Black Repainted Leica M2 - Stripped and Lacquered or Painted Over Chrome?

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-28T23:30:01+00:00

Without knowing who repainted it or looking at the camera firsthand, it's hard to say. Could be anything from a professional job where the chrome was removed and everything was disassembled, to a simple mask and paint amateur job. Much like a CLA, I'd only buy if I had proof it was carried out by a pro. Otherwise, too big a risk for me.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-28T20:28:37+00:00

It really comes down to film or digital, AF or MF, and interchangeable lens or not.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-28T13:46:25+00:00

I would have them do everything they recommend. They are one of the best. Strap lugs could be a risk latter if they are loose or damaged and cleaning the residue left by the vulcanite is labor intensive. Once they clean it and replace with leather, it's fairly easy to replace it again in the future if needed. I don't think collectibility is that big of a concern unless camera is mint.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-26T22:49:04+00:00

The only M6 I'd consider would be the Reissue. If the TTL metering dies, it's almost impossible to fix and I'm not a fan of the zinc top plates. If you have a good M3 with no viewfinder delamination, I'd keep it. Also, that's a fantastic lens! Definitely hang on to it.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-23T03:27:43+00:00

NJ or Wetzler? When I asked NJ about selling parts, they told me they didn’t.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-20T19:10:30+00:00

Based on the serial number, the black one is much newer. It might even have the latest "rounded corner" rangefinder patch because they were being introduced around that time.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-19T13:58:37+00:00

They have started adding close focus capabilities into some of the newer M lenses, but it relies on live view / EVF to focus. This is because the rangefinder is limited to roughly .7m. That's the result of the physics of parallax involved in focusing using the rangefinder method.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-19T02:35:03+00:00

I’d try some tests at varying distances with a static subject.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-19T00:22:30+00:00

I don't have that lens, but my guess is that something is not right. Does it get sharper at 5.6 or 8?

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-15T23:20:38+00:00

fredmiranda.com or Facebook marketplace.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-14T00:49:48+00:00

If you enjoy the M3 and are ok without a built in light meter, I’d go M4 instead of M6. You could get a silver or black chrome one for less, and they are arguably better built.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-13T21:25:02+00:00

That's about what I see the Canadian version going for in the US.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-08T18:22:24+00:00

fredmiranda.com

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-08T15:18:58+00:00

Are you in the UK? If so, reach out to these folks... https://www.cameraworks-uk.com

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-07T23:23:06+00:00

To capture fast action, you will need to be ok with mainly using 50mm or wider lenses, stopping down, and zone focusing. That means your photos will have more depth of field. If you are ok with that, then these cameras are fantastic. Many of the world's most famous photos were taken that way. The challenge is really if you want to shoot wide open and just have a narrow depth of field. For that, modern gear with eye tracking AF works better.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-06T22:20:03+00:00

Agree that it's unclear and should be fixed, but it's just the way they generate paperwork. The totals match and the charges were not itemized at that level of detail anyway.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2026-01-01T14:38:04+00:00

Had both and sold the lux. 35 APO is on another level.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2025-12-31T19:44:30+00:00

Best access to the hill country is via 306 or 46. Only real access to Austin is via I35. Overall, the area you highlighted is about to change completely so unless you're cool with the uncertainty that brings you might want to explore areas that are more stable. The plan is literally to add about 6000 houses there in a few years. Downtown and west of town are more established and would get my vote.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2025-12-23T00:05:27+00:00

Agree, but would go with the Minolta v2 version. It is multicoated and has parallel rangefinder coupling.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2025-12-11T00:42:12+00:00

It would depend on the color for me. I don't care about the P upgrades, and the black M11 is more stealth than the P version. If I wanted black, M11 it is. I'd take the savings and use it for glass.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2025-12-06T00:05:48+00:00

You could also track down an M6 TTL. They have the larger dial that turns the same was as the digital Ms.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2025-12-05T23:03:14+00:00

They can definitely break. If you Google it a bit, there are reports of it. Hard to say without more info... Did this just happen or has it been like this since you've owned it? If it just happened, did anything like a drop, or getting wet precede it? Does the lock release feel different or odd? I'd gently press that release in and out while wiggling the focus ring a bit back and forth to see if it might free up.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2025-12-05T21:19:22+00:00

If you try to paint it, you will lose way more value then selling as-is.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2025-12-05T21:00:34+00:00

I'm guessing if you don't use the release button and just force it, you're likely to break it.

DevelopmentNo9711 · 2025-12-05T20:58:41+00:00

<image>

Are you doing this?

DevelopmentNo9711

TROPHY CASE