Is the end of black chrome on brass M lenses, too?

[hdmesa]

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With the M11 moving away from black chrome for reportedly environmental reasons, I wonder if we will ever see another new black chrome brass lens like the current 50 Lux BC.

[Winedemonium]

Indeed, good question. Also, does it mean the end of this finish with the M10 Monochrom and M-A? Perhaps with the M10-M the finish lasts until the M11 Monochrom is launched. But the M-A is less likely to be replaced anytime soon, so do they switch the bc M-A to this new black M11 finish? And offer it in aluminium alloy? Hmmm...

[pippy]

I, too, agree that it is a good question and what does this mean as far as possible future Black-Paint versions are concerned?

In fact has anyone been told specifically how the black-chroming process isn't environmentally friendly yet the silver-chroming process (we are to assume) is fine? Surely all the brainboxes at Leica / Anywhere Else could have sourced / advised some sort of non-toxic material which can give a durable 'deep black' finish ('lighter' black is called Grey!) yet still be 'Green' (no pun intended).

By all accounts the current black finish has been likened to the surface-texture of a fine-grade sandpaper. This might be ok for a body which may possibly benefit from affording a surefast grip but it's not really so important where lenses are concerned.

Philip.

Edited January 14, 2022 by pippy

[Gobert]

Next time I buy silver-chrome in stead of the usual black chromes.

[pippy]

2 minutes ago, Gobert said:

Next time I buy silver-chrome in stead of the usual black chromes.

Next time you might not have a choice!

Philip.

[hdmesa]

Hopefully it means we get more black paint (gloss, wears off) bodies and lenses to replace what would have been black chrome. Seeing the current 50 Lux BC switch immediately to 50 Lux BP would be amazing, although it's rumored the current 50 Lux is soon being replaced by one with a shorter MFD.

Something must be specific to the process for BC that is more toxic compared to SC, so SC remains.

I think black anodized on aluminum and black paint on brass will be the future for the black lenses.

[hdmesa]

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Something else to consider is the current rougher anti-scratch paint used on the M10 Reporter, Q2 Reporter, and now presumably the M11 but in black – it has a very different feel when applied to brass (M10) than it does to aluminum (Q2 and M11). The same green anti-scratch paint on the brass M10 Reporter felt considerably more premium that it does on my Q2 Reporter. So I think this new paint – if applied to a brass lens – would not be so bad.

[hdmesa]

^ Which brings up another point: Leica could have made the black M11 with a brass top and still used the same anti-scratch paint, perhaps to better results and a more premium feel. The decision to use aluminum at that point was strictly to have something "new" that was lighter.

[Guest]

Maybe the "environmental story" is just a  story made up to to head off complaints?

Not saying that is the case but it would be nice to find out the detail of the said issue.

 

[caloosajo]

11 hours ago, pippy said:

I, too, agree that it is a good question and what does this mean as far as possible future Black-Paint versions are concerned?

In fact has anyone been told specifically how the black-chroming process isn't environmentally friendly yet the silver-chroming process (we are to assume) is fine? Surely all the brainboxes at Leica / Anywhere Else could have sourced / advised some sort of non-toxic material which can give a durable 'deep black' finish ('lighter' black is called Grey!) yet still be 'Green' (no pun intended).

By all accounts the current black finish has been likened to the surface-texture of a fine-grade sandpaper. This might be ok for a body which may possibly benefit from affording a surefast grip but it's not really so important where lenses are concerned.

Philip.

I too am curious about this “environmentally friendly” finish. Maybe environmentally friendly for Leica as a company, meaning this finish will continue to be seen in future models across M/Q/?SL lines.

And maybe to tie the black M11 top/finish into the narrative of this rumored M6 reissue?..(I think that would be awesome btw)

[kivis]

Hey, enjoy your Black Chrome body or lens while you can. The good news Leica products last forever, at least my Black Chrome M-A will.

[derleicaman]

I was in the Portugal factory last November and saw the paint line where the new finish is applied. At the time, they were a little coy in explaining it being applied to the M as opposed to Black Chrome. The others in my party did not have NDA's, so mention of the M11 being associated with the new process was never stated. They were also not clear as to why black chrome was not good environmentally vs. silver chrome. We do know that the new finish is the same process as applied to the Reporter models.

I did a write up on the Portugal Factory Tour with pictures and it will be in the next LHSA Viewfinder. I will also be going back to the Portugal factory and Wetzlar with another group this Fall. Let me know if you are interested in coming along!