Jump to content

Paint v lacquer


ducttape

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi

 

Can someone explain the difference between the black paint and lacquer finishes on the MP?

 

I assume the paint is, well, paint. I haven't had a Leica paint, but plenty of older Nikon F bodies. Is the lacquer similar to the finish on the M8 and M7 (and M6 for that matter)?

 

I am aware the paint will do all sorts of nasties, depending on who you ask. I happen to like the brass-coming-through look. My experience with the black on the M6, M7 and M8 is that short of taking a key to it the surface is pretty durable. I don't recall ever 'damaging' the surface of one of those bodies. Being a 'hobby' photographer can I expect that the surface should be pretty much indestructible?

 

And, assuming I decide to go with the paint, can someone guestimate or better report from experience how long before brassing starts? I know that is subjective, so lets talking in terms of rolls. Never? 1000 rolls? 100 rolls?

 

 

On a separate note I decided to sell my M8 to pay for the MP. I spent all day writing an ad for the M8 for the auction site. Although I started it at a buck I put what I felt was a very good buy it now price on it of $2650. Yes, I lost my shirt but recent dealers offered me 60% of that and I don't think the market goes for too much more anyway.

 

The body sold in 45 minutes. I guess it was the right price So much for my weeks worth of entertainment watching the auction :)

 

Help with the finish would be greatly appreciated

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi

Can someone explain the difference between the black paint and lacquer finishes on the MP?

 

Is the lacquer similar to the finish on the M8 and M7 (and M6 for that matter)?

 

Being a 'hobby' photographer can I expect that the surface should be pretty much indestructible?

 

While I can't speak to the technical aspects of the finishing process, I can tell you that when referring to an MP, we use the term "black paint" and "black lacquer" interchangeably. There is no implied difference between them.

 

You may be confusing black lacquer with black chrome, the latter of which is the standard black finish on the M7 and early M8 (and M6 for that matter). Black chrome is a matte black finish that will reveal a white/silverish color underneath as it wears. Where as black paint/lacquer is glossy and will reveal a brass (gold-colored) finish underneath.

 

As for durability, all finishes wear. Silver chrome in my experience is the most durable, by far. Perceptively anyway. Where as both of the black finish options are fairly equal in durability, but look very different as they wear. If you don't shoot very often and take extreme care of your camera, then I would suspect you may not experience any noticeable wear. Where as a regular user shooting 5000+ images with a body per year and without taking inordinate steps to protect it, will see noticeable wear inside of a year. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...