Which to black paint: M2 or M3?

[flip]

Received the M2 last night. Looks nice. given the lenses that would go on it more often are black, I think my mind may be made-up. Thanks! First things first - zip some fomapan 200 through it and see what it can do!

 

[PKR]

How about Black, Powder Coating a M body? I would do this for a "working" body, as the surface is very strong and fairly scratch-proof. A friend builds telescopes professionally and uses White and Black Powder Coating on the tubes. They look great. Anyone tried this?

p.

 

[JMQ]

M3 repainted German army green by Shintaro a few years ago. His work is beautiful, but you'll need to be patient.

 

[EZfan]

Here is a M2 swapped all the chrome with original Leica black paint / black chrome parts...🙂

 

[johannielscom]

Here is a M2 swapped all the chrome with original Leica black paint / black chrome parts...🙂

where did you find those parts? I have a black M3 DS made up from (mostly original) spare parts and in the future would like an M2 to go with it. Write me off the board at johan@portretteur.nl about it if you like!

 

[EZfan]

where did you find those parts? I have a black M3 DS made up from (mostly original) spare parts and in the future would like an M2 to go with it. Write me off the board at johan@portretteur.nl about it if you like!

Hello buzzardkid, I suggest not to go to that route since it'll cost you much more than repaint. Cheers.

 

[johannielscom]

I'm not going to say anything.

In fact, I was going to post a picture only, but this thread apparently does not allow posting pictures? 😱

Here's the link: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1063/5102525785_d9372b2411_o.jpg

 

[flip]

Not by intention. Beginner's mistake?
Nice M3 there.

I sent my M2 to Shintaro at the start of February. Much anticipation on this end.

 

[nobbylon]

Nearly 10 months gone by. Any word on it?

 

[adamjohari]

Why does it take so long?

Why does it take so long?

Could someone explain to me as to why it takes so long to repaint a Leica M? I've heard it may take up to a year. 😱

Confused

 

[nobbylon]

Because he's a working photographer and does it in his spare time. I think there is also an eliment of perfectionism to Shintaro and because he has the reputation he does has the attitude 'if you don't like waiting get it done somewhere else'.
He obviously doesn't need the money!
It always makes me smile reading stories about how long it takes with him. I'd like to see how one of his stands up to use.
The problem now is that a cheap M2 rarely turns up and due to all the stories around waiting time it's a bit of a punt to just send him a body in the hope it will turn up 1-3 yrs down the line!
His and Lumiere's are definately the most period finish.

 

[flip]

Nearly 10 months gone by. Any word on it?

Initially, I was quoted 2 months. I had a vacation coming, so I inquired on how it was going. He sent it directly to me with the caveat that he was not satisfied with the finish, so please see how it wears and return for a repaint if dissatisfied. However, the levers (preview, timer) fell out immediately. Not being a mechanic and realizing it would not be suitable to take on a trip, i sent it back and emailed him. I have since heard nothing. I mailed after a few more months, but no replies. So, I am patiently accepting my spot in line and hoping that camera rustlers didn't interdict the package. To be fair, i did tell him to take the time needed to get things to a point where he was comfortable with the work he had done.

I do miss having it, though.

 

[adamjohari]

I recently sent my Leica M3 to Malcolm Taylor to fix my light leaks. Haven't really tested the camera to see whether the light leaks have been fixed 🙁 cause I've been busy lately.

Anyways, when I was on the phone with him I asked if he could repaint my Leica M3 to black. Apparently he used to do it, but not anymore. He said he had some clients that were dissatisfied with getting their cameras back after a few months, as it took awhile for him to do it. I tried a few times to convince him but he wouldn't budge. Haha.

Adam

 

[elmer3.5]

Hi, i would paint the m2 because of the frame counter, it´s far easier to paint this type than the one with glass/plastic window.
When you take it apart by unscrewing it many times the thread goes bye bye, setting it again can be problematic.
Besides that painting the rest of the camera is basically the same.

Of course it depends a lot on condition stripping chrome can produce damage even if done with extreme precaution there´s always hazard of ruining threads and other stuff, leicas are extremely precise machines and all matching parts are calculated to fit including chrome thickness.
Painting it alters radically thickness and tolerances between parts, for instance painting a lens is just hell, chrome, painted and anodized thincknesses and material behaviour are soooo different...

If the camera is not ugly don´t paint it.

Bye!

 

[jonmanjiro]

M2 is coming home soon!:angel:

Did you get your M2 back already, flip?

 

[flip]

Jon,

It just arrived and it's gorgeous. The paint looks much better than the first go. The cameraleather covering looks better than when I put it on (I suspect Shintaro adjusted it). Finder is pristine. All the parts seem to be tight and working. I'm going to slap a roll through it quickly in advance of my Thai / Cambodia trip!

You two are friends. He mention anything about the way he resolve the issue with the finder de-cementing?

For the record, I hated to be a burr in his @$$ for the last 2 years; I hope he knows this.

Already have the A&A black silk strap on it. I'll post a picture soon.


P

 

[jonmanjiro]

Good news indeed Phil! I helped Shintaro move to his new place last March, and saw your M2 box and a dozen or so other boxes from around the world lined up neatly against a wall at his new place a safe distance from the chaos. But he's been insanely busy since then, so I haven't heard anything about how he fixed your M2. Will ask him the next time we catch up.