Edwin Ho Posted February 25, 2013 Share #1 Â Posted February 25, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) There is a chance that I may get my hands on an M6 Classic. What do I need to look out for when purchasing a pre-owned (of course) body? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 25, 2013 Posted February 25, 2013 Hi Edwin Ho, Take a look here Buying an M6 Classic. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted February 25, 2013 Share #2  Posted February 25, 2013 This link may help you Leica FAQ — buy a new or old M?  Key things to check are that the rangefinder is properly aligned, the shutter works correctly, and the metering works. There are other things of course.  If you can, run a test film through the camera before buying it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted February 25, 2013 Share #3 Â Posted February 25, 2013 Open the battery compartment and look for signs of corrosion or battery leakage. Leaked acid can get into the meter circuit board and also the shutter mechanism. If it has a lens, check for rangefinder alignment. If it has lens and battery, check meter operation (only works when shutter is wound). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin Ho Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share #4  Posted February 25, 2013 This link may help you Leica FAQ — buy a new or old M? Key things to check are that the rangefinder is properly aligned, the shutter works correctly, and the metering works. There are other things of course.  If you can, run a test film through the camera before buying it.  James, thanks for the link. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin Ho Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share #5 Â Posted February 25, 2013 Open the battery compartment and look for signs of corrosion or battery leakage. Leaked acid can get into the meter circuit board and also the shutter mechanism. If it has a lens, check for rangefinder alignment. If it has lens and battery, check meter operation (only works when shutter is wound). Â Thank you TomB, but how do I check rangefinder alignment? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 25, 2013 Share #6 Â Posted February 25, 2013 Thank you TomB, but how do I check rangefinder alignment? Â Set the lens to infinity and look at something which is a long way away to see if it the image in the rangefinder window overlaps precisely (i.e. it's not off vertically or horizontally). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doolittle Posted February 25, 2013 Share #7 Â Posted February 25, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) If you are running a test roll through it, take a few pictures at 1/1000 against a uniform background. If you see a vertical stripe running through the picture it there may be a problem with the shutter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted February 26, 2013 Share #8  Posted February 26, 2013 Here's a checklist that may help, too. Most of it is useful.  Run through the shutter times as well. They are fairly distinct from each other.  Leica M Buyer's Checklist  The best is always to buy from a dealer who offers some form of warranty, even just a week or two to try the camera out, and return/repair possibility if the camera turns out to be a dud or you're not happy with it.  There are many M6s out there so there's no need to feel pressure to buy one particular if you're not entirely satisfied. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin Ho Posted February 28, 2013 Author Share #9  Posted February 28, 2013 Here's a checklist that may help, too. Most of it is useful. Run through the shutter times as well. They are fairly distinct from each other.  Leica M Buyer's Checklist  The best is always to buy from a dealer who offers some form of warranty, even just a week or two to try the camera out, and return/repair possibility if the camera turns out to be a dud or you're not happy with it.  There are many M6s out there so there's no need to feel pressure to buy one particular if you're not entirely satisfied.  Thank you Philipus, this list is comprehensive. And thanks to the rest too for the pointers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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