"The black paint has been generously and carefully worn to..."

I do wonder, at times, how a Hexar RF would wear. Specifically, how mine would wear. So far, the scratches on the bottom cover don't look anything like "classy" - but then again, it's my camera for the next lifetime or so.
 
It's rare to see worn modern cameras. Either they are polycarbonate and look the same forever, or the owner is so concerned with resale value that he babies it all the time.

I think someone could make a real business out of quality pre-abuse of camera bodies. :)
 
maybe this camera had one or two scratches. this really would push the price down, so carefully "wearing" it could be just a way of "restoring" the value :)
 
I can understand the attraction but it's not for me.
Real patina is something else again...

Along with this... That's also one of the reasons I still shoot film. You can't fake film.
 
Pickett Wilson said:
It's rare to see worn modern cameras. Either they are polycarbonate and look the same forever, or the owner is so concerned with resale value that he babies it all the time.

I think someone could make a real business out of quality pre-abuse of camera bodies. :)
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Toward the end of my work stuff going from film to digital, I had some N90s bodies. Mine seemed okay, but lots of them lost or had the rubber on the film door get worn looking. The digitals get the LCD screens or covers scratched, memory doors taped shut with gaffer tape ..
 
JSU said:
Just maybe his M6's were black chrome which technically don't brass. If the chrome actually did wear away it would reveal the zinc top cover. I have seen several similarly worn BP M4's, perhaps it was the due to a soft paint. Such wear though doesn't follow a nice, neat pattern.

Did Marshall typically engrave his California drivers' license # on his cameras, as appears to be done on the top of this M4?
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I met Jim in about 72. He gave a lecture on Photography and the Law that I attended. It turned out that we shared a number of friends. Living in the same city, we banked at the same bank, bought our film at the same place, and attended birthday parties for our pals. After years of this, if I wandered in to Jimmy's favorite spot, he wouldn't let me leave with out buying me a glass of something. He was seriously crazy, but could be very generous with friends. My old assistant was one of his closest friends, and Jimmy arranged a gallery show and helped with a book, when our friend died an early death from cancer. As for CDLs, I never saw any. At some point, and it would ebb and flow, Jim had a serious amount of money from his print sales and publishing fees. So, his cameras, he had lots, with a black M6 with a 35, hanging on his shoulder, were newer and nice. The only work he did later in life were "big" things. I remember at one of our "bank meetings" he said he was off to photograph Johnny Cash - this was not long before Mr. Cash passed away. I miss seeing Jim. He was unique.. a no BS kinda guy.
 
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There is something wrong in my mind with this - I don't know, maybe it's because it's fake. My ideal would be to own a BP MP and let it gracefully age over time through my own hands, not someone else's tools!
 
robklurfield said:
Send me any black paint Leica in any condition and I will gladly wear some of the paint off AT NO CHARGE to you to achieve the patina that collectors so prize. Just give me 24 months with your camera and I promise I will return it with the look of actual use. In fact, I guarantee unconditionally that I will achieve this through a secret patented process (also known as actual use).

My opinion: if you want patina you have two legitimate choices lest you become a mere poseur. Pay mega bucks and buy a well-used classic. Or, buy a new or newish one and use the darned thing yourself. Personally, I'm enjoying the slow process of rubbing paint off the edges of my M8 (a black paint Panda) by using the heck out of it.
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I agree completely. It's utter nonsense to add wear. People are out of their minds. How long until Leica goes the way of Fender or Nike and starts releasing "vintage" Leicas with wear built in?
 
Two takes on it...

Two takes on it...

1, I buy the thing and send him a cheque drawn on my pre-damaged, authentically worn bank account. It will probably bounce but that's authenticity for you.

2, I offer a service giving that authentic worn look to your Leica M9 and lenses for, perhaps, 10% of the full price. It might take a year or two for each camera body and lens but extra years would only be charged at 5%. Naturally I'd want payment in advance.

Regards, David
 
Double Negative said:
Someone needs to be beaten and flogged for being such a poseur.
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Exactly, sometimes its quite interesting to observe the pack mentality.


This is just funny in a light hearted sort of way, not a big deal at all. People need to chill, we're all a poseur at some point.
 
A friend of mine has an M9 that is worn, "all-Natural" from hard use.

I think it is funny that the plastic protector is on the bottom.

It is also currently well below the price of a gently used Leica M9 by about $1,000. We'll see what the auction closes at.
 
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