To paint or not to paint.

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.

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...?

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?

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!

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.

 

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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.

 

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Cheers

Jim,

 

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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:

 

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

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

 

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

 

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Just kidding ;-)

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.

Surely you mean Jim Marshall's pictures.

 

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