ironringer Posted January 30, 2015 Share #1 Posted January 30, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Could users please review what are important factors to consider when buying a used MP camera? What should we check out, and how? While it is sometimes possible to actually USE a camera before buying it from the owner, it will be useful to know what we can look for and test, without shooting film with it. Are there any weak spots in the MP to be aware of? Are later serial numbers more reliable than early ones? Were there any useful changes/improvements in the MP since its introduction, and consequently preferred serial number ranges? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 30, 2015 Posted January 30, 2015 Hi ironringer, Take a look here Advice for buying a used MP?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
250swb Posted January 30, 2015 Share #2 Posted January 30, 2015 I have a very early MP, and I prefer the M6 dial on the back that the early versions used, but they did have a dust seal problem around the viewfinder that Leica modified. I imagine most have been rectified by now, but if you see dust in and early model it may possibly be the cause. Other than that mine hasn't given any problems at all in twelve years. I wish you good luck in your search, they are great cameras. Steve 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted February 7, 2015 Share #3 Posted February 7, 2015 Could users please review what are important factors to consider when buying a used MP camera? What should we check out, and how? While it is sometimes possible to actually USE a camera before buying it from the owner, it will be useful to know what we can look for and test, without shooting film with it.Are there any weak spots in the MP to be aware of? Are later serial numbers more reliable than early ones? Were there any useful changes/improvements in the MP since its introduction, and consequently preferred serial number ranges? Listen if the shutter works well. Put it on 1/15 sec and listen when you press the button. The sound must be: "sliths-sliths" if you only hear: " " shick", the you have a shuttercloth that sticks or the grease is to thick, because the camera has not been used for a very long time. Smell the camera. It must not smell like fungus. Look at the shuttercloth and watch for little holes. Try a lens on. It must go smooth. Watch for dents in the top or on either side. For the rest every MP is a good one or a very good one. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 7, 2015 Share #4 Posted February 7, 2015 The MP is really a very simple camera, with not much to go wrong, or that can't be easily fixed. Check the shutter, (the tip above is very good), and try the slow speeds to see if they operate consistently, look at the shutter curtains, check the rangefinder - do the images coincide fully? Check the meter against another meter/camera (although bear in mind how the M meter works which may give slightly different readings to say multipoint metering of a DSLR). Of course if you have the opportunity to shoot a roll of film with it first that would be ideal. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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