Swapping Leica M6 Ti and 35 Summilux

[zanef2.8]

Hi guys

Friend of mine is proposing to swap my Nikon 200 f2 VR lens with his MINT Leica M6 Titanium and 35 1.4 asph Summilux Titanium... WITHOUT box, case, hood etc

I haven't used my 200 much (thought of doing sport and birding, but no time in recent years)...

What do you think of the swap in commercial sense?


My concern is, with my limited knowledge of the Leica World, his Leica set is more of a collector's item (agree??) and without box, case etc it's not really the collector's ideal??

I am thinking of using the Leica if I swap, but when the Leica is used, will it lose its collector's market?


Thanks for any input.

 

[marke]

Are you interested in the Leica to use it or for a collection? I think you have to make a decision on one or the other. And if you decide you're going to use it, then ask yourself why and what for. If a Leica (rangefinder) is something you want to shoot, then you've got your answer!

 

[maddoc]

Without boxes and all that stuff, it has no real collector value, it is just more like a "specialized" (finish) M6 + 35mm Summilux ASPH (awesome lens !!). Both will work like any other M6 + 35mm Summilux ASPH (did I mention "awesome lens" ?) and if an M6 + 35mm lens is what you want to take photos (!!) go for it ! For collecting .... wouldn't make sense, IMHO.

Cheers,

Gabor

 

[maelswarm]

Zane, that's hard to say... the 200/2 price is going up. Personally I'd trade my 200/2 for that combo because my style of shooting has changed. I'll buy the 200 again later when I'm making more money.

 

[zanef2.8]

>> Marke - I am interested to use it - personally I never collect cameras without using it.

>> Maddoc - thanks for clarifying that. So, my question become will this "non-collectors" M6 + summilux worth the price of a 200?

>> Taylor - (good to see you here) my style has also changed, no longer like to lug around a huge telephoto...

 

[maddoc]

Zane, that is difficult for me to answer ... I don't know your "personal" value of the 200 Nikon. If it is your most valuable lens for whatever reason (produces the most "money" shots, produces a lot of published photos, etc..) than I would think twice. If the 200mm Nikon is not a very important lens for you and you want to experience something new I would go for the Leica.

Recently, prices for film M bodies have gone down and new Leica glass could be have quite cheap (for a very limited time) due to the rebate program in the UK. This might effect the prices for used top Leica glass, too. The Nikon 200mm... I only know that it is expensive ... 🙂

Cheers,

Gabor

 

[zanef2.8]

Thanks Maddoc - I have been checking prices on ebay and those top leica glass still carry a crazy pricetag...

 

[Prosaic]

Hi guys

Friend of mine is proposing to swap my Nikon 200 f2 VR lens with his MINT Leica M6 Titanium and 35 1.4 asph Summilux Titanium... WITHOUT box, case, hood etc

I haven't used my 200 much (thought of doing sport and birding, but no time in recent years)...

What do you think of the swap in commercial sense?


My concern is, with my limited knowledge of the Leica World, his Leica set is more of a collector's item (agree??) and without box, case etc it's not really the collector's ideal??

I am thinking of using the Leica if I swap, but when the Leica is used, will it lose its collector's market?


Thanks for any input.

If you dont care for the Ti, sell the 200 VR and buy a standard M6. The 35/1.4 ASPH is an expensive lens too. You may save about 1500$+ if you buy the CV 35/1.4 instead. Not that expensive to get into rangefinder photography today. (Collecting rangefinders is another thing...)

 

[jmkelly]

If both items were new in box (and if I'm not completely mistaken) dollar for dollar you come out better in the trade - by a little. If you are not using the Nikkor and your shooting style has changed, why are you hesitating? The M6/35mm Summilux ASPH is a pretty sweet combo (though you might miss the AE you have in the R3A, still easier shooting than the Xpan) - the titanium finish is a bonus, and pretty handsome IMO.

 

[Jonas]

Last used privately owned 200 I saw was 3600$. Thats about the same price you would have to pay for a regular M6 and a regular lux asph. The Ti fetches a small premium and a larger if you find the right buyer. I would say that you get best out of that deal if you trade. You would at least get the same money back even if it gets some small usage marks since its rarer than the regular ones.

 

[Tim Gray]

I'd say that if you hunted around you could get an M6 for about $1000 and a 35 Summilux ASPH for around $2000. I assume the M6 is the TTL version which means it probably would go for a couple hundred more. The fact that they are the Ti versions should add a bit to the price of both. So probably in the neighborhood of $3500, give or take? I don't know what the 200mm is worth.

The nice thing about this is there is no hassle since you are trading with your friend. No shipping, items not being how they were described, etc. If you think you'll use it, and the 200mm is around $3500 or less, sounds like a decent deal.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

No no no no. Either you trade your lens for that combo, or you don't.

Don't start swapping this body here and there for a "cheaper" one, and an awesome lens for the Cosina 35 f/1.4. No no no no. I you think you'll be going down that path, save yourself the heartache and spend the money upfront and get a classic M6 with a used CV 35mm f/1.4; it'll be for about the same amount of money you'll lose once all the musical chairs swapping has taken place.

Also, if you're new to rangefinders, it is very likely you'll regret it during the first few months.

I say, try the camera first for a week and then decide.

 

[George S.]

One other thought...
Very similar to Gabriel's advice.....If you're going to enter the rangefinder world or Leica world only because that's what your underused lens in a trade is going to get you, then just sell the lens and don't get anything else until you KNOW that you either NEED or WANT VERY MUCH to go the rangefinder (or Leica) route. IOW- sell the lens and sit on the cash and think it over.

 

[Calzone]

>> Marke - I am interested to use it - personally I never collect cameras without using it.

>> Taylor - (good to see you here) my style has also changed, no longer like to lug around a huge telephoto...

There is some great advice above. I'll ask you directly is why you would want a rangefinder.

Regardless, the Ti M6 with a 35/1.4 ASPH is a great rig, especially for hand held.

I am new to Leica and rangefinders, and I have kept all my of Nikon gear and long lenses, but these are the reasons why I decided to get a rangefinder: I wanted a three lens kit that I could carry everyday speciffically for hand held street photograpy and photo journalism (I live and work in NYC); I wanted a camera that was more transparent and less obtrusive than a F3HP or F3P with motor drive; because I was doing exclusively hand held available light photography a Leica rangefinder has a great advantage over a SLR; and because a rangefinder is so differant than a SLR I thought a rangefinder would add its own creative element.

I challange you to make up your own list. It can avoid having trader's remorse.

The best of luck.

Cal

 

[jmkelly]

Check the OP's sig - not an RF noob - has a Mamiya 6, R3A and Xpan.

 

[zleica]

Commercially, it is about an even trade. Nikon 200/2 VR is about $3600 - $3800 (used) and the M6 Ti is $1400 - $1600) with Summilux 35/1,4 ASPH around $2200.

Whether this trade makes sense or not, you will be the best person to answer. If you are really into rangefinder, the Leica M6 with the 35 Summilux ASPH is one of the best combinations. I use this combination about 80% of the time (the other 20% is with M6 with 24 Elmarit ASPH.)

Cheers,

 

[zanef2.8]

Hi guys, thanks again for the great advices. You guys are being very helpful (very different to my impression of "leica snobs" 😛... don't be offended hehe)

I have used rangefinders although I am not good at PJ style street shooting... I am still very new with my Bessa R3A (I enjoy it a lot recently and love the Nokton 50 1.5). I wasn't ready to invest in a Leica system (yet) although I have this in mind for my future photography as I love to use compact and light cameras with high image quality.

I guess what I would do is to "swap" the 200 with my friend's Leica for a month or so and we could both have a 'cooling off' period.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Debusti Paolo]

go for it!!you'll enjoy your m6 ti+35 asph😀

 

[Calzone]

Check the OP's sig - not an RF noob - has a Mamiya 6, R3A and Xpan.

Thanks. My appologies for the mistake.

BTW a Ti M6 is a possibility for a second body if I can't get a MP. The 35/1.4 ASPH is also on my list and is likely to be my next lens. A really nice rig.

Cal

 

[zanef2.8]

That's ok, i am in fact a beginner in rangefinder photography...

Looks like most of you are supporting the M6... hmm... maybe i should ask the same question in a Nikon forum! hahha

Thanks again guys! I will do the swap!