Brassed Leica's

<p>I prefer the 'brassed' look. Do they cost more than a 'mint' version?</p>

<p>R.</p>

<p>NOPE. Usually cheaper.</p>

<p>If a mint one is cheaper, then emery paper is also inexpensive.</p>

<p>You have some brass to ask a question like that.</p>

<p>The top German Brass used to own these!</p>

<p>Ha ha!</p>

<p>Great responses. I'm enlightened. I always thought that collectors and machine fondlers liked them for their tough, war photographer, look.</p>

<p>Brazen disregard for an aesthetic view relating to machinery which need not have been designed to fulfil a particular function.</p>

<p>Actually, I think the Vietnam era Nikon Fs started the 'faddishness' of brassing. However. I think that even there, the 'minty' ones are more expensive to acquire. Nice for those of us who don't care much, so long as the thing works.<br /> Mukul has the handle on it with the abrasives, I think, although possibly some kind of 'Camera Roadshow' forensic shelf-queen camera collector could distinguish the real from the artificial aging. ;)</p>

<p>There is an infamous street photographer in San Francisco by the name of <a href="http://www.citysnaps.net/blog/2009/01/05/minnie-and-mickey/">Vladimir</a> who de-chromes his Leica M2 bodies on purpose.</p>

<p>One could hire a young photography student to wear off the black paint. It may take a bit longer than sending it to a professional but the result will look almost as authentic.</p>

<p>I have an ancient Vietnam "vet" Pentax which is brassed but it took the owner years to get it in that condition. Even so, it probably is not as "brassy" as you would like. I suspect part of the "brassing" is the acidity of the hands of the user. </p>

<p>Some people take a Dremel to a new M9 and try and sell it for more money. Weird.</p>

<p>Robert, those Valdamir brass Leicas are so cool !</p>

<p>To answer Russ' question: Yes, it seems the <strong>experience "Patina" </strong>is highly sought after by collectors.</p>

<p><strong>E.g.</strong> The (pictured) 1964 Nikon S3 black paint, know as the "Olympic" is more expensive than the "Mint in box" year 2000 re-make of that camera. Similarly; <strong>worn</strong> original black paint Leica M3 bodies are very expensive.</p><div></div>

<p>There are not so many M2 bodies on eBay now which are not described as RARE Black Paint L@@K. Makes me feel inferior, because all that my perfectly functioning chrome M3, not so visibly worn, does is take pictures.</p>

<p><a href="http://vladimirseye.com/">http://vladimirseye.com/</a></p>

 

<p>OK. If this is how it's going to be, you have only yourselves to blame.</p>

<p>Here is the ultimate brassed Leica:</p><div></div>

<p>The value of a collector camera is determined by its rarity. A mint rare camera will be worth more than a brassed one of the same vintage. I once saw a mint black Nikon SP that was selling for $10,000 at Tamarkin in New York. When Mr. Tamarkin took it out of its glass case he wore special white gloves. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>If the tendency continues for threads such as this, I predict the Leica forum will mutate into the Antique Roadshow.</p>

<p>Does one have to go on Photo.Net to the Philosophy of Photography forum to actually discuss photography and approaches, whether Leica, Holga or other? When was the last "photography with the Leica" discussion in this RF forum?</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Does one have to go on Photo.Net to the Philosophy of Photography forum to actually discuss photography and approaches</p>

</blockquote>

<p>That would be interesting, but I don't remember ever seeing much of the kind there. Lots of discussion about how people "feel" about photography though. There is an occasional mention of "touch" too, sometimes.</p>

<p>What's so wrong about a little discussion of collector matters in a jocular mood. Or are you just pissed about my ever-so-rare Swedish army Leica? You'd love to have one yourself, but you'll never admit it. ;)</p>

<p>Respectfully, Arthur, would you rather that this forum just dry up and blow away? There are few enough contributions to it, as it is. Frankly, I enjoy this thread and have found it amusing. In this world, we can use all the levity we can find.</p>

<p>Antiques Roadshow? I'm a fan of that, too. :-)</p>

<p>Anthony,</p>

<p>Thanks for the URL. <a href="http://vladimirseye.com/">Valdamir is a fascinating human being</a>.</p>

 

<p>Who would have thought this would generate so many responses? Im currently looking at buying a Leica (duh) and was wondering in addition to the 'possible' cool factor how to get the best bang for my buck. A heavily scratched M3 body on sale at Kamaraz will set me back just over a $1000. It doesn't look cool. It just looks very scratched. I doubt that will affect its picture taking properties as we all know its the lens that has to be immaculate.</p>

<p>I live in Johannesburg and the market here is very small, our currency is worthless so we will always end up paying more bla bla.</p>

<p>Also, a heavily worn film camera 'might' not look like a very attractive investment to a thief which is important when one lives in South Africa.</p>

<p>Hey, JDM and Robert, I thought everyone would enjoy the hunmour in my remarks. They were really meant as kidding. I did think there is some exaggeration in the brassing thing or the M2-M3 superiority dogma. I always found even the humblest Leica a superior instrument. </p>

<p>I have nothing against those who love and collect eccentric Leicas. I even bought an unused one, a quite ordinary but like new 1980s M4-P from an Australian estate sale, with the intention (somewhat misguided in regard to rarity value) of keeping it as a collector item, but also because I used to follow the activities of E. Leitz Canada, and am chauvinistically Canadian enough to want a reminder of that period. I have since decided to use it rather than just look at it, though, and one of my first photos with it was at the old Leitz factory site (now Raytheon) in Midland, while visiting the nearby Huron museum for a little photography thematic research project.</p>

<p>Robert, like you, I much enjoy and contribute to this forum. It's a great place to share information on the cameras and lenses we use and I like the contributors, have learned a lot from them, and am proud to say that I have sometimes helped others with my own limited information. I just wish we would talk Leica and rangefinder photography as well. The instrument is particularly good for certain types of photography. Some of the Leica texts (like the Leica Manuals,mine is an old copy) discuss Leica photography and the creative use of the system. Also, the Hove book (a German text translate to English) also addresses Leica photography.</p>

<p>Another vote for Vladimir. I read his bio and wish him well and think his approach is pure and unaffected, not different in some ways from that of the lady (recently a subject in another forum) who photographed the streets of Chicago many decades ago.</p>

<p>Russ, nice photography in Africa and Israel. I hope you find a good Leica. One can also tape the instrument, which is one way of making it less attractive to thieves.</p>