Turtle
Veteran
I dont know how not so old cameras get so brassed so quickly... Actually, I do, and consequently I love these threads on brassing where people claim its all natural, while showing cameras with brassing deep into 90 degree corners and other inaccessible areas. Hilarious. At least admit it where it is owner induced brassing - why not?!
I have a BP MP and have found the finish remarkably resilient. Some of the cameras one sees posted must have had 50,000 rolls through them judging by the rewind release levers... Its hard to imagine when the poster's photos are of ducks, cats and people sitting in cafes, unless they take the camera home loose in the back of a pick up truck full of gravel, via the Alps.
I have a BP MP and have found the finish remarkably resilient. Some of the cameras one sees posted must have had 50,000 rolls through them judging by the rewind release levers... Its hard to imagine when the poster's photos are of ducks, cats and people sitting in cafes, unless they take the camera home loose in the back of a pick up truck full of gravel, via the Alps.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
I think it has a lot to do with how you use the camera. If you have it on a neck strap, it isn't going to wear as much as if you use a wrist strap and hold it in your hand. I have my camera in my hand for hours on end, and because I'm of a nervous disposition, tend to worry at it constantly with my fingers.
That said, my silver M8 still looks unbrassed after a year and a half. We'll see what happens with the black paint M9.
That said, my silver M8 still looks unbrassed after a year and a half. We'll see what happens with the black paint M9.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Also, people who use many cameras will have a collection of relatively new-looking tools, and people who use the same one all the time will see much more wear.
sleepyhead
Well-known
philipus
ʎɐpɹəʇɥƃı&
Nice Yaron. I didn't know the M4-P was made in black paint.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
My cameras are slowly brassing. The one I've had the longest, an M7, has even worn through the black chrome some. The MP3 has the most brass showing, with the M9's catching up quickly. I've owned all of these paint cameras since new, the MP3 for almost five years- it is by far got way more hours in the hand than the M9's do. My second M9 went back to Leica when the vulcanite started falling off, they repainted the 'M' in white- which had fallen out to look like the rumored M19. This happened in the first week I had it.
Nothing approaching 'brassed' yet, just the hints.
Nothing approaching 'brassed' yet, just the hints.
Dan95
Well-known
Youre not supposed to play football with it!
RFluhver
Well-known
I had no idea that these M4-Ps brassed like this.
Dan
Let's Sway
Hosermage
Well-known
I've shown mine before... I bought it used 3 months ago.
added the grip and 1.25X magnifier since then...
added the grip and 1.25X magnifier since then...
kokoshawnuff
Alex
Kinda looks like it was sanded.
Indeed it does.
sleepyhead
Well-known
Well, it's gotta be a brasstop one. I guess the later chrome alloy ones don't brass in the same way.
philipus
ʎɐpɹəʇɥƃı&
Black chromes can't "brass" at all
They do look different, here's an example.
http://www.cameraquest.com/m5.htm
I have an M6TTL BP which I got in February. I've only shot some 60 rolls with it but it's brassing along the edges of the bottom plate in particular as well as at corners and the film advance lever. The paint is fairly shiny compared to the paint on my 1931 Model II and to older black paint Ms I've seen. However it seems the modern paint attaches better to the body and doesn't come off as easily. And it seems it's a bit thinner, too.
They do look different, here's an example.
http://www.cameraquest.com/m5.htm
I have an M6TTL BP which I got in February. I've only shot some 60 rolls with it but it's brassing along the edges of the bottom plate in particular as well as at corners and the film advance lever. The paint is fairly shiny compared to the paint on my 1931 Model II and to older black paint Ms I've seen. However it seems the modern paint attaches better to the body and doesn't come off as easily. And it seems it's a bit thinner, too.
OwenStegemann
Established
I don't understand the brassing around the viewfinder window. I touch my cameras in all kinds of strange places but never there.
but never there.JHP
Well-known
I wonder if mine had been sanded before I bought it. The rubbings look natural however. Oh well I don't care, I bought it to take photos.
Perhaps the rubbing could have happened when taking the camera in and out of my camera bag, and it rubbing against the zipper. (The edges have black tape on them, to protect it from the stupid leica strap lug things rubbing against the side.
Dan95
Well-known
I've shown mine before... I bought it used 3 months ago.
added the grip and 1.25X magnifier since then...
Simply beautiful!
philipus
ʎɐpɹəʇɥƃı&
So how did your cameras get the brassing around the VF window?
I wonder if mine had been sanded before I bought it. The rubbings look natural however. Oh well I don't care, I bought it to take photos.
Perhaps the rubbing could have happened when taking the camera in and out of my camera bag, and it rubbing against the zipper. (The edges have black tape on them, to protect it from the stupid leica strap lug things rubbing against the side.
I've shown mine before... I bought it used 3 months ago.
added the grip and 1.25X magnifier since then...
Hosermage
Well-known
So how did your cameras get the brassing around the VF window?
Mine came like that, as I bought it used. One good thing about buying a user condition body is that I no longer need to baby it. I did try a leather half case but eventually decided to go with the grip because it handled better. The grip was also used and brassed. I feel liberated because I no longer have to worry about every single dings or scratches.
Anyway, regarding the brassing around the VF window, I think it's very plausible if you stick it in your coat pockets a lot. I carried the camera with me everyday for about the first 2 months. Also, due to a smaller bag, I put the camera in the bag with the VF side down so I can easily grab the grip to remove the camera. So imagine that area constantly rubbing with the bottom of the camera bag.
David
JHP
Well-known
So how did your cameras get the brassing around the VF window?
I offered an explanation if you had bothered to read it.
:bang:
Perhaps you could ask Ali_baba how he got rubbings against his viewfinder window as well? He must have surely had at it with sandpaper as well...
philipus
ʎɐpɹəʇɥƃı&
I offered an explanation if you had bothered to read it.
:bang:
Perhaps you could ask Ali_baba how he got rubbings against his viewfinder window as well? He must have surely had at it with sandpaper as well...
Sir, if you are implying that I meant, by asking an honest, cheerful question, that you or anyone else who has posted photos in this thread where the paint around the VF window is gone have sanded their cameras, then you are mistaken. I did not imply any such thing. My question was only intended to keep the thread alive because I have enjoyed - until now - to follow it. I did read your post, sir, but don't see why I would not be allowed to ask a question under these premises. Your tone, however, is rude.
Philip