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Used Leica M6. To buy or not?


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So...I found a really cheap Leica M6 for sale, at the same price I bought my M4-2 basically (450£). The only issue is the light meter that for a while it stopped working (that's what the owner says) but now it seems to be all good...so my question would be...is it a good shot for me to gamble and grab this bargain or the problem with the light meter is something i should really keep in consideration?

Does anyone heard anything similar? I would love to buy it

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I'd suspect battery leakage damaged the meter circuit board just behind it. Happened to mine, and also affected the shutter curtain brake that is on that area. New, updated meter circuits are common replacements to fix it.

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Would it be really expensive in case I will have to fix the meter?

 

fwiw, I had a meter issue once with my M6. I had DAG (Don Goldberg) look at it and it turned out to be a cold solder joint issue. He says that he sees about half a dozen M6s with this issue a year. The repair was $105 USD. And he claims it's very uncommon to have to replace the entire meter circuit board. But even so, the circuit board costs under $100 USD.

 

Looking at those eBay images doesn't say very much. Ask if you can see an image of the inside: the shutter curtains and the pressure plate. Also ask if the battery compartment can be opened easily (no jammed cap or corrosion, etc..)

 

The camera is clearly used looking at surface of the finish but that doesn't mean it's not a worthwhile consideration. Ask for a one or two week return with it and expose a roll of film and check everything out.....

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I would say it is definitely a case of try before you buy. If the vendor will not allow this, I would walk away from the sale.. It is worth paying more to a good dealer who should offer you a short warranty period.

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To be honest he sounds like a pretty good chap, he is a private seller so obviously there is no warranty with but he is ready to meet up and let me try the camera properly...he is also selling some lenses it all looks good just really used, just like the camera body. I wasnt thinking to update my M4 to be honest but the price on this one is just appealing ;)

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To be honest he sounds like a pretty good chap, he is a private seller so obviously there is no warranty with but he is ready to meet up and let me try the camera properly...he is also selling some lenses it all looks good just really used, just like the camera body. I wasnt thinking to update my M4 to be honest but the price on this one is just appealing ;)

You have faith in him. Why not meet him and arrange a trial?

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