buying a used Leica

[evan_litvin2]

What are some common problems found when buying a used M6 or M6ttl? I am getting

close to buying one, and I would just like to hear about anything anyone can recommend

me looking at before purchasing. Any technical or mechanical things I should check before

buying???

[john_woo3]

Meter and shutter speeds accuracy, battery chamber cleanness, viewfinder brightness, rangefinder alignment (horizontal and vertical), Leica seal on lens mount and film advancing smoothness.

[richard s.]

http://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm

http://www.cameraquest.com/leicamchecklist.htm

[SolaresLarrave]

In addition to all of the above, shoot an entire roll trying all kinds of light situations, especially backlit subjects and with intense sunlight coming the sides (one from the right, another from the left). When you get the film back, look for leaks. Although extremely uncommon, I've heard of some cases and, in fact, one of my cameras has that problem. Had I detected it as early as it happened, I would have been able to exchange it; I failed to see the problem until it was a bit too late, and since the warranty expired, I'll have to send it to Leica to be refurbished (DAG tried to fix the leak twice and never found it).

 

Good luck shopping!

[ben z]

"Leica seal on lens mount"

AFAIK Leica never placed a seal on any M6 lensmount, that practice ended with the M4-P.