Price of a used M6?

B

Biber

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My R2 has died on me so I'm looking for something with a TTL meter to replace it with, and I'm thinking about an M6. What do you think is reasonable to pay for a user condition M6?
 
Condition is king. At the high end, an Excellent+ or Mint- M6TTL with some type of warrenty from a dealer is going to run around $1,500. Prices will vary from there. I have not seen too many "user" M6 TTLs for offer. If I did I would question what type of use it has seen to earn some "character" in such a short period of time. As a user, you want a camera that may not win a beauty contest, but sure can photograph one without a problem. Ebay is a crap shoot depending on who is selling, buying....you know how that goes. In a private sale I have seen prices for a TTL as low as $1,200, but you have to be able to wait for another offer like that to come up.
 
I just got a M6 TTL 0.85 not long ago as my backup body. It is in almost mint condition (just some very tiny wear at the pointy parts) wtih box and stuff and it cost me $1300. But I am in the regretting stage because I am tempted by the MP. :angel:


Flowen
 
To give you an idea: the shop I buy from has an M4-P for $700 (US), and an M7 0.72 (black) for $1,895, virtually new, in its box, etc. They had two M6 "classic"s for $1150 and an M5 for $850. All in ship shape.
 
In some cases you may prefer one from a real user as long it's not abused. In any case don't put yourself in rush unless you don't care about a couple hundred dollars difference and may simply pick one from some major store. Just my own experience. :)
 
I got my M6 Wetzlar Classic from photo.net member for $975 - serviced by Sherry Krauter a couple of months ago, working perfectly, in excellent condition - no brassing, no dings, scratches, etc.
A very nice camera, as Brian can confirm :)
Prices can vary, depending on model, age, condition...
I think I paid a great price, having in mind the condition and recent service.

Denis
 
I think in pratical situations it is pretty hard to tell differences between M6 and M6 TTL. If you don't use flash, the only difference you can notice is probably which direction the shutter speed dial turn but that is it.


Flowen
 
The direction of the shutter speed dial is not a trivial issue. To the screams of the traditionalists, Leica changed the direction with the M6TTL to a direction that makes sense for a TTL camera - you turn the dial in the direction of the arrow in the viewfinder to correct over/underexposure. The M7 has the same direction.

I settled on an M6 as my first RF cam and then had to decide if I was more interested in the older Leicas or the newer ones and you might want to think about this in the same way. Its pretty annoying to have cameras with controls that work in opposite directions...
 
When Leica bring out the M6TTL with the opposite direcetion shutter speed dial, some of the traditionalists were whining and whining and whining... I did not have too much problem with it. I am used to Japanese SLRs before getting into the rangefinders and the shutter speed dial turns in the same direction. I use mainly a M7 and now I got the M6TTL for backup. Which will make sense. If i was to get a classic M6 for backup then it will be weird because 2 cameras will have shutter speed dial in different directions.


Flowen
 
Biber, for a few bucks more you can get the M6TTL, which is newer than the M6. The TTL circuitry can be fun to use with a Leica dedicated flash for fill... That's what I've done, and the system works very well.

Check out www.donchatterton.com

I got my first Leica from him. And it was an M6TTL, purchased for $1295 (and free shipping) in 2003. Not too bad... In this day and age, however, they can be found for, say, $1250 sometimes.

Good luck shopping!
 
SolaresLarrave: I already have an M4P that I used together with the R2, so I would prefer an M6 "classic" to get the same shutter dial as on the older Ms. I'm also trying to get it as cheap as I possibly can (I'm a student) so the TTL version is pretty much out of the question.
 
I found one for what seems to be a nice price, now I just have to make myself spend the money I dont' need for anything else without feeling bad about buying something I want more than I need it... :)
 
Biber said:
I found one for what seems to be a nice price, now I just have to make myself spend the money I dont' need for anything else without feeling bad about buying something I want more than I need it... :)
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Stop dithering man and buy it!!! Before someone else does! :eek: ;)
 
I don't think the demand for M6s is very high at 2 AM in Sweden, but you never know. :p

I'll probably buy it tomorrow, and then I'll worry about getting a package containing a brick in the mail instead. ;)
 
Biber said:
I don't think the demand for M6s is very high at 2 AM in Sweden, but you never know. :p

I'll probably buy it tomorrow, and then I'll worry about getting a package containing a brick in the mail instead. ;)
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Good decision Jonas! :D We are helpful on RFF are we not? ;)
 
For some reason I assumed that was your first Leica. If this would be your second, it makes perfect sense to get the M6.

You should see the trouble I get into when handling my M3 (whose shutter speed dial is, as you know, different from the one in my M6TTL).

Good luck conciliating the needs and the wants! I usually argue with myself for a long time and the whole matter gets settled when my dark side says "Heck, life is short. Enjoy it!"

So... I enjoy it! :)

Do likewise! :D
 
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