Brass M8

[meuser]

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Hi

 

I know this properly has been discussed before (can't find a clear answer anywhere), but i want to ask anyway. Is the standard Leica M8 (black) brass underneath? Im not talking about the chrome/silver or the M8.2. Im talking about the regular black M8. If yes, will using fine sandpaper etc. be the way to get the lovely brass showing?

 

[jaapv]

Hello Lenny*!   Yes the top plate is always brass.

The way to get the brass showing is to use the camera.

 

* in-joke welcome to the forum

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[Guest Her Berger]

Hello Lenny*!   Yes the top plate is always brass.

 

 

* in-joke welcome to the forum

Sure?

I had both. The M8 and the M8.2.

My regular M8 had a zinc top plate.

 

But you're right. Usethre .2 to get the brassing. The M8 is a black beauty.

[jaapv]

No, it is brass. However, I can understand that you are confused, as  black chrome  has a silvery nickel layer underneath. A black chrome camera will "silver", not brass. Make a deep scratch and it is nice and yellow. The last series to use Zinc for the topplate was the M6.

Obviously the M8.2 which is powder-coated will show brass immediately through the black.

Edited September 12, 2016 by jaapv

[Guest Her Berger]

No, it is brass. However, I can understand that you are confused, as  black chrome  has a silvery nickel layer underneath. A black chrome camera will "silver", not brass. Make a deep scratch and it is nice and yellow. The last series to use Zinc for the topplate was the M6.

Obviously the M8.2 which is powder-coated will show brass immediately through the black.

 

Ah, thank you.

[meuser]

So if I use fine grain sandpaper the black chrome m8 will brass if I sand it enough?, right?

[david strachan]

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So if I use fine grain sandpaper the black chrome m8 will brass if I sand it enough?, right?

 

Here is a post by Ernstk, one of our Members, who used a Dremel to "brass" his M8.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/259525-replace-m8-shutter-or-lcd-rear-screen/page-2

Edited September 13, 2016 by david strachan

[earleygallery]

Yes, like using a sander on your cars paint to take away the top costs and primer to get down to the bare metal! Good look!

[meuser]

Thanks David

[jaapv]

So if I use fine grain sandpaper the black chrome m8 will brass if I sand it enough?, right?

If you are patient sanding you'll even be able to expose the inside...

[david strachan]

 

If you are patient sanding you'll even be able to expose the inside...

 

   , yes, haven't seen a black chrome "brassed" nicely so far. 

 

Faking it "almost never" looks right!  OTOH, the Lenny Kravitz version M-P, looks nice enough...as one would expect designed by him & copied from his own naturally worn cameras.

 

Jaap likes brassing on other people's cameras... .  I got hooked on brassing from my Nikon FE2.

 

Please post some pics...I do believe it could be done well.  It's all a matter of patience and cutting grades...and thinking of wear points.

 

Good luck meuser!

Edited September 13, 2016 by david strachan

[jaapv]

I am fairly neutral about brassing - on the right camera for the right reason it can be nice. Faked brassing - yuk...

On my own cameras - if I happen to have a black one I will mostly upgrade to silver after a few years..

[Ernstk]

Yes, like using a sander on your cars paint to take away the top costs and primer to get down to the bare metal! Good look!

It's a good look if you want it to look like that. I did...

 

Ernst

[Ernstk]

Here is a post by Ernstk, one of our Members, who used a Dremel to "brass" his M8.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/259525-replace-m8-shutter-or-lcd-rear-screen/page-2

Thanks David. Just beat me to it!