justins7
Well-known
Kurt,
I too am in NYC. Although I haven't been shooting much on the street lately, when I do I just wrap the strap around my hand and hold my M6 like brick. People never notice it.
I really wonder what a pontential thief would think of an old chrome camera, if it looks valuable. I think the flash of chrome directs attention.
As a joke I used to glue cheap brand name logos on my Leica, like RiteAid or RadioShack. It made me laugh, despite the lack of funnyness.
I too am in NYC. Although I haven't been shooting much on the street lately, when I do I just wrap the strap around my hand and hold my M6 like brick. People never notice it.
I really wonder what a pontential thief would think of an old chrome camera, if it looks valuable. I think the flash of chrome directs attention.
As a joke I used to glue cheap brand name logos on my Leica, like RiteAid or RadioShack. It made me laugh, despite the lack of funnyness.
Honu-Hugger
Well-known
Black Chrome
Black Chrome
I just Googled "Leica Black Chrome" and this is what I found on KB Camera's site:
"Black Chrome - Called Black Chrome, but is really a black anodized finish. It was Leica's way to offer a black finsih camera with the professional look with a more durable finish. This finish will look good for a long time, much like the chrome version. When it 'brasses' it shows the silver colored zinc underneath. It does not brass very easily. Only black lenses look good on this finish. the standard black anodized lenses are a perfect match. This choice also makes for the lightest kit possible since Zinc is used for the top and bottom plates of the camera and aluminum is used on the lens barrels. Many people prefer this choice for these distinct advantages."
Maybe I just have weird taste, but I disagree with their "Only black lenses look good on this finish..." assertion -- I often like the contrast of silver lenses/black bodies and vice versa.
D2
Black Chrome
Pherdinand said:
I just Googled "Leica Black Chrome" and this is what I found on KB Camera's site:
"Black Chrome - Called Black Chrome, but is really a black anodized finish. It was Leica's way to offer a black finsih camera with the professional look with a more durable finish. This finish will look good for a long time, much like the chrome version. When it 'brasses' it shows the silver colored zinc underneath. It does not brass very easily. Only black lenses look good on this finish. the standard black anodized lenses are a perfect match. This choice also makes for the lightest kit possible since Zinc is used for the top and bottom plates of the camera and aluminum is used on the lens barrels. Many people prefer this choice for these distinct advantages."
Maybe I just have weird taste, but I disagree with their "Only black lenses look good on this finish..." assertion -- I often like the contrast of silver lenses/black bodies and vice versa.
D2
S
sfaust
Guest
Re: Re: Black cameras
Re: Re: Black cameras
My very small Sony Cybershot DSC-P100 is absolutely the best street camera I have!! I only wish it had more speed than ISO 400, so its a day/early evening camera.
Its very small, fits in my front pants pocket, and no one even gives it a second thought. "Tourist" is what it yells loudly, and no seems to notice. When shooting with my SLR or RF, I notice people will try to get out of the picture if they happen to notice me. Some will shoot a look of bewilderment as to why I would want a shot of them.
With the Cybershot they never react in the same way and just continue to go about their business as if they didn't notice. Rarely do I need to shot that camera looking through the viewfinder, or by looking at the back LCD. Holding the camera around mid chest height, I can clearly see the framing in the LCD at that angle. So, it just appears that I am fiddling with the camera rather than actually taking a photo since its neither at my eye or held in front of me using the LCD in the traditional manner. Also in that position, its easier to hold such that my thumb is on the shutter release, and not the typical shutter finger, which enhances the illusion. And the shutter is totally silent! Makes a Leica seem very loud
Re: Re: Black cameras
Scarpia said:
My very small Sony Cybershot DSC-P100 is absolutely the best street camera I have!! I only wish it had more speed than ISO 400, so its a day/early evening camera.
Its very small, fits in my front pants pocket, and no one even gives it a second thought. "Tourist" is what it yells loudly, and no seems to notice. When shooting with my SLR or RF, I notice people will try to get out of the picture if they happen to notice me. Some will shoot a look of bewilderment as to why I would want a shot of them.
With the Cybershot they never react in the same way and just continue to go about their business as if they didn't notice. Rarely do I need to shot that camera looking through the viewfinder, or by looking at the back LCD. Holding the camera around mid chest height, I can clearly see the framing in the LCD at that angle. So, it just appears that I am fiddling with the camera rather than actually taking a photo since its neither at my eye or held in front of me using the LCD in the traditional manner. Also in that position, its easier to hold such that my thumb is on the shutter release, and not the typical shutter finger, which enhances the illusion. And the shutter is totally silent! Makes a Leica seem very loud
Russ
Well-known
BLACK! It's common knowledge that black bodies always make better & sharper images. ALWAYS !!!
I suppose that's why my Viv ES, is considerably sharper than the Canon GIII QL-17, and every bit as sahrp or sharper than the Oly RC......
Russ
I suppose that's why my Viv ES, is considerably sharper than the Canon GIII QL-17, and every bit as sahrp or sharper than the Oly RC......
Russ
O
Oldprof
Guest
Chrome cameras have better thermal properties, especially when one is working in sunny tropical conditions. Black cameras absorb more solar radiation. This can lead to heat buildup which may affect some films. On occasion, black cameras have been known to burst into flames.
kuvvy
Well-known
Following this black v chrome thread.
Has anyone tried to 'paint' their camera in order to disguise it? Is it possible to 'paint' one? Imagine a black Oly 35RC or RD. Would this be too tricky to acheive? Would the finish be good and what kind of paint? Maybe the sort used for touching up die-cast models etc. Or must we stick to using tape to cover those shiny bits?
As I write this it sounds a little daft to me but is it possible?
Paul
Has anyone tried to 'paint' their camera in order to disguise it? Is it possible to 'paint' one? Imagine a black Oly 35RC or RD. Would this be too tricky to acheive? Would the finish be good and what kind of paint? Maybe the sort used for touching up die-cast models etc. Or must we stick to using tape to cover those shiny bits?
As I write this it sounds a little daft to me but is it possible?
Paul
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
"Black cameras absorb more solar radiation." Actually, as a sidenote, Canon's (and others) very big lenses are white not (only) for the distinct look, but for exactly the same heat-absorption concerns. Not that they would burst into flames but they get their special lens elements extend and mess up the performance; and the surface gets very hot if black, which makes handling harder for the photographer. And they are not too handy lenses from start.
As to anidozation, i see now, that's what "black chrome" is. It's indeed more durable than black paint; we use anodized aluminum components in our labs here instead of paint - it just seems impossible to see some wear on them, unless you file them or something And it's matte too, unlike most black painted surfaces.
Maybe that's why silver lenses "don't look good" on these cameras, Doug. Because they are not shiny black painted but matte rough surface.
but they get their special lens elements extend and mess up the performance; and the surface gets very hot if black, which makes handling harder for the photographer. And they are not too handy lenses from start.As to anidozation, i see now, that's what "black chrome" is. It's indeed more durable than black paint; we use anodized aluminum components in our labs here instead of paint - it just seems impossible to see some wear on them, unless you file them or something
And it's matte too, unlike most black painted surfaces.Maybe that's why silver lenses "don't look good" on these cameras, Doug. Because they are not shiny black painted but matte rough surface.
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
Kuvvy: i've seen once a website about (re)painting cameras. I guess you can google it. It demonstrated how one should do it: taking the camera apart, types of paint to use, painting methods, time to leave it dry etc. Nice website overall.
S
sfaust
Guest
I've seen a couple examples of cameras that were re-painted. It works well, and the finish looks factory done. But from what I understand, its a labor of love, since its somewhat time consuming and usually will degrade the camera value since its no longer original.
I have a Kiev that was painted, and it really looks great. I haven't had it long, so I can't comment on durability.
I think your idea for a Oly in black would be great. But then again, I'm the one that has somehow started collecting black 70's RFs.
I have a Kiev that was painted, and it really looks great. I haven't had it long, so I can't comment on durability.
I think your idea for a Oly in black would be great. But then again, I'm the one that has somehow started collecting black 70's RFs.
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
Let's not go there, Joe. :angel:back alley said:
Black. Of course, chrome is classic. Black is cool and will go on either black or chrome (or olive or titanium) bodies.
Canon was wishy-washy with their black/chrome design.
back alley
IMAGES
talk about resurrecting a thread!!
Germanica
Member
back alley said:
You are the same guy that re-leathered a Nikon rangefinder in bright red no ? .... in which case it surprises me you didn't add pink to the choices .....
back alley
IMAGES
pink isn't a real colour...
see what 3 years on this forum does to a guy!
see what 3 years on this forum does to a guy!
Mean Panda
Established
Old Thread, New thought
Old Thread, New thought
I used to only buy black M, and always thought black body looks more professional, draws less attention, and brasses beautifully. But since shooting with Leica for more than 5 years regularly, I realize that people could easily tell you have a Leica regardless black or chrome. So if not for professional look, I actually like chrome little more. Really like the clean and classic look of the chrome body. Here is a picture of my chrome M3 and Black chrome M4.
Old Thread, New thought
I used to only buy black M, and always thought black body looks more professional, draws less attention, and brasses beautifully. But since shooting with Leica for more than 5 years regularly, I realize that people could easily tell you have a Leica regardless black or chrome. So if not for professional look, I actually like chrome little more. Really like the clean and classic look of the chrome body. Here is a picture of my chrome M3 and Black chrome M4.