TheLocust Posted July 26, 2014 Share #1 Posted July 26, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) A friend of mine recently did an M9P upgrade and now has a leftover top plate. I want to swap his top plate (black paint M9) with my top plate (Steel grey M9). The caveat is that it does not have the electronics, shutter button, or shutter speed dial - it is literally only the metal top plate. In essence, this would make my camera an unofficial Leica M9 Black Paint Panda. Can this swap be done? Keep in mind I DO NOT want the M9P upgrade option, as my search on this forum has procured this route multiple times. I'm sure someone has done this before, with all those top plates floating around after an M9P upgrade. Think Leica NJ would help me do this, for a nominal fee? Any other indie shops, preferably in NY or tri-state? Thanks guys! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 26, 2014 Posted July 26, 2014 Hi TheLocust, Take a look here Leica M9 Top Plate swapping - anyone ever done it?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
TheLocust Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted July 26, 2014 Bonus gratuitous photo of my Leica. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/231129-leica-m9-top-plate-swapping-anyone-ever-done-it/?do=findComment&comment=2637640'>More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted July 26, 2014 Share #3 Posted July 26, 2014 How to do it : You may want to skip the paint transformation Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLocust Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted July 26, 2014 Yeah but Kai man Wong doesn't really go through the process of dismantling, only before and after. I see a ton of screws on the table - not sure where he got all of them! Research has shown that there's one to remove the bottom "base" plastic (the piece that drops out on the video) and one on each side, with one that goes deep into the battery compartment. Maybe I should email him.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted July 27, 2014 Share #5 Posted July 27, 2014 (edited) Yeah but Kai man Wong doesn't really go through the process of dismantling, only before and after. I see a ton of screws on the table - not sure where he got all of them! Research has shown that there's one to remove the bottom "base" plastic (the piece that drops out on the video) and one on each side, with one that goes deep into the battery compartment. There are five (5) screws to release the inner bottom plate. I have done a lot of custom painting, and can confidently say that his was a poor job. The paint has an overall orange-peel flaw and is a type of paint that will wear away quickly. A green zinc primer would have helped. One should use plastic tools when removing the tape. You can see where he removed paint with his screwdriver. His filling-in of the M9 type was just tragic, but perhaps he didn't want us to see him wipe away the pink as would happen if properly filling the type, then wiping, and of course he couldn't use a lacquer stick because it would have ripped up the surrounding, unfortunately soft paint. I don't recall - did he fill in the type by the shutter? He should invest in a modeling air brush and ... enough. . Edited July 27, 2014 by pico Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 27, 2014 Share #6 Posted July 27, 2014 A friend of mine recently did an M9P upgrade and now has a leftover top plate. I want to swap his top plate (black paint M9) with my top plate (Steel grey M9). The caveat is that it does not have the electronics, shutter button, or shutter speed dial - it is literally only the metal top plate. In essence, this would make my camera an unofficial Leica M9 Black Paint Panda. Can this swap be done? Keep in mind I DO NOT want the M9P upgrade option, as my search on this forum has procured this route multiple times. I'm sure someone has done this before, with all those top plates floating around after an M9P upgrade. Think Leica NJ would help me do this, for a nominal fee? Any other indie shops, preferably in NY or tri-state? Thanks guys! I am sure Leica NJ will not help you. Anyway, it should not be too difficult, take care not to damage the flex cable that is connected to the top. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLocust Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted July 27, 2014 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks for everyone's feedback! I went ahead and took off the bottom inner plate and yeah, it was pretty easy. Now I see three screws in the battery compartment (two look long, one looks like a mini screw), and I now know which "long one" Kai was talking about as the final screw to remove - it's surrounded by electronics in a shroud and only visible if you shine a line DIRECTLY down into it. That'll be the tricky one, but not impossible. My next "huh?" moment would concern the shutter button (which Kai never took off), and the shutter dial (which Kai and Lok seem to reassemble with a screwdriver, but also what looks like a ball bearing they had to carefully hold in place before fitting the dial back on? Jaap, Pico - did you remove these bits? How about the hotshoe? Edit: The anatomy of a Leica M8 article (http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/21331-anatomy-leica-m8.html) states there's soldering involved, and silicone sealant to boot. Getting shot down here.. =( Edited July 27, 2014 by TheLocust Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLocust Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted August 1, 2014 Update. Top and bottom plate have arrived, basically brand new condition. Converted to a black dot once I got it. Found an indie shop that will install (Nippon Photo Clinic), let's see how much they charge. Will update with results and pics of, theoretically, the only Leica M9 Black Paint "Panda" once it's finished! May also do a Aki Asahi Vulcanite upgrade as well, but one step at a time. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/231129-leica-m9-top-plate-swapping-anyone-ever-done-it/?do=findComment&comment=2641177'>More sharing options...
TheLocust Posted August 5, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted August 5, 2014 Update in case anyone is wondering - Got the estimate today. With a rangefinder adjustment the total is $265, plus the parts from fotopia.com.hk (Shout out to Gilbert, his customer service is amazing) the total is a hair shy of $600, FAR less than what Leica is offering to do it for: $1100+. That extra $500 does get you brand new top and bottom plates from Leica as well as a matching shutter dial and shutter button/switches though, along with professional "We are Leica" service and peace of mind, so it may be worth it for some people. Nippon is willing to do it for less, in a shorter turnaround (I imagine), plus they are only a few blocks away from my office and their reviews are basically flawless so it was a quick decision for me. Should be done in a few days. Will report back with results. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted August 5, 2014 Share #10 Posted August 5, 2014 What about the rear LCD, do you get the sapphire glass as well? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLocust Posted August 5, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted August 5, 2014 At Leica, that price did not include the rear LCD - it was just to concert steel grey to black paint. For the sapphire glass, that'd follow the standard M9-P pricing, which I believe is $700+ For the glass and $2000~ for full conversion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLocust Posted August 5, 2014 Author Share #12 Posted August 5, 2014 I'm not getting a sapphire back, just swapping top and bottom. I don't really need the sapphire glass (knock on wood). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulholland27 Posted August 5, 2014 Share #13 Posted August 5, 2014 Im really interested to see how your camera looks once done, i'd be very tempted to do the same. Good work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulholland27 Posted August 6, 2014 Share #14 Posted August 6, 2014 Has anyone else done the M9 to M9P upgrade, pref in the UK, and now have a spare black top & bottom plate that they would consider letting go? Please PM me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLocust Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted August 7, 2014 (edited) Update: Got the camera back. Took a total of 4 business days. Came out GREAT. Love the "Panda" Black with Chrome dials and switches. Black dot is a must. I may or may not do an Aki Asahi vulcanite skin conversion as well to finish it all off, but to be honest I'm well content with this as it is. Rangefinder also came back adjusted, as well as the sensor cleaned. So without further ado, I give you - The unofficially official, Leica M9 Black Paint "Panda". Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited August 7, 2014 by TheLocust 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/231129-leica-m9-top-plate-swapping-anyone-ever-done-it/?do=findComment&comment=2644743'>More sharing options...
TheLocust Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted August 7, 2014 (edited) Oh and a quick but full fledged shout out to Joel Chavez of Cub & Co. for the amazing Russet Shooter Strap. Incredible hand-made quality and attention to detail. Perhaps one of the best indie strap makers around, with enough go-power to fight those of A&A and Luigi's. Check them out at Cub and Company Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited August 7, 2014 by TheLocust Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/231129-leica-m9-top-plate-swapping-anyone-ever-done-it/?do=findComment&comment=2644744'>More sharing options...
NikonJeff Posted August 7, 2014 Share #17 Posted August 7, 2014 Very Nice! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigitalHeMan Posted August 7, 2014 Share #18 Posted August 7, 2014 Update: Got the camera back. Took a total of 4 business days. Came out GREAT. Love the "Panda" Black with Chrome dials and switches. Black dot is a must. I may or may not do an Aki Asahi vulcanite skin conversion as well to finish it all off, but to be honest I'm well content with this as it is. Rangefinder also came back adjusted, as well as the sensor cleaned. So without further ado, I give you - The unofficially official, Leica M9 Black Paint "Panda". A Leica Panda is typically chrome with black dials. What you have here is an 'anti-panda' like the M6 below..... http://www.cameraquest.com/LM6APan.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted August 7, 2014 Share #19 Posted August 7, 2014 Congratulations. looks very nice! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted August 7, 2014 Share #20 Posted August 7, 2014 The Sonnetar looks interesting. is it any good? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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