Black or Chrome? That is the question.

[HMojo]

Hi All,

I just ordered a pre-ASPH 50mm Summilux from Mr. Rose... in chrome. Over the last week or so I've been desparately trying to find this lens in chrome, but every time I mentioned my preference for shiny silver at local camera stores I drew nothing put chuckles and shaking heads from the dealers.

Am I alone in my love for chrome lenses, and is "black the new black" (as they say)?

On a related note, I mentioned that I primarily do street photography and one dealer said that chrome lenses on a chrome body draw more attention to the shooter than a chrome body with a black lens... I'm curious if anyone else out there has experienced this.

So let's hear it; which do you prefer?

 

[peter_n]

All this stuff about black or chrome drawing less or more attention is purely anecdotal. So don't worry about it. If you want chrome buy chrome. Just know that with Leica lenses chrome will only go on brass and will not go on an alloy base. So Leica chrome lenses are always heavier than their black conterparts; those who choose on the basis of practicality generally use black lenses because the difference in weight can be considerable.

 

[back alley]

i have both and notice no difference in the amount of attention i garner on the street.
now, if you want attention then just put an external finder in the hot shoe.

 

[peter_n]

now, if you want attention then just put an external finder in the hot shoe.

Agree. The only time any of my cameras have ever drawn attention is when I'm using an external viewfinder.

 

[hth]

I prefer chromed brass. Most my lenses are black though as Konica never allowed me the luxary to choose finish. The few other LTM/M lenses I have are silver/chrome.

/Håkan

 

[leica M2 fan]

Chrome is Classic, Black is very nice and goes well with some cameras. Get what YOU like.

 

[raid]

Do you prefer a Mercedes Benz or a BMW ?

Raid

 

[enochRoot]

Do you prefer a Mercedes Benz or a BMW ?

Raid

audi actually 😀

 

[dreamsandart]

Not sure about the 50 Summilux, but I have a 35 Summicron (4th version) in chrome and it just feels more solid than the black 35 Cron lens I have had, with this lens at a still light 250gms weight is a non-factor. I also have a chrome 35 Summilux ASPH. I didn't 'choose' this one as it happened to be the lens a person was selling at a good price. With this lens its brass-chrome is more to carry around yes, but in actually shooting I like the extra weight in the hand, an advantage with slower shutter speeds (even at 1/60) most folks don't think about.

As for drawing attention... no difference as when you pull a camera up to your face outweighs any color differnce.

 

[Dougg]

Do you prefer a Mercedes Benz or a BMW?

Is there truly another choice? 😀

I seem to mix and match lens and body colors without much concern... the only combo that looks a bit odd to me is a chrome lens on a black camera.

 

[wlewisiii]

now, if you want attention then just put an external finder in the hot shoe.

That's a good starting point, but if you _really_ want attention, then grab a speed graphic with a 3 cell & 7" refector flash tube. If they aren't already running 😉 pop even a "little" GE #5 flashbulb... they'll clear away _fast_ 😀

More seriously, I have never seen any difference between black & chrome. My Moskva 5 was a freaking attention magnet, OTOH. Find what you are comfortable shooting. That will do you far more good in the long run.

William

(ps. Triumph is best. You just have to be willing to do Lukas repair... )

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Titanium. Not all possibilities have been considered. 😉

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Is there truly another choice? 😀

I seem to mix and match lens and body colors without much concern... the only combo that looks a bit odd to me is a chrome lens on a black camera.

I'm surprised you don't have a Pinto to balance them out (ok, a FIAT would *really* balance them out) 😉

Would you believe that chrome lens on black body is sexier than black lens on chrome body? The black lens on a chrome body is a bit of a Panda look; not bad, but not exciting. Now, I've actually had more comments whenever I have a chrome lens on my black chrome M6 or Bessa. And I concur.

But I've finally joined the ranks of the camera bourgeois. I have three chrome RFs, and three black RFs. Two black Bessas, one black M6, one (chrome) M3, a (chrome) Kiev 3 and a chrome Contax IIIa.

I can mix and match with what I'm wearing.

It's a good thing my gf doesn't have a shoe fetish...

 

[Finder]

Get what you want, but you can always go to the hardware store for a can of paint.

 

[Mazurka]

I'm surprised you don't have a Pinto to balance them out (ok, a FIAT would *really* balance them out) 😉

Exactly. Who would want those staid old geezers when you can have a classic Fiat with a Ferrai-made engine:

Or another gorgeous, 220-bhp coupe also styled by Pininfarina, the fastest FWD European car of its time:

 

[telenous]

I prefer chrome on chrome and black on black. I do not think chrome draws more attention. What does draw attention though is a bigger lens.