black or chrome?

[back alley]

so, i'm reading a thread over at photo.net about choosing a black or chrome body (leica, of course) and being somewhat smug in my thinking.
i mean, really, what difference does it make?

but...then...i started to think about my canon ltm lenses and how some of them come in both chrome and black paint, about how the black paint ones look more like modern slr lenses than the chrome ones do.
and that i much prefer the chrome ones even if they are heavier.

does this make me shallow?

 

[rover]

Ok, black...but for new cameras only.

Is there anything more classy looking than a M3 or any classic chrome rangefinder camera? No.

But they don't make-um like they used to. The MP is as close as it gets, but I actually would rather have a worn brassed black body than a pristine chrome one (because the finish won't wear) in 10 years.

 

[Huck Finn]

Yes, Joe, it does make you shallow. 😉

By the way, I like chrome too . . . today. . . Tomorrow I'll like black . . . No, chrome. . . No, black. . . No, chrome. . . . :bang:

 

[peter_n]

In Leicaland, with the camera body, who cares? But with Leica lenses, the chrome ones are heavier than the black ones so it makes sense to get black.

 

[sfaust]

Black of course. I mean, my collection of RF's are all black. From the Kiev 4a, R2, R3a (when they ship it to me), QL17, 35CC, S3, etc, all black! Maybe I'm just morbid. Who knows.

But, I am buying a 50/2 Summicron in chrome! A departure I know, but it looks slick. Don't know whats gotten into me 🙂

 

[peter_n]

Yes but you're probably a weight-lifter or something, right? 😉 Is it the current version and are you getting it from a local dealer or on the 'net?

 

[Honu-Hugger]

I prefer the original Contax in black, but favor the II and IIa in chrome....of course those preferences might change if I only had a choice😉 ...Zeiss reminds me of Henry Ford and the Model T.

I actually don't think much about black or chrome -- my preference seems to change frequently. If I were to buy an M6 it would probably be black, they look really nice. I've had chrome and black Nikons and enjoyed them all. Now have both black and chrome Alpas, so once again don't have to choose -- I kind of like it that way!

D2

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Black/Chrome Contrast

Black/Chrome Contrast

Here is a contrast I like. The two lenses are similar: the chrome finish is a 24mm f/3.5 Angenieux and the black one is a 28/3.5. Of course, I'm not opposed to switching lenses -- it's not really about appearance😀 I really miss the way they use to finish cameras and lenses back in the "golden age."

D2 (enjoying this evening's "coffee")

 

[nwcanonman]

Like car designs, it depends on the camera.
Most all SLR's look better in black (to me). The Yashica GT is way sexy with it's black sultry looks. But the Zorki 4K looks much better with it's silver J-12 lens, than with the black J-8 , JMHO.

 

[Doug]

I agree that it depends on the camera. Some look good either way, some one or the other. I chose to get a silver Bessa-T, as the retro looks just seemed to call for silver, and I prefer silver for Leica too. But all my MF cameras are black. Black really looks sharp on some cameras.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Tough choice. The brushed chrome finish of the Summarit is superb. The chrome finish on the Nikkors and Canons come close. A mint to EX+ black finish looks good, but quickly goes downhill. Chrome finish lenses wear better; its got to be UGLY before it looks bad.

 

[Pherdinand]

In the dark, it's easier to lose a black camera. 🙂

 

[Stu :)]

I now own both chrome and black Bessa Rs.
Even though they are the same camera, the black body looks slightly smaller than chrome version. I guess black IS a slimming colour.

Personally I prefer chrome, looks better, wears better, but most important of all... with screw mount lenses, the lenses come in both chrome and black finishes, more often or not the only option is chrome or the black version is too much $$$, so you go with chrome. The chrome body looks good with both shades, but soon as I put the silver Nikkor 5cm/2 on Rover's camera... it ends up looking WRONG. And I mean WRONG in a really really bad way.

Same applies to Hasselblads, an old chrome lens on black body looks wierd and a black back on a chrome body (or vice versa) doesn't seem right either.

The two worst factory finishes I've seen are the browns used by Linhof on their Technikas and brown finish on the Polaiod SX-70. URRGGHH!!! My Technika IV got it's brown leatherette replaced with a nice smooth finish matt black. Looks more 'German' now.

Stu 🙂

 

[GeneW]

To parody the lyrics of an ancient folk song:

"Black is the colour of my true love's flare..."

Gene

 

[back alley]

gene, i love nina simone's version of that song.

joe

 

[jdos2]

I prefer the Smother's Brothers "Black is the color of my love's true hair," but that would be hijacking the thread...

 

[justins7]

Black cameras

Black cameras

One thing you guys are forgetting is that black cameras attract less attention on "the street". So if you are actually taking your equipment into the public, tucked under your hand, in your coat, no one really notices it. A chrome camera looks pricier, possibly, and stands out. This is the very reason black is considered "professional", and for years photojournalists pressed Leitz to issue black paint Leicas.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Black Chrome?

Black Chrome?

I like both, but am always a little concerned about the duability of black paint. Is Leica painting the bodies on the new black "M" models or are they using black chrome? If it is black chrome how is the quality of the finish? I assume that it would be superb but wonder if any of the members have had firsthand experience with it? Not that I'm considering switching sides...(I'd have a lot of "Humble Pie" to eat if I did 😀 )

D2

 

[Pherdinand]

"black chrome"??? Is there such thing? [sorry if it's a dumb question]

 

[Scarpia]

Re: Black cameras

Re: Black cameras

One thing you guys are forgetting is that black cameras attract less attention on "the street". So if you are actually taking your equipment into the public, tucked under your hand, in your coat, no one really notices it. A chrome camera looks pricier, possibly, and stands out. This is the very reason black is considered "professional", and for years photojournalists pressed Leitz to issue black paint Leicas.

I agree with Justins7. I have both black and chrome cameras not to mention a Canon Rebel TI (titanium???) and I find that for street photography a small all black camera works best, at least for me. Earlier this month at an outdoor rummage sale in NYC I took some photos with a small black Canon P&S and was hardly noticed. An hour later I discovered an Indian festival celebrating the start of Diwali (a Hindu holiday period) three blocks away and shot a whole roll of film with my newly aquired Olympus Stylus Epic (original model with 35mm f3.5) also all black and again was only noticed when the flash went off. This happened because it was a dark day and the sliding door of the camera keeps sliding shut when I pocket it and that resets it to full auto, a nuisance.
When I roam around with my Leica or chrome Bessa L, I get stares and the small metal colored Rebel TI gets somewhat hostile stares. I have also noticed that my digital Olympus 2040 attracts little attention, perhaps because digicams are so common today.

Kurt M. 🙄