The Leica M camera design, originally introduced with the M3, is now 54 years old. Many, if not most, of the cameras manufactured in the following years are still operational, although years of use can take a toll on the cosmetics and mechanics of these fine instruments.

If your Leica is in need of a makeover, you’ve come to the right place.

Our goal is to create an attractive usable camera, not an expensive museum showpiece. We do not try to exactly match the finish of an original black paint Leica. Although it can be done, is very time consuming and expensive, and in the end, it will still never be an original black paint Leica.

Instead, we offer attractive, affordable restorations for cameras that will be used, not just admired.

Restoration options include:

1. -Color (standard colors are flat black, semi-gloss black and hammertone; other custom colors are available; inquire.)
   

2. -Vulcanite replacement
   

3. -Filled or unfilled engravings (the “Leica” script and other similar engravings)
   

4. -Restoration of the back door
   

5. -Replacement parts
   

6. -New strap lugs
   

PRICING

FLAT OR SEMI-GLOSS BLACK PAINT

A full restoration in flat or semi-gloss black includes painting of the following parts and costs $300:

1. -Top plate
   

2. -Bottom plate (the inside of the plate is also painted)
   

3. -Film rewind knob or crank
   

4. -Accessory shoe
   

5. -Shutter dial
   

6. -Film reversing lever (“R”) and center screw
   

7. -Rangefinder adjustment cover screw (next to middle viewfinder window)
   

8. -Shutter button collar
   

9. -Self timer lever (if present)
   

10. -Self timer retainer (if present)
    

11. -Self timer base ring (if present)
    

12. -Lens release button collar (if present)
    

13. -Frameline preview lever (if present)
    

14. -Frameline preview retainer (if present)
    

15. -Frameline preview base ring (if present)
    

16. -Film counter dial (M2)
    

17. -A clear vinyl protector for the bottom cover (helps prevent scratches) is included.
    

HAMMERTONE

A repaint in hammertone includes painting of the following parts and costs $200:

1. -Top plate
   

2. -Bottom plate (the inside of the plate is also painted)
   

3. -All other parts remain chrome
   

4. -A clear vinyl protector for the bottom cover (helps prevent scratches) is included.
   

REPLACEMENT PARTS

Restorations to black paint require the following new parts from Leica for a $10 fee:

-accessory shoe screws (five total screws)

-body shell screws (the screws visible on the front of the camera in the vulcanite; four total)

-shutter speed dial screw

REPLACEMENT VULCANITE

Installation of Aki-Asahi replacement vulcanite is $20 when included with a repaint.

Customers may optionally choose various coverings from cameraleather.com to replace the vulcanite. (The customer purchases direct from cameraleather.com and has it shipped to us.) Installation is free when part of a repaint.

BACK DOOR FULL RESTORATION (M2, M3, M4)

Full restoration of the back door is $90 which includes:

-Strip, prep, and repaint of the outside door frame

-Replacement vulcanite

-New door ‘bumpers’

-Painting of the film reminder dial and filling of the engraved text

-Replacement film reminder dial center piece ($10, as needed)

BACK DOOR PARTIAL RESTORATION (M2, M3, M4)

Partial restoration of the back door is $30 which includes:

-Replacement vulcanite

-Painting of the film reminder dial and filling of the engraved text

-Replacement film reminder dial center piece ($10, as needed)

BACK DOOR FULL RESTORATION (M4-2, M4-P)

Full restoration of the back door is $60 which includes:

-Strip, prep, and repaint of the outside door frame

-Replacement vulcanite

-New door ‘bumpers’

-Replacement film reminder dial (as needed, at cost)

BACK DOOR PARTIAL RESTORATION (M4-2, M4-P)

Partial restoration of the back door is $10 which includes:

-Replacement vulcanite

-Replacement film reminder dial (as needed, at cost)

REPLACEMENT STRAP LUGS

Many older Leicas have strap lugs that are scratched or have seriously deteriorated. We can replace strap lugs on some models with either chrome or black lugs for $50 when part of a restoration.

CLA SERVICE (Clean, Lubricate, Adjust)

CLA services are available for a nominal fee as a convenience to our customers. CLAs are available only for non-metered Leicas.

OTHER REPLACEMENT PARTS

Generally Leica parts are sold at cost when part of a restoration.

THE PAINTING PROCESS

Repainting requires all parts to be stripped down to the brass. The chromium and nickel platings are removed, and each part is individually bead blasted to remove all impurities and to prepare the surface for painting. This is a very time consuming process with all the tiny parts. But it is the only way to do a proper restoration and painting.

Once the paint is applied, the parts are fully cured by baking. This ensures good adhesion and long life. The paint will normally wear with use, but we use very durable paints so you’ll have to shoot a lot of film before the brass begins to show.

Note: some Leica models have some engravings that are very shallow; this sometimes makes white infill difficult. Most often this applies to the serial number and to the flash sync icons on the top plate. In this case we recommend to leave these engravings unfilled. They will still be plainly visible in relief. In the case of hammertone, sometimes these engravings are overwhelmed and are no longer visible. (This is not an issue on models where the serial number appears on the hot shoe.)

COLOR OPTIONS

Flat black, semi-gloss black, and hammertone are standard offerings. The semi-gloss we offer is similar at first glance, but not exactly the same as a Leica factory semi-gloss black paint; it is more durable and is better at hiding fingerprints. Hammertone is a unique look, perfect for cameras with excessive pitting, nicks, or other wear. (Hammertone is only applied to the top and bottom plates, not to the various levers and knobs - those remain chrome.) The textured hammertone surface will mask most imperfections.

Other colors are available -- inquire. For example, we are currently preparing a yellow “Livestrong” Leica to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Keep in mind, just like anything that is painted, such an automobile, if you aren’t careful it is possible to mar, chip or scratch the finish.

ELIGIBLE CAMERAS

Eligible cameras for restoration are M2, M3, M4, M4-2, and some M4-P (those with recessed viewfinder windows.) These cameras all use brass in the top and bottom plates, not the later zinc as used in the M6. It is also in theory possible to paint newer cameras such as the MP and M7 and even M8, as they are also brass, although we currently do not offer this service on these models. We are experimenting with paint solutions for the zinc top plates of the later M4-P, M6, and M6 TTL as well.

CUSTOM PROJECTS

Have an idea to design a completely unique Leica? Please inquire.

CAMERAS FOR SALE

Restored cameras are sometimes offered for sale. Please inquire for current inventory. We take trade-ins on certain gear; please inquire.

DISCOUNTS

Paint a second camera, get a $50 discount for black or $25 for hammertone!

PAINTING OTHER GEAR

We have painted LeicaMeters among other gear. Please inquire.

WARRANTY/GUARANTEE

CLA services carry a 1 year warranty. Painting services include a satisfaction guarantee.

We are located in Austin, Texas USA.

For more information or to schedule a CLA or restoration, email leicarestorations at gmail.com.