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Used Leica Purchase

m____w
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Used Leica Purchase

Hi all,
I'm starting to be active in the market to find a new or used Leica for my uncle. My uncle is turning 80 this Summer and his life's dream has been shooting with a Leica, Unfortunately he never had the means to get one. He is an avid photographer and had his pictures shown at multiple exhibitions. He's mainly shot with Nikon and now Fuji. His main subjects are city photography&landscapes and he's also dabbled in portraits, but I'd say 70% of his shooting is in cities and surrounding areas.

I'm now financially able to fulfill this dream of his - quite literally before it's too late. His main interest has always been the M5/M6 and MP style camera. I've done some research but the subject is so deep that it's hard to wrap my head around it, so I was hoping to count on the collective wisdom of the forum.

What model should I go with? M5/M6 or MP? Or something I'm not considering?
I will likely only be able to afford 1 lense to start with...which one would have a large coverage of the described usage intention?
Is there a general consensus on M6 original and the M6 re-release from 2022?

I really appreciate your help and input - I'm super excited to make this a reality for him.

Mar 11, 2024 at 04:18 PM

_jim_
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Used Leica Purchase

Firstly, this is very kind of you. Your uncle is lucky to have you as a nephew.

You’re going to get a lot of different answers to this. I’ll start by asking a few questions:

1. Does your uncle want his camera to have a built in meter?
2. What is his favorite focal length/what lens are you thinking about getting him?
3. How much do you want to spend?

Mar 11, 2024 at 04:31 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Used Leica Purchase

m____w wrote:
Hi all,
I'm starting to be active in the market to find a new or used Leica for my uncle. My uncle is turning 80 this Summer and his life's dream has been shooting with a Leica, Unfortunately he never had the means to get one. He is an avid photographer and had his pictures shown at multiple exhibitions. He's mainly shot with Nikon and now Fuji. His main subjects are city photography&landscapes and he's also dabbled in portraits, but I'd say 70% of his shooting is in cities and surrounding areas.

I'm now financially able to fulfill this dream of his...Show more →

What is your budget? M5 is about $1500, M6 old is $2200-$2400, M6 new is $4500 (used) to $5500, MP is $3500 - $4000 (used).

If your uncle's main interest is M5/6/P that means he wants a body with a built in meter. The only other M that has that is an M7 which has auto exposure. But it sounds like he wants mechanical with meter.
Only one lens to start? Get a 35mm lens.
The new M6 is a much improved old M6 - basically better meter, better VF, better meter read outs, brass body vs zinc and new so not worn out. BUT some scratch film so you need to test for that, and make sure you are able to return for full refund if it is a scratcher. If it isn't - awesome and you are set.

I have all three of those cameras, and if your uncle was interested in the 5/6/MP, well the 6 and MP are very different to the 5. So for the classic Leica feel I would get an M6 or MP. And then it comes to what is your budget? The new M6 and MP are better cameras than the old M6.

Mar 11, 2024 at 05:10 PM

m____w
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Used Leica Purchase

Meter: I don't think it's a make-or-break features as far as I'm aware
Budget: I would like to be at around 5000-5500 including lens.

Favorite focal length is 35 and 70 if I remember correctly

Mar 11, 2024 at 05:19 PM

d-intrigue
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Used Leica Purchase

You wouldn't have to budget nearly that much to make for an extremely appreciative uncle, if going meterless !

Mar 11, 2024 at 05:24 PM

Desmolicious
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Used Leica Purchase

m____w wrote:
Meter: I don't think it's a make-or-break features as far as I'm aware
Budget: I would like to be at around 5000-5500 including lens.

Favorite focal length is 35 and 70 if I remember correctly

Does it have to be a Leica lens?

Mar 11, 2024 at 05:36 PM

m____w
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Used Leica Purchase

d-intrigue wrote:
You wouldn't have to budget nearly that much to make for an extremely appreciative uncle, if going meterless !

I get it. But this is more of a sentimental thing than it is meeting exacting requirements if that makes sense. I know that you can buy a Dodge Challenger and have 95% of the horsepower of a Porsche, but it's still not a Porsche kinda thing.

He's still doing well and will get a couple of years of great use out of it, maybe even a decade.

Mar 11, 2024 at 05:37 PM

m____w
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Used Leica Purchase

Desmolicious wrote:
Does it have to be a Leica lens?

Ideally yes but it seems somewhat unlikely based on my cursory research

Mar 11, 2024 at 05:37 PM

d.s.
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Used Leica Purchase

m____w wrote:
Ideally yes but it seems somewhat unlikely based on my cursory research

A used MP and 35/2.5 Summarit or M6 Classic and some sort of Summicron should do the trick.

Mar 11, 2024 at 05:52 PM

RustyRus
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Used Leica Purchase

Buy a Use Leica M-A and a used Leica 35 Summicron-

It really doesn’t get much better- There are some great Leica M-A’s on the used board in the 3200-3600 range.

The Leica 35 Summicron can also be had for 2500 ish- For anyone wanting to get into Leica for there whole life, that would be a magically combo for them. That’s around your budget and would be an absolute dream.

Good Luck

Mar 11, 2024 at 06:47 PM

RustyRus
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Used Leica Purchase

Example-

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1848599/0?keyword=Leica,35,cron#16487588

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1849030/0?keyword=Leica,m-a#16490103

A little bit high but this would be an absolute dream come true for your uncle- Maybe they move a little- Maybe something else pops up.

The Leica M-A is about as good as it gets as far as Leica Film bodies go. Same with the 35mm lens.

Good on you

Mar 11, 2024 at 06:52 PM

retrofocus
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Used Leica Purchase

Bit out-of-the box suggesting regarding all earlier comments: How about a more affordable M4-2? They can be still more easily found and this model is a cheaper M6 without meter. Save some money there and vest in 1 or 2 good lenses with it.

Mar 12, 2024 at 07:11 AM

d-intrigue
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Used Leica Purchase

m____w wrote I know that you can buy a Dodge Challenger and have 95% of the horsepower of a Porsche, but it's still not a Porsche kinda thing.

Not suggesting getting anything other than an M, just that your budget can be far less.

I just bought a pristine M4 for $1100, find a similar deal and you could get something like a Voigtlander 35/2 Ultron new for $750 and be well under $2k.

I dare say he wouldn’t be any happier if it were a new $5k M6. 😀

Mar 12, 2024 at 08:31 AM

1bwana1
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Used Leica Purchase

Well if it helps I have an excellent condition Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH pre-FLE with box document case and two hoods that I will try to make fit your budget if you find an appropriate body. It should be a dream lens for this use. Old Uncles should be made to feel loved and happy. PM me after you find a boy and we will try to figure it out.

Mar 12, 2024 at 09:31 AM

m____w
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Used Leica Purchase

Just confirmed, light meter is a must and is being used very frequently. So all models without one are out of consideration.

Mar 12, 2024 at 09:56 AM

_jim_
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Used Leica Purchase

Well, I went through this same thing a couple of years ago. I ended up buying a deadstock M5 from Japan. It was completely mint/unused with all original documents/box/strap/etc.

It is bigger than the standard Leica body design of every other M, but if you aren't already used to that smaller shape (as I wasn't), it's irrelevant. Objectively, it has the best/most useful/most accurate metering system of any M. The controls are the most ergonomic and fastest, as well. That being said, they are older cameras and there aren't many techs that like working on them (I can recommend Red Dot Repair). If you have your heart set on the classic Leica aesthetic, this camera won't quite match that look. But...with your budget in mind, you could get a minty M5 and a used 35mm Summicron ASPH.

Personally, if I were you, I'd try to find a used MP. It has the Leica aesthetic in spades. Pair that with a Voigtlander 35mm f/2 Ultron and you should hit your budget, as well. Your uncle would be thrilled with either set-up.

Mar 12, 2024 at 10:12 AM

RexGig0
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Used Leica Purchase

m____w wrote:
Ideally yes but it seems somewhat unlikely based on my cursory research

There are some very-highly-regarded Voigtlander 35mm lenses, manufactured by Cosina, in Japan. I am not kidding when I say that the Nokton 35mm f/1.4 Version II, for example, competes very well with Leica 35mm Summilux lenses. This is the only one of the “fast” Voigtlander 35mm lens I have personally test-shot. (“Fast” = f/1.4 to f/2 maximum apertures.)

Another 35mm Voigtlander lens, with which I am familiar, because I have one, is the Color Skopar f/2.5 II, a very compact lens. Though I did not do a side-by-side test, the above-mentioned Nokton seems to have more “character,” whereas the Color Skopar has a more “modern” rendering.

Cosina manufactures three 35mm Zeiss-branded 35mm lenses. I opted to buy the largest of the three, the Distagon f/1.4 ZM. This one is very well-corrected, optically, which I see as a fair trade for its rather large size. Zeiss ZM lenses have their own “look,” which some Leica shooters do not like. I was already familiar with some Zeiss SLR lenses, so, after I added the Leica M system, it seemed natural to add some Zeiss ZM (M-mount) lenses.

Mar 12, 2024 at 10:12 AM

formula4speed
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Used Leica Purchase

I have no affiliation with the seller, but there happens to be a Leica M6 with a 35mm Summicron in Los Angeles listed in the Buy & Sell here

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1847687/0?keyword=leica,m6#16481714

Good luck with the search

p.s. I'm going to start being really nice to my nephews.

Mar 12, 2024 at 10:50 AM


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