Black or Silver?

[zanydave]

Was just wondering what preference you have towards black or silver finish on Leica M cameras. Have 2 M7's one black one chrome, one has to go but can't make up my mind which one... :bang:

 

[rover]

Chrome, no question.

 

[peter_n]

Absolutely. It's well known that the black ones take lousy pictures. 😀

 

[richard_l]

The pseudo-professional attitude is, "It don't make no difference. One shoots film as well as the other." (I don't believe the myth that black renders the camera invisible when street shooting.) Personally I think silver is prettier, and it looks best with silver lenses.

 

[saxshooter]

Silver, and cover it all up with black gaffer's tape for protection. 😀

 

[zanydave]

Thanks Richard, the invisibility issue was what i was thinking of. Don't know if it's just me but i kinda think the chrome appears smaller.. 😕

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Silver is prettier. It receives praises and kudos. Women like it. Everybody comments on how pretty it is. Which is why I traded mine for a black chrome body. I don't want my camera to be noticed; that was my preference, for discrete photo shooting.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I have both finishes, which one I use is based on my mood, if I'm feeling like being noticed I strap on my chrome M3, instant "bling-bling". Feeling a little artistic and it's my black M4-P that gets the nod. 🙂

Honestly, I would rather have black, most lenses are black, black lenses are lighter than chrome lenses. If you want to be discreet put on a black shirt and the camera isn't as obvious. If you have a chrome M7 and you want to be discreet I guess you could put on a chrome shirt 😀

Todd

 

[StuartR]

My default answer would be black, but I think the chrome is very nice on the M3 and MP...I prefer black for the M4-P through M7. I think the advantage in terms of discretion is very slight, but I would give it to black. If you are photographing someone across the street or something with a black camera, I think it would be less noticeable than the chrome, but I don't think it matters in 99.99% of situations.

 

[Allen Gilman]

Thrilling - just thrilling.

 

[richard_l]

Black looks more professional. 😎

 

[Terence T]

Well Leica has just ceased production of chrome lenses, so perhaps it's best to keep the chrome body and get a bunch of current stock chrome lenses before they run out. Might be worth a bit more in the near future.

 

[Steve Hoffman]

Well Leica has just ceased production of chrome lenses, so perhaps it's best to keep the chrome body and get a bunch of current stock chrome lenses before they run out. Might be worth a bit more in the near future.

WHO SAID? 😕

 

[Terence T]

WHO SAID? 😕

Some info passed on to me by my friendly Leica dealer.

 

[Steve Hoffman]

Really and truly? Verrrrry interesting.

I wonder if a chrome Leica camera will be a thing of the past as well?

 

[Terence T]

It might very well be. Apparently .58 and .85 finders are also in the cut and all future bodies will only be fitted with .72 finders. Only way to get the other 2 would be through the Leica alc.

 

[DaveSee]

If you have a chrome M7 and you want to be discreet I guess you could put on a chrome shirt 😀

Heh... and you'd get a little "contre jour" or fill from reflected light too... you might just be on to something here 😉

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I'd rather use a chrome. People asking about my cameras often bring me new and exciting photo oportunities...as long as the person doesn't mind getting their photo taken.

 

[thmk]

Since I got my M3 I like the chrome version better despite the fact that most of my lenses are black. I like the chrome body/black lens combination (I know this is not really classic and for that I have the collapsible Summicron 😉 ). For a completely black kit I still have my Bessas 🙂

Cheers
Thomas-Michael

 

[rover]

There is no shortage of old chrome lenses so the end of production of new chome ones is not big deal. Can't afford the new ones anyway. Buy used.