way to the minimum M9P upgrade... and then I would have a new top and bottom...

I will let you know how it all plays out. Thanks for the advice!
Click to expand...

Be careful there. The M9 upgrade packages are thus, from the Leica USA website today:

Leica M9 Upgrade Package 1 - ‘Sapphire glass' - $1,295.00
- The display cover will be replaced with the valuable sapphire glass of the M9-P.
- Choice between Vulcanite Leatherette or Smooth MP-Style Leatherette.
- One year warranty extension.


Leica M9 Upgrade Package 2 - Top cover, bottom plate & Sapphire Glass - $1,995.00
- The display cover will be replaced with the valuable sapphire glass of the M9-P.
- The top cover will be replaced with either the silver chrome or black painted M9-P top cover.
- The bottom plate will be replaced with the corresponding color.
- Choice between Vulcanite Leatherette or Smooth MP-Style Leatherette.
- One year warranty extension.
Click to expand...

You could build an M9 Panda (black top and bottom plate with silver controls) by putting in $2000 and keeping your own camera, of course. That could be attractive. And it nets you another year's warranty and the sapphire glass as well.

G
 
There you go ruining a fantasy with those pesky 'facts'... Thanks, I mis-remembered the cost of the upgrade. Looks like you have to do the $2k deal to get the top cover. Will the old top and bottom have any aftermarket value on eBay? Do you even get them back? Does anyone here have experience with the upgrade?

The look of the M9P KILLS. It is dead sexy... but $2k will probably buy a full-frame compact from some mfgr next year. Not worth it for the same sensor... $3k plus the $4k my camera is worth will almost get a Typ240; a much better camera that will hold value for a year or more longer before it starts the inevitable decline...
 
Last edited:
i think you'd have to be barking mad to pay $2k for the M9-P upgrade at this point.

Based on the difference in condition between the two camera and marginal shutter count difference, if bought from a retailer there would probably be a difference of a $200-400. I'd aim for something in this region - a small token that recognises the difference in condition - and which will contribute towards a future service.
 
LateStart said:
There you go ruining a fantasy with those pesky 'facts'... Thanks, I mis-remembered the cost of the upgrade. Looks like you have to do the $2k deal to get the top cover. Will the old top and bottom have any aftermarket value on eBay? Do you even get them back? Does anyone here have experience with the upgrade?

The look of the M9P KILLS. It is dead sexy... but $2k will probably buy a full-frame compact from some mfgr next year. Not worth it for the same sensor... $3k plus the $4k my camera is worth will almost get a Typ240; a much better camera that will hold value for a year or more longer before it starts the inevitable decline...
Click to expand...

It is a lot of money to put into an upgrade, for what is mostly a cosmetic upgrade. I think the M9P is nice looking, but not so much nicer looking than the M9 to be worth the $2000 tag.

I was familiar with the pricing as I was looking at the #1 upgrade recently myself—to get the sapphire glass LCD cover and the MP-style body covering along with the additional year of warranty. That's almost worth it.

Whether to upgrade the M9 vs buying an M as replacement is a different thing entirely. I plan to get an M eventually, but I'm not in any rush: the M9 is quite nice just the way it is. The M has every improvement that I'd wished for on the M9 (the biggest of which are simply more responsiveness and faster writes to storage) but adds the Live View ability so I could use my adapted Nikkor macro and tele lenses with it easily. And some Leica R teles too.

$1300 is a good chunk of the cost of an M purchase. I think I'll likely be in the market for one in 2015. So for the present, I've decided not to do the upgrade, just leave the Giottos LCD protector on the M9, and keep shooting. 🙂

G
 
You're acting foolishly. Your camera is a known good quantity.

You want to trade it for an unknown camera, with more use, and for more money, just because of a silly difference in the color of a few pieces of metal. It's not a handbag, it's a camera.

You're asking for trouble and you'll probably get it.
 
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