Unopened M6 classic...too good to be true?

SYD_TRIBE

SYD_TRIBE

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Hi

Theres a unopened M6 classic (serial 1677xxx), still in its original shrink wrap so never opened for sale locally.

I think serial nbr is 1985 manufacture so nearly 30 years old unopened apparently...too good to be true? What should I look out for if I took a punt and bought it?
 
There are people who have kept Leicas unwrapped as 'collectibles' so it is probably genuine, but a camera that has sat unused for 30 years will almost certainly need serviced because the factory lubricants will have hardened from age and non-use. Unless you absolutely MUST have a 'new' leica M6, it will likely be cheaper to buy a nice used one...since these 'new in box' ones always sell for way too much money.
 
Machines are made to be used. Premium cost is misdirection of funds to which initial service cost added and risk of other consequence of disuse spoiling experience later. I would have zero interest in this.
 
Factor in a full service. If it's never been open I'd like to see it unwrapped before buying in case of water damage etc.
The M6 is IMO the best M however 'like new' ones that have been lightly used and serviced do turn up for around 700 euro if you are patient so I wouldn't spend a lot more than that!
Prices have dropped quite a bit lately.
 
Are you planning to use it or will it be a shelf queen? If you plan on using it, I would say the same as everyone else. Its probably not worth it since you will have to have it serviced before you can use it. A ready to shoot, really good-excellant working condition M6 classic can be had for under $1000US if you look hard enough. So if the price is more then say $800US, I'd pass.

If you are worried that it might not be new, and can inspect it. I think aside from cosmetics, the easiest way to check for use is to shine a flashlight on the shutter curtains, see if there is any wear marks on them, also shine your flashlight into the take up spool, prolonged use of film leaves a white powdery residue on the inside of the plastic prongs. People dont tend to clean the inside of the take up spool, as you really cant see the residue unless you shine a flashlight in there. Im sure there are plenty of other ways to check as well, but those are the two I can think of off hand.
 
Thanks all, indeed planned to use it so will leave it for someone else and look for a pre loved m6 original or TTL instead, thanks again
 
If I had the spare cash, I wouldn't mind buying it and have it serviced with a CLA and an MP finder. Only because the camera is made in the same year I was born and then I'd be the first and only owner. That's kinda cool...
 
Hi,

A lightly used second-hand one would probably be better and cheaper that a pre-loved one.

If they can't be honest and say used or second-hand then I'd wonder what else they are omitting in the description.

Regards, David
 
Shrink wrap??..... I don't think so. I agree with Chris though that you should be suspect of the lubricants.
 
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I totaly agree with you, I've seen many mint M4-P bodies with fogged VFs but accurate shutter speeds.
Olden! One of my all time favorite camera stores:).
I remember the display cases during the 90s full of mint IIIf/IIIg, black M2, Plaubel 69W proshift, Nikon F/F2 bodies, a M6 Ein Stuck set... but never saw a new M4 body on display. Darn, I should have asked:D;).

Regards,
Robert

The M6 was not shrink wrapped from my limited experience, I have bought 4 new ones, 2 in the first year of production, and 2 in the last couple of years of production.

I do not however see why the synthetic lubricants in an M6 would gum up to the level that the camera needs service. I bought two M4's from OLDEN which were new, right before they closed, the only problem which needed service was gassing from the seals into the finder.

Leica, unlike Nikon, does have a reputation for bad lubrication so everyone may be right. Unless you know the conditions of storage it is a crapshoot.

Why not buy a recent [used] M7 which needs no service? My two early M6's were sold, the meters in those cameras were problematic for me, turned me off Leica for years (until I bought two milleniums).
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Collectors shtink wrap cameras in some countries. These cameras are not meant to be used.
 
I would smell a rat with the shrink wrapping, especially if it is being implied that the camera has never been opened, which it must have been to shrink wrap it. It means you won't be able to inspect it, so unless it comes with a warranty I'd pass and get one you know works.
 
V-12 said:
I would smell a rat with the shrink wrapping, especially if it is being implied that the camera has never been opened, which it must have been to shrink wrap it. It means you won't be able to inspect it, so unless it comes with a warranty I'd pass and get one you know works.
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I imagine the box is shrink wrapped, not the camera.
 
Chriscrawfordphoto said:
There are people who have kept Leicas unwrapped as 'collectibles' so it is probably genuine, but a camera that has sat unused for 30 years will almost certainly need serviced because the factory lubricants will have hardened from age and non-use. Unless you absolutely MUST have a 'new' leica M6, it will likely be cheaper to buy a nice used one...since these 'new in box' ones always sell for way too much money.[/QUOT

CLA will be required.

second is very important. The camera may have the zinc corrosion bubbles which you will not see until opening.

what happens to rubber shutters rolled up for decades? I have no idea, but probably nothing good.
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Apparently the Posters on this Forum have never purchased a Leica M of any vintage that has just sat. Finding problems before one even puts a battery in the camera or checks the shutter speeds is ridiculous.
Simply take the camera out of the box, open and inspect the battery port for corrosion and then install anew battery.
If all the speeds check out and the meter is working, it's good to go.
I would be on it in a flash for a reasonable price, maybe 1 or 2 hundred above market. My M6 Classic 0.85 sat in a guy's safe for over 15 years basically unused before I purchased it about 10 years ago, it worked then and still does with no problems or service. It came with everything including the original purchase receipt!-Dick
 
RichardB said:
Apparently the Posters on this Forum have never purchased a Leica M of any vintage that has just sat. Finding problems before one even puts a battery in the camera or checks the shutter speeds is ridiculous.
Simply take the camera out of the box, open and inspect the battery port for corrosion and then install anew battery.
If all the speeds check out and the meter is working, it's good to go.
I would be on it in a flash for a reasonable price, maybe 1 or 2 hundred above market. My M6 Classic 0.85 sat in a guy's safe for over 15 years basically unused before I purchased it about 10 years ago, it worked then and still does with no problems or service. It came with everything including the original purchase receipt!-Dick
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I've purchased 4 new Leicas, and all of them had their battery in a package, not in the camera, so checking for corrosion probably wouldn't be necessary, or helpful to the original poster. I'm sure other RFF members have purchased a new Leica or two as well.
 
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