Black vs Silver Leica M6 Tactile Difference?

[RezaLoghme]

I’ve spent some time with both black and silver M6s (anodized, not painted) and noticed a subtle difference in how they feel in hand.

The black anodized body has a slightly softer, warmer friction under the fingers — maybe because of the coating or how it wears — whereas the silver (raw anodized) feels colder and a touch crisper, almost more “mechanical” to the touch. It’s very subtle, but when you handle both, the difference is noticeable.

I’m curious if others have experienced this — is it just my perception, or does Leica’s anodizing process create a consistent tactile distinction between black and silver bodies?

 

[mshchem]

I always use a Leica leather eveready case, just the bottom half. So I have the smell of leather and the warmth.

I wonder if it's just a slight difference in the "roughness" of the finish? You're picking up on something. Need to run a blindfold test.

 

[RezaLoghme]

From what i understand, the silver body is not just polished metal, but also coated/painted? But I will listen to the experts.

 

[Pieter12]

I don't stroke my cameras, so I wouldn't know.

 

[4season]

From what i understand, the silver body is not just polished metal, but also coated/painted? But I will listen to the experts.

AFAIK, silvery paint on an M-camera wasn't a thing until the M8, and it was intended as a more ecological alternative to chromium, though it was also pretty soft and showed wear quickly.

Most garden-variety M6 cameras have a zinc-alloy top cover, with either black- or silver chrome plating. Special editions often reverted to brass, as it's more suitable for engraving.

 

[250swb]

Good grief, what a reductive discussion, will we be next addressing how Leica's feel when wearing winter gloves?

I've always found both silver chrome and black chrome to be identical like for like in any one M camera, but the textures do change over time, so the chrome texture of an early M3 may not be the same as a modern chrome MP. So who cares? For what it's worth the black chrome Leica's are not anodised, they are chrome plated, but in black.

 

[Jbennett68]

I’m trying g to come up with some comedic sexual innuendo but can’t string one together that won’t offend someone.

 

[Don_ih]

I'm biting my tongue. Hard enough to bleed.

 

[lecarp]

I personally prefer the feel of wood in hand.


Does leica make one with wood?

 

[GregY]

I personally prefer the feel of wood in hand.


Does leica make one with wood?

 

[MattKing]

I’m trying g to come up with some comedic sexual innuendo but can’t string one together that won’t offend someone.

Thanks for your strength in resisting.

 

[RezaLoghme]

AFAIK, silvery paint on an M-camera wasn't a thing until the M8, and it was intended as a more ecological alternative to chromium, though it was also pretty soft and showed wear quickly.

Most garden-variety M6 cameras have a zinc-alloy top cover, with either black- or silver chrome plating. Special editions often reverted to brass, as it's more suitable for engraving.

Paint! Aha, that explains a lot.
But are modern-day M6/MP/MA also "painted"?

I really loved the finish of my silver M4. It felt "real", where as the silver M6 felt "velvet-y".

 

[ezphotolessons]

View attachment 410476

Thats nice but how does it feel compared to the wood one Tichy used ?

 

[4season]

Paint! Aha, that explains a lot.
But are modern-day M6/MP/MA also "painted"?

I really loved the finish of my silver M4. It felt "real", where as the silver M6 felt "velvet-y".

That information for regular-production 2025 models can be found on the leica-camera.com website:

M6 10557: Paint, brass top cover (seems to be available in black only)
M-A Type 127: Silver or black chrome, brass top cover
MP: Chrome plating or black paint, brass top cover

The metallic paints used on M8 and M9 did not attempt to replicate the look of chromium, but rather, were intended to give the cameras a new look.

Leica factory paint tends to look and feel distinctly different from plated finishes, to me, it feels slightly sticky, and quickly wears away from edges.

This was my M9 in regular-production silver-gray paint and smooth leatherette. Note the difference in color compared with the chromium-plated controls and lens release button.

 

[mshchem]

Good grief, what a reductive discussion, will we be next addressing how Leica's feel when wearing winter gloves?

I've always found both silver chrome and black chrome to be identical like for like in any one M camera, but the textures do change over time, so the chrome texture of an early M3 may not be the same as a modern chrome MP. So who cares? For what it's worth the black chrome Leica's are not anodised, they are chrome plated, but in black.