A list of all BLACK PAINT M cameras - analog and digital

[willeica]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

12 hours ago, pippy said:

Discussing the colour of dots, William?

How very different is that, to onlookers, from discussing Mushroom / Dimple / Black-paint-with-nickel / Black-paint-with-chrome / Bright-chrome / Satin-chrome / 'War-Time-Grey' / Vulcanite / Shark-skin / Black-blind / Red-blind / Black-scale / Red-scale / 'Stepper' / 'Non-Stepper' / Regular or 'K'? / Nr. or No. / DRP or DBP?........the list is never-ending. Red-dot or Black dot? Just part of 'The Story So Far'...

We are a funny lot and no mistake!

Philip.

Philip

I would always distinguish between collecting cameras from the past with interesting features and 'tarting up' a camera. Owners are entitled to do what they want with their possessions but when the discussion turns to what colour the dot should be or the type of bag that might carry of camera or the look of a strap then we are leaving collecting for a different concept which is closer to fashion and jewellery, or perhaps even art.

Speaking of art I have just bought a work by the sculptor/artist that I gave your Schneider lenses to in order to photograph her work. Her recent exhibition consisted of photos of landscape and her own sculptures side by side. In many cases it was difficult to tell the difference between what was from nature and what was from her own work. What I bought was a photograph of one of her own sculptures, but it could pass for nature. I am just about to tell her about Frederick Scott Archer, the sculptor who changed the face of photography with his wet plate collodion process. She has also written a short piece which describes a hike across one of her own works as though it were a mountain range. I will send that to you as well.

Apologies to all the confused black paint and coloured dot fans out there, but Philip had some lenses which he did not want and I said I would find someone who would put them to good use. Philip kindly sent me the lenses and I then donated them to a local photography centre/darkroom which encourages artists to work in mixed media. That is what photography is all about. And, yes, we photographers/collectors are a funny lot. I have just bought a lot of 4 pre-war FED lenses which I know you will like, Philip, with your interest in FSU items. I will email you a photo of them when they arrive. 

William 

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[pippy]

26 minutes ago, willeica said:

...I would always distinguish between collecting cameras from the past with interesting features and 'tarting up' a camera. Owners are entitled to do what they want with their possessions but when the discussion turns to what colour the dot should be...

Thank you for the reply, William, and I'm delighted to read that the lenses are being used; after all that was why they were made and my L/F days are now behind me.

Very interesting to read about the exhibition - and your artistic acquisition - and I'll look forward to seeing the photo's of your early FED optics!

Just a little bit in closing re; dot-colour, though (Aaaghh!!!!); the important point here - as mentioned by Bill in post #20 - was that, for the first time in Leica's history, the M8.2 was originally fitted with a Black Dot instead of the traditional Red so this detail is actually more about the Historical Interest / original spec. of this model rather than them just being tarted-up by their owners. As it happens I had an M8.2 myself and I did like the look of the black dot; much more discreet! Unfortunately when it was back in Wetzlar for a CLA a few years ago someone there lost it...

Best wishes!

Philip.

[willeica]

5 hours ago, pippy said:

Thank you for the reply, William, and I'm delighted to read that the lenses are being used; after all that was why they were made and my L/F days are now behind me.

Very interesting to read about the exhibition - and your artistic acquisition - and I'll look forward to seeing the photo's of your early FED optics!

Just a little bit in closing re; dot-colour, though (Aaaghh!!!!); the important point here - as mentioned by Bill in post #20 - was that, for the first time in Leica's history, the M8.2 was originally fitted with a Black Dot instead of the traditional Red so this detail is actually more about the Historical Interest / original spec. of this model rather than them just being tarted-up by their owners. As it happens I had an M8.2 myself and I did like the look of the black dot; much more discreet! Unfortunately when it was back in Wetzlar for a CLA a few years ago someone there lost it...

Best wishes!

Philip.

Philip

I have already taken a photo on my M10 with my newly arrived 1930s FED Macro lens (a very rare item) and while the lens is a bit misty it works splendidly and is very sharp. The mist will disappear in Lightroom, of course. What is remarkable about this one is that it works just like a Micro-Nikkor, but was made 30 years earlier. I'm using the rear screen to focus, of course. I will find a place to post pictures of the lens and the photos on this Forum. The early FED lenses are made from brass and are very solid. PT 5620 off this list http://www.sovietcams.com/index4971.html?tmpl_into=middle&tmpl_id=558&_m_e_id=5&_menu_i_id=534. Also here http://ussrphoto.com/wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=87&ParentID=2&ContentID=457&Item=FED+macro+Industar+10  . Leica had nothing like this back then, but went other routes to get close ups. 

As for the colour of 'Leica Dots' I wish that I could get interested, but I can't. As you know, the vast majority of my Leicas are 'pre dot'. I do like the position of the red dot on the ' chest ' of my M4-P for some reason I cannot explain. My memory may be playing tricks, but are there examples of the M4-2 with red dots on their 'chests'? That would be a collector's point, of course.

William

 

[pippy]

1 hour ago, willeica said:

Philip

I have already taken a photo on my M10 with my newly arrived 1930s FED Macro lens (a very rare item) and while the lens is a bit misty it works splendidly and is very sharp. The mist will disappear in Lightroom, of course. What is remarkable about this one is that it works just like a Micro-Nikkor, but was made 30 years earlier. I'm using the rear screen to focus, of course. I will find a place to post pictures of the lens and the photos on this Forum. The early FED lenses are made from brass and are very solid. PT 5620 off this list http://www.sovietcams.com/index4971.html?tmpl_into=middle&tmpl_id=558&_m_e_id=5&_menu_i_id=534. Also here http://ussrphoto.com/wiki/default.asp?WikiCatID=87&ParentID=2&ContentID=457&Item=FED+macro+Industar+10  . Leica had nothing like this back then, but went other routes to get close ups. 

As for the colour of 'Leica Dots' I wish that I could get interested, but I can't. As you know, the vast majority of my Leicas are 'pre dot'. I do like the position of the red dot on the ' chest ' of my M4-P for some reason I cannot explain. My memory may be playing tricks, but are there examples of the M4-2 with red dots on their 'chests'? That would be a collector's point, of course.

William

Thank you for the update and the correct link to the lens in the Sovietcams site. Fascinating thing! Congratulations on the 'find'.

Dots? No; your memory is fine. IIRC the M4-2 received the dot not long before the model was superceded by the M4-P in 1980. One weird thing is that although I have owned 5 digital M cameras the only one which had a red dot was the M9 which, to make amends for having lost my M8.2, Leica sent as a replacement - and which I traded in - unused - against my Monochrom so I've never used a Leica with red-dot even although they have been badged as such for some 40+ years!

Philip.

Edited October 18, 2021 by pippy

[Al Brown]

Another awesome rarity - The Leica M3J in black paint (Model number 10 330). Limited edition 200 pieces. Made for the opening of Leica Ginza in Tokyo in 2006, it has been said by the experts that this is in fact a Leica MP with M3 top plate in black paint and the battery cover M6 style for the meter. Very very rare.

[sebben]

Does this camera exist? 😳

M10-D Black Paint  2018

[luigi bertolotti]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

On 10/19/2021 at 7:43 AM, Al Brown said:

Another awesome rarity - The Leica M3J in black paint (Model number 10 330). Limited edition 200 pieces. Made for the opening of Leica Ginza in Tokyo in 2006, it has been said by the experts that this is in fact a Leica MP with M3 top plate in black paint and the battery cover M6 style for the meter. Very very rare.

This one, it looks : https://f22cameras.com/en/leica-m3j-black-paint ... thanks , I didn't know of it.

[sebben]

On 7/31/2021 at 12:08 PM, JohnW. said:

Plus -

M10-D Black Paint  2018

 

 

Can you send links for this camera? I don’t see links for these anywhere. 

[Al Brown]

On 1/29/2022 at 3:52 PM, sebben said:

Can you send links for this camera? I don’t see links for these anywhere. 

Probably the poster's typo or confusion with black painted chrome (many times referred as "black paint" online).

[sebben]

1 hour ago, Al Brown said:

Probably the poster's typo or confusion with black painted chrome (many times referred as "black paint" online).

That’s what I thought. They really should have released it as black paint from the start. The aging of the black chrome is not great 

[Kirky]

Leica MD-2 black paint.

Edited September 1, 2024 by Kirky

[TheGodParticle/Hari]

Leica M3D 

[Anthony MD]

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!