Leica M6 buying guide. Main points to check when buying secondhand.

Buying a used Leica M6 camera? We highlight the four areas to check; cosmetics, mechanics, optics and electronics

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:56 Leica M6 variants
4:07 What to check - Cosmetics
6:47 What to check - Mechanics
10:53 What to check - Optics
11:52 What to check - Electronics

After we uploaded this video we had a couple of requests to go into more detail about checking the shutter and viewfinder. An excellent idea as these are the two areas most likely to suffer issues.

Here are the links:

Leica M6. Checking the shutter:

Leica M6. Checking the rangefinder:

These checks apply to Leica M3, M2, M4, M4-2, M4-P, M5, M8, M9, M10, M11 … and other film and digital rangefinders too.

Jonathan Harris, Worldwide Camera Exchange

[GxAce]

One extremely important point you didn’t mention was that you need to check the shutter curtain itself. Since it’s cloth, it can easily have holes burnt into it from a lens that’s pointed at the sun too long. Something I wasn’t aware of when I first got one and something I don’t see people talking about much. Only a few seconds of the camera pointed at the sun with the lens at infinity will burn a whole into the shutter. It’s possible to patch these holes with liquid electrical tape, but it’s best to replace the curtain and be mindful of not having a cap on or at least stopping your lens down all the way if you are walking around on a sunny day with no cap.

[baladino]

I saw your Hasselblad video and shortly bought one for myself. Your advice came in good stead. I’m watching this and realise I’m on the cusp of buying a Leica M6. Thank you for your kindness and generosity in sharing your knowledge. Great video. You’re definitely an expert.

[huni]

Always check for film counter works correctly, sometimes it doesn't reset correctly due to lack of oil inside.

[alfo]

Fantastic to discover such a valuable YT resource. I wish you success, the content is superb. Thanks for sharing.

[gregpantelides]

Thank you very much. This is exactly what I was looking for.

[MattF]

I'm an ex M9 use looking into getting an M6. In the UK and luckily there seems to be plenty around.

[AlexandruMihail]

Fantastic video! Perfectly to the point and informative!

[bieguzhang]

Very informative and respect for you knowledge! I just got mine 0.72x black TTL in mint condition for almost $4k this week. Hope I found this video a little bit earlier so I could pretend to be a pro when I bought mine.

[maxjanko]

Thanks for the Video.
One note, the flashing red LEDs in the viewfinder (on the newer M6 Versions) are a warning if you forgot to remove the lens cap.

[RobMoses]

Good info. Thanks for making the video.

[ParkDongYoung]

This is such a great guiding video!! Thank you for your effort~

[dinodemopoulos]

Awesome video, very thorough. I'm concerned that my m6 TTL has some light leaks. Any tips on how to diagnose, and also what to do about it?

[actionkamen]

I wish i have watched it before buying my 0.85 TTL. The camera appeared to be unused but unfortunately had the shutter’s second curtain drag problem at 1/1000 which I have discoreverd long after purchase. I would have asked for a discount if I knew that.

[ezbozovago]

Like the lack of cuts in this, feels like a more considered presentation. Need to find a dealer down this as the only ones I've seen are on eBay

[burneshollyman]

The problem I have is that I buy online. No camera shops near me carry he. A hands-on inspection is almost impossible.

[doctorwhoish]

nice video! I wonder if the FlashQ will work with the M6 Titanium

[stevetaylor]

Great video. Very helpful. I'm going to buying an M6 TTL (1986) but he said he hasn't used the light meter and doesn't know if if works (I have to assume not) and hasn't been CLA'd since he bought it 10 years ago. He is offering a really good deal though which is why I'm considering. Is a non-functioning light meter a concern? Are these red flags? Any tips?

[prasanthmenon]

Very informative, thanks for a detailed video. I have a question, how often does it require a CLA (assuming that I did one today)?

[sjmheron]

Wonderfully helpful video. Sadly in my area/city/province (Canada) the second hand market is miserably thin and I find myself reading eBay listings with tremendous skepticism. I'm concerned that even if I can return an item, I'll be out the several hundred dollars in shipping/taxes. Would you ever advise buying online through eBay or similar?

[lucadilazzaro]

I need to buy a used film Leica M. I am undecided whether to switch to M6 or M7. Which one do you recommend?