M6 - Black or Chrome

[Ron (Netherlands)]

I have a spare titan top plate so let me know if you would like to have that, we could swap for other things

[Uwe_Nds]

Originally Posted by Ron (Netherlands)

I have a spare titan top plate so let me know if you would like to have that, we could swap for other things

Ron,

if that's to me - thank you very much, but I want to leave it as it is. Actually, the black M6 doesn't look too bad with silver/ chrome lenses.

Best regards,
Uwe

[shimo-kitasnap]

ooo titanium top plate, how is it? I remember leica came out with an all Ti M7 a few months ago, or course it was limited edition and way way too expensive, but imagine how durable it is?

[Livesteamer]

Titanium is really tough. It has the weight of aluminum and approaches the strength of steel. Some have argued though, that under impact, brass will absorb the blow by deforming and the titanium will transmit the shock to delicate parts. I don't know. Titanium looks nice too. Joe

[shimo-kitasnap]

I have a titanium dive knife that I use for scuba and in salt water even stainless rusts if you don't rinse with fresh water and give a light coating of oil after every use. Ti (even though I clean it) doesn't corrode and it's very light but a tad springy, the only regret is the blade is next to impossible to sharpen though it holds an ok edge, not as nice as cold carbon steel though.

[shimo-kitasnap]

Ti M7 salt water immersion test anyone? (they do this with H&K and Glock pistols to prove their ruggedness and reliability in adverse conditions)

[fortynine]

Hi, I'm new to Leica and I can't recognise all the various M6 models . Can someone tell me what M6 is this ? Is that a pre-asph 35 1.4 summilux ? thinking of getting it

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14263255@N07/2610308154/

[maddoc]

Originally Posted by fortynine

Hi, I'm new to Leica and I can't recognise all the various M6 models . Can someone tell me what M6 is this ? Is that a pre-asph 35 1.4 summilux ? thinking of getting it

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14263255@N07/2610308154/

Looks like a M6 Titan with corresponding 35 Summilux pre-ASPH Titan to me. Quite expensive tools ...

[fortynine]

Originally Posted by maddoc

Looks like a M6 Titan with corresponding 35 Summilux pre-ASPH Titan to me. Quite expensive tools ...

someone's showing them to me at around USD 3300. Good condition. I'm undecided. I seldom see m6 titans on 2nd hand market. Do they hold their value well ?

[maddoc]

Originally Posted by fortynine

someone's showing them to me at around USD 3300. Good condition. I'm undecided. I seldom see m6 titans on 2nd hand market. Do they hold their value well ?

I am not a collector or expert regarding "collectibles" ... but I know that all these special editions from Leica only hold their value when a) complete (box with identical SN, paper-work, caps, pouches etc) and b) in truly mint / excellent condition. This means if you want to use it, you will make scratches sooner or later and never get the re-sale value. If it is only in good "user-condition" (non-complete, some minor wearing marks) I wouldn't pay a premium for the Titan covering but try to get a very good condition standard lens / camera. Just my two cents ...

[fortynine]

Originally Posted by maddoc

I am not a collector or expert regarding "collectibles" ... but I know that all these special editions from Leica only hold their value when a) complete (box with identical SN, paper-work, caps, pouches etc) and b) in truly mint / excellent condition. This means if you want to use it, you will make scratches sooner or later and never get the re-sale value. If it is only in good "user-condition" (non-complete, some minor wearing marks) I wouldn't pay a premium for the Titan covering but try to get a very good condition standard lens / camera. Just my two cents ...

thanks. that was very good advice. I'm a light-user in RF. A mint m6 & 35 look to be around USD 2800 and this came along. I was thinking there are prob 100,000 normal M6s and few titans so it may hold value better. not looking to make money, just "lose" less

[Livesteamer]

maddoc is right about condition being important especially with a limited quantity model. That said, titanium should be much more resistant to scratching/denting than brass or zinc top plates. I used to cut titanium as a machinist in the aerospace industry. It's tough, beautiful stuff. I think Stephen at cameraquest.com has some articles about titanium Leicas. Good Luck. Joe

[BillBingham2]

Mine was one of the first few out and Black was the only option. While I own/ed several chrome cameras, black is always my first preference in camera bodies. Get her a Chrome Bessa L and call it even.

B2 (;->

[mr_phillip]

Originally Posted by Livesteamer

... titanium should be much more resistant to scratching/denting than brass or zinc top plates.

Unfortunately the M6 titanium finish is merely a thin layer plated onto brass. It's reasonably tough, but does chip and scratch if it receives enough abuse (and looks quite nasty when it goes). The M7 titanium however is machined from a solid Ti block, so in theory that should be the toughest Leica ever (not that I'd ever want to put that theory to the test!)

Best reason I can think of to buy the titanium M6 would be if you really, REALLY wanted a brass top plate. I believe Leica went back to brass for those models because they couldn't get the Ti plating to adhere to zinc.

[35mmdelux]

I have one of each so I can color coordinate as well.

Seriously, in dangerous places I prefer black, less conspicuous.

[35mmdelux]

Originally Posted by mr_phillip

Best reason I can think of to buy the titanium M6 would be if you really, REALLY wanted a brass top plate. I believe Leica went back to brass for those models because they couldn't get the Ti plating to adhere to zinc.

Either that or get an MP bp.

[35mmdelux]

Originally Posted by RFBob

Well it all depends on what purse you are using. Fashion police are everywhere.

This is a good one, especially here in L.A. LOL.

[Damaso]

Looks like it is getting close to two to one! I love my two black m6s!

[letvet]

Black. I have a black chrome m7 and a silver chrome m6 and the m6 always gets way too much attention. I usually get remarks like "that is an expensive camera" or " I have always wanted one of those" . It does make me feel a little uncomfortable.

[borismach]

The black is for use , and the chrome is for show.
Cheerz
bm

[bennyng]

I've been toying with the idea of swapping the moving bits on my user condition black chrome M6 TTL with chrome replacement. A bit like the M6 green safari version, but in black or like the M6 panda, but in reverse. The chrome parts are a bit elusive though, especially the shutter speed dial. Anyway, I wonder if it will look out of place. Perhaps I'll just leave it alone.

Cheers,

[Thardy]

Just got a silver chrome Leica, and the instruction manual kept showing a black one. Must fight the urge.

[waririn]

Black is Cool!!!

but easy get mark on it. Y_T

[Bernie.]

I have a strange behavior with this topic. I like chrome with classic rewind knobs or no rewind knobs (Screw Leicas, M3, M2, Classic MP, M8) and I prefer black with the diagonal fast rewind knob (M4, M6, M7).

[SOJO]

Originally Posted by ClaremontPhoto

i laugh (inside) when people look at my Leica and say 'That's a nice Kodak'.

Brand names matter to some people. Not me.

Yes, it's a nice Kodak.

Why bother?

Reminds me of a BBQ with german ppl some weeks ago when using my chrome M4.

"Is that an Olympus?"

I just couldn't let that pass by though which triggered the next statement from the germans "Oh!? I have one of those (referring to Leica III's). You know, the Leica RF concept was invented by the russians."

I never heard this one before... any foundation to the statement? I wonder what old Barnack would say to that.