Calzone
Gear Whore #1
- Local time
- 12:04 PM
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2008
- Messages
- 16,873
- Location
- The Gateway To The Hudson Highlands
During the Credit Crises (2007) I purchase on EBAY an unusual Wetzlar M6 from a Canadian dealer who is based not far from the Midland factory. This particular dealer always seemed to either have cameras in really good condition or many times rare and unusual cameras.
My Wetzlar M6 is unusual in that although it is a Wetzlar M6 my camera features a Titanium finish on the top plate (knobs and levers are all chrome). The serial number pre-dates the later limited edition Titanium M6 Classics by five years and I figure that my M6 likely is a Leica prototype. Originally I thought my camera featured a brass top plate under the Titanium finnish, but now I'm certain that it is more likely a zinc top plate due to the signs of pitting and electrolsis from my body chemistry over the last 7 years of heavy use.
I do not think this is a modified camera, I believe it was factory original, and my M6 has all the appropriate "Wetzlar" features like the top plate engraving, the embossed "Made In Gemany" on the vulcanite, the funky earlier metering, the knurled metal rewind tip, the Leiz red-dot...
Anyways I would like to thank Roland for his wise recommendation of upgrading a M6 with a MP finder in lew of buying a new MP. I originally bought my clean M6 for $1050.00 because of the Credit Crisis, I would later learn that my "new" M6 (my first Leica) came with a dead frame counter, but I shot this camera for a year as-is with the dead frame counter until one day when the RF'er became irratic.
At that time I sent my M6 to Sherry for what I consider a "rebuild" because worn parts are acually replaced. At the same time I got a MP finder upgrade. Initially I was a bit disappointed when I got my M6 back because it was kinda stiff and loud like a new camera, and through extensive use it kept on getting better and better.
My M6 now displays some wear. The black anodize on the back door is starting to get silvery as the finish is wearing away; the top plate is pitting in areas from my sweat and oil; the vulcanite is worn smooth from the tips of my fingers on my right hand due to the use of a TA Rapidgrip; there is some brassing on the battery compartment cover from my fingertips also; and because of thousands of rolls of film the film advance and shutter are mucho quiet.
Recently sent my M6 back to Sherry, not due to malfunction, but for further mods: I wanted the 75mm frames removed because I love the look of a uncluttered M4. At the same time Sherry deemed that my windows needed replacement because of wear. She replaced my old windows with updated multi-coated versions.
Anyways I am so glad that I took Roland's recommendation. Know that back when I first sent my M6 to Sherry I inquired about getting the windows upgraded, but at that time she said, "Save your money." To me Sherry is the best. Because I followed Roland's advice I saved a lot of money and ended up with a very cool camera that has mucho individuality to the extent that it is now a custom camera that is like a "al la carte" M6.
Thanks Roland and Sherry.
Cal
My Wetzlar M6 is unusual in that although it is a Wetzlar M6 my camera features a Titanium finish on the top plate (knobs and levers are all chrome). The serial number pre-dates the later limited edition Titanium M6 Classics by five years and I figure that my M6 likely is a Leica prototype. Originally I thought my camera featured a brass top plate under the Titanium finnish, but now I'm certain that it is more likely a zinc top plate due to the signs of pitting and electrolsis from my body chemistry over the last 7 years of heavy use.
I do not think this is a modified camera, I believe it was factory original, and my M6 has all the appropriate "Wetzlar" features like the top plate engraving, the embossed "Made In Gemany" on the vulcanite, the funky earlier metering, the knurled metal rewind tip, the Leiz red-dot...
Anyways I would like to thank Roland for his wise recommendation of upgrading a M6 with a MP finder in lew of buying a new MP. I originally bought my clean M6 for $1050.00 because of the Credit Crisis, I would later learn that my "new" M6 (my first Leica) came with a dead frame counter, but I shot this camera for a year as-is with the dead frame counter until one day when the RF'er became irratic.
At that time I sent my M6 to Sherry for what I consider a "rebuild" because worn parts are acually replaced. At the same time I got a MP finder upgrade. Initially I was a bit disappointed when I got my M6 back because it was kinda stiff and loud like a new camera, and through extensive use it kept on getting better and better.
My M6 now displays some wear. The black anodize on the back door is starting to get silvery as the finish is wearing away; the top plate is pitting in areas from my sweat and oil; the vulcanite is worn smooth from the tips of my fingers on my right hand due to the use of a TA Rapidgrip; there is some brassing on the battery compartment cover from my fingertips also; and because of thousands of rolls of film the film advance and shutter are mucho quiet.
Recently sent my M6 back to Sherry, not due to malfunction, but for further mods: I wanted the 75mm frames removed because I love the look of a uncluttered M4. At the same time Sherry deemed that my windows needed replacement because of wear. She replaced my old windows with updated multi-coated versions.
Anyways I am so glad that I took Roland's recommendation. Know that back when I first sent my M6 to Sherry I inquired about getting the windows upgraded, but at that time she said, "Save your money." To me Sherry is the best. Because I followed Roland's advice I saved a lot of money and ended up with a very cool camera that has mucho individuality to the extent that it is now a custom camera that is like a "al la carte" M6.
Thanks Roland and Sherry.
Cal
