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Where to buy my first Leica?


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Hey guys,

 

I'm looking to purchase my first Leica and I have my heart pretty much set on the M6...or the MP if I could afford it, but the M6 seems like the next best thing. Anyways, I have spend endless months on ebay looking for "the right one" but I find it slightly hard to in a sense blindly cough up a few thousand dollars and run the risk of getting a mediocre camera.

 

Basically I'm here looking for suggestions of the best place to buy an M6 (reliable and affordable) and also lenses, I am pretty much set on the Summilux. Local would be great but the used Leica market in Toronto doesn't seem to be too big, so basically anywhere online that is reputable and honest priced would be great, thanks everyone.

 

Jon.

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Hi,

 

I have just acquired my first Leica as well, an M6 ;). I spent 2 months looking for the best deal and the most trustworthy place to spend my hard-earned money. Here what I learned,

 

1. If you want to feel completely secure, get one from the authorized dealer. I've contacted them all and the best price so far is Ken Hansen. Other sellers with good price are (from lowest to highest):

- Kirkland NY

- Igor's Camera (but his reputation is a bit mixed up)

- Popflash

- KEH

- ADORAMA

- ...

 

2. If you want to gamble a bit and get the best deal out there, get one from a private seller on eBay, craiglist, forum's buy&sell. (I chose this path)

 

I was lucky to get mine from a local and dealt locally. I could check the condition of the camera and did some tests. The camera had also been CLA'd at DAG and upgraded to MP finder prior my purchase. I got this baby for only a little over $1000 :D

 

This the picture after I did some cleaning and put a black dot (bought from DAG).

 

Good luck finding yours!

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Thanks for the replies guys.

 

Good think you mentioned a place to get some work done on the camera; because I was assuming once I acquired it I would have to most likely get a CLA. So thanks for that info as well. I will check out the sources listed so far and let you know what happens. I am still open to other suggestions/comments! Thanks everyone.

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Everybody has their favorite place,

mine is Leica Boutique at Camtec Photo in Montreal.

Email of ask for Jean (or John), the owner. 514.875.5110

 

Please do not post third party's email addresses

 

The owner is on the floor every day, and his loves photography as much as we do.

What I really like about Jean is he is no bullshit.

 

Personally, I would consider the M6 Classic (not TTL). A work horse, never fails, no frills, very reasonable $ and a great camera. Don't over look the 50 f2. It does not get the love the 1.4 gets, but it a great, razor sharp lens, small and light, it is perfect out in the streets all day long.

 

 

 

 

Hey guys,

 

I'm looking to purchase my first Leica and I have my heart pretty much set on the M6...or the MP if I could afford it, but the M6 seems like the next best thing. Anyways, I have spend endless months on ebay looking for "the right one" but I find it slightly hard to in a sense blindly cough up a few thousand dollars and run the risk of getting a mediocre camera.

 

Basically I'm here looking for suggestions of the best place to buy an M6 (reliable and affordable) and also lenses, I am pretty much set on the Summilux. Local would be great but the used Leica market in Toronto doesn't seem to be too big, so basically anywhere online that is reputable and honest priced would be great, thanks everyone.

 

Jon.

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Of course if you buy from overseas you probably have to pay tax, but it still could be worth it. I am not sure how the Canadian dollar stacks up against other currencies right now, but it could be worth considering. Just buy from a reputable dealer and buy one in the best mechanical condition. The M6 is a great camera; you won't be disappointed.

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For used M cameras & lenses, I would recommend Fine New & Used Photo Equipment from Camera West - Walnut Creek & Rancho Mirage, CA and/or Sherry Krauter.com -- Home of the Golden Touch.

 

For new Leica gear, either B&H in New York City, Camera West or Tamarkin Camera

 

In my experience, you can't go wrong with any of these four.

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For your first Leica pay a little extra and buy from a dealer who provides a warranty. The camera will (or rather should) have been checked out already and you won't end up with someone else's problem.

 

Buy privately (unseen) and you really don't know what you're going to end up with. Factor in the cost of a CLA and you'll probably end up paying more than from a dealer.

 

You probably need a lens as well, maybe a few accessories? More opportunity to strike a bargain with a dealer!

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Hey Jon,

 

I will strong recomand two Shops in Europe- these two are very serious companies.:)

 

1.Meistercamera Hamburg (www.meister-camera.com)

 

2.Leicashop Wien (www.leicashop.com)

 

Bought most of my Leicas + Lenses from Them, very good comunication.I rate both 10 out of 10.

 

Do not even think of Ebay - try them first;)

 

Greetings from Norway

 

Stephan

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Some of these sites are great, thanks everyone! Also one quick question, I'v been told that the M6's with serials16-17xxxxx are an "older type" of m6 and to buy from the 18xxxxx's up to the 2xxxxxx's. What is the difference between the really early M6's and the later ones? I'm assuming something to do with quality control? Thanks!

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