Do you actually use LHSA black paint M6?

[edward_yu]

This question may seem uninteresting, but I went to Tamarkin's web site and saw M6 black Paint(LHSA), which made me wondering how many of you actually use the black paint M6 for daily shooting? Or you just store it and hope it increases value in the future?

[jackflesher]

If I owned one I would use it!

 

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;-) Cheers,

[dan_brown4]

Oh yea! I would be anxious to see the patina of brass show through.

And the lens too.

[stefan www.randlkofer.co]

i'd definitly use it too!

[max_wall]

The LHSA Special Edition and black paint lenses (35 /2 Summicron-M Asph &

50/1.4 Summilux-M Asph) are the only pieces of Leica equipment that I own,

with the exception of an older 90/2 Summicron. I bought the black paint items

as a kit. They were significantly higher in cost;

they do not yield better results than non-black paint versions; and I plan to

use them even beyond the wearing away of the paint. Why did I choose them?

I like the appearance; the brass; the feel; and whatever emotional

satisfaction I derive from owning them. I have never second-guessed my

decision. Although I take extra time to care for the finish, I do not let the

appearance get in the way of their utilitarian purpose. I do not purport to be

much of a photographer, so I probably compensate by owning such

equipment. I am at the stage in my life where I do not attempt to justify to

others my decisions. Life is too short to always question everything one does,

impractical though they may be. . . especially non-essential matters and

things.

[steve_hoffman4]

Edward,

 

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I have a LHSA Black Paint M6. It was a gift from an oh so generous

friend. (Thanks, Karla!)

 

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I use it all the time. Something about the shiny black paint

says: "Shoot!" So, I do. Might be a silly reason to expose more

film, but whatever inspiration one gets is valid, no matter how silly

it seems to others.

 

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As for storing the camera on the shelf, instead of using it? Well,

if 800 people who have the LHSA M6 buy it and never use it, that

means in 20 years, there will be a flood of them on the market,

bringing the price down anyway.

 

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So, take it out of the box, put some film in it (and a never ready

case if it makes you feel better), and go shoot some B&W Agfa Scala.

 

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Life is way too short not to!

[kens]

I have one. I use it. I did not buy it for collector appreciation. I

bought it because I like the appearance and finish, now and future as

it brasses. I do not use painted lenses however - they just don't

grab me.

[george_l._doolittle]

Tom Abrahammsson uses a black painted "Millenium" series regularly

joining Ken and Steve.

[rei_kwan]

I recently bought a M6TTL LHSA myself. It has been languishing in a

cabinet waiting for me to get the courage to risk having the

beautiful black paint finish have its first blemish. I would not keep

it in mint condition to maximize its resale value simply because I

love it so much I would never sell it anyway. Many on this web site

state regretting selling certain beloved Leicas. Somebody please say

the right words to get me to take that first step and start shooting

with my LHSA everyday!

[tim_gee]

Raymond,

 

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There is an old saying which may provide the right words:

 

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"A ship is safe in the harbour, but that is not what ships are for"

 

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Cheers,

[raymond_tai]

I sold my regular M6 bodies to get the LHSA black paint and I

use it regularly. Use it or not it is up to you. I am just glad people

are buying these things and keeping Leica Camera AG in the

black. Leica is making way too many limited editions for any of

them to be of investment value. Go to www.cameraquest.com to

see other black paint M6 TTL's available.

[msitaraman]

Someday, when I become a shamelessly materialistic

multigizzilionaire, I shall buy one of every Leica model to hoard,

and one to use. If even then I could have only two, the LHSAs would

be at the top of the list-unlike all the other commemorative junk,

they really are very nice looking, I must confess.

 

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But only one? It would be a shame to scratch that fine paint finish...

Too bad paint with white logos is not the standard black model.

[rolfe_tessem]

Just another data point:

 

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I have a LHSA black paint M6 and use it regularly, and it has in fact

accumulated some blemishes. I love everything about it except for the

fact that the shutter speed dial turns backwards :-).

[john_layton]

I've had this camera on assignments in Africa twice this year,

and lots of other places, dragging it through the dust, heat, cold,

etc. I put it in the freezer for an hour before taking it out into

snowstorms in Vermont. (to keep the falling snow from melting

on it). I fell on it while skiing, and when I got up, it was basically

a snowball on a strap, which I shook off, and resumed clicking.

My black-paint M-6 and I will grow old together, with scars and

blemishes to commemorate the highlights of our adventures.

Keeping it in a box would be like locking up my best friend and

throwing away the key.

[greg_jesson]

I know that LHSA is the hot set up but what about the black chrome?

I've read somewhere that the black chrome after time just fades and

looks flat and dead. Any thoughts or experience on this issue?

Thanks.

[andy_piper2]

Greg: Both my bodies are c. 1980 black chrome. I like the way they've

aged - personally. They have a utilitarian industrial quality

appropriate to the role of the M4-2 and M4-P in saving Leica's bacon

back then - a subdued dusting of silver at the edges - like a well-

handled Luger or the matte ebony of a master's favorite clarinet.

 

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As one Leica-using jazz photographer is supposed to have said - "It's

my AXE, MAN!"