How do I find a M7 A LA CARTE - Black paint?

[M10Alpine]

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On 4/4/2020 at 10:35 PM, Paul Verrips said:

Buy a regular M7 and send it to Wetzlar to have them change it into black paint. I did this in 2017.

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Incredible, why on earth did I sell my spare M7? I hate myself now...

Many thanks!!!!!

[logan2z]

On 4/4/2020 at 1:35 PM, Paul Verrips said:

Buy a regular M7 and send it to Wetzlar to have them change it into black paint. I did this in 2017.

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That looks great.  Now you've got me thinking about doing that to my silver M4!

[Paul Verrips]

 

One of my other M7 camera's.

Before:

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After:

 

Changes done: rewind release lever  + lens release button + shutter speed dial + quick-wind film advance lever + frame selector + leatherette + battery cover

Edited April 11, 2020 by Paul Verrips

[otto.f]

Also for 800€? Nooo

[Paul Verrips]

13 hours ago, otto.f said:

Also for 800€? Nooo

Necessary labour costs 0,5 HRS x €149,00 = €74,50
receiving inspection
in reference to your fault description we are offering the following
services
mechanical backfitting
exchange leather covering
cleaning and end control the spare parts used for this repair.

Ostrich look, chestnut 1,0 PCS x €264,71 =€264,71
receiving inspection
in reference to your fault description we are offering the following
services
mechanical backfitting
exchange leather covering
cleaning and end control the spare parts used for this repair.
rotating ring, light, chromed, milled 1 PCS x €29,33
speed setting button, light, chromed 1 PCS x €29,74
winding lever, light, chromed 1 PCS x €52,03
mask selector, silvery, chromed 1 PCS x €15,08
lever, riveted 1 PCS €27,77
cover ring, M10x0,5, light, chromed 1 PCS x €37,36
protection sleeve, silvery, chromed 1 PCS x €32,68
Total necessary labours:
Net value: €563,20
VAT.: €107,00
Total: €670,20 

[edshreds]

On 4/12/2020 at 7:20 AM, Paul Verrips said:

 

One of my other M7 camera's.

Before:

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!

After:

 

Changes done: rewind release lever  + lens release button + shutter speed dial + quick-wind film advance lever + frame selector + leatherette + battery cover

I've always been on the sidelines about the ostrich leather on the Millennium M6, but I gotta say, in chestnut, that is very very nice. I just ordered a M6-style advance lever for my M3 - funny to see people going the other way as well! Gorgeous set.

Edited April 12, 2020 by edshreds
fixed spelling because I'm uncaffeinated

[Marckyokay]

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On 4/12/2020 at 10:40 PM, Paul Verrips said:

Necessary labour costs 0,5 HRS x €149,00 = €74,50
receiving inspection
in reference to your fault description we are offering the following
services
mechanical backfitting
exchange leather covering
cleaning and end control the spare parts used for this repair.

Ostrich look, chestnut 1,0 PCS x €264,71 =€264,71
receiving inspection
in reference to your fault description we are offering the following
services
mechanical backfitting
exchange leather covering
cleaning and end control the spare parts used for this repair.
rotating ring, light, chromed, milled 1 PCS x €29,33
speed setting button, light, chromed 1 PCS x €29,74
winding lever, light, chromed 1 PCS x €52,03
mask selector, silvery, chromed 1 PCS x €15,08
lever, riveted 1 PCS €27,77
cover ring, M10x0,5, light, chromed 1 PCS x €37,36
protection sleeve, silvery, chromed 1 PCS x €32,68
Total necessary labours:
Net value: €563,20
VAT.: €107,00
Total: €670,20 

Damn, 800€ in 2017... this year Wetzlar told me the too plate alone would be at least 800€.

Also... there were black paint M7 top platespare parts in store in Wetzlar? Wow...

Also also... they didn’t charge you for said top plate at all? Wow wow... you got a good deal there 

[M10Alpine]

Hi - well I have found a mint never used Leica M7 à la carte black paint MP upgraded (0.72) and recently CLA'd by Leica in Germany. 

Advice / Questions for you : 

This camera has a service box only from a recent CLA - what box would normally come with an à la carte order? I find it a bit off that the seller of such a rare gem don't have the original box. 

- All paper work exist and CLA documents. 

The price is 8K€ - is that remotely possible to recover in a auction sale if I would want one day? Its a staggering expensive but is it normal? 

- Tamarkin had one for sale, I was on a waiting list but he messed it up and I missed buying it with two days. Í was mildly disappointed to say the least. Thats was a 0.58 finder good condition not unused but no dings etc and I think he wanted 5800 USD thats 4800€. So for a few marks on the bottom plate and 0.58 finder they can be found at 3200€ less. 

I guess what I'm trying to ask is the price nearly normal / justifiable, I know thats a relative and subjective question. But from a collectors point of view is it reasonable ? 

[JT73]

Honestly if you plan to use the camera, it's an awful lot of money and the black paint finish is quite prone to hairline scratches so if you want it to preserve its value, you will have to baby it which personally would prevent me from enjoying it fully.

For reference there is currently a M6 TTL LHSA black paint edition with a 0.58 finder listed for just under 6K€ on ebay and it has been sitting for at least two or three months so this type of camera isn't an easy thing to move on quickly.

I will sign off by saying that over the past few years, I have managed to build my current M collection which consists of two MP's (BP + Chrome) and a converted BP M4 for less than 6.5k€ so there is far better value to be had for that kind of money.

[M10Alpine]

13 minutes ago, JT73 said:

Honestly if you plan to use the camera, it's an awful lot of money and the black paint finish is quite prone to hairline scratches so if you want it to preserve its value, you will have to baby it which personally would prevent me from enjoying it fully.

For reference there is currently a M6 TTL LHSA black paint edition with a 0.58 finder listed for just under 6K€ on ebay and it has been sitting for at least two or three months so this type of camera isn't an easy thing to move on quickly.

I will sign off by saying that over the past few years, I have managed to build my current M collection which consists of two MP's (BP + Chrome) and a converted BP M4 for less than 6.5k€ so there is far better value to be had for that kind of money.

Yes - I agree, it would simply be to collect and not use. Still not sure if thet price is not a bit too high. I have a M7 and a MP I can use. So this would be tucked a way in a safe. 

[M10Alpine]

I would be very interested  in auction results for M7 black paint. But I cant find a way to search that smartly. 

Edited December 8, 2020 by M10Alpine

[JT73]

I can't recall ever seeing one up for sale so it's very hard to base an opinion on any concrete data.

My opinion is that for the money, I would want the original packaging considering it's not a particularly old camera, however everyone is different, it certainly doesn't compromise the authenticity of the camera itself. 

[RayD28]

That's a chunk of change.  I'm not a collector so I can't comment on collector grade equipment and prices, but I think not having the original packaging and accessories would bring down collector interest and prices.  

[logan2z]

19 minutes ago, RayD28 said:

That's a chunk of change.  I'm not a collector so I can't comment on collector grade equipment and prices, but I think not having the original packaging and accessories would bring down collector interest and prices.  

Have to agree. I don't collect cameras per se, but I do collect watches, and lack of 'box and papers'  can really hurt a watch's value to a collector.  If I were buying a camera to keep as a collectible I would only consider a complete set. 

[Herr Barnack]

On 4/4/2020 at 5:26 AM, otto.f said:

Except that if you start asking and it is not on the list, the price goes up

Good news, though:  If you stop wanting one, the price goes down.  😎

[otto.f]

4 hours ago, Herr Barnack said:

Good news, though:  If you stop wanting one, the price goes down.  😎

Alas, with film prices it seems to be the other way around

[Mute-on]

Honestly, that price seems hysterical for an electronic camera (of sorts). 

If you don’t intend to use it, there are much better examples of Leica M film cameras. 

In my case, I searched for, and ultimately found, a very near mint black paint M4. It is 50 years old and barely distinguishable from new. I don’t expect to sell it, so it really doesn’t matter how much it appreciates, but at least it is (still) appreciating. 

Of course it isn’t in a glass case. It’s loaded with Portra and used as intended, if quite carefully to avoid unnecessary damage. It brings a lot of pleasure because I like how it looks, and more so how it feels in use. 

In my view, a classic M2,3,4 in original black paint is a far better prospect. 

Good luck, whatever you decide. 

Edited December 9, 2020 by Mute-on

[Guest]

This could be heresy on our Leica forum, but if one is looking for a good film rangefinder camera to actually use with your Leica lenses collections you could do worse than to look at the Voigtlander Bessa R4-M or R4-A bodies, They are M mount, have quite excellent RF viewfinders with the real advantage of going down to a 21mm FL view and are very well made. I've owned a R4-A for 15 years or so and have experienced no problems with it at all, they are great cameras and perfect for real usage........ok, not as "collectible" perhaps as a Leica but oddly enough good second hand examples of either version are now selling for more than I paid for mine new.

[otto.f]

Do they have them in an Hermes set too? 🤪 For under the tree...

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[M10Alpine]

All tricky  - I agree its a total downer its not a complete boxed set. I think I will pass on this and wait until I can find one for around 4500-6500 they do once in a while come up for sale. I really want a M7 - I know its has its quirks but I love the M7. Patience is virtue. I mostly conceder this ridiculously priced M7 because its my 50th B-day in two weeks and I deserve one, I think....