Hi, my question is the LEICA MILLENNIUM 2000 BLACK PAINT and the LEICA M6 TTL TITANIUM LITMITED EDITION, witch one sells for more money, I am thinking of getting one, don't know witch one to get, any suggestion please!

-- Mitchell Li (mitchli@pacbell.net), March 30, 2002

Answers

In my opinion, The Millenium 2000 much more desirable and much better looking, if you can find one.

-- George L. Doolittle (geodoolitt@aol.com), March 30, 2002.

look at the prices on ebay... i think you will find that the millenium is one of the most desireable leica's around (if a high price is what you are looking for).

-- Matthew Geddert (geddert@yahoo.com), March 30, 2002.

Per Tamarkin ads:

Millenum black paint - $3899 Titanium TTL body - $2650

HOWEVER it is not clear whether the Millenium price includes a lens or not - Eliot or someone else on the collectors' end will need to clear that up. I just can't remember 2 years back to how they were marketed at the time. I suspect that's a body-only price, though.

I also don't believe the Titaniums have special serial numbers - while most of the true limited collector's editions have separate numbers in addition to the main serial number.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), March 30, 2002.

HEY,

Collector are not allowed 8*) here, just users.

Are you one of those "true collectors" that use this site?

BTW, I collect indirectly: I buy good deals and don't necssarilly carry them with me w/my travels.

Please see Andrew Nemeng's site for the "wisdom" in investing in Leica equip.

Why guess?

In general, those special editions with the fewer #'s will be more $$$ in the "future".

Why Bother, photos are MUCH more valuable, no?

Form FOLLOWS Function

-- chris chen (chrischen@msn.com), March 30, 2002.

I have given up on Leica collecting. I figure that putting all my money into "Billy Beer" and Pogs makes just as much sense.

I hate Leica's stupid collectors cameras. Although the two mentioned are at least very usable ones. The one thing I can say that is positive about collectors, is that they waste a ton of money on those cameras which must add enought to Leica's bottom line to keep them from going out of business. If I were rich, I would buy all the stupid Jaguar XK 50 and Royal Danish Wedding leicas and use them as hard as possible, just to see the look on the faces of the collectors I meet.

-- Josh Root (Rootj@att.net), March 30, 2002.

Lets not judge how other people spend their money shall we?

By a wide margin the Millennium black paint is worth more whereas the M6TTL Titanium isn't moving at all. The Ti is generally perceived as ugly and lenses hard to find (500 each focal length). If you want the ultimate ltd edition then hold out for an M6J in box with the collapsible Elmar. Most of the recent limited editions I know of have been dropping in price here in HK.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), March 30, 2002.

the tamarkin price is for body only. the millenium is the more expensive camera by a grand or so, depending on where you buy.

-- roger michel (michel@tcn.org), March 30, 2002.

Hi Mitchell, After about two months of searching I found a Millenium at the Leica shop in Vienna. If you do get one please mention my name. I deal with them from time to time. www.leicashop.at Its a beautiful camera. Good luck.

-- John Abela (jamriman@yahoo.com), March 30, 2002.

Mitchell. What Andy said about the Millenium M6-TTL is correct, and the price is without a lens. They issued matching black paint 35/2 ASPH and 50/1.4 lenses which sell for a significant premium over the regular lenses. These new black paint cameras do seem to have generated significant collector interest.

I am a collector, but I don't buy special edition or commemorative M6s. There are too many of them and, to me, they are really not special. I think the original black paint M cameras (M2, M3, M4) and original black paint lenses, which were mostly used by photojournalists and other working pros are much more interesting collectibles. But that's just my opinion. A chacun son gout.

If you want a titanium M6, the original titanium M6 with black ostrich leather is a nice camera. When you can find one, they sell for on a couple of hundred dollars more than the regular M6 classic. And you can use it without an armed guard following you.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), March 31, 2002.

I secured a Millinium and a LASA black paint not for collecting as much as the Graphic Designer in me over came common sense. The Millinium in particular is a BEAUTIFUL camera. My pocket book often suffers for love of beauty. But when it comes to collecting something, I suffer with a smile on my face. My passion is photographs. I've bought off of this forum. I support local photographers and galleries. And I have even sold some collecable camera equipment to get a vintage prints: Kertesz's "Satiric Dancer", Doisneau's, "Picasso and the Loaves", Bresson's, " Matisse w/Doves" to name a few. Can't wait until the depressed Leica market recovers, and I can dump something to put a down payment on a Lartigue. I even bought a Micheal Kenna print, whom I'm not crazy about, because I knew his stuff would skyrocket. The sale of that print later paid for the Millinium M6. More fun than the stock market and you get to soak up all that beauty in the meantime.

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), March 31, 2002.

My primary camera is a black paint Dragon with matching black paint special edition LHSA rapidwinder. Under a light source I can already see minute scratches everywhere on the paint. Only 500 were made but this edition will never increase in value because I know the other 499 will likely remain new in box. It is such a beautiful camera and while it will not improve my photography it is one of those indulgences that gives me a smile whenever I use it.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), March 31, 2002.