What are the Leica Black Paint M lenses so much more than a regular black?

[MP Guy]

Nothing is different as far as the optics go, so why is it that these lenses can seem up to 1000.00 more just for the black paint?

 

[back alley]

don't you know that black is for professionals!

joe

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I have noticed that some merchants charge more for a chrome lens than for a black, and to others it's the opposite. I've learned (from experience here) that chrome lenses are usually heavier, as they are made of brass and not aluminum (or something along those lines). Now, the black paint strikes me as a mere fad, same as the black paint MP body, which is designed to fade or deteriorate in the corners for a more worn-out (therefore professional) look.

Can this be the reason? Let's hope somebody here knows about it...

 

[paulhart]

The black paint (as opposed to the ordinary black) lenses are rarer and from a limited production run. A pile of them were made for the Millennium edition of the M6TTL. They made the 50/1.4 and 35/2 ASPH in black paint. They were made in sets, with serial numbers matching bodies. Many of them were sold separately. The 50/1.4 differs from the standard lenses in that it has the scalloped focussing ring reminiscent of the older version. I don't know where the figure of 1000 comes from, but they can be had for not so much more than the standard lenses. They now make a 90/2 APO ASPH in black paint, and that is certainly one expensive brute.

 

[fcg]

jt; if we are talking about the historic products; black was special order and required a professional user- with press credentials ; often these were ordered by the news orgs; or papers for their photographers; etc.
so there arent a lot of them around...
they are exactly the same otherwise; optically;.
there is a bit of added intrigue to these lenses;
and becouse of the money they are worth;" and there are dechromers;& repainters"- doing some really good work-ive seen some and they were great.
leicas paint jobs from the factory are often not perfect; and black paint is fragile. so;
if the piece is too good to be true --- well;
- it < may> be suspect-
these were working press; pieces- id preferr some wear; etc.
--- so how do you find out if its real?
--- well who owned it?- where did it come from?? the provenance;
also ive read that leica has a factory archive- which logs the products and ser # and any special details-like black paint ; etc.
black paint cameras exist as well. same thing. green paint , ditto hammertone; ditto, whatever you can think of has probably been tried;
cameras are pieced togather; all sorts of things are done to raise the value of leicas.
so- be advised;
there is a lot of talent out there with a lotta time.......
fcg.

 

[taffer]

since I experienced shooting with one of those aluminium Industars under the plain sun of Seville in August I've come to appreciate black lenses a lot more

The lens barrel reflected so much light that I had to shadow it with my hand to see the f stop numbers !

OTH, making some shade with your hand is a lot cheaper than spending that extra $1000.