Sexier (to the public) Leica MP... Chrome or Black Paint?

[Asim]

Now this post is purely about fashion, looks, style, vanity, etc.

Which do you think looks sexier to the average non-photographer? A black paint Leica MP or a Chrome Leica MP.

The question isn't 'which do you think is sexier'

but rather 'which do you think the public thinks is sexier?' Or in other words, 'which do you think is more fascinating, intriguing, beautiful, elegant, etc to the average Joe/Jane'

And why do you think this?

 

[Asim]

I guess you don't have any mirrors at home.
________________
Life is too short (to ask questions)

 

[gavinlg]

Probably the chrome. People look fondly upon old style chrome cameras..

 

[alun severn]

They don't care. Only people on this forum care, and not even all of them do.

 

[hteasley]

I always get comments on the chrome MP, almost never on the black paint M9.

 

[jsrockit]

It's fashionable on RFF to think that non-photographers wouldn't care about a camera. However, I get people asking about my Leica cameras (and the Fuji) all the time in NYC. Doesn't matter the color though I get comments on both... they may not think it is sexy, but they are curious. I'd say half are women too.

 

[Paul Luscher]

Probably silver. More bling. Which is why I got a black one.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Has to be chrome. Only time that I've had a young woman stop their car on the road and tell me that they like my camera. They were NOT stopping to look at me.

 

[Brian Legge]

I have a IIIc and an III. The IIIc has gray, griptac cover while the III has a more traditional look. People recognize the III as an old camera, often as a Leica, and come up to chat about it. The IIIc doesn't get the same recognition.

People who see the camera as an 'old camera' seem more at ease with me around photographing random people. I like the idea of a black/matte camera as it draws less attention due to the occasional blinding flare (I tried taking a shot with a silver Canonet on a bus only to have light reflect directly into the subjects face as a I was raising the camera - wrecked the shot) but people seem to have more of an warm reception to a camera that looks classic to them so silver isn't at all bad either.

 

[huntjump]

I gotta agree with those who say Chrome. Way more people ask about the m2/m3 than the m4-p. I think they aren't impressed, so much as intrigued by the antiqueness. DSLR's are a dime a dozen these days, and so when the average joe/jane sees a user with a chrome leica, it does seem to catch their eyes.

 

[Renzsu]

Probably the more chrome and twiddly bits it has, the better... so, I would say get one of the pre-M leica's and extendable lens, throw on an external finder and you're done. 🙂

 

[Chris101]

If you are a fair complected, blonde chick, get a chrome cam. Possibly get the blue leather skin too, it'll match your eyes (or contacts.) If you are dark and mysterious, get a black Leica and tape over all the markings. Wear a beret, shades and smoke mint bidis. Stand in the shadows a lot. If you are a big, hairy, swarthy guy, make sure the camera is well brassed. A tattered half case would work as well.

 

[barnwulf]

This is just a guess but I think the average John Q Public recognizes chrome Leicas a little quicker than black. Myself, I have a black MP and love it that way. I haven't had much change to use it yet. I guess I am more interested in impressing a few that know a little bit more about photography. Although that has not got anything to do with the reason I bought a black one. I have gotten a few reactions on my black M8.2. Of course at 72 there isn't much that you can do to look very sexy, although Clint Eastwood still pulls it off pretty well with or without a Leica. Jim

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

This is just a guess but I think the average John Q Public recognizes chrome Leicas a little quicker than black. Myself, I have a black MP and love it that way. I haven't had much change to use it yet. I guess I am more interested in impressing a few that know a little bit more about photography. Although that has not got anything to do with the reason I bought a black one. I have gotten a few reactions on my black M8.2. Of course at 72 there isn't much that you can do to look very sexy, although Clint Eastwood still pulls it off pretty well with or without a Leica. Jim

How about Clint Eastwood with a Nikon?

 

[barnwulf]

The Nikon will do just fine. I still like mine black. Jim

 

[nikon_sam]

Clint with a Nikon F body (anyone else notice the vest??) and he got the girl...(Bridges of Madison County)...He would have gotten her even shooting with an Argus C3...He's Clint Eastwood...
If you're young maybe the Chrome body...it will make you look like you're "Old School"...
If you're older the black one will do because you are "Old School"...
More important is how you carry what ever you're using...do it right and no matter what you use you'll come across to Mr/Mrs Public as Sexy...

 

[Roger Hicks]

Clint with a Nikon F body (anyone else notice the vest??) and he got the girl...(Bridges of Madison County)...He would have gotten her even shooting with an Argus C3...He's Clint Eastwood...
If you're young maybe the Chrome body...it will make you look like you're "Old School"...
If you're older the black one will do because you are "Old School"...
More important is how you carry what ever you're using...do it right and no matter what you use you'll come across to Mr/Mrs Public as Sexy...

Exactly. Self-confidence is the key. I sometimes think I have low self-esteem -- until I reflect that there are plenty of people of whom I have a considerably lower opinion than I do of myself...

I think that perhaps 'sexy' wasn't the right word here.

Cheers,

R.

 

[barnwulf]

Originally posted by nikon_sam
More important is how you carry what ever you're using...do it right and no matter what you use you'll come across to Mr/Mrs Public as Sexy...

That's exactly what it takes.

And Roger, I agree and if you are older and have low self-esteem, you have no chance at all. Jim

 

[ZeissFan]

They don't care. Only people on this forum care, and not even all of them do.

I agree with this comment.

 

[robinsonphotography]

Black, definitely.