Need advice, M6 questions

[Dale D]

Hi, I don't have a rangefinder, but have been thinking about one for a while. There's an M6 advertised in the local paper with 50mm Summilux for $2,000. I don't know if it's TTL or which viewfinder it is (I wear glasses, so need one that allows me to see all the framelines). The owner says it's "like new," and I'm planning to go look at it today. Does this seem like a fair price?

Thanks,
Dale

 

[colyn]

If the body is in good working/cosmetic condition and the lens has no damage etc to the glass and the focus/aperture are working as they should it sounds like a good deal to me.

Be sure to run it through all shutter speeds and check the curtains for light leaks. The lens should be checked for cleaning marks, fungus, hazing or other damage.

 

[sepiareverb]

I'd agree with Colyn- perhaps see if you can run a roll through it when you check it out- assuming theres' a 1 hour place nearby. The lens alone might go for 1,000 to 1,200 if it is nice and the same vintage as an older M6 I think. Bring some batteries (duracell 303/357) to be sure the electronics are going strong.

 

[Pablito]

yes, it's the summilux that makes this a good price, IF everything is in really good shape

 

[Dale D]

Thank you for your responses.

I went to go look at it, and well, that was an interesting experience. The body looked very clean, lens looked clean (although there were shiny areas on the diaphragm blades, like mechanical rub marks, maybe normal?). Elderly man in wheelchair wathces me while I'm closely inspecting the camera... says he's had it about 12 years and only ran one roll of film through it... I ask if he has a battery so that I can test the meter... he says "meter...??" I also ask why there's a large amount of grease along the bottom edge of the body... he takes the camera from me and say's "you're too meticulous... I think you're just looking, not going to buy it... you're too young and don't have money..."

I'm pushing 44 and quite interested in getting an RF, but this gentleman has somehow been able to ascertain that I'm still a babe in the woods with no means! I bid him goodbye and walked out. No M6 for me today...

Dale

 

[Pablito]

walking away was exactly the right thing to do, IMO. GREASE??? ....GROSSS!!!!

While it's possible he got it used, wear on the diaphragm blades indicades they've seen a lot of use.

 

[maitrestanley]

What a d*ck. He just made that comment hoping you'll retort with "No I want to buy it!" so he can make an easy sale. I would have been JUST as wary about the grease. The fact that he couldn't even explain something as simple as that almost indicates that HE probably doesn't know a thing about camera. Grease doesn't just show up on the bottom of a camera.

And Pablito is right about the aperture blades - they don't go like that after only one roll of film. Rub marks on the lens body also wouldn't appear after one roll of film. That is, unless he was wearing sandpaper gloves while handling it.

Very sketchy seller with no business etiquette whatsoever if you ask me

 

[ffttklackdedeng]

He just recognized you wouldn't leave 2 grand without going to the details and knew his item would fail upon the check so he talked you out of the 'deal'. Nothing lost and looks like a gentleman to avoid imho.

 

[35mmdelux]

He just recognized you wouldn't leave 2 grand without going to the details and knew his item would fail upon the check so he talked you out of the 'deal'. Nothing lost and looks like a gentleman to avoid imho.

Absolutely true. For 2 grand you ought to be able to pick up late model gear.