Daniel Lobo Posted September 28, 2020 Share #1 Posted September 28, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello, Long time lurker, first time posting. I have a 1984 classic black M6 which I use quite often. It is in good shape but with signs of use and the some damned blisters in the top plate. I meant to CLA it last year but was told by the technician it wasn't needed yet. I was thinking about selling it - I am in the Midlands but often go to London - could anybody recommend a place where I could take it? Thank you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 28, 2020 Posted September 28, 2020 Hi Daniel Lobo, Take a look here Where should I sell and M6 in the UK?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted September 28, 2020 Share #2 Posted September 28, 2020 Are you looking to trade-in or sell on commission? Most dealers will sell on commission. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedaes Posted September 28, 2020 Share #3 Posted September 28, 2020 23 minutes ago, Daniel Lobo said: I was thinking about selling it Free on this Forum currently so why not try here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew01 Posted September 28, 2020 Share #4 Posted September 28, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, pedaes said: Free on this Forum currently so why not try here. Where is the buy/sell section? I have looked for it but could not find it. edit - found it. Was expecting it to e a sub-forum but its on the top menu. Edited September 28, 2020 by andrew01 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 28, 2020 Share #5 Posted September 28, 2020 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/313737-where-should-i-sell-and-m6-in-the-uk/?do=findComment&comment=4054043'>More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted September 29, 2020 Share #6 Posted September 29, 2020 This is where I normally go for selling in the UK: - MBP - Red Dot Cameras - The Classic Camera (they've had a 'mixed' reputation, but I've traded-in used items to them for a good price). - SAS Auctions (they have specialist camera auctions) Ffordes in Inverness would also be on my list but I've never sold to them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock Posted September 29, 2020 Share #7 Posted September 29, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) 1 hour ago, LocalHero1953 said: This is where I normally go for selling in the UK: - MBP - Red Dot Cameras - The Classic Camera (they've had a 'mixed' reputation, but I've traded-in used items to them for a good price). - SAS Auctions (they have specialist camera auctions) Ffordes in Inverness would also be on my list but I've never sold to them. I would also recommend Red Dot. I have dealt with Ffordes since they were in Southend and they are good if a little slow to respond on occasions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Lobo Posted September 29, 2020 Author Share #8 Posted September 29, 2020 Hi, and thank you all for the advice. I thought about a shop and not the forum for I don't know exactly how much it is worth as although it is in good mechanical condition, cosmetically it is not. If we are still free to travel, i'll probably take it to Red Dot by november when I need to go to London. Thank you Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/313737-where-should-i-sell-and-m6-in-the-uk/?do=findComment&comment=4054152'>More sharing options...
pedaes Posted September 29, 2020 Share #9 Posted September 29, 2020 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Daniel Lobo said: i'll probably take it to Red Dot Don't know what you want to hear, but you are right about condition. I have never seen one in such poor condition on the Red Dot site, so you may be best advised to send these pics to them and ask if they are interested, as you might save yourself a journey. Also to any other dealer you might consider. How about an Ebay auction with realistic reserve? If the mechanical condition is good, it will sell as a good user camera, and M6 prices have gone up so much I am sure someone will be pleased to buy it at a realistic price. Edited September 29, 2020 by pedaes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted September 29, 2020 Share #10 Posted September 29, 2020 (edited) I think most dealers want to sell gear in good condition so I think they'll offer very little for it. They'd have more pity on you if you wanted to trade it in. The difficulty with eBay is that it's clearly a 'user' in poor cosmetic condition and you may have a job on in convincing people it's good mechanically, if it really is. But as you say you use it quite often why not keep it? Edit: It is an incredibly early serial number that puts it in the second batch in 1985, I have an 1986 M4-P, the camera the M6 replaced! Edited September 29, 2020 by 250swb 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted September 29, 2020 Share #11 Posted September 29, 2020 Just put it on eBay – describe it as Minty and you'll be fine. 2 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelG Posted September 29, 2020 Share #12 Posted September 29, 2020 If you’re coming to London you could try Aperture in Riding House street (off Langham Place by the BBC). They quite often sell “user” gear that’s mechanically good but a bit “scruffy” and have a technician who can check things out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 29, 2020 Share #13 Posted September 29, 2020 6 hours ago, Daniel Lobo said: Hi, and thank you all for the advice. I thought about a shop and not the forum for I don't know exactly how much it is worth as although it is in good mechanical condition, cosmetically it is not. If we are still free to travel, i'll probably take it to Red Dot by november when I need to go to London. Thank you Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! The forum does not allow valuations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew01 Posted September 29, 2020 Share #14 Posted September 29, 2020 (edited) Sorry for the value guess, I didn’t realise that was against policy. That’s some really nasty corrosion! I would consider having it restored at Camera works. Interesting to see that the base plate looks in good shape, because these were made from brass. Does anyone know why some of the zinc cameras corrode worse than others? Did the composition of the alloy and the anodising process change over time, or is purely down to the environmental conditions in which the cameras are stored? Edited September 29, 2020 by andrew01 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted September 29, 2020 Share #15 Posted September 29, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, andrew01 said: Sorry for the value guess, I didn’t realise that was against policy. That’s some really nasty corrosion! I would consider having it restored at Camera works. Interesting to see that the base plate looks in good shape, because these were made from brass. Does anyone know why some of the zinc cameras corrode worse than others? Did the composition of the alloy and the anodising process change over time, or is purely down to the environmental conditions in which the cameras are stored? I think it was primarily the manufacturing process but the environmental conditions add to it. There is more of a mystery maybe because the zinc top plate was developed by Midland Canada for the late M4-P and then it was adopted by Wetzlar for the M6. The Midland made zinc top plates seem to corrode less, or mostly not at all, compared with the Wetzlar zinc top plates of the same era. Edited September 29, 2020 by 250swb 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matlock Posted September 30, 2020 Share #16 Posted September 30, 2020 9 hours ago, 250swb said: I think it was primarily the manufacturing process but the environmental conditions add to it. There is more of a mystery maybe because the zinc top plate was developed by Midland Canada for the late M4-P and then it was adopted by Wetzlar for the M6. The Midland made zinc top plates seem to corrode less, or mostly not at all, compared with the Wetzlar zinc top plates of the same era. It seems also that the problem was limited to a relatively small number of cameras. It was ironic that the zinc top plate was introduced to cure the problem of distorted brass plates and, thus, set up a further problem. Later brass plates that were milled cured the distortion problem. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted September 30, 2020 Share #17 Posted September 30, 2020 I've never seen one so corroded, and find it rather beautiful and unique for that. An honest patina. If it were in good condition mechanically, I'd give it strong consideration. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colint544 Posted September 30, 2020 Share #18 Posted September 30, 2020 I think it looks great as well. Like it's been honestly used as a picture-taking tool. The blistering of the zinc is fascinating. I owned a 1985 early Wetzlar version M6 for nearly 20 years. I'm friends with the current owner, so I still see the camera sometimes. There's not a mark on the top plate, despite it having been well used by both of us. Seems like a lottery as to whether the blistering develops or not. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew01 Posted September 30, 2020 Share #19 Posted September 30, 2020 I have a 191xxx Solms M6 and it doesn’t have a single corrosion bubble. The camera has been well used and black chrome has worn in places. I like a bit of patina but I don’t think I could live with corrosion. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Lobo Posted September 30, 2020 Author Share #20 Posted September 30, 2020 I bought it 5 years ago I think and it was like that. Took it for a CLA and was told it has to do with perspiration too. I got the habit to clean it with a cotton cloth when I get home and It stayed the same way since. I only regret not exchanging the top plate at the time ($400, but I guess it was worth it). I love the camera. I thought of maybe selling since I haven't been able to work recently, but I rather keep it. Thanks all for the insights. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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