fourelements99
Member
I would like to have a paint job done on one of my Leica lenses (black). Any recommendation for a decent paint job service with reasonable charge? Thanks in advance!
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I'd never heard of anyone doing it, but apparently Shintaro repaints lenses: http://homepage2.nifty.com/Shintaro/top1.html
Depending on his workload, there may be a long wait, but he does very nice work.
Assuming you were going to do a lens . Would you have the lens CLA before or after the paint job? After would seem to give you a better lens but would also increase the possibility of damage to the finish.Here is one done by Shinaro. Original chrome was striped down before repaint as you can see from the mount. As far as I know, not everyone is willing to repaint lens (vs a camera) since it will thicken the layers and may affect focusing or aperture ring movement. I was told most of collapsable lenses can be done. Some older one like V1 summicron 50/35, Shinaro is the only person I know willing to do it. The other popular choice is Peter from UK. He does frantastic job on camera repaint, but will only repaint Elmar collapsable lens. Also, expect to wait a long time (1 year+).
For the one above, Shinaro didn't have to do any CLA since the lens was in like new condition. However, the focusing ring was funny when I first got it back. So, I took it to someone I know locally for a quick adjustment. In retrospective, I would definitely do CLA, if required, after the paint job.Assuming you were going to do a lens . Would you have the lens CLA before or after the paint job? After would seem to give you a better lens but would also increase the possibility of damage to the finish.
That paint job looks awesome!Here is one done by Shinaro. Original chrome was stripped off before repaint as you can see from the mount. As far as I know, not everyone is willing to repaint lens (vs a camera) since it will thicken the layers and may affect focusing or aperture ring movement. I was told most of collapsable lenses can be done. Some older one like V1 summicron 50/35, Shinaro is the only person I know willing to do it. The other popular choice is Peter from UK. He does frantastic job on camera repaint, but will only repaint Elmar collapsable lens. Also, expect to wait a long time (1 year+).