Mogul wrote:
That's not a dinosaur; it's a classic. Some cameras are actually more valuable if they have an appropriate amount of brassing in the right areas; in particular, some Leica I's and II's are less valuable in pristine condition because collectors are wary of refurbished goods.
you are correct in your post. heavily used and worn black leicas command a premium price due to their original condition. there are a lot of "repaints" out there. some very good and some not so good. my m4 is a black body, worn, and it is less noticable which i appreciate for the work i do with it. i've taped over all the leica engraving to make it even less noticeable. the f2 titanium i have, paired with the noct nikkor is, of course, black and nice and dull. meanwhile, i really like the chrome leicas and the chrome lenses - much nicer than my black finished ones!