One of a kind Leica

[Debusti Paolo]

this is addressed to everyone who modified a Leica: let'us see your one of a kind leica and please drop some infos (who made conversion,why,costs etc).
Thanks to everybody!!!!!!!

 

[Calzone]

I have what is very likely a Leica Prototype M6. The serial number dates the camera as a 1987 and has all the features of a second version Wetzler with the padded lugs, but the top plate is titanium. Otherwise the rest of the hardware is of a stock chrome Wetzler M6. The bottom plate is chrome, but the latch is marked open and closed in German. Otherwise it has all the details of the first version Wetzler that us Leica-Geeks love: the Leitz red dot; the engraving on the top of the top plate; the Made In Germany embossed into the vulcanite; the film plane marked under the film advance lever...

This camera pre-dates the Ti M6 by five years BTW.

Bought it on Ebay about a month ago for $1180.00. It is in great condition, but the frame counter isn't working. I want to get the frame counter fixed, a CLA, RF patch, and have the 135mm framelines removed. Even if it costs $600.00-$700.00 for the repairs and mods, I figure I will have a very cool upgraded camera that I will have for the rest of my life. I couldn't afford a new MP and if I could I'd hold out to get one a la carte, so for me this was an alternative: M6 a la carte.

I hope my rough estimates for the mods/repairs are not too outa line. The camera looks to be have been used gently and not used a lot.

I'll post the Ebay item number in a later post that supplies detailed photos.

The glass I got was a 35/2.0 version 4 with hood (German), and 75/1.4 (German). The total cost of my two lense kit is roughly the same as a new MP at B&H: the future repairs/mods will push me over though. The glass is minty, in Demo condition.

Cal

P.S. Thanks to the RFF for all the background info that allowed me to build this kit. I'm new to rangefinders.

 

[Calzone]

The ebay item number is: 260290929494.

I just searched and it still is listed. If anyone knows how to create a link please do. I am clueless and lame. You know: an old film guy.

Cal

 

[Livesteamer]

This may be a bit off topic because I bought my M3 as it is. My first Leica, I didn't know much then. Anyway, M3 #802280 is from 1955. It should be a double stroke, long strap lugs and old speeds. It has single stroke, small strap lugs, modern speeds and a rangefinder patch with the depth of field notches in it. I bought this camera as a good user from a famous west coast Leica dealer in 1992. It looks clean but took me several years to realize the main finder window in front had a good wrinkle in it. I think that sometime in its life the main finder window took a whack that killed the rangefinder. It then went back to the factory for repairs. CRR Luton states the M3 DS had three different rf units that were not interchangeable because of differences in the body casting. I think it got a late model rf unit, new body casting, speeds and single stroke. The vulcanite is perfect but the back door looks rough.
Anyway, I have four other, nicer M's but the old M3 is the one I prefer. Any of you Leica historians have an alternate possible history for it? You guys can buy this M3 at my estate sale when I'm gone. Joe