Iansky Posted August 6, 2009 Share #1 Posted August 6, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well I have had my M8.2 since May this year, I always treat it carefully and do not abuse it. I am dissapointed that already I am seeing marks on the top plate - wear marks from carrying it under a jacket when doing street work - I have also noticed after being away that the top plate back edge is now showing the underlying brass in about an inch long segment. I use the M8.2 in the same way that I have used all my previous M's (M4-2 / M4P / M6 x2 and finally M6TTL) none of these ever showed wear marks other than around the strap lugs after excessive use. Needless to say I am dissapointed to see this camera already showing this amount of wear especially when it is treated well. Don't misunderstand my moans - I am a user not a poser/collector and the camera works hard but the paint is obviously not up to previous standards. I am sure Leica have read this many times as have all forum members but on a camera costing around 4K it should not happen and Leica needs to address the issue sooner rather than later. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 6, 2009 Posted August 6, 2009 Hi Iansky, Take a look here Black M8.2 paint - marks. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
john_newell Posted August 6, 2009 Share #2 Posted August 6, 2009 Respectfully, I think the comparison to the other M bodies, which are chromed rather than painted (I assume that's the case?) is apples and oranges. Most people who buy black paint cameras and lenses either put them in a cupboard so they stay pristine or use them with the expectation that they will quickly develop "patina," which is a euphemism for showing wear, and bare brass, quite quickly. The paint wears fairly rapidly even when carefully handled - it's sort of unavoidable. Whether Leica should be selling a black paint camera without also offering black chrome is an entirely different question, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted August 6, 2009 Share #3 Posted August 6, 2009 Well I have had my M8.2 since May this year, I always treat it carefully and do not abuse it. I am dissapointed that already I am seeing marks on the top plate - wear marks from carrying it under a jacket when doing street work - I have also noticed after being away that the top plate back edge is now showing the underlying brass in about an inch long segment. Hmm - my black M8 is becoming gradually silver from handling . . . I guess it's not good for it's secondhand value, but I rather like it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 6, 2009 Share #4 Posted August 6, 2009 I'm one of those who does not subscribe to the view that a camera which looks like it's been to hell and back is somehow more authentic or gives its owner more credibility. Come re-sale time, you pay. I think the paint-only finish of the black M8.2 was a mistake but it has to be said the black chrome on the M8 isn't great either, it wears to a sort of dark green along edges and corners. Silver chrome wears much better. The industrial finish on the Nikon D3 (for example) might not appeal to everyone but my experience is that it is incredibly hard wearing, so why can't Leica find something similar? So I agree, the black paint "adventure" was a mistake and Leica could and should do better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolo Posted August 6, 2009 Share #5 Posted August 6, 2009 It's not a fault, it's a characteristic of black paint M's. Happens on the MP and is well documented. From observations it affects it's economic value negatively and yet positively in terms of emotional value (or whatever it's called) to many owners. Personally, I'd rather have black paint to black chrome because of the wear and it has zero to do with what other people think of me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted August 6, 2009 Share #6 Posted August 6, 2009 I'm glad that I chose a silver chrome M8. Plus, I think that 'M's look better in chrome anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterP Posted August 6, 2009 Share #7 Posted August 6, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Leica did address the issue, by giving in to the camera-fondler brigade! The M8 has pretty tough satin-black chrome plating but the M8-2 finish was changed to black paint, presumably because Leica decided that a significant proportion of its customer base preferred a less practical paint finish that "brasses", so owners can pretend they're photojournalists! (Sorry - I hate this sort of design: good design, quality materials, yes - but not when it compromises function! Ridiculous idea - "upgrading" to an inferior protective coating on a tool!) I much prefer the Black Chrome finish, have it on both of my M7's and on my M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_newell Posted August 6, 2009 Share #8 Posted August 6, 2009 I'm glad that I chose a silver chrome M8. Plus, I think that 'M's look better in chrome anyway. Ha. I gave in to my son's prodding on the silver chrome just 'cuz...just 'cuz he's my son. And just 'cuz he has an M5 in silver chrome that somehow seems like a soulmate to the M8 (both are much hated by alleged purists). I had a hard time finding one, though. I will say that I haven't had a new Leica M in silver chrome on brass since I bought a new M4-P back around 1984. It looks so much better than the silver chrome on multi-plated zinc! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker Posted August 6, 2009 Share #9 Posted August 6, 2009 The M8.2 is Black Paint so it will brass. Mine is doing so at about the same rate as my Black Paint MP has. Its a feature - enjoy it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noah_addis Posted August 6, 2009 Share #10 Posted August 6, 2009 I don't have any of the cameras around anymore but believe me the Nikon (and Canon) pro cameras shot a ton of wear when used hard. Basically the black wears away to the metal underneath, which is not pretty but as my cameras were working tools (and owned by the paper I worked for) I didn't care how they looked. My black chrome M8 bodies (and my M6 ttl ones too) show quite a bit of wear on the edges. Again, I don't care too much, I kind of like my cameras to look well-worn and somewhat less shiny and expensive. This is especially true with the M6 bodies, since I plan to keep them forever. The only reason I'd prefer to keep the M8 bodies a little more new-looking is because I might want to sell them at some point to trade for a more up-to-date model. But I use them and they're going to get worn, and I don't lose sleep over it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted August 6, 2009 Share #11 Posted August 6, 2009 It may be that the thickness of the paint on the edges is lower than elsewhere. Coupled with the fact that the edges are the most exposed part it results in a rather rapid wearing through. Personally I would not mind it and I dont worry about resale value. Perhaps if it is really bugging you you could get Leica to change it free of charge under warranty or the sale of goods act. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 6, 2009 Share #12 Posted August 6, 2009 I know exactly how you feel - I was shocked to find some wear showing on rear edges of my R3 whilst using it last weekend. I've treated it very carefully, usually keep it in it's ERC and have only had it for 20 odd years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_newell Posted August 7, 2009 Share #13 Posted August 7, 2009 FWIW (not much), the black chrome on zinc cameras (mostly M6 classic) are pretty ugly when the black wears. They just get gray. Black chrome on brass isn't a whole lot better. If you can stomach it, black paint on brass is probably the least unattractive...but it shows up faster... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted August 7, 2009 Share #14 Posted August 7, 2009 Hi Mark. I think that Leica went to black paint on the M8.2 instead of the black chrome of the M8 because a vocal part of the market asked for it. A very Leica thing. That is an aesthetic choice of course, rather than strictly practical which I think you are describing. It seems like second hand buyers want pristine finishes, or black paint completely trashed by combat journalism or something. I actually saw a black paint MP here that was bought new and then the owner 'improved' the finish with sandpaper all over, including the viewfinder window! He should have been spanked and his Leicas confiscated. I'm one of those who does not subscribe to the view that a camera which looks like it's been to hell and back is somehow more authentic or gives its owner more credibility. Come re-sale time, you pay. I think the paint-only finish of the black M8.2 was a mistake but it has to be said the black chrome on the M8 isn't great either, it wears to a sort of dark green along edges and corners. Silver chrome wears much better. The industrial finish on the Nikon D3 (for example) might not appeal to everyone but my experience is that it is incredibly hard wearing, so why can't Leica find something similar? So I agree, the black paint "adventure" was a mistake and Leica could and should do better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsh Posted August 7, 2009 Share #15 Posted August 7, 2009 What's more important, the condition of the camera or the photos you take? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted August 7, 2009 Share #16 Posted August 7, 2009 This is how black paint is supposed to age: http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00A/00AHhY-20694284.jpg (one of rock photographers Jim Marshall's M4s) or (just to show it's not a Leica thing): http://www.cyberbilly.com/meathenge/images/jan06/NikonF-thumb.jpeg or http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00S/00S5OE-104835784.jpg clean camera = empty portfolio Personally, I prefer the gunmetal look of aging black chrome (and yes, it wears too). My M8 is wearing silver-gray though - not green (!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 7, 2009 Share #17 Posted August 7, 2009 Err, yes, stirke the green comment, silver gray it is, black it isn't. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted August 7, 2009 Share #18 Posted August 7, 2009 "Stirke the green" - any relation to "Stone the crows"? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 7, 2009 Share #19 Posted August 7, 2009 First cousins, actually Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted August 7, 2009 Share #20 Posted August 7, 2009 We can make that the rallying cry whenever a newbie discovers the effects of bright light on the edge of an M8 sensor. "Well, STIRKE THE GREEN!" I suspect Leica designed the M8.2 black paint to wear faster than the 60's finishes - after all, digital cameras only have 5 years to develop the right patina, compared to decades for the film versions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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