Just got a used Leica M6

J

JohnTz

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Hi all,

Just wanted to introduce myself. My name is John and I have always wanted a Leica M. I am just an amateur photographer. Mostly vacation and family pictures, but I am an engineer and I love nice mechanical things.

I just purchased a mint M6 with a 50mm cron. The camera looks absolutely new. Since it is an old camera and I do not know the maintenance history of it, how can I tell if it needs a CLA? At this point everything seems to work just fine, but I am concerned that the previous owner has never sent it in for any lubrication and therefore I may be doing some hard to the camera by using it.

My first roll of film out of the camera was fantastic. Sometihng magical about these Leica lenses. Even my wife commented that they were the best photos of my daughter I have ever taken. I wasn't even trying. I was going to be happy if everything was in focus🙂 .

I live in the Chicago area so if anybody can recommend a local shop for a CLA that would be great or otherwise I can ship it to the recomended shop.

This forum is awesome. I know I am going to spend several sleepless nights reading through all of the info here.



Thanks,
John
 
Congratulations on the purchase John. And welcome to RFF. You will likely get a wide array of answers on the CLA question. Some here live by the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" maxim. Others seem to get CLAs done on their cameras reasonably regularly. If you are going to get a CLA done, two good choices would be DAG (www.dagcamera.com) or Sherry Krauter (www.sherrykrauter.com).
 
Welcome, John. I started into the Leica world exactly as you have. Bought my M6 & 50 cron used from another rff member. Works like a charm and haven't bothered to have it CLA'd. I have no reason to believe that it needs any work but I, too, wonder what others think. Is getting a "regular service" an important thing to do? What say all you Leica experts?

-Randy
 
John,

First, welcome, look forward to your photos.

On the CLA issue ... my philosophy is if it isn't broken, don't get it CLA'd. Others feel strongly that they need to send it in every 10 or 5 years. Unless you feel that some part of the camera is not performing smoothly, such as stiff transport or other problems, I would save a CLA for later.

If you do decide on a CLA, I can second DAG (Don Goldberg) as a very good repair person.

Congrats and good luck.
 
John, don't bother with a CLA. The camera will tell you when it's needed. Right now, just enjoy it and be ready for sudden GAS attacks (Gear Aquisition Syndrome, FYI). It's common here, and some of us, old hands, finally got cured...

Or so we think... 😉

Oh, and welcome to the forum too!
 
Welcome John! I agree with others that say do not fix it if it is not broken. But should that time come, I am a BIG fan of Don Goldberg's work and service; DAG is the man.

Your M6 and 50 are a classic outfit. Shoot a lot, enjoy the feel and precision, and shoot some more.
 
SolaresLarrave said:
John, don't bother with a CLA. The camera will tell you when it's needed. Right now, just enjoy it and be ready for sudden GAS attacks (Gear Aquisition Syndrome, FYI). It's common here, and some of us, old hands, finally got cured...

Or so we think... 😉

Oh, and welcome to the forum too!
Click to expand...

They didn't get cured, they just bought every damn thing known to man is all! Ask some of them how many 50mm lenses they own and you will see what I mean!

Oh and welcome! And as to the CLA it is up to you if you want to get it done. I got an M6 a month ago and have chosen not to get it CLA'd. It is working fine. I have had stuff worked on by Sherry before though and she does a wonderful job and is honest with whether she thinks you should or shouldn't do repairs etc.
 
Welcome, John! Fine way to start too... My start was with a used M2, 10 years then in service. After another 36 years of light use it developed a little squeaking noise while winding the film. Like a dry-bearing sound. I had it CLA'd locally, and the improvement is notable... quieter and smoother than ever. I do know what you mean about assuring that the newly aquired used item is at its best, and I usually do take new acquisitions in for at least a brief checkup. Certainly up to you, your budget, and your peace of mind. 🙂
 
John! DAG is very close in Wisconsin. I recommend him for the CLA. I got the 3/4 CLA for around $180 ( if I remember correctly )

Your camera seems to be working fine for now so don't worry about the CLA until you notice something wrong with it. My framelines started to stick after 6 months and thats when I sent it to DAG.

make sure you pack and insure it well..

84706964_7dca1c1dc2.jpg


I bought the same M6+50 Cron package as you did, just over a year ago.. enjoy the camera!

43636149_ad94bc7d04.jpg
 
John,
welcome to the RFF, nice kit! Unless you are having issues I wouldn't bother with the CLA, just go shoot it.

Todd
 
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