Is this M6 Real and/or does it have mix/match parts?

[AShearer]

Help
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...20023236613&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEBI:IT&rd=1

I am the current high bidder on this, but all of a sudden I'm looking at it and I see a couple things I wonder about.

1.) The film advance lever (not the thumb bob) looks black.

2.) The preview lever appears to be black

3.) The Leica GMBH Germany is not stacked on the back as in

Leica Camera GMBH

Germany

What are your thoughts? Is there such a thing as counterfiets, or is this thing a mix of parts?

 

[photogdave]

Looks like the M6 "Panda".
http://cameraquest.com/LM6Pan.htm

PS: This is my 200th post!

 

[AShearer]

You may be right. I'll h ave to find a picture of a Panda. THanks.

 

[photogdave]

Check the link...

 

[AShearer]

Sorry; Just noticed the link in your post. One difference the Panda on Stephen's site has a black shutter speed dial, this one appears to be chrome or silver and is really hard to see.

 

[ywenz]

Check this out too..
http://www.cameraquest.com/m6dif.htm

The ebay one has a black shutter dial!!!

 

[photogdave]

I noticed that too. I'm guessing it is black and reflecting a lot of light in that shot.

 

[AShearer]

Now that I look again, one of the other shots clearly shows the ss dial is black. You're right it must be a Panda. How about that? The Seller didn't list it as such.

 

[AShearer]

Check this out too..
http://www.cameraquest.com/m6dif.htm

The ebay one has a black shutter dial!!!

You're right and thanks for the link.

But, according to Steve's chart the rear top panel engraving on this one is incorrect, or Steve's chart is incorrect?

Thanks.

 

[AShearer]

Looks like the M6 "Panda".
http://cameraquest.com/LM6Pan.htm

PS: This is my 200th post!

Glad to give you something to make your 200th post about!!!

Thanks again. It appears to be a Panda, but there is still one glitch in the engraving on the back top plate. Probably an anomaly.

Thanks All

 

[peter_n]

I could be a "home made" panda. That shutter release doesn't look exactly standard, though maybe its just a screw in add-on.

 

[kbg32]

The camera seems to be the real deal.

 

[AShearer]

I could be a "home made" panda. That shutter release doesn't look exactly standard, though maybe its just a screw in add-on.

That's a soft release screw in that is available from the Leica Forum if I remember correctly.

 

[Ronald M]

Cobbled together from parts, factory or otherwise.

 

[NIKON KIU]

Hope you get it...in the box they normally do over $1000...and thats for the regular classics.
Kiu

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

You may be right. I'll h ave to find a picture of a Panda. THanks.

You've never seen a panda?? http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/images/panda.jpg 😉

Anyway, I heard that the M6 Panda came into being because for one time they had "extra" black shutter speed dials. Get some black film winders, and voila, the Panda.

 

[wpb]

The "Panda" variation came out in 1992-3 and this camera dates to 1989. This has to be modified later with black parts... so in reality it is a modified chrome M6 and can't be considered as rare at all.

 

[AShearer]

The "Panda" variation came out in 1992-3 and this camera dates to 1989. This has to be modified later with black parts... so in reality it is a modified chrome M6 and can't be considered as rare at all.

I should be more careful in looking at stuff before I bid!! Fortunately somebody out bid me and the at best, questionable panda is now over $1,000.

AS

 

[AShearer]

You've never seen a panda?? http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/images/panda.jpg 😉

Anyway, I heard that the M6 Panda came into being because for one time they had "extra" black shutter speed dials. Get some black film winders, and voila, the Panda.

I've since been educated about pandas, but I think as wdb said, the serial number is wrong.

 

[jaapv]

The "Panda" variation came out in 1992-3 and this camera dates to 1989. This has to be modified later with black parts... so in reality it is a modified chrome M6 and can't be considered as rare at all.

Nor is the Panda.As far as I know, in collectors circles it is not regarded as interesting at all, as it was not an official Leica-issue, just something that happened, so the exact numbers are not recorded. It is too easy to fake. The price premium we see now is caused by speculations it might become collectable one day. My advice would be, buy two M6-ses black and silver, make a Panda and an anti-Panda and sell one for too much 😉