Has anyone seen the Leica M6 for the Japanese market story on Cameraquest ( < a href="http://www.cameraquest.com/LM6JM.htm">LUSENET ) - hope I've got the link right? Yes indeed, it is an M6, apparently a standard one, with Leica script on the top-plate. My apologies if this has been discussed previously, but I can't see any reference to it. What do fellow Leicaphiles think? Many people have been clamouring for a return to the more craftsmanlike approach of the M3. I, for one, think it looks great. The only explanation is that Leica has read the previous thread by Giles Poilu on this site, which argued for just such a camera, and rushed to bring it into production. We just need the all-metal winding lever and self-timer.

-- David Killick (dalex@inet.net.nz), January 21, 2002

Answers

Whoops, link didn't work...please excuse my HTML illiteracy.....

-- David Killick (dalex@inet.net.nz), January 21, 2002.

Is the top plate engraved or printed? If the latter, I wouldn't be interested.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), January 21, 2002.

Oh dear, brain must be on the blink...quite right, it's printed. I just had a quick look. Not such a big deal after all. But the thought is there...a properly engraved top-plate and emphasis on craftsmanship would win accolades for Leica, I think, and this approach should be encouraged.

-- David Killick (dalex@inet.net.nz), January 21, 2002.

Ha Ha! I'm flattered! I am sure it is a "printed" logo but it wouldn't be too difficult to stamp it in as on the M4-2/P.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), January 21, 2002.

Here in the UK, Leica have introduced a "signature" service - they will engrave the top plate of your M6 (as an after sales service) with anything you like, such as your signature. It costs approximately US$150 and includes a check of the camera's basic functions. If you sell the camera they will replace the engraved top plate with a blank one.

Sounds quite tempting as a security measure as much as an ego trip.

Andrew

-- Andrew Boshoff (andrew.boshoff@virgin.net), January 21, 2002.

Yes, it's a nice idea - I posted something here a while ago...look here for your own engraved Leica.

Has anyone had one done?

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), January 21, 2002.

Perhaps, I'm alone on this, but I couldn't give a rat's ass if the "Leica" script is on the top or not.

-- Richard (rvle@yahoo.com), January 21, 2002.

"Perhaps, I'm alone on this, but I couldn't give a rat's ass if the "Leica" script is on the top or not. "

Rest easy, you have company.

-- Robert Schneider (rolopix@yahoo.com), January 21, 2002.

Well, it does look bare without the engraving. At these prices, why would it kill them to engrave the top plate? They could even recoup the money by not engraving LEICA on the front, and leaving off the dot.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), January 21, 2002.

Richard and Robert- I'm with you guys. I don't care at all if the thing is engraved or stamped or blank. I mean, I like the script on my M3- but only because it's a feature of the original. I'd love it if they returned to the black painted brass top plates- I'd rather they revive this feature than the engraved script- but this stuff doesn't really matter at all. It's how the thing allows me to take photographs that I care about.

-- drew (swordfisher@hotmail.com), January 21, 2002.

I know a guy who had his name engraved on the baseplate of his Nikon F3 and the vibration damaged the shutter making the speeds very inaccurate.Be warned!

-- Phill Kneen (philkneen@manx.net), January 21, 2002.

Umm, they would remove the top plate before engraving. They also have to seal the engraving so that the Zn composite material is not exposed.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), January 21, 2002.

Well John,he took it down to the local jeweller where they engrave medals,trophies and the backs of cheap watches.Need I say anymore?!!

-- Phill Kneen (philkneen@manx.net), January 21, 2002.

Thinking of having your local jeweller engrave your name on the top- plate of your Leica? Not a good idea; read the second-last paragraph of this article for why: http://www.yashica- guy.com/document/buyer.html.

-- Hoyin Lee (leehoyin@hutchcity.com), January 22, 2002.

I have one. The top-plate isn't engraved. It is silkscreened on, as Stephen Gandy says in his review. Yes it looks great. How long will it last? I don't know. The nice thing is that my "Japan" special was the same price as the regular Leica TTL's. The story I heard was that Leica send an oversupply to Japan and did the silkscreening as a sales gimmick. Whatever the case, it is kind of fun. Not sure if it makes me a better photographer though.

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@suma.kobe-wu.ac.jp), January 22, 2002.