Recommendations for getting an M2 re-painted

[jrose125]

Good evening RFF,

I recently decided (helped along by current prices) that my M6 TTL is overkill for my personal needs, and have pretty much decided that my "forever" Leica is an M2 (button rewind, no ST) finished in black enamel - but since I don't have the kind of money it takes for a "from the factory" black paint, I've decided that my plan is to find a user body and get it overhauled, stripped, and painted in black enamel.

Does anyone have any recommendations for someone who can do this kind of work (preferably in Canada/US)? Kanto Camera, Shueido Camera, and Cameraworks UK seem among the best quality but something a bit closer would be nice 🙂

If not, I'd love to hear from anyone who has sent their M to be repainted by any of the three I mentioned (or others)! Thanks in advance!

 

[mpaniagua]

I have read that Youxin at http://www.yyecamera.com/ do repainting but don't have experience with him related to repaint (just repair)

Probably send him an email?


Marcelo

 

[Deleted member 65559]

I have read that Youxin at http://www.yyecamera.com/ do repainting but don't have experience with him related to repaint (just repair)

Probably send him an email?


Marcelo

Marcelo, I heard that he strips them and sends them on.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

jrose, since this is ear-marked as a 'forever' camera i'd bit the bullet and send it to kanto. Like repairs on vintage guitars, the provenance of the work holds some value.

 

[halfaninchawater]

Don't know if you saw this thread, but please read it before you make your next move.



https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173712

 

[Deleted member 65559]

jrose.... have a look at this one from Japan... you could save yourself a lot of time:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-MINT-...868354?hash=item524b133582:g:DSAAAOSw2Apgc0z5
almost exactly what you're after....

 

[Retro-Grouch]

Just spoke with Youxin Ye last week. I was entertaining the possibility of having my M3 repainted, but he told me he is no longer doing repaints. He is also very backed up on repairs right now, looking at six months' turn-around.

 

[jrose125]

jrose, since this is ear-marked as a 'forever' camera i'd bit the bullet and send it to kanto. Like repairs on vintage guitars, the provenance of the work holds some value.

Yeah I do feel the same, however I think their waitlist is about 10 months at the moment! Gonna try my best to find a high quality alternative although that may be easier said than done.

Cheers!

 

[jrose125]

jrose.... have a look at this one from Japan... you could save yourself a lot of time:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-MINT-...868354?hash=item524b133582:g:DSAAAOSw2Apgc0z5
almost exactly what you're after....

I was actually looking at that the other day! Pretty much exactly what I'm looking for but have a closer look at the engraving - is it just me or does it look a tad sloppy (Especially Ernst Leitz GMBH)?

This is a camera that I will be keeping for many decades to come, so I would like the repaint to be as close to factory as I can get without paying tens of thousands for an original. I'm sure you can understand!

 

[steveyork]

Kanto, Japan. CLA + repaint of M2 will be approx. $1600 US, give or take. Approx. 9 month turn around. Also some guys in the UK, but I've never been in contact with them.

Tom A. use to reference someone out in Vancouver who did repaints. Horst Wenzel?

Ha, ha, so many are getting repaints, someday the original silver finish will be the most valuable.

 

[splitimageview]

I used to paint Leicas and am considering restarting. I'll send you a PM.

 

[mpaniagua]

I think the ebay alternative is very much the best alternative for what you are looking for jrose. Painting is an expensive business.

 

[jrose125]

I used to paint Leicas and am considering restarting. I'll send you a PM.

Looking forward to hearing from you! Cheers

 

[jrose125]

I think the ebay alternative is very much the best alternative for what you are looking for jrose. Painting is an expensive business.

I realize that repainting is costly - I wouldn't be selling an M6 to cover the costs otherwise 😉

What are your thoughts on that specific repaint? The only thing that really bothers me is the white paint on the engravings...seems a tad sloppy to me.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

What are your thoughts on that specific repaint? The only thing that really bothers me is the white paint on the engravings...seems a tad sloppy to me.

I think the camera repaint looks well done & the price is reasonable. I wouldn't be too OCD about the lack of perfection of the white infill since it wears quickly over time. Here's my original M4

Flickr

 

[wjlapier]

I used to paint Leicas and am considering restarting. I'll send you a PM.

This guy will do an awesome job. And he’s located in US. Highly recommended.

 

[Nitroplait]

This guy will do an awesome job. And he’s located in US. Highly recommended.

Would you have some photos to share?

 

[jrose125]

I think the camera repaint looks well done & the price is reasonable. I wouldn't be too OCD about the lack of perfection of the white infill since it wears quickly over time. Here's my original M4

Flickr

Gorgeous M4! While it may be true that the white infill will eventually fade, I think it would annoy me a bit to look down at my new camera and see that. If I am going to sell my M6 and do this, I'd rather go all the way and get the camera done exactly like I want.

If I have to spend a bit more, that's quite okay...if it means I end up with a camera I'm glad to keep for the rest of my life - mission accomplished!

I appreciate the feedback!

 

[xasthur]

I vote for Kanto. I dunno what they did to the is M2 but it's the smoothest M I've ever used and I have a MP. The repaint is incredible.

 

[xasthur]

Also about that Ebay repaint. It looks like it's a mat finish rather than a glossy one? Note sure which you'd prefer.