Black or Silver Paint?

[Scandium]

I'm buying a ZI and 50mm Planar in the next few weeks. I'm interested in hearing observations about which color paint wears the best.

Thanks,

$g

 

[fixbones]

I think the usual idea is that silver wears better..........

but Black is Sexy.........

 

[Assaf]

usually they say that silver paint lasts longer.
However, you should bear in mind that the rubber covering will wear off before the metal parts do. I saw it on my friends camera (he wore the rubber off a heavy use of less than a year) and it's looks quite ugly.
In addition, reading about the issues that people have with these cameras (including myself) - the camera will have other issues earlier than when the pait wear off.
I mean, it's not a Leica, and to my feeling, this camera wasn't desinged to last decades, so metal aging isn't what should concern you.
To my taste, the silver paint just looks better.

 

[fwellers]

Really ?
ZI is not meant to last ?
I've been deciding between and M6 and a ZI, leaning towards the ZI. I'd like to hear some backup for your comment if you have any, because I really haven't heard that from anyone else.

 

[Assaf]

Well, I don't know how long it's meant to last, but it's definitely much less robust than a Leica. The build quality is of a different standard.
On the other hand, the ZI is, lighter, nicer and much friendlier (to my taste).
I've seen Leicas after decades of use, and my friends ZI after a year's extenssive use - it looked worse and the RF went out of alignemet. My other friend had his M6 fall of his motorcycle while drinig (ouch...) nothing happened to it except a small ding, the RF remained aligned and so did everything else...

 

[fwellers]

Thanks. I may have to reevaluate. Alot would depend on how much more friendly to me the ZI is, than the M6 then.
Because one of my main reasons for choosing a nice film camera is to have a camera that will last. Since any digital I own, would be out of date in some realtively short amount of years, but a film camera won't. So I want ROBUST ! But it must be a joy for me to use also. 🙂

 

[noimmunity]

I've taken well over 6-7000 photos with mine and haven't babied it all. The leatherette wore through (replaced it with griptac covering from cameraleather) and the silver body is covered with nicks. The silver paint on the frame lock has chipped away.
But I've never ever had a problem with the RF alignment, nor the shutter. Every Bessa I've had has experienced this problem, but not the ZI.
I'd say the real difference lies in the fact that there are probably a lot more technicians who service Leicas than ZIs.

 

[sojournerphoto]

RF alignment in a drop is as much a function (i.e. of equal importance not disregarding build) of how the camera falls and is protected as how it's built I think.

Try one and see the ZI is a great camera

Edited to say - I don't really worry about the colour!

 

[mfogiel]

The ZI is a great camera for many reasons. The VF is as capable as that of a Leica 0.58x, so you can see decently well the 28mm frames, BUT is much bigger and brighter, so you can see much better the 35,50 and 85mm frames AND the RF effective base is MUCH longer, so the focusing precision is far superior. It has a precise shutter that goes down to 1/2000th of a second, and YES, you can shoot against the sun with this camera, without fearing to burn a hole in the shutter. The film loading is a breeze and the camera is lighter than a Leica - some might not like it, but when I walk around for a day with 2 Leicas hanging from my neck, at the end it becomes painful. The main selling point of the ZI though, is the ease to see through the VF, especially if you wear glasses. Finally, if you want a Leica, then this is also a great camera, BUT to get close to the ZI you will have to get an M7 with the latest MP style VF. the M6 is a different tool, as it lacks AE and is slower in the street use.
PS, I prefer all my cameras black - chrome cameras are much more conspicuous in the crowd.

 

[kshapero]

I have owned both black and silver ZI's and it really is just a "looks" thing IMHO. Pick which you like. Black because well it is black. Nowadays, silver, because it stands out, folks will think you have some sort of classic. Who cares? It is about the photos, man.