Is £2500 to much for a mint as new M6 Classic, Black Chrome

[lumini]

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Sheesh, I had no idea!  Perhaps I had better think about getting my M6 0.85 non-TTL out of the drawer and trade it in against something.  I considered it years ago but the prices were ridiculously low at the time.

 

Geoff

[adan]

Just a reminder that in the USA, listed prices exclude any applicable transaction taxes (i.e. "sales tax"). Buy a $1200 M6 and the actual bill may be up to 10% higher, once the gummint's cut is added.

I'm not sure how European/UK value-added-taxes are applied to used equipment, but aren't those usually included in the listed price, not added on?

Nevertheless £2500 is excessive, unless the camera happens to include the full original complement of outer box, display case, manual, warranty card, etc. etc. and probably some other unique feature (for example 0.58x or 0.85x viewfinder), and has never been handled except with cotton gloves, or never even had the original box opened.

[james.liam]

11 hours ago, lumini said:

Sheesh, I had no idea!  Perhaps I had better think about getting my M6 0.85 non-TTL out of the drawer and trade it in against something.  I considered it years ago but the prices were ridiculously low at the time.

 

Geoff

The non-TTL M8 0.85 is a rare bird.

[Nitnaros]

my recent experience:

- US$ 3,000 (Nov-2019) for a very mint M7, silver, eBay, Japan. Replenished my previous M7, it got stolen (I had it originally bought new from B&H in 2004)

- US$ 1,700 (Dec-2019) for a very mint M5, silver, eBay, US seller.

yeah, kind of crazy prices;

my logics:

the film bodies will not get obsolete;  acquire  them in great shape, keep them in great shape, they should last for a long time. The M7 representing the larger risk: if the electronic board failes, will be at the mercy for how long Leica will provide that part. The M5 feels safer due to the mechanically built shutter. 
—

the real question with respect to these used film cameras: why choose them over a new MP? One reason: hardly any inventory available for the MP. 

regarding Japanese eBay sellers: they have cameras in very good shape; and some of them provide very detailed photos,  which is key for me for buying on eBay. And I guess Japanese people are overall very careful with their equipment. 

[gaheris5]

I agree with Nitnaros on Japanese eBay sellers. Items are generally in good shapes, useful photos, and honest. And yes a lot of them baby their equipment, especially when it comes to quality, expensive foreign-made products. But in general you won't find amazing bargain — you will get a fair market price.

I too have been looking for a black M6 for a couple of months now and I feel this is a bad time for buying an M6 (if you are looking for bargains), or an analogue M. Film photography is getting a bit of of a revival in the last 12 months and I think the increase in prices of analogue cameras reflect that.  Be it street or eBay, a good condition M6 will cost you in the ballpark of 1500-2200 — may come with a box if you are lucky. Just gotta be patient I guess.