Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/08/03

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Subject: [Leica] Need some guidance on M6 purchase options
From: scott at adrenaline.com (Scott McLoughlin)
Date: Tue Aug 3 02:35:25 2004
References: <009301c47934$06471ac0$39624d51@desktop>

Kind Leica Folk,

I'm buying my first M body, and after lurking on
various lists and reading tons of stuff for some
months, I've decided to get a used, chrome M6
"Classic" or TTL (saving a few $$ for some nice
lenses).

I've isolated several options from reputable
dealers, but still am having trouble deciding. While
the dollar difference between the options isn't that
large (~$1,200 up to ~$1,800), I'm also seeking wisdom
regarding post purchase precautions, actions (required
CLA's), warranties or the lack thereof and the general
"hassle factor."

Koh's has a LN classic and KEH a LN- classic at
pretty attractive prices. Should I assume that this
refers only to cosmetics or also to shutter function
and meter accuracy? Will a ~$250 CLA likely be in
order?

PhotoVillage has some TTL items, including a demo
with a 1 year warranty. They also have a mint TTL
for a few hundred more, although that doesn't seem
to have a warranty. Hmmm. And the mint sample is at
a price only a few hundred less than a brand new M6
TTL.

Of course, brand new TTL's seem available at a few
stores for around $2K.

But Accphoto (HK, from various forum reports seems to
have many, many happy customers Leica, Mamiya, and so
on) also seems to be offering new grey market M6 TTLs
for ~$1500. What is the warranty situation in this
case? I understand there is no Passport, but what is
the status of Leica's "international" warranty?

My used items won't have warranties in any case,
excepting PhotoVillage's demo item and the dealers'
relatively short return policies.

I appreciate any help or experiences folks can offer.
I'm eager to stop shopping and start shooting. Or at
least, start shooting as well as shopping for a 28
Summicron ASPH :-)

Thanks!

Scott


In reply to: Message from geebee at geebeephoto.com (GeeBee) ([Leica] Gayton Northamptonshire #2 ( 2 shots ))