Talus Posted May 10, 2007 Share #1 Posted May 10, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello- I'm looking at my first Leica and I have a few questions. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I've been researching rangefinders for a while but some questions aren't answered in books. Thanks in advance! 1. I'm looking at an M6 TTL. I've seen them priced between $1200 and $1700. They are usually rated as being in very good/mint condition. That's a fair price yes? 2. Some of them are listed as "barely used" or "sat on a shelf for X number of years". If the camera isn't used frequently does it affect the operation of the mechanics in the camera? 3. Is there anything in particular that I can look out for with this camera to make sure everything is right on it before I buy? Any other insight would be appreciated. Thanks again! -Greg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 10, 2007 Posted May 10, 2007 Hi Talus, Take a look here Just a few questions about an M6TTL. Please help!!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted May 10, 2007 Share #2 Posted May 10, 2007 1.Those prices are within the range 1700 seems a bit on the high side, but for an exceptional camera.... 2.Usually those cameras are fine, need at the most one film run through to come up to spec. If the worst comes to the worst, a CLA will set you back about 250$ 3.See that all controls function smoothly, the shutter gives a decisive click with a slight rundown at slow speeds and that there is no suspicious mechanical damage. Some people have a slight objection to the viewfinder, compared to other M's,or the direction of the shutter speed wheel but that is marginal and it never stopped me from appreciating the camera greatly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Hoge Posted May 10, 2007 Share #3 Posted May 10, 2007 I bought my M6 TTL several months ago (my first M) and couldn't be happier. Depending on the condition, I think up to $1500.00 is fair. Run it through all shutter speeds with the back open, watch it and listen to it. Do this again with a lens attached. Check meter accuracy against another camera to see if it is OK. If the camera is clean and looks new, with no wear marks, it's probably perfect. And....trust your instincts. You can tell if a camera has been abused. Good luck!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talus Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share #4 Posted May 10, 2007 Thanks for the replies. I've been using an SLR for a while, this will be my first rangefinder, so I'm just a little nervous about the investment. I do hope to join the family soon! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrid Posted May 10, 2007 Share #5 Posted May 10, 2007 Hello- I'm looking at my first Leica and I have a few questions. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I've been researching rangefinders for a while but some questions aren't answered in books. Thanks in advance! >1. I'm looking at an M6 TTL. I've seen them priced between $1200 and $1700. They >are >usually rated as being in very good/mint condition. That's a fair price yes? Yes, for a mint or very clean camera that is good. >2. Some of them are listed as "barely used" or "sat on a shelf for X number of years". If >the camera isn't used frequently does it affect the operation of the mechanics in the >camera? As with all cameras the lubricants may be affected. They can dry out after about 10 years and this is accelerated if the camera just sits there. My guess is you are ok. Leica has switched to synthetic lubricants by then which seem to last longer than the old ones did. >3. Is there anything in particular that I can look out for with this camera to make sure >everything is right on it before I buy? Run through all shutter speeds repeatedly. Obviously 1/60th should appear twice as long as 1/30th etc. Flip the back door up and and watch the flash of light. Put a lens on the camera and focus on something on the horizon. The double image in the RF patch should line up seamlessly. A little vertical misalignment isn't the end of the world. Check the battery compartment for leaking batteries. If the flare in the RF patch bugs you, someone like Don Goldberg (DAGcamera) can upgrade the finder for about $150-200. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted May 10, 2007 Share #6 Posted May 10, 2007 Compared with your SLR the M6 will sound quiet. That is a virtue in many situations. If flash is important to you, find some way to check that it synchronises correctly. However, most M users work by available light outside. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talus Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share #7 Posted May 10, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Compared with your SLR the M6 will sound quiet. That is a virtue in many situations. If flash is important to you, find some way to check that it synchronises correctly. However, most M users work by available light outside. David I've almost always used availabe light. I'll most likely test the flash sync regardless though. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhild Posted May 12, 2007 Share #8 Posted May 12, 2007 Whenever I´ve bought a M I always made a film test, with slide film of courseThat will show clearly what´s going on with the shutter(capping...). Even a one year old MP showed very uneven exposures as did both of my M6 TTL bodies. Adjustment is not a big problem and now all timings are even, as even as a good mechanical shutter can be. Check the light meter against a light table, compare with a camera you can trust. Happy photting Jo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted May 12, 2007 Share #9 Posted May 12, 2007 Vendors ask £1000 for a good M6 TTL over here. That's $2000... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talus Posted May 12, 2007 Author Share #10 Posted May 12, 2007 That's a lot of money! I ended up buying one yesterday. I can't wait for it to arrive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsteve Posted May 13, 2007 Share #11 Posted May 13, 2007 Vendors ask £1000 for a good M6 TTL over here. That's $2000... At that price, I will deliver my .85 TTL to England and use the extra $500 to pay for the plane fare:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 13, 2007 Share #12 Posted May 13, 2007 Vendors ask £1000 for a good M6 TTL over here. That's $2000... Mine is up for sale for 1000 Euro......... The continent seems to be less expensive than the UK. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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