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

[johannielscom]

Thought I'd launch this thread to allow happy owners to show off their Converted-to-Black-Paint Leica's.

Enjoy!

 

[LeicaTom]

Johan, you need to do a "black out" Swedish M3 BP counter on your M3.....

I always liked this version of the M3 camera, part of a special batch of cameras that went to Sweden in 1958 in FULL BLACK PAINT form

Everything on the camera was painted Black, (cept the shutter button, accessory shoe rails and the lens flange) a very similar treatment like the Swedish Army Leica IIIF's and IIIG's got as well......seems these were used by some promi Swedish Photographers or the Swedish Army? ~ few survived.....

I think it's the koolest Black Painted Leica ever made 😀

A handful of the MP Classic's had the "black out" film counter option a few years back, I don't know if the part is still available with Leica?

I'm staying with an "all chrome" Project M camera at the moment, after mine's back from it's revamp.....I can't see stripping off beautiful minty factory chrome parts for a Black Paint job, I still like the look though a M3 looks great both ways! 😀

Tom

 

[flip]

With an M2 purchase in my future and an M3 at present, I often ponder which would be more suitable for a paint-job. I suspect the M3 brasses more attractively, but fear that BP might make it harder to read the speed setting at night - when I typically use the M3. Grrr. Oh, well - not losing sleep. Looking forward to seeing more.

 

[Erik van Straten]

This M3 started life as a chrome camera, but was in the early seventies converted to black by Leitz to match a Noctilux 50mm f/1.2.

Erik.

 

[menos]

Johan, you need to do a "black out" Swedish M3 BP counter on your M3.....
…
Tom

Tom, thanks for this info, I was always wondering about your avatar and researched the black frame counter to no avail.

I love the looks of it, as I think, it might be much easier, to read in low light, than the chrome standard counter of my M6 and M7.

I would love to convert these.

A nice thread here - will follow it and might pick up on a "project", as I love BP Leicas. A Leica M8.2 actually got me hooked on it ;-)

 

[Paul T.]

What a shallow bunch, people who believe cameras are like jewelery, where the finish applied to them actually matters. Pathetic.

Anyway, here's my old Shintaro BP M4. I miss it terribly. Next time round, though, I want a really knackered one so I don't worry about chips and dents.

 

[LeicaTom]

What a shallow bunch, people who believe cameras are like jewelery, where the finish applied to them actually matters. Pathetic.

Finish matters when it looks like aligator skin, or like you used a spraycan.......most modern DIY paintjobs just look like hell, there's an art to getting a finish to look like the original Black Paint Leitz finish...... Shintaro's paintjobs aren't bad at all, BUT they are nicer than original and just a pain in the ass you have to wait TWO YEARS for a camera to come back, not practical when you NEED a user camera!

The original Leitz finish was really crappy, it's just that nice sheen and smooth texure I personally admire from the old paint, it didn't hold up worth a damm and I've seen quite a few BP M3's that sweat and temperature conditions have made the paint look like the backside of the moon......there's no jewelery there, that's most certain.

Outside of M's ~ I'll have the Major's camera soon a May 1945 IIIC K Grey which is going to be a *full-time* user, the "patina" will continue, original paint, painted vulcanite, original shutter curtain with it's "K" stamp and all, I'm not afraid of using that camera, it's Postwar US Army Signal Corps legacy will carry on and on........

Tom

 

[LeicaTom]

This M3 started life as a chrome camera, but was in the early seventies converted to black by Leitz to match a Noctilux 50mm f/1.2.

Erik.

Is that a 1966/7 camera? (REAL LATE M3) Or did they do a shell swap in the 1970's while it's got the M4 style lens release button, very kool! 😀

Tom

 

[Flat Twin]

The last few M3 cameras were supplied without the lens release guard as per the M2 & M4. I believe that they are quite rare. My M3, serial number 1156XXX does not have the release guard.

Regards

 

[sc_rufctr]

Cool thread. I hope to do a black paint M4 to go with my chrome M3 although I have been tempted by the Classic MP.

Just one question and the biggest problem I can see.

How do you remove the chrome? Electrolysis and acid?

 

[Rogrund]

How do you remove the chrome? Electrolysis and acid?

Check Johan's link in post #5! 🙂

 

[Erik van Straten]

Is that a 1966/7 camera? (REAL LATE M3) Or did they do a shell swap in the 1970's while it's got the M4 style lens release button, very kool! 😀

Tom

The number is 1038265, so early sixties. I think they did a shell swap, but somehow they managed to mount black paint strap eyelets.
It is a silky smooth camera. It still has the "L"-seal of the repair department that carried out the conversions and restaurations. It differs from the normal production "L"-seal. The production "L"-seal is in positive relief, the repair "L"-seal in negative relief. Information from Lars Netopil.

Erik.

 

[Paul T.]

Here's a good Thread started by Arron Benner on black paint, with info about electrolysis etc.

This thread features an especially nice camera by Mike Pryke, which he painted using paint developed for firearms. I hope he won't mind if I add his photo, below.

Here's another repaint, from the Leica Users' Forum.

Lastly, here's another good thread, with some useful tips by a chap at photonet who painted his M3 in hammerite.

 

[nobbylon]

Here's mine which I did myself. When I bought it there was a dent on the top plate, left rear corner which, when I hammered out showed up the ruined chrome so I decided to turn it black. This was part of a set I bought with a collapsable elmar 50 and a 3 element elmar. In the box was the original sales receipt from 1962 so I decided to keep the set together. I've had and sold quite a few M's but this one's my keeper even if it doesn't get used at the moment.

 

[Paul T.]

Definitely one of the best self-repaints I've seen. Congrats.

Technique??

 

[nobbylon]

Not sure if you mean mine Paul but if you do then thanks. It took me a while! I used the reverse electrolysis method to remove the chrome and nickel using muriatic acid and a battery charger. I then used a clear sticker paint to aid adhesion of the black laquer I used. Baked in the oven after very light coats in the oven. Afriend has an original bp m2 so I matched the finish as close as possible. Earlier BP's have a more glossy finish than say m4's and mp's. The infill was done with white acrylic paint. It has worn naturally and although in photos looks nice and smooth, in parts looks worn and very like the original finish on the original bp m2 I used for reference.
regards john

 

[Flat Twin]

This is an inspiring thread! I have an M2 that I have been thinking about painting black for a little while, there is lots of info and inspiration here so its even more tempting!

I notice that not many people have bothered to paint the strap lugs or the film reminder dial, I just wondered why this might be, is it a lot of work or particularly difficult to paint these bits?

Regards

 

[Fraser]

Here's mine.

 

[Fraser]

This is an inspiring thread! I have an M2 that I have been thinking about painting black for a little while, there is lots of info and inspiration here so its even more tempting!

I notice that not many people have bothered to paint the strap lugs or the film reminder dial, I just wondered why this might be, is it a lot of work or particularly difficult to paint these bits?

Regards

The dial would have to be taken apart its held together by a rivet and the paint would wear off very quickly on the strap lugs.

 

[rlouzan]

Hi Johan,

I know that camera strap! 😛
How have you been?

Regards,
Robert