Janjan Posted March 20, 2022 Share #1 Posted March 20, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello, I read a lot of reviews, someone mentioned how black paint is durable someone how quickly gets scratched. So, these reports are a little bit confusing especially if I would order black because it looks awesome, stealthy, and save some weight. Win-win in my eyes. But I want this camera for a long time as same as I have MP I know, it is not comparable (almost mechanical camera versus electronic device), but still, I have to sell my kidney (almost) for M11, so I want to hold it as long as possible. Thank you to all of you who spend some time to sharing your thoughts and experiences. ✌️ 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 20, 2022 Posted March 20, 2022 Hi Janjan, Take a look here M11 Black Paint: Can someone share experience?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Photoworks Posted March 20, 2022 Share #2 Posted March 20, 2022 I have been using the camera for 2 months, take it everywhere on my shoulder.. no starches to mark of any kind. It suppose to have the same finish as the green reporter. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tailwagger Posted March 20, 2022 Share #3 Posted March 20, 2022 No issues whatsoever. I actually have come to prefer it to the standard black finish on previous Ms. It has some texture to it which adds grip. My impression is that the new finish is likely to be more durable than the previous versions. AFAIK, this issue was only raised for pre-production cameras, perhaps the finish was refined for production models. In any case, as per Photoworks, no scratches or marks of any kind in two months of use. 4 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted March 21, 2022 Share #4 Posted March 21, 2022 No problems so far. Still looks as new. Gordon 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankX Posted March 21, 2022 Share #5 Posted March 21, 2022 Anyone using the Visoflex 2? Do you have any problems with the Visoflex 2 creating marks and/or scratches at the hot shoe** or (even worse) at the top plate of the camera? I really love the lower weight, but I really don't like shiny marks or even silver scratches on a black camera. Therefore, I decided to buy a silver M10 last time... Currently, this is really holding me back buying a black M11. Frank ** I have seen some comments and pictures showing silver hot shoe scratches already after a few uses of the new Visoflex in the M11 Facebook group. On the other hand, many M11 buyers say that there is no problem with the scratch resistance of the new black coating. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B0tt0mline Posted March 21, 2022 Share #6 Posted March 21, 2022 vor 6 Stunden schrieb FrankX: Anyone using the Visoflex 2? Do you have any problems with the Visoflex 2 creating marks and/or scratches at the hot shoe** or (even worse) at the top plate of the camera? I really love the lower weight, but I really don't like shiny marks or even silver scratches on a black camera. Therefore, I decided to buy a silver M10 last time... Currently, this is really holding me back buying a black M11. Frank ** I have seen some comments and pictures showing silver hot shoe scratches already after a few uses of the new Visoflex in the M11 Facebook group. On the other hand, many M11 buyers say that there is no problem with the scratch resistance of the new black coating. No issues at all! Just watch how you put it on/off your M11. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted March 21, 2022 Share #7 Posted March 21, 2022 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) 18 hours ago, Janjan said: Hello, I read a lot of reviews, someone mentioned how black paint is durable someone how quickly gets scratched. So, these reports are a little bit confusing especially if I would order black because it looks awesome, stealthy, and save some weight. Win-win in my eyes. But I want this camera for a long time as same as I have MP I know, it is not comparable (almost mechanical camera versus electronic device), but still, I have to sell my kidney (almost) for M11, so I want to hold it as long as possible. Thank you to all of you who spend some time to sharing your thoughts and experiences. ✌️ My understanding of the new black paint is that there were some pre-production problems but Leica fine tuned the paint composition and it has been resolved. Some have complained that if the black paint rubs against something, it leaves "scratch marks." What others have said is that softer materials will be abraded by the black paint and leave deposits on the black paint the way wood dust will accumulate on sand paper. These are not actually scratches per se and should be easily removed by using a slightly damp cloth. It is interesting that the M11's black paint is the same type of paint as the Q2 Reporter model's green finish, yet there were no complaints about the Q2R's paint that I recall reading (perhaps there were a couple of isolated complaints that I missed). What I have read about the M11's black paint (and the Q2R's green paint) makes me think that Leica has created an extremely durable and attractive finish for their cameras. Edited March 21, 2022 by Herr Barnack 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mon10a Posted March 21, 2022 Share #8 Posted March 21, 2022 After two months of daily use, the black finish on my M11 looks new. FWIW, I very much prefer this finish to the older black chrome of my M10M and M246. It looks “blacker” and feels less slippery. No problems mounting and unmounting the Visoflex either, although I have not used that very much yet. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
derleicaman Posted March 21, 2022 Share #9 Posted March 21, 2022 I actually saw the paint production line in Portugal back in November, although they were very careful to not disclose anything about the M11 at that time. They were extolling the virtues of the new finish, telling us that the old black chrome finish was a thing of the past for environmental reasons. I will have a report on this tour in issue 55-1 of Viewfinder with photos. I had a pre-intro M11 to evaluate before the official introduction to write a bit about the M11, which will be appearing in the next issue of Viewfinder, which will be on press next week. The camera they sent me was the new black finish. After playing with the camera for several days, I noticed it was turning a strange color where my fingers would land in normal use. Never saw this happen with black chrome. I wiped it off with a damp cloth, and all was good again. I realized I had been snacking on Takis (sort of a spicy Cheetoh) while handling the camera and the tackier finish of the M11 had been picking up the residue on my fingers! I don't know if they have changed the composition of the finish for regular production. Moral of the story, watch what you touch before using your black M11! 🙂 4 1 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kreeshp Posted March 21, 2022 Share #10 Posted March 21, 2022 4 hours ago, derleicaman said: They were extolling the virtues of the new finish, telling us that the old black chrome finish was a thing of the past for environmental reasons. One thing I don't understand is that a current production model, the all-mechanical M-A (Typ 127), is still being offered in black chrome. If the environmental concerns are legitimate, why is Leica still producing and selling black chrome bodies? 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarkleshark Posted March 21, 2022 Share #11 Posted March 21, 2022 No issues, scratches or marks. Lighter camera with better grip--don't use thumbs up as grip is improved with subtle texture. Great camera. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted March 23, 2022 Share #12 Posted March 23, 2022 On 3/22/2022 at 9:06 AM, Kreeshp said: One thing I don't understand is that a current production model, the all-mechanical M-A (Typ 127), is still being offered in black chrome. If the environmental concerns are legitimate, why is Leica still producing and selling black chrome bodies? Maybe those body shells were already produced before the decision was made? I really don't know but this would be what I suspect. I'm swapping back and forward between my black M10M and black M11 as well as doing some learning comparisons to my M10 amd M10R, which I intend to sell. Had it not been for this thread I wouldn't even think about the finish. I don't when I change camera. It's just another black M body. The last time I gave it any thought was the day I picked it up in the shop. I think the new finish is a tiny bit more *grippy*. With a Thumbie on each camera I just don't notice a difference that makes me think about it. Now if they make an M11 in the gloss black paint like the M-P or M10R BP on a brass body, I may have a moment...... Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janjan Posted April 11, 2022 Author Share #13 Posted April 11, 2022 Thank you guys with sharing your thoughts and experiences. 👍 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikasmg Posted April 12, 2022 Share #14 Posted April 12, 2022 10 hours ago, Janjan said: Thank you guys with sharing your thoughts and experiences. 👍 Late two cents worth from me. I've been using the M11 almost exclusively since I got it several weeks ago. No problem with the black finish with or without the Visoflex. Wonderful camera and I don't usually bother with the visoflex for lenses between 28mm and 90mm unless some critical focussing is needed at close distances and wider apertures. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hmzimelka Posted April 15, 2022 Share #15 Posted April 15, 2022 (edited) I initially ordered a Silver M11, but due to an issue I had to get it replaced and the only available cameras were black, so now I'm using a black M11 Firstly, only the top plate of the Silver M11 is brass. The paint texture and colour feels (to me) a little different on each of the three surfaces; Namely the top plate, bottom plate and the battery cover. This bugged me quite a bit. The silver top plate also gets stained quite easily from moisture, fingerprint oils, dirt, etc. It gets a little darker and I was perpetually wiping the surface down. The black has a much more uniform look across these three surfaces. The black finish is rougher than expected, but it seems very hard. I've come to like it now, but at first I was a bit skeptical. It's less prone to stains or marks compared to the Silver, at least how I use the camera. Moisture rubs right off and doesn't need as much effort to get clean as the silver. The black paint's roughness does act a little like sandpaper in that some things rub off and leave a deposit of material behind. This may sometimes look like a scuff or scratch mark on the paint but it's wiped off and the paint is clean and clear. I'm expecting this paint to be very hard wearing. My M10 Monochrom had shown scratches and rubbing marks at the edges already within the first month of use. Nothing on my black M11. Edited April 15, 2022 by hmzimelka 2 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoarFM Posted April 15, 2022 Share #16 Posted April 15, 2022 I have the black version. I was initially worried that the visoflex would scratch it on the way on or off. That absolutely has not happened. There are what seem to be synthetic nubs on the bottom of the Visoflex where it would come into contact with the top plate. The nubs themselves do not mark the top plate but I am a little bit cautious and concerned about what happens if a bit of dust, dirt, or other foreign object would get lodged between the nubs and the top plate when attaching or removing…but I suspect the silver top plate comes with the same risk. A scratch is a scratch whether it is on the silver or black top plate. And we are going to scratch these things someday, just hopefully not today. As for the finish, I very much like the look and feel of it, and the reduced weight is noticeable and much appreciated. I added the Leica handgrip (highly recommended, can’t believe how much I like it!) and the total weight of the M11 still comes in under the weight of an M10-R without a handgrip. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebaileyhayden Posted April 30, 2022 Share #17 Posted April 30, 2022 I have my M11 under a month and already have this mark. No idea what it’s from 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! 1 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/330879-m11-black-paint-can-someone-share-experience/?do=findComment&comment=4426976'>More sharing options...
archiea Posted April 30, 2022 Share #18 Posted April 30, 2022 On 3/20/2022 at 12:45 PM, Janjan said: Hello, I read a lot of reviews, someone mentioned how black paint is durable someone how quickly gets scratched. So, these reports are a little bit confusing especially if I would order black because it looks awesome, stealthy, and save some weight. Win-win in my eyes. But I want this camera for a long time as same as I have MP I know, it is not comparable (almost mechanical camera versus electronic device), but still, I have to sell my kidney (almost) for M11, so I want to hold it as long as possible. Thank you to all of you who spend some time to sharing your thoughts and experiences. ✌️ digital cameras will experience digital rot long before any physical rot kicks in... heck getting a good patina on a digital leica takes, like, the third owner of the camera! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdmesa Posted May 1, 2022 Share #19 Posted May 1, 2022 9 hours ago, thebaileyhayden said: I have my M11 under a month and already have this mark. No idea what it’s from Did you try wiping it with a damp microfiber cloth and a decent amount of pressure? Unbeknownst-to-us scuffs and gouges happen: carrying on shoulder strap and it's constantly rubbing against a rivet on denim jeans, gets scuffed by something loose in the camera bag, someone other than us got to it, etc. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyknob Posted May 2, 2022 Share #20 Posted May 2, 2022 M11 hot shoe paint definitely wearing off after putting on / taking off the EVF just a few times. Anyone else? 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! 1 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/330879-m11-black-paint-can-someone-share-experience/?do=findComment&comment=4427794'>More sharing options...
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