kirkmc Posted June 20, 2023 Share #1 Posted June 20, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) The brass accessories look really gaudy. This said, the thumb grip looks practical, providing access to the two function buttons. I’ll probably buy one for my Q3, but not in brass. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 20, 2023 Posted June 20, 2023 Hi kirkmc, Take a look here Brass. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
LeicaQ3 Posted June 21, 2023 Share #2 Posted June 21, 2023 The black thumb grip is awfully nice. 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! 6 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/378573-brass/?do=findComment&comment=4798067'>More sharing options...
kirkmc Posted June 21, 2023 Author Share #3 Posted June 21, 2023 It is definitely well designed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobsFirstLeica Posted June 22, 2023 Share #4 Posted June 22, 2023 On 6/20/2023 at 4:11 PM, kirkmc said: The brass accessories look really gaudy. This said, the thumb grip looks practical, providing access to the two function buttons. I’ll probably buy one for my Q3, but not in brass. Oh, I don't know. 😁 I had a black thumb grip on my Q2 ever since I owned it. After getting the Q3 I realized I definitely needed the thumb grip for the feeling of stability. When I saw the choices on the web weeks ago, I thought to myself....."who would want that color on such a nice camera!" When I went to the store to get a black one for my Q3, just for the heckuvit they let me try the silver and brass ones. To my surprise, seeing it in person made me leave the store with the brass one (and a brass soft release button). Not everyone's "cup if tea." The only concern is.... it may draw more attention to potential thieves. So, a black one may be in my future for some overseas trips. I posted an image of the Q3 all decked out in the image thread . The link is below. Bob https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/377154-leica-q3-images-post-them-here/?do=findComment&comment=4798723 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirkmc Posted June 22, 2023 Author Share #5 Posted June 22, 2023 Maybe the brass will darken over time and look less bright. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran D Posted August 3, 2023 Share #6 Posted August 3, 2023 I bought the brass version and hope it darkens but not counting on it. It will be a plus if It does. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FusionX.Photo Posted August 3, 2023 Share #7 Posted August 3, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) The brass looks awful in pictures on the web, having seen it in person it's far nicer than pictures suggest, a much lighter shade than most photos i've seen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cogito Posted August 4, 2023 Share #8 Posted August 4, 2023 (edited) Two questions: 1) Has anyone tried adding a patina to their brass thumb grip? https://www.wikihow.com/Patina-Brass 2) Is the black thumb grip brass underneath? (I think I saw a photo of some brassing on a Q thumb grip.) Edited August 4, 2023 by Cogito corrected autocorrect which turned brassing into grassing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1945 Mouton Posted August 4, 2023 Share #9 Posted August 4, 2023 (edited) 11 minutes ago, Cogito said: Two questions: 1) Has anyone tried adding a patina to their brass thumb grip? https://www.wikihow.com/Patina-Brass 2) Is the black thumb grip brass underneath? (I think I saw a photo of some brassing on a Q thumb grip.) Both the black and the silver thumb supports are made from anodized aluminum. Anodized aluminum is much less susceptible to corrosion. They'll probably stay the same for much of their lifetime. A lot of the "brassing" on Leica cameras and accessories in the past were from paint loss due to normal use. Edited August 4, 2023 by 1945 Mouton Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1945 Mouton Posted August 4, 2023 Share #10 Posted August 4, 2023 3 minutes ago, 1945 Mouton said: Both the black and the silver thumb supports are made from anodized aluminum. Anodized aluminum is much less susceptible to corrosion. They'll probably stay the same for much of their lifetime. A lot of the "brassing" on Leica cameras and accessories in the past were from paint loss due to normal use. P.S. The brass thumb support is made from blasted brass. The polished surface is from blasting it with tiny beads of a number of possible material, including aluminum oxide. That said, the blasted brass surface will develop a patina over time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StyxTravel Posted October 18 Share #11 Posted October 18 Sorry to bump an old thread, but it’s relevant to my question. Have any original owners of the Q3 with the brass thumb grip got any photos of the grip after a year or more of use? I was sorely tempted in the store when I picked up my Q3 28mm last week, but it looked very bright. i just wondered if the brass grip developed a darker patina through use? Grateful for any thoughts. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cogito Posted October 18 Share #12 Posted October 18 (edited) 6 hours ago, StyxTravel said: Sorry to bump an old thread, but it’s relevant to my question. Have any original owners of the Q3 with the brass thumb grip got any photos of the grip after a year or more of use? I was sorely tempted in the store when I picked up my Q3 28mm last week, but it looked very bright. i just wondered if the brass grip developed a darker patina through use? Grateful for any thoughts. Thanks The brass thumb grip (and other accessories) seem to be coated to inhibit oxidation. If you want a patina you'll have to jump start the process with steel wool or scotch-bright to clear coating. I then used Brass Black and now a few weeks with my Q343 I'm starting to like the wear patterns. 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! Edited October 18 by Cogito 4 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/378573-brass/?do=findComment&comment=5660966'>More sharing options...
StyxTravel Posted October 18 Share #13 Posted October 18 @Cogito- thank you, that’s exactly the look I’m after. Taking steel wool to a brand new £210+ accessory is going to be an experience, but I don’t want the very bright brass look. Yours looks perfect to me. thx again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orguy Posted October 18 Share #14 Posted October 18 2 hours ago, Cogito said: The brass thumb grip (and other accessories) seem to be coated to inhibit oxidation. If you want a patina you'll have to jump start the process with steel wool or scotch-bright to clear coating. I then used Brass Black and now a few weeks with my Q343 I'm starting to like the wear patterns. 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! This applies to the round brass lens hood as well as this thumb grip: aren’t the brass accessories heavier than the aluminums ones? Anyone measured?Every increase in size and weight is something I want to minimize. (having come from lugging a DSLR + kit). Also, is the brass lens hood able to “patina-treated” in this way also? I would imagine so. Anyone have pictures? This is a common practice for brass watch lovers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul.S Posted October 18 Share #15 Posted October 18 Go to page 5 of the q3 43 picture thread, there's a example of the hood patina. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cogito Posted October 18 Share #16 Posted October 18 2 hours ago, Orguy said: This applies to the round brass lens hood as well as this thumb grip: aren’t the brass accessories heavier than the aluminums ones? Anyone measured?Every increase in size and weight is something I want to minimize. (having come from lugging a DSLR + kit). Also, is the brass lens hood able to “patina-treated” in this way also? I would imagine so. Anyone have pictures? This is a common practice for brass watch lovers. The brass accessories are indeed heavier than the aluminum ones, you can really tell difference in weight of lens cap (Leica store had one on display.) I would have purchased one already and added patina, but they aren't in stock. I bought a soft shutter release from Squarehood, would have preferred one 1mm larger, but I like the feel of this one, so will probably keep. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cogito Posted October 18 Share #17 Posted October 18 (edited) 3 hours ago, StyxTravel said: @Cogito- thank you, that’s exactly the look I’m after. Taking steel wool to a brand new £210+ accessory is going to be an experience, but I don’t want the very bright brass look. Yours looks perfect to me. thx again Thx. Steel wool (or scotch bright) is the easy part. Keeping the acid off the rubber underside and plastic buttons is the tricky bit I'm not sure what acid would do to them (bottle is plastic,) but like you say, an expensive accessory to ruin. I used Birchwood Casey Brass Black metal finish, another poster here (Npod) used Birchwood Casey Super Blue, gives a more copper look. Edited October 18 by Cogito 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vhsin964 Posted October 19 Share #18 Posted October 19 11 hours ago, Cogito said: Thx. Steel wool (or scotch bright) is the easy part. Keeping the acid off the rubber underside and plastic buttons is the tricky bit I'm not sure what acid would do to them (bottle is plastic,) but like you say, an expensive accessory to ruin. I used Birchwood Casey Brass Black metal finish, another poster here (Npod) used Birchwood Casey Super Blue, gives a more copper look. The surface of brass accesories is very strong to inhibit oxidization. It is necessary to remove surface coat for patina. In my experience, acid (vinegar+salt, vinegar+hydrogen peroxide) does not ruin the rubber underside and plastic buttons of thumb support. Mine are treated by boiled eggs for sulfurization, but not finished yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cogito Posted October 23 Share #19 Posted October 23 Leica store in Los Angeles finally received shipment of brass lens caps. Forgot how tight fitment is when new, I'm sure it'll loosen up again after using camera a couple thousand more times. 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! 4 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/378573-brass/?do=findComment&comment=5671569'>More sharing options...
MCINFANTRY Posted October 26 Share #20 Posted October 26 IDS fold out 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! 2 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/378573-brass/?do=findComment&comment=5675015'>More sharing options...
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