Shueido Repaint Impressions

[LuckySquirrel]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

On 2/8/2023 at 10:21 PM, dpitt said:

Indeed. Just press and turn. It does not have any other function than reminding you of the ISO. I stick a tape on the button plate with the type of film now, so I remember what is loaded.

I think I would go for a modern electronic meter to put in the hot shoe.

Collectors like it more because it is rarer and for some has a better look.

The button is sometimes pressed by accident and can get stuck when the mechanism is failing over the years. So Leica improved the design with the lever.

The self timer was left out because the initial M2 was designed as a slimmed down cheaper version of the M3. Simpeler RF mechanism (flares where M3 is still better than the MPs), no slf timer and lower magnification. It was sold 20-30% cheaper as the M3. Same build quality, fewer parts and labor.

Due to the success of 35mm there was demand for more M2's and more features, so they re introduced the self timer and increased the price of the M2.

I have a Keks KM02 on the way but think I may also get a Doomo Meter D Brass version so I can try out both dial and OLED type meters (and price wise it's almost the same cost as getting a Voigtlander).

Also definitely appreciate the history of the M2 vs. M3! At the end of the production run, was the only cheaper bits on the M2 the frame counter, Fresnel-type plastic lens frame line window, and no embossed beveling around windows?

[LuckySquirrel]

4 hours ago, jakontil said:

Congrats and very beautiful! Is it smooth? Winder and shutter? M2 have always been special, and the self timer really useful IMHO!

Thank you! Extremely smooth imho. I think the winder is the biggest difference I can feel from the MP. The MP had a slightly "ratchety" feel on both models (I made sure the rewind lever was fully engaged). Seems buttery smooth on the M2 (but not sure if that would have potentially come with time on the MP or not).

[LuckySquirrel]

On 2/8/2023 at 9:07 PM, mediumformula said:

A few months ago I bought a SS M3 that was repainted by Shueido. I think they did a nice job on it.   I'll try to post some pictures of it tomorrow. 

@mediumformula any pictures to share? 😁

[madNbad]

16 minutes ago, LuckySquirrel said:

Apologies for another simple question, but what does the aperture do in the VF? Is the M4 aperture/VF brighter than the one that was in the M2? I've seen this recommended and am definitely interested. I've also seen the MC finder windows upgrade and would want to do that. For the strap lugs - what is the material that comes on the M2? Is it brass? If so, what is the benefit of going to SS?

That is quite an extensive list, but seems like the end result would be a super clean and unique M2. What color would you want to repaint? Having a second film M body doesn't sound like a bad idea at all 😁.

When Leica introduced the M4 the apeature in the mask behind the eyepiece was made about thirty percent larger making it easier to see the corners of the viewfinder. It's an inexpensive upgrade when the camera is already apart but not worth sending the camera in just for that part.

[LuckySquirrel]

5 minutes ago, madNbad said:

When Leica introduced the M4 the apeature in the mask behind the eyepiece was made about thirty percent larger making it easier to see the corners of the viewfinder. It's an inexpensive upgrade when the camera is already apart but not worth sending the camera in just for that part.

Awesome, thank you for the clarification!

I'm just going to put together a laundry list of all upgrades I'd like to do, and then try to do them all at one time in the future (preferably after I get a BP MP so won't be concerned with any turnaround time lol).

[archive_all]

3 hours ago, LuckySquirrel said:

Apologies for another simple question, but what does the aperture do in the VF? Is the M4 aperture/VF brighter than the one that was in the M2? I've seen this recommended and am definitely interested. I've also seen the MC finder windows upgrade and would want to do that. For the strap lugs - what is the material that comes on the M2? Is it brass? If so, what is the benefit of going to SS?

That is quite an extensive list, but seems like the end result would be a super clean and unique M2. What color would you want to repaint? Having a second film M body doesn't sound like a bad idea at all 😁.

No problem. The aperture is larger but I don't remember how much of an improvement it is, I forget the blockage of the old one since it's been a while. The strap lugs were originally brass, mine were very worn and thin so the stainless upgrade means they're more durable and there's no longer a risk of the lugs wearing through and having the strap come off. I will say comparing my finder to new M film cameras I don't see a difference in brightness or contrast but just the tint where my finder is cooler and modern M's are warm.

I'm not sure on the repaint color. I was thinking a reporter style but I may go with a semi-matte black just to play it safe. That is unless I happen upon a great deal on a mint used MP or something that I can't refuse. 

[dpitt]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

6 hours ago, LuckySquirrel said:

...At the end of the production run, was the only cheaper bits on the M2 the frame counter, Fresnel-type plastic lens frame line window, and no embossed beveling around windows?

No, there were fundmental differences in the RF mechanism, and probably on other parts too. The internal mechanism of the M3 was still the only one where the frame lines were not angled, but perpendicular to the eyes direction of vue. AFAIK the angle is the cause for flaring. All newer rangefinders where based on the M2 principle because it was easier to make. So even if they are improved, they are still flaring more easily than the M3. If you want to read it in detail, look here:

https://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/page10.html

[Huss]

9 hours ago, archive_all said:

.

I'm not sure on the repaint color. I was thinking a reporter style but I may go with a semi-matte black just to play it safe. That is unless I happen upon a great deal on a mint used MP or something that I can't refuse. 

You’ll go through the long wait and expense of a repaint, and then play it safe?!

C’mon!  Make it YOURS!  Show some creativity, make it unique.

[frame-it]

10 minutes ago, Huss said:

Show some creativity, make it unique.

via JCH Cherry Blossom Special Painted M4

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!

 

[TheBestSLIsALeicaflex]

17 hours ago, madNbad said:

When Leica introduced the M4 the apeature in the mask behind the eyepiece was made about thirty percent larger making it easier to see the corners of the viewfinder. It's an inexpensive upgrade when the camera is already apart but not worth sending the camera in just for that part.

I put an M4 mask in one of my M2's and I can't tell the difference between the original and modified.  So much so I would have to look at my repair records to see which one got the mask.  

[archive_all]

10 hours ago, Huss said:

You’ll go through the long wait and expense of a repaint, and then play it safe?!

C’mon!  Make it YOURS!  Show some creativity, make it unique.

Good point! 

[mediumformula]

Here is my Shueido repainted M3.  It is a more matte color than my BP MP.  The third pic is after I put a dark brown natural leather cover on it from Hugo Studios.  The fit of the cover is a little off...., but I much prefer the feel of the camera in hand than with the plastic cover that Shueido put on it. 

 

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!

 

[Huss]

Shueido has some stunning Canon Ps, but then I remembered I used to own one and wrote a review of it.  Re-reading that reminded me why I sold it, and got rid of the temptation (thankfully!) to get another.

They do have a gorgeous dark green with silver Leica M4….  Man that thing is a looker!

[TheBestSLIsALeicaflex]

Nice one!  Having used virtually every film M over the years, the M2 remains my fave.  Ha, ha, still doesn't justify why I have five!!!    I guess one for each hand and foot, and one to balance on my head.  Now go brass it up and fill it with memories.  Still, maybe I need/want/deserve a black one too .... thanks for the temptation.  

Edited February 12, 2023 by TheBestSLIsALeicaflex

[Lawrence Wang]

On 2/12/2023 at 12:50 PM, Huss said:

Shueido has some stunning Canon Ps, but then I remembered I used to own one and wrote a review of it.  Re-reading that reminded me why I sold it, and got rid of the temptation (thankfully!) to get another.

They do have a gorgeous dark green with silver Leica M4….  Man that thing is a looker!

Can you share the review or the reason why you got rid of it in the end? I am thinking sending my M7 to Shueido.

[Huss]

33 minutes ago, Lawrence Wang said:

Can you share the review or the reason why you got rid of it in the end? I am thinking sending my M7 to Shueido.

What I wrote:

I had a Canon P very recently for about 2 weeks. I bought it because I fell in love with its style, and thought it would be great to have a body that could use my LTM lenses natively. I need an LTM-M adapter to use them on my M mount cameras.
But there was a problem. I already had Leicas and they ruined me for the P. This of course is very unfair as my mint condition P w/ perfect wrinkle free shutter curtains cost me $200. A Leica M or Barnack would be at least triple that (for the Barnack) or 5 times that (for the M) to be in the same shape.
Compared to the Leica, the P just did not fit well in my hand. It is heavy but weirdly does not feel as solid as a heavy metal camera should. The angles of the body were not as comfortable as the curves of a Leica. The indistinct RF glob/patch sucks compared to the defined rectangle in an M. Film winding isn’t as smooth. But the worst for me was the film rewinding. That cool lever that folds away does not clear the body enough when in use, so it is very hard for it to not contact the body as you try to rewind the film, scratching it. Maybe I was doing something wrong? But it was happening.
Upside it sold very quickly for the same money. And really, if you don’t have a Leica it is great. If you do, for me there was no reason I’d want to use it over a Leica.

[spydrxx]

I also had a Canon P. I once I had it CLA'd it was a smooth as any Leica in operation. I eventually sold it because my eyesight deteriorated and I found the view/rangefinder more difficult to use than the Leicas. After cataract surgery though I've been tempted to get a repainted one...that remains to be seen.

[Lawrence Wang]

9 hours ago, Huss said:

What I wrote:

I had a Canon P very recently for about 2 weeks. I bought it because I fell in love with its style, and thought it would be great to have a body that could use my LTM lenses natively. I need an LTM-M adapter to use them on my M mount cameras.
But there was a problem. I already had Leicas and they ruined me for the P. This of course is very unfair as my mint condition P w/ perfect wrinkle free shutter curtains cost me $200. A Leica M or Barnack would be at least triple that (for the Barnack) or 5 times that (for the M) to be in the same shape.
Compared to the Leica, the P just did not fit well in my hand. It is heavy but weirdly does not feel as solid as a heavy metal camera should. The angles of the body were not as comfortable as the curves of a Leica. The indistinct RF glob/patch sucks compared to the defined rectangle in an M. Film winding isn’t as smooth. But the worst for me was the film rewinding. That cool lever that folds away does not clear the body enough when in use, so it is very hard for it to not contact the body as you try to rewind the film, scratching it. Maybe I was doing something wrong? But it was happening.
Upside it sold very quickly for the same money. And really, if you don’t have a Leica it is great. If you do, for me there was no reason I’d want to use it over a Leica.

Thank you. Great to know you are selling it because it's a Canon P, not because Shueido's repainting job.

[shirubadanieru]

I've asked them to do a repaint, it's pretty awesome, the best to me : ) 

Kanto in Japan is great too but their used finish seems fake and does not look great. If you go with Kanto, I highly suggest you do not use their 'used finish'. The big downside is that they take 12 to 16 months to get it done....

Shueido used finish is amazing, they can really replicate the original used paint..it's pretty awesome, and you can send them examples of the used finish you want to replicate and they'll do it for you. It also only takes around 3 months to get it done.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Huss]

10 hours ago, Lawrence Wang said:

Thank you. Great to know you are selling it because it's a Canon P, not because Shueido's repainting job.

Sorry if I implied that it had anything to do w Shueido!  It did not.

I think the Canon P is a super LTM camera - I prefer it to the Leica LTMs just because it is more intuitive to use.  But it does not compare to a Leica M. But why would it? It's a fraction of the cost.  I only compared it because I already had Ms.  And as I already had Ms, there was no reason to use the P once the novelty wore off.