original price of a 1994 Leica M6

[arnie k]

I just sold my beloved M6 using Tamarkin in Chicago. They were great and I got a great price. I forgot what I paid for the 6 as well as the 35mm Summicron that I also sold and was curious if anyone knows what those guys went for when new in 1994. Thanks.

 

[Huss]

Leica M6 right now fetches $2400 body only private sale.

When it was released in 1984 it was about $2000, so using the inflation calculator, about $5000 now.

 

[BradS]

Looking through Popular Photogaphy Magazine from 1994 (free on line - search google books). I found a Cambridge Camera Exchange ad that lists the...
Leica M6: $1729,
Leica M6 Titanium: $2295
50mm Summicron: $599.

 

[BradS]

Later in the same issue, there is a multi page ad from 47th street photo that is much easier to read it lists the...

Leica M6: $2495,
black 50mm Summicron: $795
chrome 50mm Summicron: $945.

here's a link....
https://books.google.com/books?id=nDAVsvMUYksC&pg=PA5&source=gbs_toc&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=true

 

[mshchem]

I bought a used mint black chrome M6ttl with a 50mm Summicron for $1300, it was priced at $1700, I asked if they could do any better. The seemingly unhappy clerk looked at the directive left by the seller. He without any negotiation dropped the price to 1300.
I sold that camera because I wanted a 0.85x finder. I bought a NOS version 0.85x, silver from a Japan based dealer, he originally had 10 identical cameras from a collector, never taken out of the box.

 

[Alan9940]

I bought a 0.85 M6 from Tamarkin around that time for about $1,600 brand new. Maybe a year or so later, I bought a second 0.85 M6 from Tamarkin for around $2,000. Still use both to this day and I will never sell 'em.

 

[logan2z]

Current M6 prices baffle me a bit. A very nice M4 is about 1/2 the price and arguably at the zenith of Leica quality. Is the built-in meter (which Leica says can't be repaired, although apparently DAG has managed to do so for some customers) really worth $1200+ to buyers?

 

[logan2z]

I bought a 0.85 M6 from Tamarkin around that time for about $1,600 brand new. Maybe a year or so later, I bought a second 0.85 M6 from Tamarkin for around $2,000. Still use both to this day and I will never sell 'em.

Tamarkin lists them for closer to $3K now.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

the built-in meter (which Leica says can't be repaired,

Why is that? Is it a lack of replacement sensors, or the shutter curtain with the pattern?

 

[logan2z]

Why is that? Is it a lack of replacement sensors, or the shutter curtain with the pattern?

I believe it's the circuit board for the meter that is unrepairable. Not clear if that only affects the M6 TTL or the Classic as well. More info at this link:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topi...x-my-leica-m6-ttl-light-meter-not-even-leica/

 

[BradS]

I believe it is only the M6ttl

The light meter PCA in my M6 (non-TTL) was repaired by DAG in 2019. He didn’t explicitly say but the behavior of the meter strongly suggests the a light meter PCA for the MP was substituted for the original.

 

[logan2z]

I believe it is only the M6ttl

The light meter PCA in my M6 (non-TTL) was repaired by DAG. He didn’t explicitly say but the behavior of the meter strongly suggests the a light meter PCA for the MP was substituted for the original.

That's what I've heard he does.

 

[arnie k]

Thanks to all for the info and special thanks for the link to the old Pop Photo. Really brought back memories. When they were new the advertised price was $2,495 and $1,295 for the 6 and the 35 f2. I sold them on consignment to Tamarkin for $2,320 and $1,880 respectively. I received 80% of the sale which means they sold for $2,900 and $2,350. My equipment was in pristine condition and I had the original boxes, warranty cards, etc. Tamarkin was easy to deal with. No BS. I shipped the camera and waited for a check. They gave me the quoted price which was much higher than other dealers. Thanks again to all who responded and happy new year.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Current M6 prices baffle me a bit. A very nice M4 is about 1/2 the price and arguably at the zenith of Leica quality. Is the built-in meter (which Leica says can't be repaired, although apparently DAG has managed to do so for some customers) really worth $1200+ to buyers?

Then I saw M6 on the street for first time, I asked the owner if it is Zeiss Ikon ZM. It didn't look as Leica M quality at all.
M6 is very popular among new users know. They know how to get extra cash for M6, but brainless on S16.

 

[Huss]

Sounds like you got a great deal! Good to know. A local shop recently offered me $500 for my excellent red dot M4-2! I politely declined.