Steve Bellayr
Veteran
If thinking about holding value the M4 black chrome would be IMHO the better bet. You are correct waiting for the repaint is difficult.
M2 Repaint or M4 Black Chrome
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johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
IMHO a straight trade of a black chrome M4 with that worn black chrome M6 you just sold would have been possible. That is a lovely camera and it wears it's wear very well.
Beemermark
Veteran
IHMO the M4 is pinnacle of the M non-metered line. The black chrome M4 was the last ones made, therefore the newest in terms of age.
i have a black chrome M4 made in Wetzler with the MR4 meter which is dead nuts accurate and easy to use. Recently selling a lot of my gear I almost sold it. Decided that was a mistake and sold the M2. Still have an M7 which is still two too many (Plus and M9). I think the BC M4 has got to be cheaper than a repaint M2.
i have a black chrome M4 made in Wetzler with the MR4 meter which is dead nuts accurate and easy to use. Recently selling a lot of my gear I almost sold it. Decided that was a mistake and sold the M2. Still have an M7 which is still two too many (Plus and M9). I think the BC M4 has got to be cheaper than a repaint M2.
madNbad
Well-known
I love my M2. A little slower to load but an extra spool solves that problem. Post rewind? Slower but you'll never bend the rewind crank. Most of all, the uncluttered viewfinder. Plus you get the DOF notches.
BLKRCAT
75% Film
I've got a black repaint m4 in the classifieds right now. Sounds like the solution to your dilemma
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Repaint, shmeepaint. I voted M4 black chrome.
michaelwj
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Sorry for the bulk reply, just got back to a computer first thing this morning and there were lots of comments!
Thanks for you comments Michael. Do you have any images of your BC M6TTL wearing to brass?
The difference in wear rates is a bit of a double edged sword - the BC will look newer for longer, while the BP might look really cool and worn sooner (assuming the paint is done well - which is the elephant in the room).
The difference in price would maybe get me from Brisbane to Sydney on the plane - I'd still be out of pocket the cab to the airport. It's not huge which is part of the dilemma!
X-ray, I do like the matte satin finish on the BC cameras, very utilitarian IMO.
The M4-2 and M4-P, although fine to use (I don't think they're inferior - have used both), are ugly garish cameras IHO. I like the subtle elegance of the M4 and M4 (and M3, M-A, etc), rather than the "look at me I'm a Leica" branding on the front of the M4-2, M4-P, M6, etc. But yeah, I'm shallow and while I am a user not a collector, I'm also an appreciator of the aesthetics.
Chris, Helen, Huss, I hear you, and it's my main concern - It'd just suck to have a repaint wear to chrome or have the paint chip or chunk off.
Helen, my dream camera has always been an original BP M2, button rewind, no self-timer. So damn sexy, but not at current prices!
That would be nice, but I just don't have the time unfortunately. Maybe for my next M (there's always another...)
Holding the value is not in the front of my mind, but in the end it's nice to be able to sell something down the road if you need to.
Thanks Johan, It was a nice camera and I probably could've got a bit more for it, but in the end I more than doubled my money after 6 years of ownership so I'm not complaining. It's on its way to Western Australia as we speak, so it's staying Down Under! I find trades that are not in person a bit problematic, and there aren't many BC M4s floating around my neck of the woods.
Carrying that old M6 around was an good way to tell the real Leica nerd from the rest. I'd get a lot of comments about it!
Good point about the age, there could be 20 years difference... I do like the M4...
I had a look at it and it sort of confirms my worry about the repaint - will it wear nicely to brass of will some bright chrome patches appear long after the seller has left town? Nice price though!
😀
Thanks for you comments Michael. Do you have any images of your BC M6TTL wearing to brass?
The difference in wear rates is a bit of a double edged sword - the BC will look newer for longer, while the BP might look really cool and worn sooner (assuming the paint is done well - which is the elephant in the room).
The difference in price would maybe get me from Brisbane to Sydney on the plane - I'd still be out of pocket the cab to the airport. It's not huge which is part of the dilemma!
X-ray, I do like the matte satin finish on the BC cameras, very utilitarian IMO.
The M4-2 and M4-P, although fine to use (I don't think they're inferior - have used both), are ugly garish cameras IHO. I like the subtle elegance of the M4 and M4 (and M3, M-A, etc), rather than the "look at me I'm a Leica" branding on the front of the M4-2, M4-P, M6, etc. But yeah, I'm shallow and while I am a user not a collector, I'm also an appreciator of the aesthetics.
Chris, Helen, Huss, I hear you, and it's my main concern - It'd just suck to have a repaint wear to chrome or have the paint chip or chunk off.
Helen, my dream camera has always been an original BP M2, button rewind, no self-timer. So damn sexy, but not at current prices!
That would be nice, but I just don't have the time unfortunately. Maybe for my next M (there's always another...)
Holding the value is not in the front of my mind, but in the end it's nice to be able to sell something down the road if you need to.
Thanks Johan, It was a nice camera and I probably could've got a bit more for it, but in the end I more than doubled my money after 6 years of ownership so I'm not complaining. It's on its way to Western Australia as we speak, so it's staying Down Under! I find trades that are not in person a bit problematic, and there aren't many BC M4s floating around my neck of the woods.
Carrying that old M6 around was an good way to tell the real Leica nerd from the rest. I'd get a lot of comments about it!
Good point about the age, there could be 20 years difference... I do like the M4...
I had a look at it and it sort of confirms my worry about the repaint - will it wear nicely to brass of will some bright chrome patches appear long after the seller has left town? Nice price though!
😀
maddoc
... likes film again.
An original M4 BP is not that much more expensive than a black-chrome M4 and simply just looks better. If black-chrome I would go for the M4-2, much cheaper, hot shoe and can be used with a winder.
I had M4-2 and M4-P Leicas for years, true workhorse cameras but when black chrome starts to wear, the grey nickel layer below does not really look nice.
I had M4-2 and M4-P Leicas for years, true workhorse cameras but when black chrome starts to wear, the grey nickel layer below does not really look nice.
michaelwj
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Where do you see these cheap BP M4s (or expensive BC M4s)? All that I see are close to double the cost of the BC M4.
maddoc
... likes film again.
Almost all BC M4 that I have seen were in the US$1700 ~ 1800 range, BP M4 US$ 2400 ~ 2600.
x-ray
Veteran
We differ in that I couldn't care less about the aesthetic. Leica is just another camera I use and I don't see it as anything super special. For me it's about making images. Then again I use a donkey bag and strap not a $600 bag, $250 half case and $250 strap, not that you do but that seems more important to some than the images they make. (I'm not taking a swiping at you.)
michaelwj
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I can only seem to find BP M4s in the US$ 3300+ range... Where are you looking?!
For example, site sponsor Sedatal Studios has a BP M4 for US$3500 and a BC M4 for US$1850 both in similar condition. That's pretty much the cost I see them for on auction sites too, pretty much double. There's a BP M4 in the classifieds for 3600 Euro - although it is very nice - it's a LOT of $ more than a BC version. This purchase is being funded by selling other camera gear, I'd prefer not to sink any more money into it.
michaelwj
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To a point I don't care, but then again to a point I do. I only have one camera, which sits on my self when I don't use it - so it has to look pretty else my wife wouldn't let me keep it there!
It's not just another camera, it's MY camera 😀
Tell me about this donkey bag? I use a Domke, but autocorrect can be a PITA! 😀
maddoc
... likes film again.
I paid Euro 2160 in last year`s Westlicht Auction and this year the lowest hammer price for an M4 BP was Euro 2280. Even here in Tokyo with Leica gear usually completely over prized they can be found for below JPY 300000.
x-ray
Veteran
I went back and read it and that's funny. I have several Domke's. Actually can't remember the numbers. I like the olive color canvas and have used Adonis for decades. They're relatively inexpensive and with the padded inserts give really good protection. Also the canvas strap on the case with the rubber tread feels good to the shoulder.
I actually have 3 of the old canvas Leica bags I carry film holders, handheld strobes and stuff in. I have a small canvas Leica bag this I use for film. These were just canvas with no frills and were made in the mid 70's. They're similar to Domke.
I have a small Domke that I carry a Nikon and 105, 35 and 24 plus meter and film. It's very compact. I also have the next size up that I carry an M and three lenses(1on the body) and pan. Another I have inserts in and carry 2 M bodies and 5 lenses. I'll try to find the numbers and post them.
I actually have 3 of the old canvas Leica bags I carry film holders, handheld strobes and stuff in. I have a small canvas Leica bag this I use for film. These were just canvas with no frills and were made in the mid 70's. They're similar to Domke.
I have a small Domke that I carry a Nikon and 105, 35 and 24 plus meter and film. It's very compact. I also have the next size up that I carry an M and three lenses(1on the body) and pan. Another I have inserts in and carry 2 M bodies and 5 lenses. I'll try to find the numbers and post them.
x-ray
Veteran
Looks like I have a Domke F6, F8 and F10JD.
michaelwj
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I have the F6 in olive canvas. I use it to carry 1 M with lens attached, film, meter, and lunch. I walk to work every day with it, the perfect size.
BLKRCAT
75% Film
I'm unsure. Some parts are wearing chrome, others are wearing brass. I didnt repaint it so its hard to tell.
the paint is wearing though and not simply flaking off and looking ugly. Whoever did it did a good job with it.
D
Deleted member 65559
Guest
aizan
Veteran
i had a great idea: get a bessa r2a while you wait for the repaint.
