Why such M-bodies price values

[Roger Hicks]

As an ex-M6 owner, yes, the build quality is great, but more through simplicity than anything else, it's easy to make sturdy hammer, not so much a swiss watch. I've also owned an OM4ti, which is far more complex, but just as good quality IMHO.
I love a Leica as much as the next man, but I'd get one because I WANT one, I'm not kidding myself it's a great tool, or perfect for the job, I just think they are lovely, and I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting one for that reason.

MT

What (if anything) does 'perfect for the job' mean?

A friend of mine with a couple of dozen press awards won about 90% of them with Leicas, and I have illustrated rather a lot of books and hundreds of magazine articles with Leicas. We both like them because they're small, light, unobtrusive and fully manual, with first-class interchangeable lenses. There are two 'jobs' (more like careers, really) for which two professionals have found Leicas ideal.

Of course, either of us could use other cameras (and have done, and do), but it's a pretty stupid professional who doesn't use the best equipment he can afford when it comes to earning a living, 'best' being defined as 'takes the best quality pictures in the circumstances' and 'easiest and most pleasant to use'.

Of course amateurs have different priorities, but given that I took the same sort of pictures as an amateur that I take as a professional, the Leica was ideal for me in those days too. I'd not be able to afford new Leica gear unless I could set it against taxes, but all that meant was that for many years I used second-hand Leica gear (and still do, though some of it has grown distinctly second-hand in my possession).

Cheers,

R.