Where have all the R 6.2's gone?

[holmes]

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This one of those topics that don't generate a lot of interest. I'm finding it fascinating to work my way through the website dealers, big and not so. What caught my interest is the fact that I'm either seeing no R6.2s or very, very, few. By that I mean a dealer may have one for sale. All the other models seem to be readily available. If not from one dealer, than another. R 6s are out there and R 7s, R5s, etc. But it is this gap of R6.2s, in the line that fascinates. Built like a tank, solid, mechanical, the battery is for the meter only. I have two and when I bought them used I sent them to DAG in Wisconsin. Each was only $100.00 USD for what is called the 3/4 service. Takes the guess work out of sleepless nights. So they only needed minimal service. Lube, adjust, tighten, whatever. Getting back to where the R6.2's have gone? If price is any standard to judge by, the R6.2 is the most expensive used R. That's why I bought two. I'm not a collector, but then I have a used Rollei f3.5 from around 1960 that I take out every so often.

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[lct]

There are more than ten R6.2s available on e**y right now.

[adan]

A quick scan of the production blocks here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Serial_Numbers_Leica_Cameras

 

seems to indicate the R6/6.2 were produced at roughly 1/4 the volume of R7s (1000 per year vs. 4000 in 1995). Given that they also had a shorter production life overall (18 years for R6/6.2 vs. 27 years for the various electronic Rs), the ratio may be more like 1:5 or 1:6.

 

Then factor in the psychology that those who would pay the same or a higher price for a mechanical totally manual camera than whatever R4/5/7/8/9 was also available, are also a group less likely to be enticed by digital....

 

and what you may have is a smaller pool of cameras, with a larger percentage of owners with no desire or incentive to sell - and with a preference for the Bay if they do want to sell (lct's number is about right).

 

OTOH, looking at other used Leica sources in addition to *Bay, (Tamarkin 1:14, KEH 2:11, Camera West 2:10), the total ratio of R6/6.2 bodies for sale to electronic Rs gets back down close to 1 in 5 - even higher if one takes only the R6.2s.

 

So used R6/6.2s available for sale are roughly as common as they were as a new product: 1/5th of the total R camera production (not counting SLs).

[mole73]

A quick scan of the production blocks here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/Serial_Numbers_Leica_Cameras

 

seems to indicate the R6/6.2 were produced at roughly 1/4 the volume of R7s (1000 per year vs. 4000 in 1995). Given that they also had a shorter production life overall (18 years for R6/6.2 vs. 27 years for the various electronic Rs), the ratio may be more like 1:5 or 1:6.

 

Then factor in the psychology that those who would pay the same or a higher price for a mechanical totally manual camera than whatever R4/5/7/8/9 was also available, are also a group less likely to be enticed by digital....

 

and what you may have is a smaller pool of cameras, with a larger percentage of owners with no desire or incentive to sell - and with a preference for the Bay if they do want to sell (lct's number is about right).

 

OTOH, looking at other used Leica sources in addition to *Bay, (Tamarkin 1:14, KEH 2:11, Camera West 2:10), the total ratio of R6/6.2 bodies for sale to electronic Rs gets back down close to 1 in 5 - even higher if one takes only the R6.2s.

 

So used R6/6.2s available for sale are roughly as common as they were as a new product: 1/5th of the total R camera production (not counting SLs).

 

Andy, thanks for your explanation.

 

In the M-system it´s the same with the MP. It is roughly available in stores around europe and sells for more than the M7.

 

Robert

[holmes]

Thanks for the information and numbers. I must admit to total ignorance of E-Bay. I have never used it and can only recall the horror stories from a few years ago from friends who got screwed. Guess they tightened their software.

[luigi bertolotti]

... Or is simply for who bought them like still to use.... and don't sell: I'm not a R user, but I think it was a very good and robust camera.

[jlancasterd]

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Stephens in Manchester (Home) is advertising a silver R6.2 in mint condition at £825 at the moment, and Ffordes in Beauly (https://secure.ffordes.com/index.htm) has two - a black E+ at £649, and a silver Mint- at £799.