p.2 #1 · Which paint finish do you prefer for your Leica M?
highdesertmesa wrote:
Honestly you could do a poll just on the different black finishes. I don't see all these blacks as even remotely the same color. My black ratings from best to less best:
Leica Q-P matte black on aluminum – thick soft texture – my favorite of all time and would be incredible on a brass M body and brass lens
Leica M with black chrome on brass – thin texture with a subtle soft touch feel – second favorite
Leica gloss black on brass – never owned/handled one, so don't know what the finish feels like – looks amazing only when perfectly new or when it looks like it's been abused with brassing and chipping at the edges
Leica M6 2022 matte black on brass – thinner/smoother feel than the same paint on the M11 aluminum and wears faster to show brassing
Leica M11 matte black on aluminum – my least favorite as the thicker finish feels like itchy wool or like an old t-shirt that got more irritating as it got older rather than softer
I'm probably crazy, too, because I swear the underlying material makes a huge difference in the feel of the finish. Literally everything feels better over brass than aluminum, IMO....Show more →
One thing I forgot to mention – The M11 matte black paint on aluminum eventually does show wear spots that are shiny black – that is, if the black M11 thumb grip I have is the same paint on the same aluminum, which I assume it is. I've not had a single M11 unit long enough to wear like that, but I have used the same thumb grip on all the various M11 bodies I've had since the M11 release. The wear spots – It's an odd look almost like a shiny grease spot that won't come off. Not sure how it will wear past the smooth glossy stage, whether it will eventually show through to the aluminum or not.
p.2 #3 · Which paint finish do you prefer for your Leica M?
Fred Miranda wrote:
Wouldn't this make the camera feel a bit plasticky?
I don't find that on my M11. It provides a nice gip and feel. But, for sure not the same as a high gloss paint finish. Keeps the camera scratch free and looking like brand new when you take the skin off too.
p.2 #6 · Which paint finish do you prefer for your Leica M?
My favorite is black paint, but I also like black chrome. Personally I like a worn camera regardless of what color it is. It shows that it has history and has hopefully taken photos that the owner enjoys. In terms of wear I think black paint and safari look equally great. Black chrome second. Least favorite is the M11 paint that is designed to prevent wear. I want to see brass underneath, not aluminum.
p.2 #11 · Which paint finish do you prefer for your Leica M?
jeffersoncasey wrote:
Silver chrome as it's the closest look to classic Leica M(3). I don't find black body to be stealthy (my Q2 catching attentions often) so might as well a silver one...
I actually think the silver one makes the camera look more like a harmless vintage toy or accessory than a capable photographic tool. And when people aren't taking your camera seriously, you can get images you might not get otherwise. That's been my experience anyway.
p.2 #13 · Which paint finish do you prefer for your Leica M?
burningheart wrote:
I voted view results. Matte Black for Monochrom and Silver for color. Though when the opportunity to buy an M8 came up it was Black and I bought it.
Funny, exactly what I have, black monochrom, 11-p in silver and an M8 in black. I really like silver best over brass for looks, but the light weight and all black look of the M11M black monochrom is really nice too
