M6 TTL honest price?

[Dedalus]

Hi question from a friend who would like to enter the Leica world...no SLR for him though, he's more interested in the RF. He would like to buy an M6 TTL (he says he doesn't get the absence of lightmeter... ) used and he's looking on ebay among other places. What do you think a decent condition camera should cost him? I gave him keh and ffords websites as I know no others.

What would you suggest in terms of prices?


M.

[s.m.e.p.]

In good condition 1250,- € (euro).

[Saloti]

By chance I have been looking at used Leica prices at one of the biggest
dealers in Germany, Sauter/Munich. They had two M6, between 600 and 900 Euros,
the one at 900 Euros including a one year warranty.

[Dedalus]

thanks to both of you, I'll report!

Manuel

[randy@rleffingwell.com]

There are several other e-mail order shops you might try as well, Igorcamera.com, and camerawest.com. An number of L-Forum members (and I) have had good experience with Igor. Igor always called me to confirm my order before charging me and shipping. Camera West always seems to have a large supply of film M cameras in stock. KEH is very reliable as well. SAMY's camera in Los Angeles occasionally has M-bodies, as well.

Prices seem to range from $1,200 US up to more than $3,000 for special edition bodies still in new boxes.

Hope this helps. Happy shooting, randy

[Dedalus]

Originally Posted by randy@rleffingwell.com

There are several other e-mail order shops you might try as well, Igorcamera.com, and camerawest.com. An number of L-Forum members (and I) have had good experience with Igor. Igor always called me to confirm my order before charging me and shipping. Camera West always seems to have a large supply of film M cameras in stock. KEH is very reliable as well. SAMY's camera in Los Angeles occasionally has M-bodies, as well.

Prices seem to range from $1,200 US up to more than $3,000 for special edition bodies still in new boxes.

Hope this helps. Happy shooting, randy

thanks Randy, very much appreciated. Would a M6 non ttl camera cost less? or it doesn't make a difference? i know nothing about M bodies (not much about R either but at least I own one of those... )

would he have to carry a lightmeter at all times? i'm pretty ignorant about all this so please be gentle...

[cwf]

The "classic" M6 has a meter with arrows in the viewfinder so one can manually set the exposure without removing the camera from one's eye. This manual setting becomes automatic, at least in my experience. It is not very burdensome, imho. Hence, worth considering.

[Dedalus]

thanks for the clarification cwf, does the MP have the same mechanism? If so, what's the difference between the 2 cameras? thanks again and sorry for all these annoying newbie questions.

[luigi bertolotti]

Remember to your friend that, speaking of M6, you typically are speaking of a BODY ONLY... at least one lens is needed to take pics... and HERE starts the real discussion... add this question here, and you'll soon find an explosion of advices... (from me the first: used Summicron 50 and Tele Elmar 135, and a CV28... keep in mind, about this, that M6 can have different lens frames configurations...)

[Dedalus]

I'm staying away from all that

i've actually asked to join the site and ask for himself all the questions he wants. I have already a lot to deal with my R9...thanks for all your help.

Manuel

[gwelland]

Originally Posted by Dedalus

thanks for the clarification cwf, does the MP have the same mechanism? If so, what's the difference between the 2 cameras? thanks again and sorry for all these annoying newbie questions.

You'll find most of your answers here

[haris]

I think it is much depend if he lives in Europe, USA, Asia... Transport cost having in mind. USA is usually cheaper than Europe, but transport cost can make difference...

[Leicademon]

I've bought and sold dozens of M6's and am confident of these prices- US$1200- $1400 for a good TTL but you'll get a decent 'classic' for under $1000 if you know how to play the ebay game. The only real difference between classic and TTL is the flash metering and direction of shutter speed dial. so if you don't use a lot of flash (who does?) go the classic. Otherwise try Igor Reznick... check at igorcamera.com. He's a fair dealer in Cleveland who's prices are pretty good (though a bit more than eekbay)... do consider an M5 though. If you get one with a good metre you'll be laughing at around $700. Good luck.

[maddoc2003jp]

I got mine (M6TTL 0.85x) in nearly mint condition for ~ 1500$ from popflash-photo and the owner (Tony Rose) is a pleasure to deal with. Buying from a dealer has the advantage that you get some kind of warranty and avoid the evil-bay gamble... The M6TTL has a slightly improved meter (~ one stop better EV in low light and with three LEDs instead of two as the M6 classic) but a slightly higher (~2.5 mm ?) body -> you can't use old lenses with googles.

[leitz_not_leica]

~1-stop better? Who uses (trusts) a meter shooting ISO 100 at 1-sec and f1? Reciprocity rules at these exposuires.

You CAN use goggled lenses, the windows are in the same positions, just remove the top tab from the eyes, if it has one.

Where do you get your info?

[maddoc2003jp]

Originally Posted by leitz_not_leica

~1-stop better? Who uses (trusts) a meter shooting ISO 100 at 1-sec and f1? Reciprocity rules at these exposuires.

You CAN use goggled lenses, the windows are in the same positions, just remove the top tab from the eyes, if it has one.

Where do you get your info?

My Dual Range Summicron 50mm DOES NOT fit on my M6TTL WITH the googles but it can be used in its normal range ( and without the googles )

The M6 classic has a meter-range from -1 to 20 EV, the M6TTL from -2 to 20 EV (according to the corresponding manuals published by Leica) BTW, EV -2 corresponds to 4s at f/1.0 and 100 ISO... Sure the reciprocity rules at these exposures but was has this to do with the working range of a light meter ???

[doubice]

Originally Posted by maddoc2003jp

My Dual Range Summicron 50mm DOES NOT fit on my M6TTL WITH the googles but it can be used in its normal range ( and without the googles )

The M6 classic has a meter-range from -1 to 20 EV, the M6TTL from -2 to 20 EV (according to the corresponding manuals published by Leica) BTW, EV -2 corresponds to 4s at f/1.0 and 100 ISO... Sure the reciprocity rules at these exposures but was has this to do with the working range of a light meter ???

The reason the 50mm DR goggles do not fit on the taller bodies is a small rubber step which rests on the camera's top plate when the goggles are attached. Since the M6TTL and the M7 have slightly taller bodies, you'll have to remove this step and the goggles will fit perfectly.

The relative distance of the viewfinder windows to the lens mount is unchanged from the earliest M3 to the latest M8 and all goggled lenses will fit all bodies - in some cases (as above) minor, user-friendly modification might be necessary.

Best,

Jan

[doubice]

As to values, a simple eBay search for 'Completed Items' will also give you an excellent idea of the M6's current pricing.

Best,

Jan

[maddoc2003jp]

Originally Posted by doubice

The reason the 50mm DR goggles do not fit on the taller bodies is a small rubber step which rests on the camera's top plate when the goggles are attached. Since the M6TTL and the M7 have slightly taller bodies, you'll have to remove this step and the goggles will fit perfectly.

The relative distance of the viewfinder windows to the lens mount is unchanged from the earliest M3 to the latest M8 and all goggled lenses will fit all bodies - in some cases (as above) minor, user-friendly modification might be necessary.

Best,

Jan

I stand corrected, googles can be mounted. It is only the DR Summicron, which does not work in close-range (at least my lens with my M6TTL)

[kenneth]

Does your friend really need metered flash monitoring? if not then an M6 Classic is fine and will do everything he wants at a better price. I bought one recently from The Classic Camera in London for £799.00 which was a fair price as the camera is in mint condition. I would avoid ebay like the plague for something like this. A dealer will give you some sort of guarantee, in the case of TCC it is 6 months. Servicing on Leica cameras is not cheap so some sort of guarantee is imperative.

A more important consideration is, what lens is he going to buy for his newly acquired body. A good Summicron mint 35mm can cost £895.00 and a 50mm £200.00 less. I know this as I have recently made these purchases.