Mute-on Posted April 14, 2016 Share #1 Posted April 14, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) I was recently in Tokyo with my family. A wonderful experience and more so given the Sakura already in bloom. I visited a very few camera shops that stock Leica. One of these, in Shinjuku, had a near mint black paint M4 at a very reasonable 300,000 Japanese Yen. I held it. I inspected it. I couldn't find any mechanical flaws. If felt beautiful. As solid as a gold ingot (I expect a gold ingot would feel remarkably solid!). Incredibly smooth. Much more so than my M2 or MP. It was amazing. Everything I thought a black paint classic Leica could be. I left the shop with my family. The M4 stayed behind. I simply couldn't justify the price of a new lens on another Leica body. Now I'm completely gutted. I feel like that was my chance to acquire a beautiful black paint M4, and I let it go. Family comes first and we need so many things more than an(other) indulgence in my hobbies. Still, I was close to saying "why not!" What Leica related purchase did you let slip away? You got over it, right!? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 14, 2016 Posted April 14, 2016 Hi Mute-on, Take a look here Black paint M4. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Matlock Posted April 14, 2016 Share #2 Posted April 14, 2016 I I left the shop with my family. The M4 stayed behind. I simply couldn't justify the price of a new lens on another Leica body. Now I'm completely gutted. I feel like that was my chance to acquire a beautiful black paint M4, and I let it go. Family comes first and we need so many things more than an(other) indulgence in my hobbies. Still, I was close to saying "why not!" What Leica related purchase did you let slip away? You got over it, right!? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk No you never really get over it, until the next time . Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted April 14, 2016 Share #3 Posted April 14, 2016 Family comes first. The next time will be the good time. Don't worry, M4 BP are not that rare and each one is different from the others, but that rare smoothness comes with each . Regards, Arnaud 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute-on Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted April 14, 2016 D'accord. Très bien. Merci beaucoup, Arnaud. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted April 14, 2016 Share #5 Posted April 14, 2016 Il n'y a pas de quoi. Even if some M4 BP are "used" and customised ( by a customer of Maison du Leica, Paris, not for sale ! ), they are lovely. 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! If I had these M4, I would take care of rust . Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! If I had these M4, I would take care of rust . ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/259273-black-paint-m4/?do=findComment&comment=3026336'>More sharing options...
pico Posted April 14, 2016 Share #6 Posted April 14, 2016 (edited) The Sour Grapes attitude might help. Seriously, some black M4s are repaints, not the original real thing and some are not enamel, so tell yourself that what you found was a fake repaint or lesser and feel good that you didn't buy it. Also remind yourself that the paint doesn't make it better. Or have a shot of whiskey and say, "Ef it"; repeat until better. Edited April 14, 2016 by pico 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hepcat Posted April 14, 2016 Share #7 Posted April 14, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) You got over it, right!? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Yes. It IS, after all, just a camera. Keep it in perspective. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted April 14, 2016 Share #8 Posted April 14, 2016 (edited) Around 30 years ago, in my student days, I had a summer job in a small, local, camera shop. One of the 'regulars' who was getting on a bit knew I had an old Model 1 / IIIa conversion and mentioned that he had a Thambar which he would be happy to let me have for a very reasonable price. I couldn't fathom out why anyone would want a lens which took out-of-focus photographs and, very politely, declined his generous offer......... Pip. Edited April 14, 2016 by pippy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute-on Posted April 15, 2016 Author Share #9 Posted April 15, 2016 (edited) The Sour Grapes attitude might help. Seriously, some black M4s are repaints, not the original real thing and some are not enamel, so tell yourself that what you found was a fake repaint or lesser and feel good that you didn't buy it. Also remind yourself that the paint doesn't make it better. Or have a shot of whiskey and say, "Ef it"; repeat until better.Thanks Pico. I like your thinking! Unfortunately the serial number and paint bubbles pretty well confirmed authenticity, so I'm going with "Ef it" and a shot Cheers J Edited April 15, 2016 by Mute-on Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted April 15, 2016 Share #10 Posted April 15, 2016 M3 and M2 are the rare black paint beasts, not the M4. There are actually no BP M4 repaints, or at least not nearly as much as M2 repaints. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted April 15, 2016 Share #11 Posted April 15, 2016 M3 and M2 are the rare black paint beasts, not the M4. There are actually no BP M4 repaints, or at least not nearly as much as M2 repaints. I wanted to say that there are no M4 repaints that are being passed on as "original BP" (or at least I've never witnessed it) while many M2 and M3 are trying to be passed on as such by their owners. Still, M4BP are so sexy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted April 15, 2016 Share #12 Posted April 15, 2016 I wanted to say that there are no M4 repaints that are being passed on as "original BP" (or at least I've never witnessed it) while many M2 and M3 are trying to be passed on as such by their owners. There are some black M2s with serial numbers placed closer to the front of the camera. I don't know if this makes them more rare or just a curiosity. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted April 15, 2016 Share #13 Posted April 15, 2016 Many theories for that. On both my MPs the serial numbers are slightly displaced. I wasn't expecting that... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted April 17, 2016 Share #14 Posted April 17, 2016 M3 and M2 are the rare black paint beasts, not the M4. There are actually no BP M4 repaints, or at least not nearly as much as M2 repaints. Things are changing - try 172170423169 and I've seen another recently with a UK dealer (also stated to be a repaint). I suspect that they are increasing in number and given prices ...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sumolux Posted April 17, 2016 Share #15 Posted April 17, 2016 There are a lot of re-paints coming out of Japan, byt the way, with several M's....If yu check out the 'bay regulalrly you will find them... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted April 17, 2016 Share #16 Posted April 17, 2016 Yes. My point was about fake Black paints passed on as original. Most are M2s. Original M4BP aren't remotely as rare. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted April 17, 2016 Share #17 Posted April 17, 2016 (edited) Call the shop in Japan and buy it. At the end of the day it's only money. And what is money? Pieces pf paper with pictures of dead people on them. You can earn more money. A chance to acquire your holy grail Leica M may come only once in a lifetime; twice, if you are very fortunate. Now go call the shop and get your M4. We pass this way only once and when we are dead, we are dead. (JMHO/YMMV/offer not good in Alaska, Hawaii or Samoa) Edited April 17, 2016 by Carlos Danger 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute-on Posted August 5, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted August 5, 2016 Ok, a little update. The shop selling the BP M4 that I spotted still appears to have it for sale. I've been checking on it every few weeks. Alas I am no longer in Japan, and an international transaction directly is not practical. In any event, I have been in touch with a gentleman who may assist me to acquire my Black Paint M4. Perhaps it will be the same one I saw, perhaps another. We shall see. I look forward to providing an update to this thread ... Cheers J Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted August 5, 2016 Share #19 Posted August 5, 2016 The price is suspiciously low IF it is pristine, but fair if typically brassed or dinged. Good luck to you! . Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilihead Posted August 5, 2016 Share #20 Posted August 5, 2016 Call the shop in Japan and buy it. At the end of the day it's only money. And what is money? Pieces pf paper with pictures of dead people on them. You can earn more money. A chance to acquire your holy grail Leica M may come only once in a lifetime; twice, if you are very fortunate. Now go call the shop and get your M4. We pass this way only once and when we are dead, we are dead. (JMHO/YMMV/offer not good in Alaska, Hawaii or Samoa) Totally AGREE!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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