Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The 2mm of extra height on any M6 TTL visibly disturb the Leica M's classic proportion and the plastic battery cover does not improve its looks either. Neither black paint nor the classic M3 top plate can change that. It is certainly a more appealing concept than the numerous "special/limited editions" before that were created by putting on silly engravements. But after all, the M6 "TTL black paint" as well as the M6J are artificial, factory fresh "collectors' items" that were created by replacing some exterior parts and by artificially limiting the production number. The modifications are not for free, but are cheap in comparison to the price premium. The parts and the painting can be and are probably done by external suppliers. A (planned) production number of 2,000 that will not be reduced by wear and tear or war isn't even rare by the usual standard and certainly not in relation to the actual demand at the price asked for. It took four years until most "new" M6J sets disappeared from the (German) dealers' show cases, lately with discounts of up to 20% on the listed price. And I do not believe that they are selling well second hand at the moment. As an investment, the M6J was no success. As a collector's item the M6J is no fun either, because it is just a replica and, more important, it was not and never will be difficult to find one. I would say all the fun and all the excitement in collecting things is related to the process of finding and completing, but not in just owning it. Walking in a shop and pulling out the wallet is of only limited fun. I also believe that many M6J buyers were disappointed by the introduction of the M6 "0.85" which offered the M6J's only "non-cosmetic" feature for half the price. Because the M6J set was sold for the double price of a conventional M6 "0.85" with 2.8/50, but without cannibalising M6 sales it was, presumably, a commercial success for Leica, even taking into account the cost of making special parts or tools. With almost 2,000 sets made, Leica's cash flow was improved by a few million DM. That's a nice amount of money made "on the side", but not enough to compensate for an otherwise poor business, particularly if the actual sales were spread over a period of at least four years. The M6 "black paint" will show whether Leica can repeat this trick again. I believe that 2,000 is the total number of all larger Leica dealers and hardcore collectors worldwide who usually want to put one piece of anything Leica is producing on their shelves, without using it at all or even without opening the box. It is a little bit like with those collectors of post stamps who subscribe them from their local post office. In addition to the collectors there seems to be another group of "novelty addicted users" who permanently replace and update their gear. Together these two groups create the usual shortage of supply after a new body or lens gets into production. They will drive dealers crazy and they will block supply to users for a couple of months, but after their demand is saturated sales always drop significantly. Hans-Peter