Flim Protector

For those who is bringing their camera on board the plane can use this lead coated bag to protect your flim against possible damage by radiation at airports

My favourite Vintage Leica cameras

After collecting a few vintage cameras, reading and using the camera, I have finally found my direction in vintage cameras. My aim is to use the cameras as well as to limit the quantities. My focus is on the Leica M3 series as well as the Black paint series. Luckily, the lens are all interchangeble. These are my small refined collection. The Leica M3 black paint is for use in HKG and Olive for use in Singapore while the coming Black Paint M4 is for use during overseas travel.

Leica M3 olive Bundeseigentum Variations & types (徠卡M3橄欖Bundeseigentum變化和類型)

徠卡M3橄欖Bundeseigentum變化和類型

There are several versions of the Leica M3 Bundeseigentum 

1. Early Buddha ear 

2. Later Round ring

There are two versions of writing:

1. Bundeseigentum 

   1-121-5418 (earlier version)

2. Bundeseigentum (without numerals) batch No.1100401-1100450. 

Bundeseigentum refers to "Property of Federal German Government" in English. In the record, this model was produced in 1957-1968 with batch No.1100401-1100450. Since only 50 units were produced, it becomes extremely rare. The rear of top plate engraved "Bundeseigentum",

Leica M3 Olive Bundeseigentum and Leica M3 Black Paint (徠卡M3橄欖色Bundeseigentum和徠卡M3黑色漆)

After much research research, I have finally bite the bullet and acquired the rare Olive military M3. In order to maintain a small and tighter collection, I have traded away the Leica I and Leica II Black paint cameras, Leica M3 chrome and the Rolleiflex for these vintage Leica. 

After trading away my M3 chrome and for the M3 black paint, I was faced with the dilemma of what to do with the steel chrome Leica 50mm Summicron collapsible radioactive len, which I actually love. With the Olive M3, I can now pair it with the Summicron collapsible.

These are my small collection of vintage Leica M3 camera consisting of the M3 Olive and M3 Black paint and awaiting the M4 Black paint. Even though these are in used conditions, I love the used brass marks left by the previous owners. Moreover, I am afraid of the repainted cameras and these natural fading of enamel lacquered black paint actually helped me to authenticate the real from the repainted ones.

I have been actively taking photos with the old Leica and is loving the experiences. To complete the collection will be the Black paint M2, which will be a project for the end of the year...

Please read: http://cameranet.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_archive.html

Blackpaint俗稱"黑漆版",在M-mount的Leica世界裡,除了現型版的MP外,Blackpaint的產量特別稀少,例如:M3總產量約22萬台,Blackpaint只生產了約1300多台,比例約0.65%左右;M2總產量約85000多台,Blackpaint也只有2400多台,比例約0.65%左右2.8%左右。從1933年開始,Leica大量採用具備銀白色光澤、耐磨且耐蝕性的Chrome金屬。之後，Blackpaint的機身也生產的越來越少,直到1954年已經完全不生產Blackpaint機身。直到1956年，Original MP推出後，為了滿足部份記者與專業攝影家的需求，又開始少量的生產Blackpaint MP,M3,M2,M4機種。Blackpaint至今已成為最耐看的LEICA機種。最新版的LEICA MP並將Blackpaint列為基本款市售機。

Leica M3 Olive Bundeseigentum (徠卡M3橄欖色Bundeseigentum)

This is the ultimate dream camera. Leica M3 Black Rangefinder camera model(s) Leica M3 Olive Bundeseigentum camera/lens/accessories outfit / Leica M3 M3 Betriebskamera

cont... A complete set of Leica M3 single stroke, Olive Bundeseigentum outfit, 1959 Description of the auction conducted by Leicashop®: -" .....an original olive green single stroke M3 engraved: Bundeseigentum 12-121-541x, green leather strap, green leather case stamped: Bundeseigentum, matching Elmar 3,5/5cm no.133499x engraved: Bundeseigentum 12-121-541x, lens hood ITOOY engraved: Bundeseigentum 12-121-552x in green leather case stamped: BWB 645, cap, very rare Summaron 2.8/35mm engraved: Bundeseigentum 5760-12-130-090x, Hektor 4.5/13.5cm engraved: Bundeseigentum 12-120-162x, green vulcanite, both caps, green leather case stamped: Bundeseigentum, 12-129-774x, Leicameter MR-4 with BWB 1482 sticker with green leather case, cable release in box stamped: Bundeswehr, 2 x film cartridge engraved: BW in maker's box with contract numbers, yellow filter in maker's box with contract numbers, green leather case COONH for SDPOO viewfinder attachment, green Hensoldt Wetzlar binoculars Dienstglas 8x30 no.6071x (contract number: 6650-12-124-844x4) with eyecups, all in matching green outfit case - a remarkable outfit in original condition..." This rare complete outfit has an EUR 5.000 (Start price) & EURO 10.800 (Hammer price incl. premium) priced by Leicashop™. * NOTE;- Indicative price(s) herein this site were based original prices published on previous auction literature/references. Prices may vary according to gradual yearly premium, supply/demand equations, and/or other renewed valuation methods. Credit: Images courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/Leica/Leica-M3/M3-Olive_Bundeseigentum/index1.htm

Awaiting delivery

The best part of the purchase is the anticipation... from Germany

Black Paint: Repainting services

I have not used any of these services but I thought it might be interesting for those who wants to know. Apparently, there are services provided from Japan and now in China as well...

https://ershou.taobao.com/item.htm?id=565640144843

Leica M4 Black Paint camera 徕卡黑漆版M4

The Leica M3 was originally released in 1954, with the M2 following in 1958. The Leica M2 was designed as a cut cost, more accessible and slightly more versatile version of M3. Production of the Leica M4 started in 1967 after the M3 ceased production in 66 and the M2 in 67. It took the best features of both M3 and M2 cameras and combined them with new advancements of its own to create what, as mentioned, some view as the ultimate classic Leica. As the direct successor of the M3 Camera and M2, featuring framelines for 35 mm, 50 mm, 90 mm and 135 mm lenses in a 0.72 magnification viewfinder. It has the frame counter of the M3, with automatic reset after reloading. It was produced till 1975. 

The black painted version of the Leica M4 camera body was offered from 1968 to 1971 in parallel with the usual silver chrome version. During this period, only about 4,892 cameras with black painted body were produced. These were followed by the change to the black chrome surface for the late series of the Leica M4. 

A quick summary on the major improvements for the M4 versus M2, M3 are:
1. The Quick loading of film & 
2. Quick rewind mechanism
3. Having 4 sets of frame lines: 35mm, 50mm, 90mm and 135mm 

This black paint M4 was produced in 1969. Characteristic of the black lacquered M4 versions is the mix between black-painted and black-chrome-plated parts. It is common that the shutter speed dial and the rewind crank are black chrome, the quick release lever, rewind button and the lever of the self-timer and frame selector are black painted.

As such, the Leica M4 is considered "semi black paint" camera, while the body and many knobs are black paint, there are also many black chrome parts (such as shutter speed dial) and some silver chrome parts (Such as the plate under the shutter release button).The strap lug of over 99% of M4 black paint should be silver in colour. The later M4 black models are in black chrome. Leica M4 also has its trump card of having been made in Germany, in the original method of construction. 

I like this quote from B&H. The history of photography has been greatly influenced by photographers using Leica cameras. Photography with the rangefinder Leica always puts human skills foremost: the human capacity of feeling and artistic expression. The Leica M4 also fascinates because of its exceptional quality, attention to detail and its concentration on essentials. The M4 is a mechanical camera,without an internal light meter. Technical gadgetry is purposely limited to those features that truly contribute towards creating a better picture.

I have decided to get this M4 for Keith and give it to him later on as the price for this is still reasonable for a Black Paint plus it holds its values nicely.

An interesting article on M4:

 https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2012/10/a-super-special-leica-m4/

For those who is keen to get one can visit:

https://www.meister-camera.com/en/second-hand/8011/leica-m4-black-paint

Soft release Shutter button

The soft-release button increases the size of the release button of your Leica M-Camera and makes every release easier, thus enhancing shooting comfort. This is a cute one I found in Metour HK during my lunch break

Leica M3 camera love by Henri Cartier Bresson (徠卡M3相機亨利卡地亞布列松)

This model was once used by the famous street photographer. Did not manage to get the actual one ...but similar model is close enough..

Leica Summicron 50mm black paint lens (徠卡Summicron 50毫米黑色漆鏡)

One of the repercussion of changing to a black paint M3 camera is that suddenly, there is a need to replace the steel/chrome coloured lens to a matching black paint len.

I have been looking for a matching len for several nights and I have found 3 camera shops selling it and I have been actively communicating with the three shops via whatsapp. The first shop‘s len is a consignment stock while the second and third shops stocks belong to them.

This shall be the len and camera that I shall use for my photo taking and this purchase shall be my last as I have completed my gear hunting search.

I have always wanted to have a camera that is both usable and collectible and these Leica M3 black paint and len fit the criteria. I shall be getting it this evening after work! So exciting!

It has been a great fun!

There are a few ways to tell if the black paint lens are original or repainted.

1. Black chrome parts (or modern repaints) will not show surface "texture" of bubble.
2. Genuine black paint is always done on brass, never on chrome,  
3. The yellow color of the brass will shine through as soon as the paint starts to flake off.

Leitz US catalog of 1964 listed the black Summicron 50 price at +10% the price of standard chrome : 165 $ vs. 150..

For those who are keen:

http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Leitz/

https://www.schouten-select.com/index.php/products/leica-50mm-f2-summicron-black-paint-brass-mount-extremely-1957-mp-rare.html

https://www.schouten-select.com/index.php/products/leica/leica-black-chrome-black-paint/leica-50mm-f2-summicron-black-paint-1200.html

This evening, i have finally managed to unite the Leica M3 with its accompanying black paint len.