My buying a Leica M6 from the UK DHL shipping experience

[Ian Grant]

I bought it at close to GBP's low point.


But if I look right now, I can buy a new MP for $4380 from the UK, while here in the US it is $5700.

it is simple arbitrage.

FYI people, Leica Manchester has the BP MP in stock!

I bought my M3 from Stephens Cameras, an official Leitz dealer in Manchester back in the late 1980s, excellent service from David Stephens, his store is now Leica Manchester. His second hand stock is always serviced and exactly as described and fairly priced.

Ian

 

[armadsen]

I managed to buy my 50mm Summicron on the actual low day so far (September 28). I got it for under $2000 including the shipping, duty, wire transfer fee, etc.

 

[Huss]

I managed to buy my 50mm Summicron on the actual low day so far (September 28). I got it for under $2000 including the shipping, duty, wire transfer fee, etc.

$900 saved. Sweet.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

So we need to see some photos from this gem. I am in line, I've been saving my money, Ramen noodles etc.

Cooked or uncooked?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Leica warranty is international (unlike stoopid Nikon) so I would just take it to my local corporate Leica Store in West LA.
One could just send it back to the seller for a refund.

Leica's break?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I've never had bad luck with DHL. I buy things from Amazon Japan fairly often, and they ship using DHL, and are almost always at my door (in the western US) in two days. I bought a Summicron from the UK a few months ago, also shipped with DHL, and it was here similarly fast. They charged $60 for import duty, but lenses do have an import tariff (unlike cameras).

Kumar seems to use UPS for Velvia film I've bought from Japan. Very fast delivery.

 

[Huss]

The pay off.. I'll be honest, the only reason I bought the M6 was because the deal was too good to pass up. Buying from the UK it was cheaper, by a lot, than buying a used MP in the US! I can use this for a while and if I ever decide to sell it, would not lose any money on it. Basically a camera for free...

The matte black paint finish is gorgeous - you have to see it in person. It is really rich and deep looking, a perfect medium between the black chrome on the MA, M7, old M6s etc and the shiny black paint on the MP. The tactile feel is a little less grippy than black paint, a little stickier than black chrome.

As for the camera itself? Well, it's an MP of course dressed up as an M6. I actually prefer the one piece film advance lever on the MP vs the hinged lever, as the single piece feels more solid and there is no difference in speed of winding! I also prefer the MP's ISO dial as it is uncluttered and easier to read, but of course both those things are what makes an M6 an M6!

It really is amazing though that Leica is producing these film cameras in this digital age

 

[Sirius Glass]

The pay off.. I'll be honest, the only reason I bought the M6 was because the deal was too good to pass up. Buying from the UK it was cheaper, by a lot, than buying a used MP in the US! I can use this for a while and if I ever decide to sell it, would not lose any money on it. Basically a camera for free...

The matte black paint finish is gorgeous - you have to see it in person. It is really rich and deep looking, a perfect medium between the black chrome on the MA, M7, old M6s etc and the shiny black paint on the MP. The tactile feel is a little less grippy than black paint, a little stickier than black chrome.

As for the camera itself? Well, it's an MP of course dressed up as an M6. I actually prefer the one piece film advance lever on the MP vs the hinged lever, as the single piece feels more solid and there is no difference in speed of winding! I also prefer the MP's ISO dial as it is uncluttered and easier to read, but of course both those things are what makes an M6 an M6!

It really is amazing though that Leica is producing these film cameras in this digital age

Use it in good health.

 

[Huss]

Use it in good health.

Thank you!

 

[Craig]

It really is amazing though that Leica is producing these film cameras in this digital age

Leica just sells to collectors, they don't expect anybody to actually use them.

 

[Huss]

Use it in good health.

First shots from my new 2022 M6. Test roll to make sure it works!

Summilux 35 FLE, Kentmere 400, DF96 Monobath

















And moon through clouds, hand held @ 1/2sec. So the sharpness is...



Since this roll, I've already shot three more. There was a Ciclavia cycling event in Los Angeles today and that always is very interesting as the streets are closed off to vehicular traffic.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Nice negatives, Huss. The portrait of your doggy turned out really well. Congrats on your new M6. Now to fight GAS....

 

[Kodachromeguy]

I bought my M3 from Stephens Cameras, an official Leitz dealer in Manchester back in the late 1980s, excellent service from David Stephens, his store is now Leica Manchester. His second hand stock is always serviced and exactly as described and fairly priced.

Ian

I just looked at their web page. They have a Leica R8 with the DMR 10 mpixel unit attached. Interesting indeed. It was a clever concept.

 

[guangong]

Is the North American division of DHL still for sale. I remember that neither UPS or FedEx were willing to acquire. My one experience long ago was one experience too many!

 

[grain elevator]

DHL is a mess, I've had several problems with them lately, shipping within Germany. I believe a lot is due to them underpaying and overworking their employees, not that their competitors are any better...

 

[mshchem]

DHL is a mess, I've had several problems with them lately, shipping within Germany. I believe a lot is due to them underpaying and overworking their employees, not that their competitors are any better...

Same case in the US with postal service. I have spectacular service DHL from Japan. The express service will deliver in 2 or 3 days. DHL flys directly from Japan to Cincinnati then direct to Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, courier drops it off same day.
Fedex is perfect in every aspect for me.

 

[aparat]

@Huss Congratulations on your new Leica. The pictures look fantastic!

 

[mshchem]

First shots from my new 2022 M6. Test roll to make sure it works!

Summilux 35 FLE, Kentmere 400, DF96 Monobath

















And moon through clouds, hand held @ 1/2sec. So the sharpness is...



Since this roll, I've already shot three more. There was a Ciclavia cycling event in Los Angeles today and that always is very interesting as the streets are closed off to vehicular traffic.

Great photos Huss! I think it will be June before I get a chance at the new M6.

 

[Huss]

Thanks peeps! A few more. Yesterday it actually was used in the rain. Did I plan that? No. So what happened? Weather forecast said no rain....


(All Kentmere 400)

 

[Sirius Glass]

Thanks peeps! A few more. Yesterday it actually was used in the rain. Did I plan that? No. So what happened? Weather forecast said no rain....


(All Kentmere 400)

Looks great! I trust that you are happy with your bargain Leica.

 

[Cubao]

Fedex is perfect in every aspect for me.

Fedex is a mess as well. At least in Germany

 

[madNbad]

Now that you had the opportunity to put a few rolls of film through it, what are your first impressions? Is it just like using the MP or are there any handling differences? Having used the one piece advance on several M bodies, I prefer the articulated lever. How does it compare to the lever on the M7? Mostly, is it going to be a keeper?

 

[snusmumriken]

I've had a few things imported from the USA to the UK by DHL, and everything was perfect, no complaint.

 

[Huss]

Now that you had the opportunity to put a few rolls of film through it, what are your first impressions? Is it just like using the MP or are there any handling differences? Having used the one piece advance on several M bodies, I prefer the articulated lever. How does it compare to the lever on the M7? Mostly, is it going to be a keeper?

It is exactly like the MP, but with the bendy wind on lever and canted rewind. The wind on feels just like my M7s. I prefer the wind feel of the MP just because I prefer the more solid feeling single piece lever. Leica got it right 70 years ago and shouldn't have messed with it...
All the things that I am not keen on it, are the things that make it look like an M6. The ISO dial is super messy - but that is how the OG M6 was. It is much easier to read on the MP with half of the unnecessary junk removed.
The reason to get the 2022 M6 really is because of the new matte black paint finish. It is gorgeous, deep and rich. Perfect middle ground between the thin looking black chrome finish, and the too shiny black paint.

One advantage of the MP is no-one is going to mistake it for a 40 year old M6 that you got because you could not afford an MP...

 

[logan2z]

The reason to get the 2022 M6 really is because of the new matte black paint finish. It is gorgeous, deep and rich. Perfect middle ground between the thin looking black chrome finish, and the too shiny black paint.

That's the one thing that attracts me to the camera. As you said, the other M6 bits are the only things I don't love about my M4 - the rewind crank and the two-piece wind-on lever.

The shiny black paint on the MP is, well, shiny. It does have the advantage of brassing as you use it, which is a look that some people really like. The only right answer is to mortgage the house and buy both