which black M body would you recommend?

[Black Shepherd]

black mp all the way. I've owned an M6 and an M2. The MP is jet black and perfect. You won't regret the investment either....

 

[venchka]

OK, the black paint MP must be one stunning camera.

That only leaves one lens to place on it: the equally stunning black paint Konica UC-Hexanon lens with ventilated black paint hood.

I would even like that combination.

 

[Mean Panda]

I have done a lot research, and have traded many Leica. I like MP, but it's not cheap. Consider a M4 black chrome or black paint M4 if you can live without a meter. I use my Leica M4 black chrome for most of my work. No compaint.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I want a second MP. I in no way need another one and would have to sell a lot of gear that I do feel is necessary in order to buy a second MP...but I still want it. I wouldn't even be so practical as to buy one with a different viewfinder. Nope. Two of the exact same MPs -- black paint, .72 -- would be fine.

This is what having one MP can do to you.

Seconded, including the specifications

Quite often, though, I do need two bodies, so I can justify it easier. The trouble is that if I did get one, my wife would adopt it immediately, so I'd need to keep one of my other Ms anyway...

We were discussing this only yesterday, and agreed that we'd be able to tell the cameras apart easily enough. At first, hers would be shinier, and as the paint wore, they'd look more and more different anyway.

Besides, she doesn't want a Leicavit on hers.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

The black paint Leicas M2, M3, M4 from 1967 to 1971 and new MP are very beautifully finished but, also, are very prone to scratches.
The black chrome Leicas M5, M4 from 1974 to 1975, M4-2, M4-P, all M6 versions and M7 are less fascinating in the finishing, but are very resistant. I prefer this second solution.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[DNN]

Thank you very much for many posts. I am happy to hear many opinions from the actual users. I will let you know when I meet my first M-body!

Vincenzo: I found on the net several used M6 bodies description for which states that black coat was floating from the bodies.

 

[Roger Hicks]

The black paint Leicas M2, M3, M4 from 1967 to 1971 and new MP are very beautifully finished but, also, are very prone to scratches.
The black chrome Leicas M5, M4 from 1974 to 1975, M4-2, M4-P, all M6 versions and M7 are less fascinating in the finishing, but are very resistant. I prefer this second solution.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

Dear Vincenzo,

This is very much personal preference. My black paint MP is scratched to hell, with brass showing in several places, but I still prefer this to the hideous polish that my black chrome M4-P picked up even faster. The latter was so bad that a Leica dealer acquaintance suggested sending it back under warranty.

You can buy black chrome MPs, but I'd far rather have the black paint.

Cheers,

Roger