Does the M11/P/M/D Black Top Plate scratch?

[petereprice]

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Was curious for those that own any of the M11 variants.  Does your M11 series endure scratches on the Aluminum Top Plate black paint?  I keep reading about the paint being “scratch resistant” but mine seems to have endured a scratch from my camera strap in week 2 of owning an M11 body and was just curious if your M11 experiences normal wear and tear despite the description in Leica’s marketing material.

[colint544]

A little brass is showing on some edges of the ISO dial, and shutter release collar of my black M11, but there is zero paint loss on the top and bottom plates. The finish has gone shiny above the lugs, where the strap rubs, but otherwise it seems extremely durable.

[chris7273]

1 hour ago, colint544 said:

A little brass is showing on some edges of the ISO dial, and shutter release collar of my black M11, but there is zero paint loss on the top and bottom plates. The finish has gone shiny above the lugs, where the strap rubs, but otherwise it seems extremely durable.

So, There is at least some brass on the black M11 🙂

Edited October 20, 2024 by chris7273

[jeri]

I can refer in two words to the sensitivity of the black color to scratches, during the two and a half years that I have been using my camera almost daily. No scratches!
In other words, either I take good care of my camera (I did manage to break an elbow, and then the bag with the Leica M11 in it stopped my body from doing more serious damage to myself. Of course, it's important to note that nothing happened to the camera), or the build quality of the Leica M11 corresponds with what made Leica cameras the legend they are.
Although I'm not trying to compare the Leica M11 to my Canon 1DX, which has about half a million clicks on it, and its original color texture has long worn off. But from my experience in these two years with the M11, apparently the new painting technique used by Leica excels in good durability.

[jonoslack]

15 hours ago, petereprice said:

Was curious for those that own any of the M11 variants.  Does your M11 series endure scratches on the Aluminum Top Plate black paint?  I keep reading about the paint being “scratch resistant” but mine seems to have endured a scratch from my camera strap in week 2 of owning an M11 body and was just curious if your M11 experiences normal wear and tear despite the description in Leica’s marketing material.

I've had mine for a while now (since it was released) I did once drop it from 6 ft onto a tarmac hill (it rolled down the hill) one corner was scuffed - and brass on the ISO dial,  but beyond that the paint is intact and unscratched - although it is a bit shinier in some places. 

I love it!