What would you buy? 1997 M6 Titanium vs 2022 M6 Reissue

[Aussierob78]

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I have a dilemma. A while back I had to sell my MP due to  a change in circumstances, but I'm ready to buy something else. I've been looking at either a M6 Titanium or a M6 reissue / MP.

I've found a stunning looking 1997 M6 titanium (non TTL) which is under budget. I've also found a 2022 M6 reissue that's in the box, never used for $500 over my budget (not the end of the world). I want something for a daily carry / regular shooter.

My heart wants the titanium, I've lusted after one for years. My head says the newer camera would be the better long term purchase.

What would you get, and why?

[LeicaR10]

Aussierob78,  It sounds like you have a case of GAS.  No cure for it either.  I've been to GAS rehab 3 times in 50 years with Leica...only to finally realize what the docs told me was true...no cure.  If your heart wants the titanium, go for it as long as the camera is in mint working order or needing a CLA despite the "good looks".  The newer M6 is also good looking and quite easy to fix now as its a reissue.  It will get down to a settling your GAS for the camera you want and reality with the bank account.  For me, it got down to needing vs wanting as there is a difference.  Wanting takes discipine and needing is reality based on requirements.  In both cases, the cameras do the same thing and so be it...what is more important with GAS and perhaps you, which camera "looks better" to you remains your decision alone.  Just my two cents.  r/ Mark

[erl]

My understanding (not informed) is that the Titanium is significantly heavier. I have two M6's of that vintage and they are great cameras. However, the new re-issues, I believe, offers upgraded VF and later design electronics for the lightmeter. All round newer gear. Final desision: I would go for the new re-issue, but your heart needs satifying as well, so, Titanium?

[Mute-on]

Get the titanium. They aren’t making any more of them. If you don’t connect with it for some reason you can always get a reissue M6. You may never have another opportunity to get a Ti M6 at a reasonable price. Don’t delay. Every time I’ve ever done that in a similar situation I’ve lost the opportunity. 

[jakontil]

I’d get the reissue in box, just for a more peace of mind, besides, its upgraded vf and materials alone will be justified, newer LM

aplogize since it may not be a popular opinion

[Don Flynn]

Boy, I'm the wrong person to ask......because I want both the Titanium and 2022 model myself and know I'll only be able to afford 1 when I'm ready to get it.

I would get the Titanium, those are limited in number and finding 1 at a price your willing to pay for it now will be harder to do than getting a new or lightly used 2022 model.

I don't think the upgrade to the viewfinder in the 2022 is that much of a deal. I have 2 chrome "Classics'" now and never had issues with "flaring".   

I've been staring at this 1 all week drooling knowing I can't afford it right now.

Leica M6 (0.72X Finder/28-135mm) 35mm Rangefinder Camera Body, Titanium with Ostrich Leather (10412)

The reason I can't afford it? I bought 2 M5's recently (at DAG for CLA's and battery updates now) plus a "new' Zeiss 35mm lens and just got this in today.

Light Lens Lab 50mm f/2 RIGID Black Paint (Leica M-Mount) Lens NEW

I'm hoping I can get either the Titanium or a 2022 in the spring with a profit sharing check from work. Until then I torture myself looking at KEH every week dreaming

Edited 12 hours ago by Don Flynn

[Aussierob78]

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It’s a hard choice. The 28 year old electronics in the Titanium worry me. That’s pretty much my biggest concern with it. 

[250swb]

Get the reissue, the titanium is only a colour option and the plating can wear and bubble just like a black chrome M6.

[costa43]

3 hours ago, Aussierob78 said:

My heart wants the titanium, I've lusted after one for years. My head says the newer camera would be the better long term purchase.

What would you get, and why?

The re-issue is the way to go, a better camera and easily serviceable, saying that I’d follow the heart.  Leica is an emotional choice more often than not for me so I tend to buy what makes me smile more. For me it was the black paint MP. I didn’t need one, I prefer my M5 as a camera to use but I just really like the way it looks. 

[earleygallery]

The newer one for sure.

The Titanium isn’t titanium it’s just a paint. The functionality of the latest model would be more important to me than the colour of the top/bottom plate.

[Smudgerer]

Easy choice.....the new re-issue M6.

[erl]

Just a further thought.

Do you want a 'pretty' camera, or a more 'modern' one that works?

[Aussierob78]

Well, both. 
 

but, am leaning more towards the newer camera. I want a reliable daily shooter

3 hours ago, erl said:

Just a further thought.

Do you want a 'pretty' camera, or a more 'modern' one that works?

 

Edited 7 hours ago by Aussierob78

[Jewl]

If money doesn’t matter, I would go for a new one either m6 or mp. 

[jaapv]

5 hours ago, Don Flynn said:

Boy, I'm the wrong person to ask......because I want both the Titanium and 2022 model myself and know I'll only be able to afford 1 when I'm ready to get it.

I would get the Titanium, those are limited in number and finding 1 at a price your willing to pay for it now will be harder to do than getting a new or lightly used 2022 model.

I don't think the upgrade to the viewfinder in the 2022 is that much of a deal. I have 2 chrome "Classics'" now and never had issues with "flaring".   

I've been staring at this 1 all week drooling knowing I can't afford it right now.

Leica M6 (0.72X Finder/28-135mm) 35mm Rangefinder Camera Body, Titanium with Ostrich Leather (10412)

The reason I can't afford it? I bought 2 M5's recently (at DAG for CLA's and battery updates now) plus a "new' Zeiss 35mm lens and just got this in today.

Light Lens Lab 50mm f/2 RIGID Black Paint (Leica M-Mount) Lens NEW

I'm hoping I can get either the Titanium or a 2022 in the spring with a profit sharing check from work. Until then I torture myself looking at KEH every week dreaming

What do you need all that stuff for? You can only use one at a time. 

[otto.f]

5 hours ago, Aussierob78 said:

It’s a hard choice. The 28 year old electronics in the Titanium worry me. That’s pretty much my biggest concern with it. 

so don't do it. Besides, the word titanium suggests much more than it is, the titanium isn't that lightweight. At least that was my deception when I had it in my hands. I take it that it's a used version and if the rangefinder has to be re-adjusted the waiting list will be around a year. That will be different with a new M6.

Edited 5 hours ago by otto.f

[Don Flynn]

1 hour ago, Aussierob78 said:

Well, both. 
 

but, am leaning more towards the newer camera. I want a reliable daily shooter

 

There's no reason the Titanium won't be a reliable daily shooter. Keep in mind the only part that was OOP and not available from Leica was the metering circuit board. Amsterdam Camera Repair developed a replacement board that is supposed to be superior to the original Leica board if that were to go out and they offer it to independent Leica techs.

I know us Leica owners tend to want to baby our camera's but keep in mind these things were designed and used for hard use.

Myself, I'm actually leerier of the 2022 models having issues from the number of reports of scratched film and advance issues new production film Leica's have had reported here and other sites. 

Go with what you think is best. Myself I would grab the titanium since it's the rarer model. You shouldn't lose money if you decide to sell it and get the 2022 down the road  

[Don Flynn]

22 minutes ago, jaapv said:

What do you need all that stuff for? You can only use one at a time. 

You know you can carry more than 1 camera at a time 😁

1 of the 2 M5's is a chrome 50th Jahre model, those are rare so it's a collector piece, The 2nd "Classic" I got such a good deal on last year I couldn't pass it up.  

[FrozenInTime]

The Titanium is only going to lead to further expense tracking down the matching lenses.

Sensible choice : New issue M6 or MP with the updated viewfinder and modern electronics (without 25+ years of contact wear, oxidisation, cable flex and capacitor degradation ).

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[TomB_tx]

42 minutes ago, jaapv said:

What do you need all that stuff for? You can only use one at a time. 

I've been enthralled by cameras since I was about 5. My first occupation was a Mechanical Design engineer, but sidelining as a photographer. So I view cameras as functional art in themselves, not just as tools to get an image. Each model has things to appreciate about it, testifying to the skill of the designer and production process. I have several that pre-date the first Leica and still try to keep them in operable condition (Even though film is not available, they are still interesting mechanical objects.)

I rotate using my Leica models, so each time I pull out one I haven't used for a while it's like rediscovering an old friend. M4 was my first when it was new, added M6 in 1985, and after retiring filled in the missing models (M2,3,5,7). The old electronics don't bother me - they don't have expiration dates and may last... however long they work. In the meantime I enjoy them, After all, I'm just starting several months of cancer treatment, so who knows how long I'll last either - I don't know my expiration date, but I still try to do the things I enjoy every day. Just added another M5, feeling optimistic. May add a new M6 out of curiosity if finances permit.