Thinking of having my M2 painted black. Is anybody out there sorry that they had this done? Any bad experiences? I've seen Hans's site but I'm not ready to take the plunge.

-- Jim Shields (jim.shields@tasis.ch), November 20, 2000

Answers

It's funny how things change. In ye old days, a black paint camera was the cheap way to go, if you couldn't afford better. Now, people WANT to have this style and will pay much extra for the honor of having the look. Well, Jim, if you're going to use the camera, I'd keep it chrome, unless it's totally trashed the way it is now. Once it's been painted, are you gonna want to use it or keep it in a box? It won't look properly "brassed" anyway even if you do use it. So...?

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.com), November 20, 2000.

I do use it and would continue to use it but what's this about not being properly brassed? In twenty years with the occasional bump and scrape I won't have that niced brassed-up look?

-- Jim Shields (jim.shields@tasis.ch), November 20, 2000.

Yeah, I guess in 20 years it will look just right, but I know that if the camera is going to be used, that first scrape will really hurt :) Geez, it sounds like I'm turning into a collector instead of a shooter. Boy, I hope not. The black paint cameras sure do look yummy, though. Good shooting, whatever you decide!

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.com), November 20, 2000.

Sorry Jim, I have never heard of anyone complaining about a black finish camera. You had better have it done :-). Personally, I like the look of a chrome camera better but each to his own.

On the M series cameras black paint always cost more than chrome. Here is an example: M4 chrome $357, M4 black paint $387. While buying an M camera new would never be considered an investment, spending a extra $30 for black paint would have paid out handsomely.

Cheers

-- John Collier (jbcollier@home.com), November 20, 2000.

Jim,

I don't know if you have already developed a plan on this painting, but just for some input, I am including a website for a guy that does this job. He has painted cameras for many hardcore Leica users, like Tom Abrahamsson, so his work is no doubt first rate. If you have already established a source for the job, there are still some good photos on the site. There is something about that "brassed" look... it is like... are you a user or a poser? Check it out at:

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/5799/shintaro.htm

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), November 20, 2000.

So you want your cameras to look like this, Jim?

http://www.marshallphoto.com/mp.v1/content/Technical.html

Just kidding ;-)

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), November 27, 2000.

Yes, that's what I want 'em to look like. And I'd like my photos to look like your's too but that's another problem.

-- Jim Shields (jim.shields@tasis.ch), November 27, 2000.

Surely you mean Jim Marshall's pictures.

I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy... :-)

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), November 27, 2000.