CalArts 99 Posted July 2, 2013 Share #1 Posted July 2, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) It's definitely a 'black' M4. Leica M4 Black Wetzlar Leitz | eBay I counted 5 things for the 'what's wrong with these pictures' game. Are there more? Hint: there's one thing specifically that's just so horribly wrong. (Use the 'mouse-over to zoom' function.) (Granted, they don't claim anything. But it's not exactly forthcoming, imho. And especially to a potential buyer who may not realize what they are getting. But on the other hand maybe somebody will get a decent operating M4 for a good price........) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 2, 2013 Posted July 2, 2013 Hi CalArts 99, Take a look here Well, it's certainly black....... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
sblitz Posted July 2, 2013 Share #2 Posted July 2, 2013 you are pretty good, at this hour i can't point to anything other than that the paint job looks awfully smooth for an old camera and the price is too low even for a chrome m4 (prices have gone up in the past year since i bought mine). steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpattison Posted July 2, 2013 Share #3 Posted July 2, 2013 If you mean it shouldn't have a chrome shutter button surround, or fully black levers, then you are wrong, black paint M4s are like this. The black metal at the base (with baseplate removed) is normal for a BP as well. I believe the give away is the serial number, listed as a Chrome from 1968. I can't spot the fifth item... Here is a genuine one.. Leica Leitz M4 Camera Body #1207346 Original Black Paint Germany Free shipping | eBay John Edit: The black strap lugs! 2nd Edit: Also the wear on the advance lever shows white metal, it should be brass. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted July 2, 2013 Share #4 Posted July 2, 2013 White paint numbers, letters, flash symbols look sloppy, as if scratched out. The white paint between the last two digits in the serial number is particularly bad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted July 2, 2013 Share #5 Posted July 2, 2013 It is obviously a chrome camera painted black. The strap lugs are a giveaway, and I wouldn't be surprised if the vulcanite hadn't been painted at the same time. The chrome can also be seen showing through on the advance lever. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted July 2, 2013 If you mean it shouldn't have a chrome shutter button surround, or fully black levers, then you are wrong, black paint M4s are like this. The black metal at the base (with baseplate removed) is normal for a BP as well.I believe the give away is the serial number, listed as a Chrome from 1968. I can't spot the fifth item... Here is a genuine one.. Leica Leitz M4 Camera Body #1207346 Original Black Paint Germany Free shipping | eBay John Edit: The black strap lugs! 2nd Edit: Also the wear on the advance lever shows white metal, it should be brass. The chrome button and the baseplate are fine. That's normal. But yes, the serial number is wrong. Also you picked up on the other issues (strap lugs and film advance lever is chrome underneath in that one image.) Now look at the screw on the shutter release dial and also the screws on the flash shoe. They are painted over in black paint (should be bare metal.) White paint numbers, letters, flash symbols look sloppy, as if scratched out. The white paint between the last two digits in the serial number is particularly bad. That, too. But the final nail in the coffin is the '4' in 'M4.' Look carefully. That's not even the right font. Somebody scratched in the 4 and filled it with white paint. Have you ever seen a 4 on any M4 look like that? It's horrible. I would have no aversion to buying a proper repaint (like one of those Japanese painters who do a full disassemble and bake the paint.) And even if the serial number is wrong. It would be fine for a user camera knowing that it's not factory paint. But also the seller should divulge it. Although the price may be low enough to where somebody could get an okay deal. Hopefully they know better and realize it's not original. It's kind of sad that it's such a poorly done paint job. edit: Steve: yes, the vulcanite appears to have been painted too. Normally on a good repaint one would replace the vulcanite (this one has a spot of covering missing, too.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted July 2, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well, it ended up selling for 1175.00 USD. Somebody got a useable (but poorly painted) M4 for just a little bit more than a good useable original chrome M4. The seller wrote this in the auction: "This camera is both a very nice collectible piece and it can be used to shoot photos for another 40 years at least." It's certainly a collectible piece for someone's 'Leica oddities' collection. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted July 2, 2013 Share #8 Posted July 2, 2013 It'll probably reappear on Ebay again next week, nicely sandpapered and 'brassed'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted July 2, 2013 Share #9 Posted July 2, 2013 I wonder if the person who has just bought it has been reading this thread... ? Sent from my iPad Mini using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share #10 Posted July 2, 2013 It'll probably reappear on Ebay again next week, nicely sandpapered and 'brassed'. It's going to look bizarre and really ugly as the paint wears off and the chrome starts to show through. Hopefully the person that bought it understands that. Or maybe they'll never use it; they certainly will have an 'original.' That '4' in 'M4' is so bad. The original Leica number fonts are so nice and classic...... 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! 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/208044-well-its-certainly-black/?do=findComment&comment=2364413'>More sharing options...
sblitz Posted July 3, 2013 Share #11 Posted July 3, 2013 This all comes under the if its too good to be true story. Even if one can't tell from the photo the price should be the signal. I have bought used from stores here in NYC. The small premium is worth it from buying in the Wild West of eBay. Thanks for pointing all this out. You have done a service and reading the detective work was fun as well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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