Just won M6 on Ebay (hopefully for good) - a question

[alexz]

I just won an auction for a supposedly nearly Mint M6 body (according to the seller's description):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=320058389319&rd=1&rd=1

The seller provides camera's S/N : 22955455
Checking M6's serial numbers list avaialble on CameraQuest site I wasn't able to figure such - it seems to fall between the ranges that fit the production runs in 1996 and 1997.

Should I worry about it ? Or probably the S/ list there is incomplete ?

 

[alexz]

No, there was no single picture at all in the auction. Actually the seller mentioned this fact clearly in the description. I also checked his previous actions reflected in his feedback - he sold similar items (Bessa R2 or similar for instance) - all without single pictures but the buyers were satisfied by the product according to the feedback.
I'm just corresponding with the seller - he sounds to be a legit one and told me that once he acquired his M6 some time ago he also checked the S/N similarily and revealed the gap, so it may be an ommision in the list (thought will never know for sure untill will hold it in my hands...).

 

[35mmdelux]

I won't buy anything where the seller can't show a photo, period. That is the least a seller can provide for a thousand dollar sale. Your seller has very few sales, so not much of a reputation.

Serial number records are not exact.

Mint means different things to diff sellers. A 10 year old camera is rarely mint. This is a one-sided sale. Proceed w/ extreme caution.

 

[alexz]

Hey guys, you may relax..;-)
Corresponded intensively with the seller, (honestly, enjoyed it) - he turned to be a fellow on LUG (Leica User Group) and is well known there. The history of his posts there is encouraging.
Besides, guess what, he is Hank Kellner - yes, indeed, the book writer and his thriller
"Shadows at Ganer Lake" which I did not read but is getting a rave review online.
The guy is kind of "old-fationed" photographer - doing strictly B&W with his M4 and self-developing and printing and used to rely on his own experience while estimating the exposure. He bought his M6 some time ago but couldn't get accustomized to built-in metering (but having such in the camera one is really tempted to use one). I really admire such people who know the real value of traditional photography, too bad I have never shoot B&W and have no manual processing experience either.

So I'm getting quite confident with my purchase. In fact Mr. Kellner even offered me several time to cancel our deal if I feel this way to go and he will gladly accept it because will be able to offer his M6 for sale once again and presumably will get more cash for it then went in our auction (and there is a good reason to that...)

So wish me good luck with that, hopefully within two weeks will join a supposedly wonderfull Leica addiction...(cross my fingers..).

 

[Didier]

The seller has already sold various rangefinder gear, mostly Voigtlander, which let's me believe it's a rf aficionado with low ebay skills, but not a dishonest seller. The fact he did not add some pictures may have costed him $200-$350. Alex, I believe you made a bargain. Have fun with your M6. I can recommend the M7/MP finder upgrade which can be done by every Leica service.
Didier

 

[alexz]

Thanks Didier.
I also think would be add at least two-three pictures of thea ctual camera hw would probably earn another 20-25% of the actual selling price and he certainly understood that when teh auction has been closed. Never mind, he sounds to be quite interesting person to develop a conversation, hoping (once the sale will went through for good) to keep in touch with him in the future.

INstalling the M7/MP finder ? Yes, I've noticed such recommendations over the net al least seevral times. Is it because of higher probability of VF flare in M6 ? I will have yet to experience that myself and see what it is all about, then will probably decide to swap the finders indeed if teh situation will be bad enough.. ;-)
One thing to consider though, I have a suspicion there is no qualified Leica authorized service in my country, at least one will ne hard-perssed to figure a Leica shooter here, almost entire photo community in my contry converted to digital or are on its way to...(mainly of course digital SLRs). So no market means low probability of maintaining an authorized repair facility in particular country.

 

[richard_l]

The M6 flare problem seems to vary according to the user. For me it happens so seldom that it is not worth replacing the finder.

Richard

 

[thafred]

congrats AlexZ!
you got an amazing bargain! I got my M6 for cheap too...the seller labled it as LAICA camera 🙂 ...I love it when that happens!

 

[alexz]

Thanks, hopefully this is the case...;-)
Laica ?? 🙂 This is how people used to pronounce it in my country also...LOL

 

[Didier]

...Installing the M7/MP finder? Yes, I've noticed such recommendations over the net al least seevral times. Is it because of higher probability of VF flare in M6?...

Yes, it's the M6 finder flare issue. Happens especially at strong daylight when the sun is in the 120° angle in front of you, or in situations like small theatres/clubs with strong stage light.

I would say just try it out, and if it is really an issue for you (some do care about, many don't ), you can still send it directly to Leica in Solms.

Didier

 

[Didier]

My M6 bargain story

My M6 bargain story

I got my M6 for cheap too...the seller labled it as LAICA camera 🙂 ...I love it when that happens!

Laica? Wasn't that the name of the dog the Soviets sputniked into space in late 1957? The first creature dancing around our orbit? 🙂

Yep, wrong naming or listing can be fatal for a seller. My M6 came from a pawnshop seller who had it listed under vintage photographica, and described as "broken" and "not working". I contacted him and following his description, the shutter was jammed but the meter and the rest working. I informed myself at Leica Switzerland what a new shutter would cost - CHF 550 ($420 at this time). The opening bid was $222 and I was the only bidder. With postage, custom and VAT fees I had a total of around $700 - at a time were M6's did not go for less than $1.5k.

Another story was how I bought a Canon VT DeLuxe with pistolgrip, 50/1.2 and original 50/1.2 vented hood, all leather cases and two 55mm special flat filters (needed for that lens), manuals, box, a cpmplete kit - for less than $200... the seller had listed it under Canon autofocus lenses, not mentioned the hood (there was only a hood case on one picture), "selling to USA only" and no paypal. I contacted him, convinced him to sell overseas, and to open a paypal account - and got the camera! The rare hood alone sells for $300-400...

Didier

 

[alexz]

Wow, sorry M, as they said: "nothing personal, only business"..;-)
You would indeed be picking it would you be there, I intended to go as high as 1k$ and then to retreat, so chances you would have it still for excellent price.
I think there are two major points to mention that lead teh seller to loose abuot 20-30% of the deal:
1. No pictures - thsi is a deal breaker for many (I was also close to that)
2. He started (and then ended) his auction on early morning (US local time) when most of US audience is either still in the bed or in rush for work. This is a real cosnideration bearing in my mind US is still the largest market.

But the guy is indeed a honest and delightful in person. He is very active on LUG and we're already corresponding with him there...
Tomorrow hopefully I'll proceed with the payment and then will wait patiently another a week or two until the package will show-up.

 

[Leicabug]

Alexz:
Mine M6 #2289569 was purchased new in June, 1997. So your M6 should be about the same age. I have had no probem since the purchase but I sent it to Leica to have no flare finder installed in 2004.