Does anyone have any information about black paint 50mm luxes & 35mm crons or for that matter information on any other black paint lenses based on current M lenses ? Are they brass and hence weigh as much as the chrome equivalents? Does the pain wear easily? Are they as lusted after as black paint M6s? Many many questions!

Thanks in advance.

-- Arthur Yue (yueart@ctimail.com), December 19, 2001

Answers

Arthur, I have three Black Paint Ms (M3 & two M2s) but have no interest whatsoever in black paint lenses.

-- Steve LeHuray (icommag@toad.net), December 19, 2001.

Q. Are they brass and hence weigh as much as the chrome equivalents?

Yes.

Q. Does the pain wear easily?

Yes.

Q. Are they as lusted after as black paint M6s?

Yes.

Even the 35/2 vented lens hood is black painted.

-- Lucien (lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), December 19, 2001.

Arthur

The current black paint lenses are brass, as Leica had long ago determined that a brass surface holds paint the best. Accordingly, they are heavier than the regular black anodized lenses. As far as I am aware, the two lenses you mentioned are the only ones offered in black paint finish. You should be aware that the black "paint" on these lenses is electrostatically applied by a special process; these are NOT hand painted.

As you are probably aware, Leica offered black paint lenses shortly after the introduction of the M system, to match the black paint M2 and M3 (later M4) cameras. These lenses were made on special request, usually by photojournalists and other professionals who preferred the black finish. Most of them have a combination of anodized and painted parts,although some are entirely painted. These lenses were hand painted, and although made in very small numbers, there is a lot of variability in the finishes.

The original black painted early M lenses include the following: 35/2.0 (M2 version, 8-element), 35/2.0-RF (M3 version with eyes, 8- element), 35/1.4 (M2 and M3 versions), 50/1.4 (both first and second formulas), 50/2.0 (7-element, rigid Summicron), 90/2.0 (SEOFF-M), and 90/2.0 preset version. They are usually found well used and are generally quite expensive. However, some of these original lenses can actually be had (if you can find them) for less than the price of a current new model black paint lens.

I personally wouldn't buy a new black paint lens (too much of a premium), although I have several original lenses. In addition, I think they made too many (at least 2000 each) for them to appreciate much in value. As for the wearability, the new finish is said to be more durable than the original.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), December 19, 2001.

Bottom line is:

If you are a collector, they are neat.

If you are a shooter, they are too darn heavy. Regular black lenses feel much better on your M6, especially after a long day (night) of shooting!

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.con), December 19, 2001.

Allow me to add to Arthur's questions - Are Leica black paint lenses also painted on the internal assemblies (the parts that are visible through the lens)?

I've used some pre-owned medium format lenses that had black paint over black metal. The exterior paint was worn in the places where the lens was gripped in normal use. There were also little black flecks on the elements inside. Does this happen with black paint Leica lenses too?

-- Fred Sun (redsky3@yahoo.com), December 19, 2001.