k__43
Registered Film User
I'm on the hunt for a used black M6, maybe even a used M7 which would stretch my budget quite much.
What I do not like about M4-M7s is the rewind knob. I just prefer the one on my M2. Works better for me.
Also I find the old style advance lever more beautiful, the newer ones are ok too.
So since I want black, everything points towards a MP, but I do not like the shiny black paint really. Also I'm not a fan of the brass shining thru on the corners. I want black and not steam punk vintage.
Is anyone here that actually ever ordered a black chrome MP thru ALC?
(my dream would be one with M2/M3 style ergonomics, without engravings in black chrome .. only there is no way I'm putting 4.3k€ on the table for this)
What I do not like about M4-M7s is the rewind knob. I just prefer the one on my M2. Works better for me.
Also I find the old style advance lever more beautiful, the newer ones are ok too.
So since I want black, everything points towards a MP, but I do not like the shiny black paint really. Also I'm not a fan of the brass shining thru on the corners. I want black and not steam punk vintage.
Is anyone here that actually ever ordered a black chrome MP thru ALC?
(my dream would be one with M2/M3 style ergonomics, without engravings in black chrome .. only there is no way I'm putting 4.3k€ on the table for this)
thegman
Mentor
If you got an M6, you could swap the advance lever for an older style one, but I think you're stuck with the rewind. I guess if it really means a lot to you, you could get a user MP and have it repainted.
k__43
Registered Film User
thanks! well this question is rather out of curiosity.
I'm certain I can't afford a MP no matter what finish. I'll rather buy a M6+preAsph 35 Lux. Or so.
Dan95
Well-known
Ive seen a few on ebay. Can't recall what they went for.
sanmich
Mentor
k__43
Registered Film User
droooooooooooooooool
sazerac
Well-known
Yeh, I gotta say that I like the black chrome finish too. I may be one of the few that likes the look of worn black chrome
I have a BP MP and it is a nice camera, but sometimes I feel like I need BP lenses to match!
I have a BP MP and it is a nice camera, but sometimes I feel like I need BP lenses to match!
gavinlg
Mentor
If I bought an MP it would be custom black chrome. Black chrome is so brutally underrated, and black paint is so brutally overrated.
DavidKKHansen
Well-known
By coincidence I e-mailed Leica last week if they can do the conversion, and yes, you just send your MP camera to them and they get back to you with a price quote. I'm also one of the few people who's not a fan of black paint finishes. I got a used silver chrome MP and once I have the funds in 2-3 years I'll ask Leica to change it to a black chrome finish.
-David-
-David-
ray*j*gun
Mentor
I agree..... one reason (just one) I love my M8.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
I have three black chrome MP bodies. I ordered two of them myself, a .58 and a .72 both with the M7 rewind and covering and no engravings. I got the third second hand through the classifieds some three years ago or so, a .72 with MP rewind, full engravings and vulcanite.
The .58 and the second hand one are really beginning to look like I like a black chrome camera to look, the .72 I ordered is only a year and a half old, but I shoot the dickens out of it so it will catch up soon. I'll admit to preferring the black chrome over any of the other finishes. My M7 has very worn chrome- it was my main camera for several years and looks it.
Where are you located? I've tried several times to have mods like this done to various cameras and been told it can't be done by Leica NJ. Just recently tried to get my M9 bodies redone in black chrome, now that the monochrome is like that. I think the home office is more open to this kind of thing.
The .58 and the second hand one are really beginning to look like I like a black chrome camera to look, the .72 I ordered is only a year and a half old, but I shoot the dickens out of it so it will catch up soon. I'll admit to preferring the black chrome over any of the other finishes. My M7 has very worn chrome- it was my main camera for several years and looks it.
Where are you located? I've tried several times to have mods like this done to various cameras and been told it can't be done by Leica NJ. Just recently tried to get my M9 bodies redone in black chrome, now that the monochrome is like that. I think the home office is more open to this kind of thing.
maitani
Well-known
just a heads up on the topic
http://www.apertureuk.com/leica.html
]Leica MP 0.72 (A La Carte) Black Chrome, no Leica script on the plate #3009xxx Exc++ 2390£
I guess this is what you're looking for right, and slightly below 3K in eur...
I guess it won't last long... I'd call them immediately if you're interested
Would it cost a lot and would it be technically feasable without too much hassle to take everything from a user M6 and install it inside the boby of an M3 then ?
I'm thinking this is only about the summed up price of each body plus the labor hmmm?
k__43
Registered Film User
thanks! great offer, lovely camera .. still too much for my wallet. this is also twice as much as cheapo M7s change owners around here.
zerobuttons
Well-known
I would never order a black chrome MP. It wouldn´t go with my black paint lenses
Seriously, I have seen several black chrome MPs in threads here. Have you looked through the "Let´s see your M" thread?
x-ray
Mentor
I ordered a black chrome MP ALC Several years ago and wouldn't trade it for two black paint versions. It has the .85x vf, black ostrich leather and my signature on the back. Actually my wife ordered it for me. I had and sold a chrome and red leather MP and retro LHS Hammertone kit. Sold the Hammertone and red leather after finishing a project and only have the black chrome MP and a 1960 M2 that I've had much of my career. Also bought a steel gray M9 this year but wish it was available in black chrome.
I had a couple of other black chrome cameras over the years and the black wears much faster than silver chrome. My M6 black chrome got so thin you could see the zinc casting through it.
I had a couple of other black chrome cameras over the years and the black wears much faster than silver chrome. My M6 black chrome got so thin you could see the zinc casting through it.
DavidKKHansen
Well-known
I'm currently in Berlin, so I contacted Leica HQ directly. They said I could either send the camera to Solms myself, or go through an official dealer in Berlin. They have all the parts in stock for a conversion, and the conversion would take around 3 weeks (but not in November and December, where they have more than the usual service requests).
If you're interested, drop Leica Germany an e-mail and perhaps send the camera in yourself?
-David-
gdi
Mentor
Interesting, I never liked the black chrome; I much prefer paint or just silver chrome. The slight wear on my BP MP just appears to reveal the quality brass underneath, the wear on my old black chrome M8 just looked ugly. BP feels better to my hand as well.
But it's good that Leica offers options for most tastes.
But it's good that Leica offers options for most tastes.
Roger Hicks
Mentor
You'd rather have a grey camera with silvery bits where it's worn, then? Have you ever seen heavily worn black chrome? I have a black chrome M4-P, and black paint MP and M9, all from new, and the ugliest wearing-in by far (in my opinion of course) is the M4-P. Silver wears in OK (I have an M2 and an M8) but I just prefer black.
EDIT: I'd agree with gdi about the feel of the finishes, too.
Cheers,
R.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
I suppose I may give them a try after the first of the year...
Absolutely opposite here. The paint is much slipperier in my hand, especially once glove weather arrives. But in the end I'd much rather shoot with a slippery M than a DSLR!