eleskin
Well-known
My primary interest in any M digital is of corse the photos it can take. So as a secondary thought, especially when one considers the $7,000 USD price, and the fact that the M9 has been out for a little while, I would like to ask how has the black paint finish held up, especially compared with the M8 Black Chrome.
If the finish is as durable, lets say, as an E Class Mercedes, then I guess paint is as good if not better than chrome. Since for now, I only own the original black M8, I have no first had experience. So how has the M9 held up so far in terms of durability?
If the finish is as durable, lets say, as an E Class Mercedes, then I guess paint is as good if not better than chrome. Since for now, I only own the original black M8, I have no first had experience. So how has the M9 held up so far in terms of durability?
chrishayton
Well-known
Leica black paint will wear faster than the black chrome. (google black paint m3 for an idea)
The paint used is softer than a chromed finish and will wear showing the brass underneath. many people love this though
The paint used is softer than a chromed finish and will wear showing the brass underneath. many people love this though
bluepenguin
Established
M9 will wear faster than M8...
The late version of M9 is also known for white lettering wear fast.
Mine was returned to Leica since white letter of shutter dial were gone in 2 weeks of receipt.
The late version of M9 is also known for white lettering wear fast.
Mine was returned to Leica since white letter of shutter dial were gone in 2 weeks of receipt.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Black Chrome Leica bodies never wear well, it just does not happen.
Worn black chrome Leicas tend to look tired and and a bit dirty.
While worn black paint Leicas can look quite good, even well worn.
Stephen
Worn black chrome Leicas tend to look tired and and a bit dirty.
While worn black paint Leicas can look quite good, even well worn.
Stephen
kbg32
neo-romanticist
Paint paint Leicas feel warm. You never want to put one down!
pachuco
El ****
Black chrome chips of and is silver underneath. Not horrible but not as nice as warm as the brass.
250swb
-
The black paint of the M9 is very durable, more like an epoxy coating than what people think of as 'paint'. Its not delicate like the MP or M8.2.
Mine is now seven or eight months old, has been well used in harsh conditions without a case and has no wear showing, other than a tiny chip on the baseplate where I accidentally swung it against the tripod. But it will wear eventually. Black chrome will also wear eventually, but looks really ugly when it does.
So don't go on previous examples of Leica black paint, they don't apply to the M9. I have seen a photo of one M9 posted not long after it was introduced with brassed corners and edges. But if everybody else's experience is taken into account this must have been done with sandpaper, there is no other logical answer.
Steve
Mine is now seven or eight months old, has been well used in harsh conditions without a case and has no wear showing, other than a tiny chip on the baseplate where I accidentally swung it against the tripod. But it will wear eventually. Black chrome will also wear eventually, but looks really ugly when it does.
So don't go on previous examples of Leica black paint, they don't apply to the M9. I have seen a photo of one M9 posted not long after it was introduced with brassed corners and edges. But if everybody else's experience is taken into account this must have been done with sandpaper, there is no other logical answer.
Steve
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
I don't have black chrome to compare to - but the black coating wears better than bright chrome - and on my M9 the black chrome ring around the shutter is starting to show the "fading" that black crome has when wearing, whilst the paint is unscratched, just a few minor chipped edges, where it hit some hard stuff.
dreamsandart
Well-known
I do carry my M9 almost everyday with the usual care (I don't 'beat' against other bodies or lenses or throw them in the bag to bounce around) and after a couple months now the top plate still looks new and there is just an bit of brass at one point on the bottom plate edge. I have experience with the older (M2/M3/M4) painted cameras and this paint is nothing like this, or the shiny finger print attracting and easy to wear 'makes you look like a Pro' in a short time limited edition M6s/MP/M8.2 black paint.
Its almost a matte paint, closer to the black chrome in look, and although it may eventually show some wear I'm sure, it will probably look 'handsome' with gold/brass in those places.
The white paint hasn't been a problem either. Could be some people have problems because of skin chemistry (acids).
I remember back when the black chrome finish was introduced in the 70s. The Leica rep would show how durable it was by using an ink eraser and rubbing the surface for a bit to show it wasn't so bad. Can't imagine the M9 paint holding up as well, but then as said, it seems very durable and will look better with wear in the long run than a gray/silvered black chrome (I feel).
Its almost a matte paint, closer to the black chrome in look, and although it may eventually show some wear I'm sure, it will probably look 'handsome' with gold/brass in those places.
The white paint hasn't been a problem either. Could be some people have problems because of skin chemistry (acids).
I remember back when the black chrome finish was introduced in the 70s. The Leica rep would show how durable it was by using an ink eraser and rubbing the surface for a bit to show it wasn't so bad. Can't imagine the M9 paint holding up as well, but then as said, it seems very durable and will look better with wear in the long run than a gray/silvered black chrome (I feel).
dseelig
David
m8-m9
m8-m9
I had wear on my m8 I have wear, I have some wear on my m9, given the choice m9 with out a second thought.
m8-m9
I had wear on my m8 I have wear, I have some wear on my m9, given the choice m9 with out a second thought.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I like both the black Chrome (M6) and black paint (MP). I'm in no hurry for the paint to wear away on my MP. I do like the tactile feel of the paint. I have several black chrome Leicas, and none of them show any objectionable amount of wear. The dull black finish on the black chrome cameras looks and feels very businesslike to me. It says' "I am a tool, meant to do a job." So I like them both, no durability problems so far with either.