Buying M6J KIT vs MP à la carte

[Guest]

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In another thread, someone recommended buying this M6J KIT that is selling new in box box for €3,800:

 

http://www.newoldcam...?Codice=14C1137

 

This is a collector's new-in-box camera that has never been used. The only imperfection is a slight fogging in the viewfinder that this highly reputable Milanese dealer will clean under the one-year warranty, if requested. 

 

A few weeks ago, I shot three rolls of Tri-X with my M6 that I hadn't touched for ten years — and am now considering selling both my MM and M9-P in a full-press return to film. Before seeing the link, I had been musing about eventually ordering an à la carte MP with an 0.85 viewfinder, which is what I prefer and which I also have on my M6, having replaced the previous 0.72 viewfinder because it flared easily in bright tropical light.

 

Also, if I were ordering an MP, I would choose the M6-type rewind crank — so the only thing that I would order differently would be that I would order a black chrome MP rather than silver chrome of this M6J — and I don't really need the Elmar-50 lens in the M6J KIT, nor any of the packing or the lesser case, because I'm in no way a collector and want this camera for shooting, and I have two 50mm lenses: the Summilux-50 pre-ASPH and the DR Summicron.

 

Nevertheless the M6J pictured in the link is so beautiful that I'm considering buying it, reasoning that, while a black camera looks more discreet, the silver chrome is more beautiful, even if it does attract more attention. Taking all this into consideration, the only thing that I think might be better on a new MP is that the viewfinder might be less subject to flare, although the flare on my M6 0.85 viewfinder has not been an issue.

 

Any thoughts on this choice versus the MP, and on the €3800 price of this M6J KIT? I'll be arriving in Paris on Monday and am thinking of having the camera shipped there. (The seller only ships within the EU).

[ShivaYash]

I've seen a black chrome MP with M6 rewind crank on eBay, pretty sure it has a 0.85 viewfinder. It was a good price. Shall try to find the link.

[madNbad]

If you are looking for a user camera, buy the MP.  The M6J is certainly a beauty and since they didn't make very many the price is about right.  If you decide to use it and want the finder upgrade to eliminate flare add another €500 or so.  For the same money you could get a nice MP.

[Guest]

madNbad - actually of the 0.85 viewfinder in the M6J is like the one in my M6, flare is simply not an issue. The trouble is that I don't recall what year I had the 0.85 viewfinder installed and whether it was the MP version — in any case it doesn't flare.

[LarsAC]

Sure that haze is not fungus? Probably not dust if it was just sitting around.

 

Lars

[Guest]

Lars - that's a thought. I'd have to speak some more with the dealer were I to proceed with this. There is a one-year warranty, but I would be keen to get into an extended exercise of sending a camera back and having to get fungus removed.

[wattsy]

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The M6J is certainly a beautiful looking camera and the price is fine provided the VF haze isn't serious. If you aren't stuck on the special edition, I see plenty of fine used M6TTL and M7 bodies with the 0.85x finder or even the rarer 0.85x M6. For example, the Leicashop in Vienna have a mint example of the latter if you are interested.

[TRIago]

To your question, the MP. Less problems I guess? Now honestly that's too much money anyway. I understand one can buy whatever because it's a personal choice, but since we have a lot of m6 Leicas out there for much less money, that's what I would do. In fact that's what I did. I also paid a lot of cash for digital M, but I still prefer my M6. Never gonna spend that sorta cash on a camera again. On a lens, maybe. You already got your M6 so I'm sure whatever you do, you'll be fine. :-)

[Fotoklaus]

Buy the M6J as a collectors item. Take your M6 and go out shooting.

[otto.f]

I only have one remark. The Elmar 50 is an outstanding lens, I really don't need more as a 50. But: the first one I had was severely under the optical quality that it should have and it came from the M6J set. Of course this can be a coincidence, but sometimes I think that Leica does not control very tightly these Jubilee products they make for collectors. 

So I would go for the M6J but not without very critical checking, you can test the Elmar with your MM, it should have real bite on that camera, as if it were a modern lens from Karbe

[Guest]

Buy the M6J as a collectors item. Take your M6 and go out shooting.

 

As stated in the original posting, I'm in no way a collector and only interested in this M6J for shooting (with a beautiful camera). However, not know how serious a problem fixing the VF hazing is, I'll not pursue this camera, despite the one-year warranty.

[arno_nyhm]

Do not take the M6J. go for the MP:

 

i really do not see, what would be your point for buying this M6J. let me resume your downpoints:

 

-you want .85 mag viewfinder. as far as i understand, the M6J has .72 mag viewfinder. this does not match your needs.

 

-you do not need a new 50 lens and are nothing of a collector. but the kit you intend to buy has a50 lens included (wich by the way is legendary but you dont need it) and is highly collectible. some collectors would even cry if they saw a used M6J-Kit. so why would you want to make them cry?

 

-you already have an M6 for daily use. you are looking for a new camera to replace the used M6. i really dont understand why you want to replace it, but either way: if you wish to replace it by a new camera, do so! but why would you replace your (old) M6 with .85 finder wich you really like to use by a mint but anyway aged (and definitlely not new) M6J with fogged but repaired .72 viewfinder? you could easier have your own M6 sent to Wetzlar to have it CLA'd. this would cost only a fraction of the M6J or an MP. you do not do so, because you want a NEW camera. so go out and buy a new camera. anything else wont match your needs and will soon feel like only the second-best decision.

 

-you prefer black over silver chrome. the M6J is silver, isnt it?

 

the only reason for you to buy this M6J would be, that it is within the same pricerange as the MP you actually intend to buy. i suspect, the only point for the M6J  is that the M6J- in contrary to the MP - now is easy availlable, while the MP with .85 finder and M7 rewindcrank in black chrome might take a couple of weeks to deliver. but if you have a very special way to look at your camera and if you decide that you NEED a new MP for your photography- the go and get a new one. and not a years.old M6J.

 

What would i do? have my M2 (or in your place M6) CLA'd and stay happy with the perfect-to-me camera. even if i could afford a new MP easily, i'd rather spend my money on some new lenses.

[Guest]

First, the M6J cameras were all made with 0.85 viewfinders. Second, I'm not looking for a replacement for for my M6, but for a second camera to use — sometimes for using one camera for B&W film and the second one with color film, or for using one camera with one lens and the other one with another lens, or simply as a backup camera on an important trip. 

 

Yes, my general preference is for black cameras, but silver chrome ones like the M6J are beautiful and I would consider that. 

 

BTW, my M6 doesn't need a CLA, as it works perfectly, still as well when it had an CLA ten years ago.

[otto.f]

Your highly reputable Milanese dealer will allow you to shoot a roll of Tri-X or Velvia with it, wouldn't he. 

In my case a 0.85 would rather make it more attractive for me than less

[Guest]

The camera is returnable for full refund within 15 days Also, as I said, there is a one-year warranty. The trouble is that I have just arrived in Paris last night: they can ship the camera to me and I'll get it before leaving for the US on 8 April. One problem is that, if the "minor haze" needs cleaning, I'll have to wait until returning to Paris in September to get it done under the warranty. A more major problem would be the minor haze turns out to be caused by fungus rather than mild fogging that is easy to have cleaned. In that case, I wouldn't want to get involved with the bother of shipping the camera back and forth between continents, whether it's between Asia and Europe or America and Europe...

[madNbad]

At the momement you have a nice trio between the M9P, MM plus the M6.  You can buy a lot of Tri-X for €3800.  

[Guest]

Not a nice trio for me because, as stated in the OP, I'm considering selling both the MM and M9-P as I don't really want to shoot, as well as digital.

[madNbad]

If it's a camera you would be happy with, there is a full refund within fifteen days then it's worth the chance.  To actually hold the camera and get a good look at it is really the only way to make an informed decision.  Good luck!

[Guest]

The devil always is in the details: I would receive the camera only a few days before leaving for the States, the morning of 8 April. In the few days before I leave I wouldn't have time to shoot a roll of film and have it developed, so that i could fully test the camera. I could only do that in the States — and then, the easy back and forth shipment within the EU, between France and Italy, gets more complicated. It's these complications that stop me. Same with the extent or difficulty of the hazing of the viewfinder, I would have to take it to someone in Paris to have that checked, and might not have the time to do that.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[otto.f]

In that case it's not meant to be, I would think in your case. Let go