I'm thinking about painting the ZM

[Neare]

Searched around a bit so as far as I know it hasn't been attempted yet.

Has anyone dismantled a ZM yet? If so, is it as straightforward as one would expect or is it a bit fiddly under the hood?

... Or because its not real chrome... you think it could just be painted right over? =D

Then, should I just be staying away from stupid thoughts like these and live with the fake chrome?

Your thoughts?

 

[Frankie]

What does it matter?

Leica M9 also uses fake chrome...except they called it titanium.

 

[abenner]

I don't want to discourage you because I'd like to see it done, but of course you know that the camera is not brass underneath. I think it's mostly magnesium. So you'll have to consider what it will look like when it starts to wear, if that's the look you're going for eventually. I recall a few years ago seeing a chrome one that was getting pretty worn here on the forum, it looked pretty strange.

 

[Neare]

What does it matter?

Leica M9 also uses fake chrome...except they called it titanium.

Ah no it's not the idea that its fake is the reason I have for painting it. I'm just thinking about another colour.

 

[Frankie]

Ah no it's not the idea that its fake is the reason I have for painting it. I'm just think about another colour.

Then I favour the powder-coated look as used on my F2-Titan or the Epson R-D1.

Anthracite gray is a good colour.

 

[ferider]

How about selling and buying a black one ?

 

[abenner]

How about selling and buying a black one ?

That would be no fun for the rest of us!

 

[payasam]

"I'm just think about another colour."

Let's throw this open to suggestions. I propose that the colours of the peacock, my country's National Birdie, be the guide. Should look good. Might also help to keep the camera from flying too much. The fellows taste good too, even if killing them can get you into prison.

 

[Bill58]

I don't think any paint except powder coating will adhere to magnesium. The problem w/ that is it's very thick and you gotta make sure it's not applied on tight mating surfaces or you have to grind it off to make them fit. Otherwise, it's a bomb-proof coating and comes in a lot of colors/ sheens.

 

[Neare]

Then I favour the powder-coated look as used on my F2-Titan or the Epson R-D1.

Haha you read my mind!

The reason I didn't buy a black ZM was because I would prefer any camera in chrome rather than in Gloss Black, glossy blackness just never does it for me (If it was solid metal and looked like it, then shiny is ok).

So I was thinking about a Matte Black with lettering in a Contax Orange (And highlights in Green). Not sure If I'd leave the "Zeiss Ikon" in white or not yet. And leaving the Zeiss Logo in its current chrome.

I think it would look pretty good.

 

[elmer3.5]

M3 & Canon 50 1.2

M3 & Canon 50 1.2

Hi i powder coated both an m3 and a canon 50 1.2 ltm lens.

The first thing is to strip the chrome and make special emphasis on the stamped numbers and letters since they get filled with powder coating and loose sharpness, when you paint them in white they look blurred and the result does not look original.

The m3 got great but the canon lens was a complete failure, i had to grind many details in order to make it work! After a few days i restored it to it´s original look.
The only thing i kept in powder coating was the black focusing ring because it´s balck anodized and by age it was chipped.

if things are aluminium you can anodize them, it´s microns thick, but cannot be done in brass or other ferrous metal.

You have to clean the applying gun cos it get´s contaminated with other powders used before.

Luck!

E

 

[johannielscom]

... I'm just thinking about another colour.

Hang in there. You'll grow out of it. Or maybe you'll think of a real reason in due time.

I converted a Leica M3 DS to a black camera using original spare parts. I always wear black and the chrome M3 stood out too much on me when shooting in the street.

Why go through all the hassle for no reason but 'looks'?😕

 

[MatthewThompson]

If you're going to tear it down anyway, look into having it anodized.

 

[Fujitsu]

Have you considered just replacing the rubberized covering?

http://cameraleather.com

I was thinking the same...
http://www.cameraleather.com/others/

 

[Neare]

Yeah I've been looking into this. Thank's for pointing me to the adonizing, I'll keep that in mind. However, before anything is atempted I'll need to find either a repair manual or some diagram of taking the camera apart, or someone who has done it already. I don't want to jump into hot water as I don't take my cameras apart all too often.

And yes, consider me shallow if you will. I want to do this all because of 'Looks'.

 

[Keith]

In a perfect world it would be nice to strip the camera and plate the top and bottom covers with a heavy layer of brass if possible then paint them black as per Leica MP black paint that tends to wear through fairly quickly.

A black paint tastefully brassed Ikon sort of appeals to me! 😀

 

[Neare]

Ok so I spoke to a power coating man who has agreed to do it and has quoted me $40USD for the job (the price is good enough for me!). That includes the stripping, anodizing and coating, even including coating the text in a alternate colour.

So now I have two niggles to sort out before this goes ahead.

1 is the shutter speed dial. The numbers are painted on rather than engraved. So my options would be to either leave it chrome or take it to a minter and have them engrave over the text.

2 is taking it apart. I need some advice:

Top plate I know how to get it all off no problem.

Bottom plate I'm hoping it will screw off (those two screws at the bottom, if there are any others that need undoing please mention it) and nothing will fall out, tell me if this isn't so.

And the front plate which I am completely lost on. If anyone has changed the leather, apart from the two screws at the top either side of the lens mount, are there any others underneath the leather?