Converted-to-Black-Paint Leica M's, show 'em here!

[splitimageview]

Lovely cameras! I am thinking about getting a beat-up M3 or M4, leave the dials chrome but get the rest painted in black.

anti panda

 

[DanskDynamit]

So, who is actually still doing repaints -- either in the USA or Europe?

Rolfe

.....anyone?

 

[giganova]

Something like this?

Yes, like this -- gorgeous!

 

[splitimageview]

Something like this?

Hey, that looks familiar. 🙂

 

[Stuart John]

I want a grey/silver hammer finish on my M5. I think i will just paint it one day with a little brush. The camera is pretty beat up so it won't look any worse.

 

[splitimageview]

 

[nasmformyzombie]

So, who is actually still doing repaints -- either in the USA or Europe?

Rolfe

Youxin Ye provides what he calls 'relay service' for painting cameras in Japan. He will disassemble your camera at his shop in Massachusetts, overhaul it as needed, and then send the parts to Japan to be painted. Once the painted camera is returned to him he will reassemble it. He states that the turnaround for the entire process will be about 7 to 9 months.

http://yyecamera.com/sample_M3.html

I've not had this service done but I will wholeheartedly vouch for Mr. Ye's integrity as well as his high quality work on Leica screwmount and M gear.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Youxin Ye provides what he calls 'relay service' for painting cameras in Japan.

Lumiere in Japan! That's Takahashi-san, trained by Shintaro. As well as an excellent painter, Takahashi-san is also an excellent repairman. He did a CLA on an MP 0.85 for me last year and made it the smoothest Leica I've ever used.

 

[JHP]

Nice! Very similar to my project.

I prefer the non-self timer M2.

This will have an M3 viewfinder when complete.

Hi looks great, I was wondering what the process is for removing the VF, RF and frameline glass from the top plates
Thanks.

About to try this myself.

 

[GarageBoy]

Save the chromes!
I wish Leica used the Nikon style paint, very smooth finish, and quite durable

Im not a brassed camera look fan, but a worn black chrome m4 is cool! (So is a worn f2 titanium)

 

[Fraser]

Hi looks great, I was wondering what the process is for removing the VF, RF and frameline glass from the top plates
Thanks.

About to try this myself.

they are held in with metal tabs and slide out quite easy.

 

[Bumse]

Cameraworks UK did this one for me early 2017. I'm happy.

 

[brbo]

Is that their glossy black paint (they also have "satin" black paint)?

I really want the glossy black paint, but I'm concerned about durability. How's yours after a year?

 

[Bumse]

I really want the gloss enamel paint, but I'm concerned about durability. How's yours after a year?

This is glossy black paint. There is some schratches on the bottom, but otherwise there is no wear. I take good care of my cameras, maybe more than the average user.

One thing that you don't see in this photo is that in certain light all small dings on the top plate is pronounced. Maybe the "satin" (duracoat paint) is better in that regard? If you choose "satin" they just strip the chrome; when they paint with gloss enamel the chrome as well as the nickel is removed.

 

[Gregm61]

Is that their glossy black paint (they also have "satin" black paint)?

I really want the glossy black paint, but I'm concerned about durability. How's yours after a year?

Black Paint and Durability? Seems like mutually exclusive items to me. If you want durability, black paint isn't what you want.

 

[brbo]

This is glossy black paint. There is some schratches on the bottom, but otherwise there is no wear. I take good care of my cameras, maybe more than the average user.

One thing that you don't see in this photo is that in certain light all small dings on the top plate is pronounced. Maybe the "satin" (duracoat paint) is better in that regard? If you choose "satin" they just strip the chrome; when they paint with gloss enamel the chrome as well as the nickel is removed.

Thanks!

By "satin" paint I don't mean Duracoat. They do two types of "classic" blacks paints (glossy and satin finish):

We can paint your very early Leica M3 in a classic gloss if you like (we call it classic type 1 gloss). It will brass relatively easily so for practicality we do recommend the later type gloss (we call this classic type 2 gloss), as used on later M3 and onwards cameras as it has better durability. The type 2 gloss has more of a satin sheen and is very tough. These finishes are termed 'classic' because they aim to emulate the original factory finishes.

And by reading their explanation about the differences I didn't think that the process for classic type 2 black paint is different than the hi gloss type 1, which might be the case afterall.

Black Paint and Durability? Seems like mutually exclusive items to me. If you want durability, black paint isn't what you want.

I don't need the black paint to remain intact for the next 100 years, I actually want it to brass (I had a black paint Leica M8.2 and it was more than durable enough for me even though it showed some very slight brassing). So, unless Cameraworks type 1 classic black paint is much worse I'll be OK.

My concern stems from the fact that there were a couple of freshly painted M2 by Cameraworks for sale here at RFF that already had paint missing. And not like brassing, but like chipped. Could be just the pictures though, I didn't want to ask unpleasant questions in the classifieds as I didn't want to sound like I'm trying to sabotage the seller...

 

[splitimageview]

This is glossy black paint. There is some schratches on the bottom, but otherwise there is no wear. I take good care of my cameras, maybe more than the average user.

One thing that you don't see in this photo is that in certain light all small dings on the top plate is pronounced. Maybe the "satin" (duracoat paint) is better in that regard? If you choose "satin" they just strip the chrome; when they paint with gloss enamel the chrome as well as the nickel is removed.

This is incorrect. They strip chrome and nickel with all paint jobs.

 

[splitimageview]

My concern stems from the fact that there were a couple of freshly painted M2 by Cameraworks for sale here at RFF that already had paint missing. And not like brassing, but like chipped. Could be just the pictures though, I didn't want to ask unpleasant questions in the classifieds as I didn't want to sound like I'm trying to sabotage the seller...

They’ve painted several cameras (7 I think) for me with various finishes, no chipping, but anything is possible I suppose, depending on how they are handled.

 

[brbo]

They’ve painted several cameras (7 I think) for me with various finishes, no chipping, but anything is possible I suppose, depending on how they are handled.

That's reassuring! Any thoughts on the different finishes that you've seen from them? Thanks!

 

[splitimageview]

I currently have a glossy IIIc and a durakote IIIf. I like them both but if I had to pick one it would be the durakote. I prefer the matte finish that doesn't show finger prints and is a bit less 'blingy.' But they are both fabulous!