M6, some questions (help me not to throw away money!)

[AntonioC]

Yesterday I had my first opportunity to handle an M6 (non-TTL) in a shop, all I can say now is IT'S GORGEOUS, and really has that feel. I really decided I want it, and came to the conclusion I'll happily divide from my highly-efficient-beloved F100 (which serves me quite well, I just can't justify it anymore, no sports, no wildlife, no macro). In case you're curious, this is the kind of shoots I do: http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=145130 (some of you may remeber it)

As a side note, people on this forum are highly responsible for this accident...

Now the question, I can only afford a beaten body, this one in particular has just a dent on the top plate, at the level of the hot shoe, in front of it. I checked the rangefinder for vertical and horizontal alignment and it's ok. I also checked shutter speeds, they seem appropriate relatively to each other, but a tad slow (the 1s was IMO more a 1.5-2s). The price is horrible, but gear is obscenely expensive here in Italy: �1400! Is there something I should be particularly suspicious about, other then shutter and vf adjustment? It comes with a full 6months warranty from the italian official importer (Polyphoto).

Also, I would have liked to start with a recent summicron 50, but in my price range I could more easily fit a collapsible summicron. Is it much worse than more recent versions? I have to admit it's lovely when retracted and has a nice retro' stile, but I found the infinity lock extremely annoying, it was hard to focus on not-so-infinite objects (say, 20m) just for the lock.

I'm going to look for other M6 bodies to compare but as a starting point I'd appreciate a lot your input.

Thank you very much.

[david_seaman1]

Eu1400($US1,260) sound a lot to me for the M6 you describe.Have a

good look around and try Ebay, where for less than $1,500 you can

pick up a new one from the UK.

[robert_kramer]

That collapsable summicron is a 1950's design lens. Get something

more recent and you will be happier. You should be able to get a

current or next to latest design summicron for about $500 US. If

that is too much, go for one of those cosina/voigtlander screw mount

50mm lenses, which I think are only about $350 US new, and quite

sharp.

 

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Get your camera from someone reputable! Ebay is a real roll of the

dice, IMO. I find the best deals are from repair people, who seem to

always have a camera or two for sale (and the cameras have always

just received a CLA, as an added benefit). The camera you looked at

is not a good deal if the slow speeds are sticking. You would need

to budget another $200 or so for a CLA. As the other fellow pointed

out, for this money you might as well buy an M6 new. Good luck!

[msitaraman]

Antonio, have you tried Luigi Crescenzi at

 

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www.leicatime.com

 

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He is one of Europe's largest used Leica dealers, with quite a large

stock and very reputable. I have dealt with him. His item

descriptions are scrupulously honest, and prices are honest too.

 

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in Rome: PHONE # ++3906 4425 1212 (ANSWERING MACHINE, TOO) and ++39

337 747633

[AntonioC]

Thank you very much for your advice. Having never dealt with ebay I'm

a little concerned about it.

And I recognize the price is quite high for this sample, but alas

it's in line with the majority of used cameras dealers here (Milan).

Grazie Mani, I've just written to Mr. Crescenzi hoping to find

something more acceptable.

 

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As for the collapsible, I've done a research on this forum just to

conclude it's not such a great lens (as it should, since it's going

to be my only lens for both BW and slides for a looong time!)

 

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Thank you again for the valuable help.

[xavier_dalfort]

Antonio:

 

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I went on your page and liked all of them. Your lady model is very

cute (photo "and now?" or 405254), er if you could convey to her the

opinion...

 

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Back to the tech. I'm a R user so my opinion counts for nothing.

 

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Just the usual, look for the dents, ask for the service history (as

for a car...).

Ebay? Yes usually less expensive but you have collectors with $$$$

and you can expect them to raise methodically the auction.

 

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Try the monthly magazine of your country. Here, it is possible to

find very good deals in "Chasseur d'Images" from people short of a

few ����, selling their gear. However, I would rate better those

deals than "Ex-demo" deals.

 

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Time to break the piggy bank?

 

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What about a Konica? For the type of photo you show us, it's a

serious alternative.

 

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Ciao.

Xavier.

[fredlee70x7]

Hi Antonio,

 

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For the US$1500 you could get a brand new M6 TTL if you buy from Hong

Kong dealers. Also a brand new 50 Summicron costs US$600. I've tried

Tin Cheung Camera Co. and New Sankyo and had bought many gear from

them with total satisfaction. Their prices are very competitive even

though I included the shipping fees. Their items are brand new with

manufacturer's warranty, i.e. you need to return the cameras/lenses to

Leica in Germany for repairs if needed. It's still a better buy than

getting a beaten used body!